Genesis Hexicon (Pty) Ltd, a joint venture between South African company Genesis Eco-Energy Developments and Swedish floating wind farm developer Hexicon AB, has initiated the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process for the proposed Gagasi Offshore Floating Wind Farm. The project, located approximately 5 km to 17 km offshore Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, marks a significant step towards South Africa’s renewable energy goals.
The 140 km² facility will comprise wind turbine generators (WTGs) on floating sub-structures, offshore sub-stations, and a network of inter-array and export cables. The 810 MW wind farm aims to contribute up to 4320 GWh annually to the national grid, owned and operated by Eskom. This initiative aligns with South Africa’s Renewable Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP), the Paris Agreement, and national strategic infrastructure projects focused on green energy and economic development.
The Gagasi project, extending 29 km along the Zululand coastline, represents a ZAR 55 billion investment in floating offshore wind technology. This technology is crucial for South Africa’s deep-water maritime resources, unlocking the potential of offshore wind energy.
ACER (Africa) Environmental Consultants has been appointed as the independent EAP to manage the EIA process, targeting environmental authorization within 300 days (excluding the Christmas period, effectively January 8, 2026) per NEMA regulations. The project may be implemented in single or multiple phases, with the first phase anticipated in 2029.
Given the rapid advancements in offshore wind technology, the EIA considers a design envelope with upper and lower specification limits for project components, ensuring flexibility and adaptability to evolving technology within the project timeline. This comprehensive approach underscores Genesis Hexicon’s commitment to sustainable development and South Africa’s transition to clean energy.
