China Energy in South Africa holds open day event on wind power project

BEIJING,Aug. 12,2020 -- An Open Day to showcaseoperations,COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control measures and resumption of work at the De Aar wind power project,South Africa's largest wind power project,was held on Aug 10.

Themed "GreenerEnergy,GreenerLife",the event was presidedover by Longyuan South Africa Renewablesof ChinaLongyuan Power Group Corporation Limited,a subsidiary of China Energy Investment Corporation (China Energy),to demonstratehow Chinese SOEs fulfill their responsibilities.

During the event,Beverly,a local employee at the company,ushered viewers around different parts of the De Aar wind farm,including the substation,the central control room,wind turbine tower and nacelle,informing them aboutthe electric-generation principle,the structure of the wind turbine and layout of the wind farm,as well asthe wind farm's operation and pandemic prevention measures.

According to staff members,the De Aar wind farm has been in stable and safe operation and has provided nearly 2 billion kWh of clean power to South Africa,meeting thepower demands of 300,000 households.

Sincethe pandemic broke out the wind farm has provided more than 200 million kWh of electricity to affected areas.

Itwent into operation in 2017 and was the first of its kind to beinvested,constructed and operated by a Chinese enterprisein Africa.

It is capable of providing about 760 million kWh of power annually,equalling thepower produced by burning 215,800 tons of standard coal and reducingemission of 619,900 tons of carbon dioxide.

The farm plays a key role in improving local energy structure and promoting clean and low-carbon development in South Africa.

In addition to wind farm operation,Longyuan South Africa Renewablesconstructedsix classrooms and teaching facilities at alocal early learning center.

During the COVID-19 outbreak,it also helped the center purchase food for children.

A teacher at the center expressedher gratitude through avideo call during the event.

So far,the company has invested a total of 13.25 million rand ($752,070) to support outstanding college students in finishingtheir studiesand constructedearly learning centers for children from poverty-stricken families.

Msengana,director of economic development of a local municipality,De Aar,stressed the wind farm's contribution to local employment in an interview.

He said that the wind farm has created jobs for local people and played a significant role in supporting development of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Moreover,the company invested 15 million rand in neighborhooddevelopmentevery year and provided funds and critical anti-pandemic supplies valued at about 3.5 million rand to Cape Town and Northern Cape to help local governments fight the COVID-19 outbreak.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2020-08-10/China-Energy-holds-open-day-event-on-wind-power-project-SPTHsHSQqA/index.html

Video - https://cdn5.prnasia.com/202008/ChinaEnergy/video.mp4