President Ramaphosa launch commercial operation of Ummbila Emoyeni Wind Energy plant South Africa reached another important milestone in its energy transition yesterday as Minister of Electricity and Energy Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa joined President Cyril Ramaphosa and Seriti Green to celebrate the commercial operation of the Ummbila Emoyeni Wind Energy Facility. In his remarks, Minister Ramokgopa said it is a scientific myth to suggest that in other parts of the country there are no renewable energy resources such as wind and solar. “What is powerful about the Seriti Green project is that it is driven by the private sector and we know private sector’s affinity to science, and in fact government is also drawn very close to science. Evidence is very key in informing our policy choices. The days of the relationship of antagonism of science and policy making is history, we are going to anchor our choices on science”, said the Minister. The project delivers 155 MW of clean electricity in its first phase and forms part of Seriti Green's broader 900 MW renewable energy programme, representing an investment of approximately R25 billion. During construction, the project created more than 1,000 jobs, with around half benefiting people from communities within a 10 km radius of the development. The initiative has also invested in local skills development, with more than 18,500 people registered on the Seriti Green Skills Hub. The commercialisation of Ummbila Emoyeni demonstrates that South Africa's energy transition is translating into tangible outcomes, reliable electricity supply, increased private sector investment, skills development and meaningful socio-economic benefits for surrounding communities.