The Wesley-Ciskei project holds great significance for the Eastern Cape Province, it is the first and only wind energy project located in a former homeland region of the Eastern Cape, despite such regions representing almost 40% of the Province’s landmass and being host to 60% of the Province’s population.

The project has created numerous jobs and resulted in several key economic development initiatives in the community, including an SMME development and upskilling programme. The objective was to assist approximately 50 SMME’s in the communities surrounding the project site in upskilling in the following areas: Health and Safety, Communication Skills, Financing and Tendering. The project appointed SAICA ED to facilitate the programme.

A bursary scheme also assisted two students in the local community to study at an institution of higher learning.

During the pandemic hard lockdown, over 400 food parcels were delivered to the community and local businesses manufactured face masks and hand sanitisers for the site.

The Project is also the subject of an academic study by the University of the Free State to assess the socio-economic impact that the Wesley – Ciskei project has on its local communities, since it is the first renewable energy project under the REIPPP programme located in this former homeland area in South Africa. Phase 1 of the study developed a baseline of the area, and phase 2 of the study will measure the same indicators at the end of the construction phase in order to have a comparative effect.