𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮’𝘀 𝗟𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗘𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗼

Ermelo witnessed a historic event on Thursday, 30 January 2025, as one of Africa’s largest wind turbine blades passed through town on its way to the Ummbila Emoyeni wind farm between Bethal and Morgenzon. The blade, transported from Richards Bay, measures approximately 92 meters long and weighs around 31 tons—with the transport truck, the total length exceeded 100 meters, making it a massive logistical operation.
 

The convoy entered Ermelo from Breyten’s side, turning left onto a custom-built gravel road before navigating Oosthuise Street through town. It passed behind the Gert Sibande District Municipality, crossed the N17 intersection, and stopped overnight in Cassim Park’s parking area before continuing early Friday morning. By that afternoon, it had reached the wind farm site.

This transport was a test run to assess logistics. Transport crew members indicated that if all goes well, future trips will scale up, with two blades per convoy at first, possibly increasing to three.
 

The 900-megawatt wind farm, developed by Seriti Green, is a major step in South Africa’s renewable energy shift. Once completed in 2027, it will power Seriti’s coal mining operations and contribute to the national grid.
 

The sight of this colossal blade moving through Ermelo is more than just a logistical feat—it’s a sign of South Africa’s evolving energy future.