Addressing guests on Friday July 31 , the President said the project with more than 25 wind turbines proves Mpumalanga has more to offer than coal alone.

“Mpumalanga is known as the place of the rising sun, but it has not been known for its wind. In fact, some doubted the value of building a wind farm here. Seriti has shown confidence in this province and its potential,” Ramaphosa said

The President noted that Seriti, a company with a strong history in South Africa’s coal industry, is now investing in the country’s renewable future while the country continues to rely on coal as part of a diversified energy mix.

He said the project underscores the value of partnership between government, Eskom, the private sector and communities, and is already delivering jobs and skills.

More than 1,000 jobs have been created to date, with about half going to people living within a 10 kilometre radius of the site. Over 18,500 people have registered on the Seriti Green Skills Hub, with more than 50 percent of them women.

READ | Seriti Power to create jobs and development in Albert Luthuli

“The true measure of the success of this just energy transition is the extent to which it creates opportunities for the South African people,” he said.

Ramaphosa also highlighted Seriti’s broader investment commitment, including R4.5 billion pledged at the 2023 South Africa Investment Conference and a further R10 billion announced earlier this year for renewable energy infrastructure.

On energy security, the President said load shedding is “behind us” and that work to end load reduction is bearing fruit in provinces including Mpumalanga.

He announced that a task team under the National Energy Crisis Committee has completed the first phase of work on establishing an independent Transmission System Operator, with a detailed implementation plan to follow.

“Electricity that is affordable, reliable and increasingly clean is the lifeblood of a growing economy,” Ramaphosa said. “For households, affordable electricity is a matter of dignity.”

He thanked Seriti Green, local contractors, workers and small businesses for their role, and said the Ummbila Emoyeni Wind Farm should stand as a symbol of South African ingenuity and partnership.

“For generations, Mpumalanga has powered South Africa and now it is paving the way to a new future,” he concluded.

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The entity says this strategic appointment underscores the company’s growing focus on operational delivery as the company advances South Africa’s Just Energy Transition (JET).

“Chabisi brings over 25 years of leadership experience across mining and metals, including senior operational roles at Glencore, Jubilee Metals Group, Samancor, Kumba and the Afarak Group. His track record spans operational excellence, safety leadership, culture transformation and strategic execution – expertise that will now be leveraged to scale Seriti Green’s renewable energy projects from development to operation,” reads Seriti Green’s statement.

READ | Premier commits to prioritise mining in Mpumalanga

Chabisi will oversee day-to-day of the operating facilities, manage recurring electricity revenue and ensure compliance with evolving regulatory frameworks. The company also said that he will closely work with the company’s CEO, CFO and CTO.

“Joining Seriti Green is an exciting opportunity to contribute to South Africa’s Just Energy Transition. My goal is to ensure that our projects not only deliver renewable energy but also create meaningful socio-economic impact, through disciplined execution, ethical leadership and strong stakeholder partnerships,” said Motloung.

READ MORE | Seriti Green and Eskom mark handover of Vunumoya Main Transmission Station

Peter Venn, CEO of Seriti Green, added, “Chabisi’s appointment is a key milestone in our JET journey. As we move from project development to full-scale operations. Operational excellence becomes critical. Chabisi’s cross-industry experience. He’s proven leadership will help us translate strategy into tangible energy outcomes for South Africa.”

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This investment of more than R1 billion, delivered over 18 months, represents a major grid-enabling asset that will support one of South Africa’s largest renewable energy developments.

The handover confirms that the Vunumoya MTS is fully energised, operational and integrated into the national grid. It also enables the first 155MW of wind energy from Seriti Green’s Ummbila Emoyeni One Wind Energy Facility to be fed into the system ahead of schedule, marking the beginning of a 900MW programme that will progressively add further renewable capacity.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Seriti Group CEO Mike Teke said the milestone demonstrates what coordinated delivery can achieve for South Africa’s evolving energy landscape.

“Today’s handover of the Vunumoya Main Transmission Station demonstrates what effective partnership can achieve. This is a meaningful milestone for South Africa’s energy transition and for Mpumalanga’s future as a renewable energy hub. Seriti is proud to be playing a role in building the infrastructure that supports a more secure and sustainable national energy system,” Teke said.

READ | Seriti Green achieves financial close and breaks ground on third phase of flagship Ummbila Emoyeni wind project 

The Vunumoya MTS forms a central element of the broader Ummbila Emoyeni Renewable Energy Project, providing the critical infrastructure needed to feed renewable energy into the national transmission network. The station includes advanced 400kV and 132kV infrastructure, a 500MVA transformer, and additional capacity for future feeders and transformers.

