Ummbila Emoyeni: Pioneering Mpumalanga’s Renewable Energy Future

The Ummbila Emoyeni 900 MW hybrid renewable energy facility stands as the largest of its kind in South Africa, positioning Mpumalanga at the forefront of the country’s sustainable energy transition. Located in the Highveld region, the project has been designated by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure as a Strategic Integrated Project and secured Environmental Authorization from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, paving the way for construction to begin in 2024.

Fast forward to 2025, the facility is already demonstrating remarkable progress. The MEC for Economic Development and Tourism, Ms. J. Sidell, accompanied by the Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr. Kgosientso Ramokgopa, and the Acting CEO of the Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency, Mr. Nkosinathi Nkonyane, visited the site in Bethal to assess the latest developments and affirm the government’s support for the initiative.

In July, Seriti Green CEO, Mr. Peter Venn, announced a major milestone: the successful erection of the project’s first wind turbine, an impressive structure standing 221 meters tall with a 130-meter tower and 91-meter blades. Venn described the achievement as both an example of engineering excellence and a tangible step toward a Just Energy Transition. He stressed that this is the first utility-scale wind turbine in Mpumalanga, underscoring Seriti Green’s commitment to community participation, job creation, supplier development, and long-term socio-economic impact.

To date, the project has already created over 1,000 jobs, with 58.6% of workers drawn from local communities. Importantly, Seriti Green has introduced a skills transition programme to support workers shifting from the coal sector into renewable energy, ensuring that the transition is not only environmentally responsible but also socially inclusive.

As construction advances, Ummbila Emoyeni is poised to become a flagship project for Mpumalanga’s green economy, setting a precedent for renewable energy development and reinforcing South Africa’s commitment to a just and sustainable future.

Notes to editors

About the Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency: The Mpumalanga Green Cluster is a not-for-profit organization registered in South Africa. The Cluster uses the triple helix cluster model with representation from government, industry, and academia as part of its design setup. The cluster works at the interface between business, government, and academia to identify and remove barriers to an economically viable green economy, catalyzing their uptake to enable the region and its citizens to prosper. Mpumalanga is a world-leading region in creating decent, green jobs by creating the enabling environment for new investments in low-carbon growth. The Mpumalanga Green Cluster agency’s board of directors are Dr. Thembakazi Mali (Board Chairperson), Dr. Bongiwe Mcata and Mr. Nathaniel Sebitso, Ms. Lauren Hermanus, and Dr. Rethabile Melamu, with Mr. Nkosinathi Nkonyane serving as the CEO (a).

Issued by: Gift Mkhatshwa—Communications Officer on behalf of The Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency

For media inquiries please contact gift@mpumalangagreencluster.co.za or 067 305 5130