Dassiesklip Wind Energy Facility is a landmark renewable-energy project in the Overberg region of the Western Cape, located approximately 5 kilometres west of Caledon in Theewaterskloof Local Municipality. Also known as the Klipheuwel Wind Farm, the facility was developed as part of South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) Bid Window 1, one of the first major procurement rounds through which privately developed renewable-energy projects were introduced into the national electricity system. The project was selected as a preferred bidder in December 2011.
The wind farm occupies an approximately 350-hectare site within the agricultural landscape surrounding Caledon. Its wind turbines form a distinctive technological landmark against the rolling green hills of the Overberg. The combination of large white turbines, cultivated agricultural fields and dramatic Western Cape skies creates a striking visual relationship between modern renewable-energy infrastructure and the rural environment.
Dassiesklip was developed by BioTherm Energy together with broad-based black economic-empowerment trusts and other investors, with Overberg Wind Power also participating as a shareholder. The project reached financial close in November 2012, after which construction proceeded. Basil Read Matomo was appointed as the engineering, procurement and construction contractor. The project brought together international renewable-energy expertise with South African engineering, construction and infrastructure capabilities.
The facility became commercially operational in May 2014, making it one of the early operational wind projects delivered through the first REIPPPP bid window. The project was officially opened on 18 February 2014, marking an important milestone in the development of South Africa’s utility-scale renewable-energy industry.
From an infrastructure perspective, Dassiesklip is significant because it illustrates the transition from conventional electricity generation towards a more diversified South African power system. The project was designed to export renewable electricity to the national grid, helping displace electricity that would otherwise largely have been generated from conventional fossil-fuel sources. The project documentation anticipated substantial greenhouse-gas emission reductions as a result of the renewable generation.
The electrical infrastructure associated with the wind farm includes a new substation and connection infrastructure linked to the existing 66 kV transmission network between Houwhoek and Caledon. The turbines generate electricity when wind conditions are suitable, with the power gathered through the wind farm’s internal electrical network before being transferred into the wider grid. This combination of turbines, access roads, turbine foundations, electrical collection systems and grid connection infrastructure forms an integrated renewable-energy facility across the agricultural landscape.
This photograph captures the characteristic appearance of Dassiesklip Wind Energy Facility, with a prominent turbine standing above the gently undulating cultivated fields while additional turbines are visible in the background. The image also highlights the scale of the structures relative to the surrounding landscape. The broad agricultural fields, low hills and changing cloud formations of the Overberg provide a particularly strong setting for documenting the facility. The turbines represent a clear visual marker of South Africa’s renewable-energy transition and demonstrate how utility-scale wind generation has become integrated into landscapes traditionally dominated by agriculture.
Location: Approximately 5 km west of Caledon, Theewaterskloof Local Municipality, Overberg District, Western Cape, South Africa.
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