07 October 2024

NOTIFICATION OF SUBMISSION OF THE FINAL SCOPING REPORT(S) FOR APPROVAL TO PROCEED TO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PHASE FOR THE PROPOSED SHEEPMOOR, ROCHDALE AND EMVELO WIND ENERGY FACILITIES, MPUMALANGA PROVINCE

DFFE Reference(s): 14/12/16/3/3/2/2611, 14/12/16/3/3/2/2612 and 14/12/16/3/3/2/2613

Nature of Activity: The Project Developer, under the Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), namely Rochdale Wind Energy Facility (Pty) Ltd, Sheepmoor Wind Energy Facility (Pty) Ltd, and Emvelo Wind Energy Facility (Pty) Ltd, intend to submit separate applications for Environmental Authorisation (EA) for the proposed Rochdale , Emvelo  and Sheepmoor WEFs including their associated infrastructure. The proposed WEFs will include between 25 – 45 turbines each with a maximum output capacity of up to 240 MW and an anticipated lifespan of 20 – 25 years. The WEFs will all connect directly into National Eskom Grid via the Eskom Camden Substation. Each WEF will apply for authorisation of a proposed grid connection route to connect to the existing Eskom Camden Substation, via approximately 20 – 31 km long 132 kV overhead transmission lines.

Development Location: The Cluster WEF preferred project site (for all 3 WEFs) is approximately up to 150 ha, and are located between 15 - 30 km east of the town of Ermelo in Mpumalanga Province and falls within the Msukaligwa Local Municipality and Gert Sibande District Municipality.

Application Process: In terms of Chapter 5 of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act 107 of 1998 – NEMA), and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, 2014 (as amended), the Project Applicants appointed Environmental Resources Management Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd (ERM), to act as the project manager and to undertake the Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment (S&EIA) as the independent environmental impact assessment practitioner (EAP).

The Draft Scoping Report for the Proposed Development(s) was subjected to the required 30-day comment and review period, from the 22 August 2024 to the 21 September 2024 (both days inclusive), taking into consideration Chapter 2 Regulation 3 (1); (2) and (3) of the NEMA, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998). Comments received from the public were incorporated, addressed and responded to in the Final Scoping Report.

In terms of Section 21 of the National Water Act (NWA) (36 of 1998), as amended, the development may potentially require water use license. If required, an application for Water Use License will be submitted to the Department of Human Settlement and Water and Sanitation for authorisation.

ERM has submitted three separate Environmental Applications, including separate Final Scoping Reports to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).

Emvelo Wind Energy Facility documents

Emvelo WEF_FSR.pdf
Emvelo Figures.pdf
Emvelo Specialist Reports.pdf
Emvelo Public Participation Report.pdf

Rochdale Wind Energy Facility documents

Rochdale WEF Final Scoping Report.pdf
Rochdale Figures.pdf
Rochdale Public Participation Report.pdf
Rochdale Specialist Reports.pdf

Sheepmoor Wind Energy Facility documents

Sheepmoor WEF Final Scoping Report 2024.pdf
Sheepmoor Figures.pdf
Sheepmoor Public Participation Report.pdf
Sheepmoor Specialist Reports.pdf