SolarAfrica Energy Part 2 EA Amend and IWULA

Electricity generated by the project will be “wheeled” on existing Eskom infrastructure for private offtake. The growing demand for the generation and supply of renewable energy by Independent Power Producers (IPPs), has resulted in the expansion of the project scope, which will now require additional authorisations. The increased scope includes:
1. Additional access road upgrades leading to the MTS are required, due to the size and weight of the MTS transformers and associated delivery vehicles as well as ensuring compliance with Eskom minimum road specifications. The required road upgrades will result in “triggering” additional Listed & Specified Activities not currently included in the existing Environmental Authorisation (EA), necessitating application for additional EA by way of a Basic Assessment.
2. Electricity generated by the Solar PV Facility will be connected to the national grid, using Loop-In, Loop-Out (LILO) into the existing 400 kV Eskom transmission powerline closest to the MTS (known as Line 2), but provision needs to be made to allow LILO into Line 1, a parallel Eskom transmission line approximately 2.5 kms away from Line 2. This additional transmission line forms part of the Part 2 Amendment.
3. Due to the size of the MTS, local supply of ready-mix concrete will no longer be feasible, and on-site batching will be required. So, the Part 2 amendment will also include on-site concrete batching, which was not included in the original scope of the project. Furthermore, an additional contractor laydown will be required, as provision needs to be made for multiple contractors during the construction phase, as well as changes to Operational & Maintenance (O&M) facilities, which need to accommodate more than one Independent Power Producer (IPP).
4. Finally, application will be made to consolidate all the current water uses authorised under General Authorisation into an Integrated Water Use License. Additional water uses will be added into the IWULA for road building activities within the DWS regulated area of a watercourse, as well as the provision of additional water, by way of groundwater, to ensure adequate water provision for the road upgrades and on-site concrete batching activities.