The opening of the office coincides with the commissioning of a Vestas V90-1.8 MW wind turbine at Coega, at the football World Cup city of Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

Vestas says it intends to actively support the development of wind energy as an important source of energy for southern Africa.

“Vestas sees southern Africa - and South Africa in particular - as key emerging markets for us and as leaders in the development of wind energy in Africa,” says Hans Jörn Rieks, President of Vestas Central Europe.

“South Africa has made a solid commitment to a clean energy future and we want to build strong and constructive partnerships with customers, government, the energy industry and the sustainable development community to build a sustainable wind industry. We recognise that we have a responsibility not only to our customers, but to the environment around us, to our employees, and to all the communities we operate in.”

The Coega wind turbine will produce an estimated 5.7 GWh of wind energy annually. The electricity generated by the wind turbine has been donated by Electrawinds to the Nelson Mandela Bay football stadium in Port Elizabeth.

Jan Dewulf, Electrawinds' Director of Business Development, says: "It is [...] the start of what we hope will be the first commercial wind farm in this country. This project has been realised thanks to the exceptional efforts of all staff involved.

“Shortly after signing the contract, the first component of the turbine was already on the boat to South Africa. Almost 100 days later, the turbine has already produced green energy. To my knowledge, this is an absolute record! If the Danes are equally effective at the football, Electrawinds knows already who will be the new world champion!"