Eskom Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane welcomed the handover, noting the importance of the project in strengthening grid capability to support South Africa’s clean energy trajectory. “This achievement is a clear demonstration of what collaboration and innovation can deliver. It accelerates South Africa’s energy transition and reinforces Eskom’s commitment to a sustainable future. Projects like Vunumoya are vital for modernising our grid and ensuring reliable, low-carbon power for generations to come,” Marokane said.

Originally scheduled for commissioning in March 2026, the project’s first phase has been accelerated and will now deliver energy into the grid from 28 November 2025. The power produced in this first phase will be wheeled to Seriti Resources as part of the mining group’s commitment to decarbonising its operations.

NTCSA CEO Monde Bala highlighted the role of the Vunumoya infrastructure in expanding grid capacity and enabling future renewable integration. “The Vunumoya project forms part of the commitment to enabling the efficient integration of renewable energy projects into the grid, strengthening grid reliability and supporting South Africa’s transition to a diversified, low-carbon energy mix,” he said. “I express sincere gratitude to our partners Seriti Green, the NTCSA teams and all stakeholders for the diligent execution of the project,” added Bala.

For Seriti Green, the handover concludes its delivery phase of the MTS, a strategic anchor for unlocking large-scale renewable supply from one of the most ambitious wind and solar projects under development in the country.

Seriti Green CEO Peter Venn said the energisation of the MTS marks the start of a multi-year renewable roll-out with long-term benefits for Mpumalanga and the national grid.

“The successful energisation of the Vunumoya MTS and the first phase of Ummbila Emoyeni positions one of South Africa’s largest renewable projects for long-term impact. This milestone shows what coordinated effort can deliver and underscores Seriti Green’s commitment to developing clean energy at the scale required for South Africa’s Just Energy Transition,” Venn said.

Located in Mpumalanga, the Vunumoya MTS represents an important step in ensuring the region remains central to South Africa’s economic and energy future. By enabling new renewable energy to enter the grid, it supports national decarbonisation objectives and a more diversified, secure and modern power system.

ALSO READ | Electricity Minister visits Seriti Green’s Ummbila Emoyeni renewable energy project

Eskom is committed to enabling South Africa’s Just Energy Transition, which aims to reduce carbon emissions while ensuring energy security and socio-economic development.

The NTCSA remains committed to providing a robust and efficient transmission network, delivering system operator services, and facilitating dynamic energy market operations for the benefit of South Africa and designated electricity stakeholders.

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The Minister’s visit underscores Seriti Green’s alignment with the South African government’s priorities to accelerate the Just Energy Transition (JET) and build a sustainable, low-carbon energy future.

Located between Bethal and Morgenzon in Mpumalanga, the first three phases of the Ummbila Emoyeni project – each comprising a 155MW wind energy facility – are scheduled to begin commercial operation in the first half of 2027. Once operational, the project will supply approximately 75% of the Seriti Group’s electricity needs, supporting its decarbonisation goals.

The site forms part of a broader 900MW hybrid renewable energy cluster, comprising five wind farms and one solar photovoltaic (PV) facility, expected to be fully commissioned by 2027. Once completed, it will be the largest renewable hybrid energy facility in South Africa.

READ | Seriti Power to create jobs and development in Albert Luthuli

The project’s anticipated total capital investment spend will be R70 billion. Some R385 million will go towards funding small and medium sized businesses and social development projects.

A key focus of the Minister’s visit was the Main Transmission Substation (MTS), currently under construction. This R1 billion investment will enable the efficient delivery of clean energy from the project to the national grid. Upon completion, Ummbila Emoyeni will have the capacity to power approximately 500,000 households.

In his address today to community members, suppliers, employees and government officials, the Minister said energy is a mechanism for boosting the economy.

“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.

The Minister also praised local farmers and the community for their support.

Seriti Green CEO Peter Venn emphasised the role of renewables in job creation: “I’m incredibly proud of this Main Transmission Substation standing here in the fields of Morgenzon and the 1,200 people on site taking part in the construction.

“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,” Venn explained.

ALSO READ | https://mpmirroronline.co.za/90-000-job-opportunities-to-be-created-for-the-youth/

Also in attendance was Seriti Resources CEO Mike Teke, who explained the role of coal in the JET.

“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,” Teke said.

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