PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE LICHTENBURG 1 PV FACILITY, NORTH WEST PROVINCE

The authorised ABO Wind Lichtenburg 1 PV solar energy facility (‘the project’) is located 12km north of Lichtenburg and 5.5km south of Bakerville in the North West Province. The project is located within Ward 16 of the Ditsobotla Local Municipality and the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality in the North West Province. The development footprint of the solar energy facility is located on Portion 6 of Farm Zamenkomst No. 04 and the Remainder of Portion 4 of Farm Houthaaldoorns No. 2. It is within these properties that the project will be constructed and operated.
The following infrastructure was authorised for the project by DFFE, as fully assessed within the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process:
Photovoltaic modules with a net generation (contracted) capacity of 100MW;
On-site 88/132kV substation;
Mounting structures (fixed tilt/static, single-axis or double-axis tracking systems) for the PV arrays and related foundations;
DC/AC Inverters, LV/MV power transformers and internal electrical reticulation (underground cabling);
A new 88/132kV overhead power line from the on-site substation to the Mmabatho / Watershed DS 1 88kV Power Line;
Access and internal road network;
Temporary laydown area;
Auxiliary buildings (gate-house and security, control centre, office, two warehouses, canteen & visitors centre, rainwater tanks, etc);
Perimeter fencing; and
Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), with a capacity of up to 500MW/500MWh, an extent of no more than 5ha, and a maximum height of 3.5m1.
The amendment being applied for through this process relates to the consideration of a part of the assessed Grid Connection Alternative 2 corridor as the preferred corridor in the Environmental Authorisation (EA2) for the project. This will allow the project to connect to the proposed step-up/on-site substation of ABO Wind Lichtenburg 3 PV on the authorised footprint of Lichtenburg 3 PV.