Vanguard Handles 25 More Turbines for Ummbila Wind Project

Vanguard is progressing the delivery of 25 wind turbines for the third phase of South Africa’s Ummbila Emoyeni wind project, combining vessel discharge, port handling and specialist transport through Richards Bay.

All 25 turbines for the latest phase have now arrived at the Port of Richards Bay. Vanguard is using its wind blade shunt trailers to move components from the vessel to a port laydown area for transshipment before onward delivery to the project site.

The latest campaign follows the delivery of 50 turbines for the first two phases, taking Vanguard’s involvement across the project to 75 turbines.

Seriti Green, the developer of Ummbila Emoyeni, confirmed that the third phase represents 155 MW of capacity. The company has now closed three 155 MW phases, representing a combined 465 MW, as part of a wider renewable energy development planned to exceed 900 MW. 

The wider Ummbila Emoyeni project is being developed in Mpumalanga and will ultimately comprise five wind farms, a solar PV facility and battery storage. 

Phase One entered commercial operation in 2026 with 25 Goldwind GWH182-6.2 MW turbines. Goldwind says the turbines feature a rotor diameter of 183.5 metres.

For the third phase, Vanguard’s scope brings together port handling and specialist inland transport, with components discharged at Richards Bay, transferred to the laydown area and prepared for delivery inland.

The programme continues Vanguard’s role in one of South Africa’s largest renewable energy developments, linking imported wind components with the heavy transport required to move them from port to project site.