Proposed development of the Highveld PV Cluster near Potchefstroom, North West Province

WKN Wind current (Pty) Ltd proposes the development of a solar PV facility comprising an up to 240MW Solar PV facilities, and Grid connection infrastructure, located approximately 15km north east of Stilfontein in the North West Province. The project area falls within the Matlosana Local Municipality within the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality.
The solar PV facilities will be developed on the following properties:
Portion 56 of Farm Rietfontein 388
Portion 79 of Farm Rietfontein 388
Remainder of Portion 10 of Farm Rietfontein 388
Portion 0 of farm Rietfontein 3
Access to the project site is ample with the presence of existing roads mainly consisting of national and regional roads. The N12 is located to the south of the project site and the R30 is located to the west of the project site.
A facility development area which will include the PV facility, BESS and grid connection solution will be identified taking into consideration the identified sensitivities. The infrastructure associated with this 240MW PV facility includes:
PV modules and mounting structures
Inverters and transformers
Cabling between the project components, to be laid underground where practical.
Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
Access roads, internal roads and fencing around the development area.
Laydown area.
Operation and Maintenance buildings including a gate and security building, control centre, offices, warehouse, and workshop areas for maintenance and storage.
A grid connection solution is required to connect the project/s to the Eskom grid (assumed within a 300m wide corridor approximately 20km in length) and will form part of a separate application for Environmental Authorization.
The development area will be larger than the area needed for the construction of a 240MW PV facility and will provide the opportunity for the optimal placement of the infrastructure, ensuring avoidance of major identified environmental sensitivities by the development footprint. To avoid areas of potential sensitivity and to ensure that potential detrimental environmental impacts are minimised as far as possible, the development footprint within which the infrastructure of the PV facility and its associated infrastructure will be located will be fully assessed.