The Roggeveld project is a 147MW wind farm to be implement approximately 20km north of Matjiesfontein, in Ward 4 of Laingsburg Local Municipality and Ward 1 of Karoo Hoogland Local Municipality. It straddles Northern Cape and Western Cape. The project was awarded preferred bidder status in 2015 under round 4 of REIPPP. The total project cost is estimated at R4.4 billion. The DBSA’s exposure under the project is approximately R909.1 million, comprising R648.5 million of a senior Consumer Price Index (CPI)-linked facility, R131.6 million of a junior debt facility and R129.1 million of a BEE debt facility. The junior and BEE facilities are provided to enable the BEE shareholder, H1 Holdings, to acquire its 23.25% shareholding in the project.
Development outcomes and measurable impacts
Positive socio-economic impacts include the creation of job opportunities, transfer of skills and contributions to the local, regional and national economies. Approximately 386 jobs and 33 jobs will be created during the construction and operation phases, respectively. The project has committed a local spend during construction of no less than 48% of project costs, which equates to about R2.1 billion.
The local communities also stand to benefit from the dividend flows to the Building Energy Opportunity Trust, through the development of poor communities, the promotion of community-based projects, the provision of training, the promotion of micro-enterprises, the building and equipping of educational facilities, scholarships and other community-based programmes. On completion, the project will contribute approximately 555 000 MWh a year of clean energy to the national grid.