Dwarskersbos Solar PV Energy Facility

NOTICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESSES

DWARSKERSBOS SOLAR PV ENERGY FACILITY AND 132KV GRID CONNECTION INFRASTRUCTURE AND ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURES NEAR DWARSKERSBOS, WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE

 Applicant:  SALIKA South Africa (Pty) Ltd.

Proposed Activity:  The development of the Dwarskersbos Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Energy Facility with a generating capacity of up to 400MW and associated grid connection infrastructure including the following:

Solar PV Facility

EGI

»      PV modules mounted on a single axis tracking & fixed structure. »      Inverters and transformers. »      Fence around the project development area with security and access control. »      Cabling between the project components and the facility substation. »      11/22/33kV to 132kV onsite facility substation. »      Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with a capacity of 100MWh. »      Site offices and maintenance buildings, including workshop areas for maintenance and storage area. »      Laydown/staging area on-site in front of mounting structures during installation. »      Temporary store area. »      Main access roads (existing to be upgraded) and new internal gravel roads.

»      An 21km overhead 132kV power line to evacuate power from the Dwarskerbos Solar PV Facility to Velddrif Substation.  A 31m wide corridor is being considered in the EIA process. »      132kV switching station. »      Laydown area on-site in front of mounting structures during installation. »      Temporary store area.

Location:  The proposed project is located ~6km east of the town of Dwarskersbos in the jurisdiction Saldanha Bay Local Municipality and Bergriver Local Municipality within the Western Cape Province on the following properties:

Dwarskersbos PV Solar Energy Facility

EGI

»      Portion 3 of the Farm Groeneveld 108 »      Remaining Extent of the Farm Groeneveld 108 »     Portion 11 of the Farm Weglooperheuwel 116

»      Portion 1,3 and 5 of the Farm Drieheuwels 106 »      Portion 3 and 5 of the Farm Groeneveld 108 »      Portion 3 of the Farm Groeneveld 108 »      Remaining extent and Portion 1 of Farm 107 »      Remaining extent and Portion 11 Wegloperheuwel 116 »      Portion 1 of the Farm Grootvlei A »      Farm Doornfontein A 118 »      Farm Kruispad 120 »      Remaining extent and Portion 1 of Farm 1052 »      Portion 1 of the Farm 1051

Environmental Impact Assessment Processes: In terms of Sections 24 and 24D of the National Environmental Management Act (No 107 of 1998), as read with Government Notice R324 – R327, as amended, Environmental Authorisation (EA) is required for the above-mentioned projects.  A Scoping and EIA (S&EIA) process is required for the proposed Dwarskersbos Solar PV Energy Facility and a Basic Assessment (BA) process is required for the 132kV EGI. Separate applications for Environmental Authorisation will be submitted to the Competent Authority.   Savannah Environmental is undertaking the required S&EIA, BA and public participation processes.

Following the lapsing of the previous application (DFFE Reference No.: 14/12/16/3/3/2/2406) in terms of Regulation 45 of the 2014 EIA Regulations, as amended, a new application for Authorisation has been submitted to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). 

Scoping Report Available for Review & Comment: The Scoping Report for the Dwarskerbos Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Facility is available for download, review, and comment on the Savannah Environmental website (https://savannahsa.com/public-documents/energy-generation/).  The 30-day review & comment period of the is from Friday, 16 February 2024 until Monday, 18 March 2024. The final day to submit a comment is Monday, 18 March 2024.  Notification regarding the availability of the BA for the EGI will be provided once this is available for review.

To register as an interested and/or affected party, please submit your name, contact information and interest in the matter or issues to be addressed in writing to the below mentioned consultant.

Molatela Ledwaba of Savannah Environmental
Post: P.O. Box 148, Sunninghill, 2157, Johannesburg
Tel: 011 656 3237 / Fax: 086 684 0547
Mobile: 060 978 8396
Email: publicprocess@savannahsa.com
Website: www.savannahsa.com

Documents for public review are available for download – Click here

Alternatively, you can contact the Public Participation team at publicprocess@savannahsa.com to register your interest in the project.