Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has praised Seriti Green’s Ummbila Emoyeni renewable energy project in Mpumalanga, calling it “a perfect illustration of the best of the renewable energy sector.”
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Ramokgopa recently visited the project site located between Bethal and Morgenzon. He was hosted by Mike Teke, CEO of Seriti Resources, and Peter Venn, CEO of Seriti Green. This project is set to become South Africa’s largest renewable hybrid energy facility, scheduled to be fully operational by 2027.
The development includes five wind farms and a solar photovoltaic plant, with a combined capacity of 900MW. Its first three phases, each a 155MW wind facility, are expected to start commercial operation in the first half of 2027. Once complete, Ummbila Emoyeni will supply around 75% of the Seriti Group’s electricity needs and generate enough power for 500,000 households.
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The initiative carries a projected capital investment of R70 billion, with R385 million earmarked for small business development and community projects. A key feature of the Minister’s tour was the Main Transmission Substation (MTS), a R1 billion facility under construction that will feed renewable energy from the site into the national grid.
Speaking to community members, suppliers and government officials, Ramokgopa highlighted the link between energy and economic growth.
“Energy leads and the rest follows. It must be affordable and the mix must be right. Ummbila Emoyeni is a perfect illustration of the best of the renewable energy sector and it is significant that it is happening in Mpumalanga,” he said.
Venn noted that the project is already creating jobs, with 1,200 people currently employed on site. He stressed that renewable energy offers an opportunity for coal workers to adapt their skills.
“More than 50% of the skills needed in renewables are in the coal industry. We are not going to be able to replace all the coal mine workers. But the skills can be easily transferred from coal to renewables and that is what this project brings about,” he said.
Teke added that Seriti remains committed to coal while preparing for a balanced energy transition.
“As we stand here today, Seriti is not selling any of our coal mines. We are going to transition and it’s going to be smooth and just. This project for us is that vote of confidence. We are going to build more like it,” he said.
Seriti emphasised that the Just Energy Transition must be inclusive, with ongoing engagement between workers, communities, government and industry to minimise job losses while building opportunities in the green economy.