A consortium led by Irish-owned energy company Mainstream Renewable Power has been awarded two large scale wind farm contracts in South Africa's latest Government tender.

The award was made under the fourth round of the South African government’s renewable energy procurement programme and the two wind farms represent an investment of approximately €420 million.

One wind farm will be located in the Nama Khoi Municipality in the Northern Cape, while the other will be in the Cape Winelands District and Witzenberg Local Municipalities of the Western Cape.

Barry Lynch of Mainstream said renewable energy ticks three important boxes for South Africa’s energy needs.

“Firstly, the cost of these projects is now cheaper than new coal-fired generation. Secondly, they can be brought into commercial operation at the speed required and thirdly, they meet the scale needed to address the country’s growing electricity demand.”

This is the third big win for Mainstream in South Africa. In total the company has been awarded contracts for 848 megawatts since the first award in 2011.