Rising with the wind

In the quiet town of De Aar, Sipho Dube often looks up at the towering 80-metre structures and their 42-metre blades, which seem to brush the clouds. To many, they are just a wind farm, but to Dube, they represent a lifeline. 

"I once struggled to find work after studying to become an electrician. I will always be grateful that CHN Energy Longyuan Power South Africa Branch offered me not just a job but a future," Dube told ChinAfrica. 

In the semi-arid expanse of the Northern Cape, Longyuan has become a symbol of the green economic revolution propelled by China-South Africa cooperation. Its 163 turbines produce around 770 million kWh of clean electricity each year, powering roughly 300,000 South African homes and helping to ease the country's persistent energy shortages. 

For Dube, a wind turbine technician, the De Aar Wind Power Project represents more than energy; it is an opportunity. "This project is fostering local talent, improving livelihoods and driving regional growth," he said, noting that these initiatives are part of a wider push for sustainable energy development fuelled by international collaboration and technological innovation. 

"Two years ago, I struggled to provide for my family," Dube reflects. "Now, thanks to Longyuan, I not only have a stable livelihood, but have also sharpened my skills in renewable energy. I am very proud of what we are building here."

Power for people 

The Longyuan wind power farm in De Aar is the first wind energy plant in Africa to be developed, constructed and operated by Longyuan South Africa, a wholly owned subsidiary of CHN Energy Investment Group's Longyuan Power Group Corp. Ltd. 

Since its completion in 2017, the project has become the largest operational wind farm on the continent. Its towering turbines capture the region's steady winds, earning the Northern Cape a reputation as a renewable energy hotspot. 

"We have always followed the concept of green development locally, and we keep improving our clean energy supply. Over the past year, we have continually made progress in green power generation, environmental protection, employee development and community support," Longyuan South Africa Renewables CEO Wang Tianbao said recently when he unveiled the company's 2024 Social Responsibility and 2025 Think Tank Reports. 

Wang said the reports aimed to highlight the commendable initiatives undertaken in new and clean energy, showcasing the company's ongoing progress in green power generation, environmental protection, and community support. 

Energy experts note that nearly 300 days without load shedding in 2024 marks the longest stretch of uninterrupted power supply in five years, signalling notable progress in energy stability. The milestone underscores Longyuan's role in addressing past energy shortages and boosting the country's capacity to sustain economic growth. 

Arguably, the De Aar Wind Power Project exemplifies a dual focus on expanding renewable energy capacity while delivering tangible socio-economic benefits to the local community. This approach ensures that the project not only meets environmental objectives, but also contributes to economic and social progress at the local level. 

With a total investment of around 2.5 billion yuan ($352 million) and an installed capacity of 244.5 mw, the project harnesses South Africa's consistently strong winds, which blow daily rather than only seasonally. 

"We are proud that the De Aar Wind Power Project contributed more than 783 million kWh of renewable electricity to the national grid this year," said Dai Xiaoming, Longyuan South Africa's director of planning and development. 

Dai noted that the wind power project in De Aar exemplifies Longyuan's work under the Belt and Road Initiative, demonstrating the value of international partnerships in expanding renewable energy in South Africa. 

Caring for the community 

According to Guan Qing, business development coordinator at Longyuan South Africa, the company's commitment extends beyond renewable energy. Through sustained efforts in education, employment, health care and youth development, Longyuan aims to empower and uplift local communities. 

Longyuan South Africa has demonstrated its commitment to corporate social responsibility through an annual scholarship programme worth around $263,200, supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds. So far, 390 students have benefitted from the programme. 

Guan also reiterated that the future of China-South Africa cooperation will extend beyond the energy sector to encompass culture, youth empowerment and innovation. 

Teboho Nhlahla, like Dube, is among more than 110 young technicians trained by the wind power company, an initiative that has led to over 80 percent of the workforce being locally employed, with many occupying key operational and management roles. 

"I am very excited to be among other young technicians trained to work here, especially since I had no financial means to support myself after completing high school," Nhlahla told ChinAfrica. 

The company's social responsibility programmes in the town, which has limited medical facilities, include establishing mobile clinics, supporting local old-age homes with food and care for impoverished elders, and building and operating early childhood centres that provide free education to hundreds of children from low-income families. 

Underscoring the importance of cooperation with China, South Africa's Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa recently led a high-level delegation to China, aimed at strengthening the country's energy capacity and advancing a transition towards a more sustainable and reliable power system. 

Amid chronic electricity shortages and the urgent need to upgrade its aging infrastructure, the visit built on previous successful partnerships, including the Redstone Solar Thermal Power Project in the Northern Cape, designed to deliver 100 mw of clean, dispatchable energy, and the Longyuan wind power project. 

"These initiatives illustrate the power of targeted international partnerships in advancing South Africa's renewable energy ambitions, boosting local economic development and diversifying the country's energy mix," Ramokgopa said.