Charlene Rinae, Bethal, Mpumalanga | 31 July 2026—South Africa marked another significant milestone in its transition towards a cleaner, more resilient energy future as President Cyril Ramaphosa officially inaugurated Seriti Green’s Ummbila Emoyeni Wind Farm in Bethal, Mpumalanga, on Friday.
The launch signified the commencement of commercial operations at the renewable energy facility and highlighted South Africa’s growing commitment to balancing energy security, economic development and environmental sustainability through strategic investment in clean energy infrastructure.
The event attracted a distinguished audience that included President Cyril Ramaphosa, Minister of Electricity and Energy Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu, Seriti Resources Group CEO Mike Teke, Seriti Green CEO Peter Venn, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to South Africa Wu Peng, members of traditional leadership, government officials, business leaders, community representatives, organised labour, civil society organisations, international partners and stakeholders from across the energy sector.
A Day of Celebration
The day’s proceedings began at the Seriti Green Mpumalanga headquarters in Bethal, where guests gathered for registration before travelling to the Ummbila Emoyeni Wind Energy Facility for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Against the backdrop of the newly completed wind turbines, the ceremony commenced with an uplifting performance by a local school choir, celebrating both the project’s completion and the partnership between industry and local communities.
Guests were officially welcomed by Gert Sibande District Executive Mayor Cllr Walter Mngomezulu, who acknowledged the significance of the investment for the district and its contribution to local economic development. This was followed by remarks from the Traditional Council representative, who welcomed the project as an opportunity to create employment, empower surrounding communities and ensure that development benefits local people for generations to come.
Mike Teke: “We Cannot Stop Human Progress”
Delivering the keynote address, Seriti Resources Group CEO Mike Teke reflected on the company’s remarkable transformation from one of South Africa’s leading coal mining companies into an integrated energy business committed to powering the country’s future.
Recalling the first announcement of Seriti Green’s vision in 2023, Teke said many questioned whether the company was serious about renewable energy. Three years later, he said, the completion of the Ummbila Emoyeni Wind Farm demonstrates that South Africa’s energy transition is no longer theoretical but is being realised through tangible investment and infrastructure.
He described the project as an example of “human progress,” explaining that true progress is measured by creating opportunities for future generations while embracing innovation without abandoning the communities that have historically powered the country.
Teke announced that the project’s first phase comprises 25 wind turbines generating 155 megawatts of renewable electricity, supplying enough clean energy to power approximately 500,000 homes while reducing pressure on the national electricity grid.
He praised the engineers, technicians, project managers and construction teams who transformed an ambitious vision into reality, emphasising that Seriti’s success is built on the expertise and dedication of its people.
The Seriti CEO reaffirmed the company’s commitment to expanding renewable energy investments across Mpumalanga through additional wind, solar and battery storage developments, ensuring that the province remains South Africa’s energy heartland well into the future.
Ribbon-Cutting Marks a New Beginning
Following the keynote address, Mike Teke was joined by Premier Mandla Ndlovu, traditional leaders and Seriti Green executives for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony, formally declaring the Ummbila Emoyeni Wind Farm operational.
A colourful parachute display immediately afterwards added excitement to the celebrations as guests witnessed the official launch of one of South Africa’s newest renewable energy facilities.
President Opens Seriti Green’s New Headquarters
The programme then returned to the Seriti Green Mpumalanga headquarters, where President Cyril Ramaphosa officially unveiled the company’s new offices.
Accompanied by Mike Teke, Peter Venn and senior executives, the President toured the Remote Operations Centre, Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Facility and Community Digital Training Centre, meeting engineers, apprentices, technicians and project teams responsible for delivering the development.
The visit showcased Seriti Green’s integrated approach to renewable energy generation, digital innovation, skills development and operational excellence.
A Just Energy Transition in Action
Addressing guests during the main event, President Ramaphosa congratulated Seriti Green for successfully bringing the Ummbila Emoyeni Wind Farm into commercial operation.
He said the project demonstrates that South Africa’s Just Energy Transition is moving from vision to delivery through practical partnerships between government, Eskom, the private sector and surrounding communities.
The President acknowledged Seriti’s proud history in coal mining while commending the company for investing confidently in renewable energy, noting that South Africa’s future electricity system will continue drawing on multiple energy sources to ensure reliability and affordability.
Although Mpumalanga has long been recognised for its coal-fired power stations, Ramaphosa said the wind farm proves the province has enormous renewable energy potential and remains central to South Africa’s future energy landscape.
He described the project as more than the completion of infrastructure, saying it reflects confidence in the country’s ability to deliver large-scale investment while creating meaningful opportunities for ordinary South Africans.
Creating Jobs and Empowering Communities
President Ramaphosa highlighted the significant socio-economic benefits already delivered through the project.
More than 1,000 jobs were created during construction, with approximately half of those opportunities going to people living within a 10-kilometre radius of the wind farm.
He also praised the success of the Seriti Green Skills Hub, where more than 18,500 job seekers have registered for training and employment opportunities linked to current and future projects. More than half of those registered are women, reflecting the project’s contribution towards inclusive economic participation.
The President emphasised that South Africa’s Just Energy Transition must strengthen communities by supporting local businesses, equipping young people with new skills and ensuring economic opportunities continue long after construction has been completed.
R25 Billion Commitment to Renewable Energy
One of the day’s major announcements was Seriti Green’s confirmation of a further R10 billion investment, increasing its total renewable energy commitment from R15 billion to R25 billion.
The new investment will fund two additional phases of development, including the proposed Phefumula Emoyeni Wind Project.
Together with Ummbila Emoyeni, the developments are expected to create one of Southern Africa’s largest renewable energy precincts, comprising 187 wind turbines as part of Seriti Green’s planned 900-megawatt renewable energy programme in Mpumalanga.
The programme is further supported by the Vunumoya transmission infrastructure, which includes approximately R1.2 billion invested in new transmission capacity designed to strengthen the country’s electricity network.
President Ramaphosa welcomed the announcement, praising Seriti Green for consistently honouring its investment commitments and encouraging the company to continue leading South Africa’s renewable energy transformation.
A Milestone Built on Safety and Excellence
Seriti Green CEO Peter Venn paid tribute to employees, contractors, financiers and project partners whose dedication made the development possible.
He announced that the project accumulated more than three million work hours without recording a single lost-time injury, describing the achievement as a reflection of the company’s commitment to safety, professionalism and operational excellence.
Venn said future developments would continue demonstrating how wind, solar and battery technologies can work together to deliver reliable electricity while ensuring communities benefit directly from South Africa’s energy transition.
Looking to the Future
The day’s celebrations concluded with the signing ceremony for the next phase of the Ummbila Emoyeni development, reaffirming Seriti Green’s long-term commitment to renewable energy investment and infrastructure development.
As guests departed Bethal, the significance of the occasion extended beyond the commissioning of another wind farm. The launch represented a bold statement of confidence in South Africa’s future—a future powered by innovation, collaboration and investment.
For generations, Mpumalanga has powered the nation through its coal resources. With the successful launch of the Ummbila Emoyeni Wind Farm, the province has once again positioned itself at the forefront of South Africa’s energy story—this time by embracing renewable energy while creating jobs, empowering communities and laying the foundation for a more sustainable and inclusive economy.
The Ummbila Emoyeni Wind Farm stands not only as a landmark engineering achievement but also as a symbol of what can be accomplished when government, industry and communities work together to build a stronger South Africa.
