Enel Green Power South Africa has introduced the Blowing Art Initiative at the Impofu Wind Farm, a creative community project that turns renewable energy infrastructure into a living gallery. Local artists and school learners have painted the lower, accessible sections of selected turbines, bringing colour, story, and a sense of belonging to a site that powers progress in the province.
The Impofu Wind Cluster is the largest wind project under construction by Enel Green Power globally. It plays a key role in the country's energy transition and supports priorities like economic transformation, job creation, sustainability, and social inclusion. Within this context, the Blowing Art Initiative uses art as a bridge between people and technology, bringing communities into the heart of the project. Created in early December under the theme ‘People are Energy,’ the murals were painted by three acclaimed South African artists, Falko, Motel, and Bushy, and represent unity, heritage, and a future powered by wind.
Including school learners was central to the vision of creating a real connection between people and renewable energy. On one of the days, twelve learners aged 12 to 13 from local schools joined the artists on site, adding brushstrokes to the murals and taking part in interactive sessions about wind power and painting techniques. Through the experience, they learnt how a wind farm works and explored their own creativity in a way that was simple, engaging, and filled with possibility.
Art is a reflection of identity and inspires imagination. When that power meets clean energy, a space for shared ownership is created. The turbines at Impofu are now a living canvas of local stories in full view, giving community members a reason to feel proud each time a blade turns. The artworks also create a welcoming touchpoint for future educational visits, where learners and community groups can experience renewable energy in a way that feels accessible and human.
For Enel Green Power South Africa, the Blowing Art Initiative is fundamentally about connection. The company views renewable energy as a platform for opportunity and, by inviting artists and learners to leave their mark on the turbines, aims to honour local culture, open pathways to learning, and strengthen a shared commitment to a just and inclusive energy transition in South Africa.
The project was planned with a strong focus on safety and responsible execution. Access was limited to the lower sections of the towers, and the murals were completed using outdoor-grade, long-lasting paint to ensure durability.
Community participation sits at the heart of Enel Green Power South Africa’s work at Impofu. Alongside the art activation, the broader programme places emphasis on local employment, skills development, and partnerships that support long-term social value. The Blowing Art Initiative deepens this commitment by giving local creators a high-profile canvas and giving young people a formative experience that blends science, design, and teamwork.
Looking ahead, Enel Green Power South Africa will explore opportunities to extend the concept, subject to environmental permits and landowner approvals. With dozens of turbines on site, the wind farm offers scope for future collaborations that could involve more artists and additional schools.
People are Energy is more than a theme. It is a promise to keep people at the centre of South Africa’s energy transition. When art and infrastructure work together, communities feel seen, opportunity grows, and the future becomes something we build together.
