The transportation of various wind turbine components to Khobab Wind Farm have commenced with the first 2 nacelles, 2 hubs, and 3 blades arriving at the wind farm on 22 February 2017.

The tower sections travel to Loeriesfontein, in the Northern Cape, on the N1 via Worcester, Laingsburg and Beaufort West, a five day journey of 1 396 km. The 53m long blades together with other components will travel a 1 158km route along the N10 from the Port of Ngqura to Graaff-Reinet, Beaufort West and on to the site.  Trucks with oversized trailers, varying in size of up to 57m in length, will deliver the various components to Khobab Wind Farm from late-February, with the final load arriving during August 2017.

The locally manufactured sections mean that Khobab Wind Farm has been able to achieve local content commitments exceeding 40% of the project’s total value.  “Local content has a vital role to play in the long-term growth of the renewable energy sector and its positive impact on the country,” explained Kevin Foster, Project Manager of Khobab Wind Farm.

Residents in Loeriesfontein and the surrounding towns of Niewoudtville and Calvinia have grown accustomed to wind turbine component sections making their way to Loeriesfontein, as Khobab Wind Farm’s sister property, Loeriesfontein Wind Farm, has already received all its abnormal loads.

The 53m long wind turbine blades, tower sections, nacelles and hubs travel on the N10 via Uitenhage, Graaff-Reinet, Beaufort West, Three Sisters, and Carnarvon onto Loeriesfontein. “The blades, towers, hubs and nacelles take approximately 3-days, travelling at maximum speed of 50 to 70 km per hour,” explained Foster.

Road users are urged to exercise caution and to visit the wind farm’s websites for additional information and updated transportation schedules; www.khobabwind.co.za. Transportation is prohibited at night, during the school holiday period, on public holidays, during festivals or other special events.  In the towns of Graaff-Reinet and Beaufort West transportation will be avoided during peak traffic hours, as far as possible.

Khobab and Loeriesfontein Wind Farms, which together span 6 653 hectares, will produce an impressive combined output of 280MW generated by their 122 wind turbines.  This is equivalent of 240 000 average households being powered each year, providing a massive boost to energy provision in the country.

February 2017