Driving Clean Power: Highlights from Longyuan SA's 2025 De Aar Open Day

On 25 November 2025, Longyuan South Africa Renewables opened the gates of its De Aarwind power complex to the community for an open day that blended learning, celebration, and genuine connection.

What was originally planned as a straightforward information session quickly grew into something far more meaningful, especially for the new cohort of technical students who arrived with their families, eager to see the world they are stepping into.

Set against the wide-open plains of De Aar, the towering turbines created a striking backdrop. Their steady rotations captured a simple but powerful truth: that the winds sweeping across the Karoo can be transformed into electricity that lights homes, strengthens the national grid, and fuels the ambitions of an entire region.

Guests, including students, technicians, and members of the media, were given rare behind-the-scenes access, allowing them to see the coordination, engineering, and environmental stewardship required to keep the project running smoothly.

Although energy generation lies at the heart of the De Aar wind farm, the open day reaffirmed something just as important: Longyuan South Africa Renewables is as invested in people as it is in infrastructure.

Throughout the day, newly enrolled technical students stood alongside their families and classmates, many seeing the turbines up close for the very first time. Their excitement was a reminder that the site is not only a source of electricity but also an opportunity.

Completed in 2017, the De Aar Wind Power Project remains a flagship example of China-South Africa cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. With an investment of around 2.5 billion RMB (roughly 352 million USD) and a total installed capacity of 244.5 megawatts, it is the first wind project in Africa to be developed, built, and operated by a Chinese power company. It has since become one of the largest operational wind farms in South Africa.

Its 163 turbines generate approximately 770 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity each year, enough to power 300,000 South African homes and alleviate ongoing pressure on the country’s power system.

Several trained technicians and former trainees also shared their stories during the event. A common theme emerged: access to training and stable employment at Longyuan had not only shaped their careers but had also brought renewed confidence, independence, and financial stability to their families.

The day also underscored Longyuan’s wider social commitments. From skills development to community upliftment and educational initiatives, the company continues to demonstrate that sustainable development extends far beyond producing electricity.

In a country still navigating load-shedding and environmental pressures, the De Aar wind farm shows how large-scale renewable projects can strengthen national energy security while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Ultimately, the 2025 open day was more than just a tour. It was a reaffirmation of what is possible when renewable energy projects are built with intention, inclusion and community partnership. As South Africa works towards a cleaner and more reliable energy future, the DeAar project stands as a practical, hopeful example of progress in action. - People's Daily