With Mpumalanga having been selected to host the Group of 20 (G20) energy session in September next year, diversified energy company Seriti Green says the event will propel the province onto the global stage, setting the standard for future power supply with international standards and protocols.

G20 Ministers will convene in Mpumalanga from September 23 to 26 to discuss the energy mix, lower carbon-emitting technologies and other aspects of the just energy transition (JET).

“As someone deeply connected to Mpumalanga and its people, I have seen first-hand the need for a JET. This is not only about sustainable energy but creating a future that is inclusive and prosperous for communities,” says Seriti Resources CEO Mike Teke.

Seriti Green is building Mpumalanga’s first utility-scale wind farm, Ummbila Emoyeni, which paves the way for 4 GW of planned renewable energy capacity by 2027.

Seriti Green has been ambitious in its journey of diversifying South Africa’s energy mix, having 23 renewable-energy projects in various stages of development.

The company is also positively impacting on the lives of employees and communities. The Ummbila Emoyeni site now employs 729 people, of which 58% come from local communities.

A key milestone was achieved with the delivery of the 500 MVA, 400/132/22 kV Vunumoya power transformer in November, which will form the backbone of the project’s main transmission station.

Manufactured in Brazil, the 200 t transformer is critical to connecting renewable energy to South Africa’s national grid.

Once operational, the Ummbila Emoyeni Wind Farm is expected to offset 500 000 t/y of CO₂ emissions.

Moreover, through its Seriti Green Hub platform, which is a dedicated skills and employment portal, the company has registered more than 10 000 jobseekers.

Seriti is particularly focused on transitioning former mine staff into renewable energy roles, providing opportunities for individuals to transfer their skills into new industries.

“This approach ensures that those who have spent years powering South Africa’s energy sector can continue to play a key role in its sustainable future,” Teke states.

Seriti Green CEO Peter Venn adds that the company’s commitment to the JET extends beyond energy generation. “We are creating jobs, training the next generation of renewable-energy professionals and ensuring that our communities benefit directly from this transformation.”

Venn concludes that Seriti is building a future where renewable energy is the foundation of economic growth, environmental stewardship and social progress.

Teke agrees that Seriti is helping to create something monumental for the people of Mpumalanga and for South Africa, for generations that follow.