Native veld needs to be cleared to allow for access roads to be constructed. Each turbine and the substation need an access road to enable the delivery of turbines and substation equipment. The roads will be used during the operations phase as technicians also need to be able travel around the site safely.

Each wind turbine is built on top of a 19 m diameter steel reinforced concrete foundation. Each foundation has to cure for at least 28 days after pouring until further works can be done.

Underground cables carry the power generated by each wind turbine to the substations. Trenches need to be dug, cables placed and trenches filled back in before the project is complete.

Copperton Wind Farm has  three internal substations that feed electricity into the national grid via transmission lines.

Acciona wind turbine blades and nacelle parts, shipped from Europe, must travel from Coega Port on specialised, extreme length and weight, trucks to site.

Concrete tower sections are to be manufactured locally and transported via road to the site to be assembled and erected.

All delivered parts are stored in a Laydown area until contractors are ready to start erecting.

Tower sections are assembled on the ground and installed in segments using a crane.

Two cranes are used during the installation to lift the tower sections and install the nacelle, hub and blades.

Each wind turbine needs to be mechanically and electrically tested before construction is complete. The turbine can then start operating and generating electricity safely.

Construction is complete when all turbines have been commissioned and completed. For 20 years of operations the plant will generate clean green electricity, helping to keep South Africa’s lights on and uplift local communities for generations to come.