The R300m investment from Spanish corporate, GRI Renewable Industries, offers South Africa a giant leap forward in the provision of renewable energy alternatives with the facility capable of producing 150 wind towers a year.
"Our investment in this new wind turbine tower production facility clearly demonstrates our long term commitment to South Africa and also positions GRI Wind as open for business and willing to partner local enterprises to develop sustainable wind energy facilities in South Africa," Javier Imaz, CEO of GRI, comments.
The 12,000m2 factory, situated in the Green Technology Industrial Park in Atlantis, will help propel South Africa into the renewable energy market, with more investment planned for the future. The state-of-the-art facility integrates the use of energy saving technologies designed to maximise the benefits of natural lighting and ventilation.
The 350m long factory has custom-designed storage space, allowing each completed tower section to be stored on site. Each section can weigh up to 90 tons, and measure 38 metres in length, and five metres in diameter. In addition there is permanently installed logistic machinery to move and load the completed sections.
The company hopes to reach full production volume in 18 months, and in the process will develop a highly skilled and motivated workforce, contributing towards sustainable and responsible power generation. Atlantis has always suffered from high unemployment rates, and this project will not only create 200 permanent jobs, but new skills will be taught that currently do not exist in this country.
Local and overseas experts will invest in identifying and training the new labour force and up-skilling them to be able to provide the necessary service to perform their jobs to the highest standards, leading to much needed social upliftment within this local community. This is the first investment that the City of Cape Town has attracted through its pilot Investment Incentive Scheme in Atlantis, and is testament to the city's emphasis on partnerships to make progress possible.
"Not only will this investment offer a realistic solution to the current fragile power situation, but we will be deploying and sharing our know-how with the local market and at the same time generating additional job creation opportunities. We see a bright future for South African-developed renewable energy, both locally and also in Africa, not just as users but suppliers as well," Imaz concludes.
