The transportation of wind turbine components from the Port of Ngqura to the Umsobomvu Wind Farm, located on the border of the Eastern and Northern Cape, is in progress. This is a significant logistical operation: it involves moving 81-metre-long turbine blades, tower sections, nacelles, hubs and other components over a distance of 550 kilometres via the regional highways.
The nacelle, which houses all the power generating components, is the heaviest component in a wind turbine.
Communities and regular commuters along these routes have become familiar with the sight of the abnormal loads, well recognised from similar projects in the region over the past decade.
David Moncasi Hortet, Head of Sales for Africa at Nordex Energy South Africa, said: “Transportation of key components, such as nacelles, drive trains, and hubs, began in mid-September, ahead of schedule to avoid potential logistical challenges, including transportation embargoes during the busy December-January holiday period.”
Route selection is based on load dimensions – height, weight, and length – directing components either along the N9 via Cradock to Middelburg or the N10 through Graaff-Reinet.
The transportation is being managed by specialist logistics and transportation teams, which will grow to over 60 members at the peak of the operation. However, challenges remain, such as the shortage of police resources to escort the heavy loads and strict Department of Transport requirements, including deliveries being limited to weekdays.
Components are delivered by sea on vessels from around the globe to the Eastern Cape port, where they are offloaded and stored before being transported to the wind farm sites.
Construction on the Umsobomvu and Hartebeesthoek wind farms, which form part of the Koruson 2 cluster, began earlier this year, with commissioning expected in Q1 2026. The Koruson 2 cluster is owned by Envusa Energy, the joint venture partnership between EDF Renewables and Anglo American.
Together, the wind farms will include 50 Nordex N163/5.X turbines, and each farm will generate 147.5 MW, to deliver a total capacity of 295 MW. Nordex will also provide maintenance for the turbines over the next 20 years.
Key logistics facts:
- Total abnormal loads: 550
- Loads delivered to date: 17
- Transportation start date: mid-September 2024
- Expected completion: 2025
- Heaviest component: nacelle, 73 tonnes
- Blade length: 81.5 metres
- Turbine height: 118 metres
- Embargo periods: no abnormal load transport on public holidays or during school holidays, unless special permission is granted.
- Night-time transportation: not permitted.
For more information visit: https://www.nordex-online.com/en/south-africa/
