Gennaker grid hardware shipped; Zambia solar PPA signed; South Africa park starts
Two offshore substations departed the Netherlands for the Baltic Sea to support the 927 MW Gennaker wind farm's German grid connection, each with about 450 MW of transmission capacity. AXIAN signed a power purchase agreement with Africa GreenCo for the 200 MWac/240 MWdc Kudu solar project in Zambia, which is expected to generate roughly 530 GWh annually. Yellow Door Energy began construction of the 49 MWp Lion Thorn solar park in South Africa after reaching financial close, with PowerChina handling engineering, procurement and construction.
Gennaker’s grid link uses two substations, Zingst and Darß, from HSI Joint Venture—Smulders HSM and Iv. They left Schiedam and Vlissingen for Baltic installation. Each has about 450 MW capacity for the 927 MW wind farm; Zingst’s topside weighs about 4,700 tonnes. 50Hertz is developing the German connection; marine installation, electrical hookup and commissioning remain before completion, targeted for 2028.
AXIAN’s Kudu project in Zambia is 200 MWac/240 MWdc and may generate about 530 GWh yearly; Africa GreenCo will market output via the Southern African Power Pool. Yellow Door Energy’s 49 MWp Lion Thorn park in South Africa reached financial close, with PowerChina as EPC contractor and Nedbank debt; it may produce about 115 GWh in year one.
These projects could affect electricity users, workers and businesses in Germany, Zambia and South Africa. Added offshore wind and solar may diversify supply, support grid reliability and create construction and operations jobs. In Zambia, pooled sales might reach utilities, mines and commercial buyers; in South Africa, wheeling could let commercial customers access cleaner power. Local environmental and land-use effects may also draw attention, depending on siting and operation.