Development of a commercial wind farm and associated infrastructure

Redding Wind (Pty) Ltd is proposing the development of a commercial wind farm and associated infrastructure on a site located approximately 46km south-east of Somerset East, 40km south-west of Cookhouse and 37km north-west of Riebeek East within the Blue Crane Route Local Municipality and the Sarah Baartman District Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province. The entire extent of the site falls within the Cookhouse Renewable Energy Development Zone (REDZ) and within the Eastern Corridor of the Strategic Transmission Corridors.

The project site consists of thirteen affected properties. The affected properties include:

» Farm No 369
» Portion 2 of Farm Shepherds Rest No 272
» Remainder of Farm Varkens Kuil No 269
» Portion 3 (Vlak Leegte) of Farm Driefontein No 259
» Portion 1 (Opmeet Fontein) of farm Gras Fonteyn No 258
» Remainder of Farm Draai Van Klein Visrivier 254
» Portion 1 of Farm Bothas Hoop 358m
» Remainder of 271 of Farm Request 271
» Portion 2 of Farm Request 271
» Portion 1 of Farm Request 271
» Portion 9 of Farm Britzkraal No 253
» Portion 8 (a Portion of Portion 7) of Farm Britzkraal No 253
» Portion 7 of Farm Britzkraal No 253

A development envelope for the placement of the wind farm infrastructure (i.e. development footprint) has been identified within the project site and assessed as part of the BA process. The development envelope is ~7963ha in extent and the much smaller development footprint of ~88.2ha will be placed and sited within the development envelope. The development footprint will contain the following infrastructure to enable the wind farm to generate up to 576MW:

» Up to 64 wind turbines with a maximum hub height of up to 166m. The tip height of the turbines will be up to 246m.
» A 132/33kV on-site collector substation to be connected to a proposed 400kV Main Transmission Substation (MTS) located to the north-east via a new 132kV overhead power line (twin turn dual circuit line). The development of the proposed 400kV Main Transmission Substation will be assessed as part of the separate BA process in order to obtain Environmental Authorisation.
» Concrete turbine foundations and turbine hardstands.
» Temporary laydown areas which will accommodate the boom erection, storage and assembly area.
» Cabling between the turbines, to be laid underground where practical.
» Access roads to the site and between project components with a width of approximately 4,5m. The main access points will be 8m wide.
» A temporary concrete batching plant.
» Staff accommodation (temporary).
» Operation and Maintenance buildings including a gate house, security building, control centre, offices, warehouses, a workshop and visitor’s centre.

The new 132kV overhead power line to connect the wind farm to the proposed 400kV Main Transmission Substation will follow a route within the project site to the north-east to complete the connection. The majority of the properties affected by the power line form part of the Redding Wind Farm project site. The power line is being assessed within a 300m grid connection corridor which will provide for the avoidance of sensitive environment areas and features and allow for the micro-siting of the power line within the corridor.