Development of a commercial wind farm and associated infrastructure

Aeoulus (Pty) Ltd is proposing the development of a commercial wind farm and associated infrastructure on a site located approximately 53km south-east of Somerset East, 44km south-west of Cookhouse and 32km north-west of Riebeek East (measured from the centre of the site) 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 seven affected properties. The affected properties include:

» Remainder of Farm Brand Rug No 268
» Remainder of Farm Varkens Kuil No 269
» Remainder of Portion 3 of Farm Commadagga No 266
» Portion 1 of Farm Vaalkdrans No 299
» Portion 1 Glen Roy of Farm Varkens Kuil No 269
» Portion 3 Glen Roy a portion of Portion 1 of Farm Modderfontein No 302
» Portion 2 Spitzkop of Farm Varkens Kuil No 269

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 ~3857ha in extent and the much smaller development footprint of ~45.4ha 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 297MW:

» Up to 33 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 of the site 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 visitors centre.

The new 132kV overhead power line to connect the wind farm to the proposed 400kV Main Transmission Substation will follow a route north of the project site to complete the connection. The power line will therefore cross properties located to the north of the project site. It must however be noted that these properties form part of the project site of another proposed wind farm which forms part of the cluster of renewable energy facilities proposed. The power line is being assessed within a 300m grid connection corridor which will provide for the avoidance of sensitive environmental areas and features and allow for the micro-siting of the power line within the corridor.