Proposed Development of the ABO Serval Solar Energy Facility 10 and Associated Infrastructure near Middelburg in the Mpumalanga Province

ABO Serval Solar Energy Facility 10 (Pty) Ltd is proposing to construct the ABO Serval Solar Energy Facility 10 (ABO Serval SEF 10), a photovoltaic (PV) Solar Energy Facility and associated infrastructure located between Middelburg and Belfast in the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality and the Nkangala District, in the Mpumalanga Province. The proposed SEF and associated infrastructure project are located within the Emalahleni Renewable Energy Development Zone (REDZ) and is therefore subject to Basic Assessment process in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations (2014, as amended in 2017).

The overall objective of the proposed development is to generate electricity by means of renewable energy technologies capturing solar energy to feed into the national grid, which will be procured under either the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), other government run procurement programmes, any other program it intends to supply power to, or for the sale to private off-takers. To further ensure efficient power delivery, the facility will also incorporate the use of storage technologies such as battery energy storage systems (BESS).

SiVEST Environmental Division has subsequently been appointed as the independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) to undertake the Basic Assessment (BA) process for the proposed construction and operation of the ABO Serval SEF 10 and associated infrastructure. The proposed development requires an Environmental Authorisation (EA) from the National Department Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). However, the provincial authority (i.e. the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (DARDLEA)) will also be consulted. The BA for the proposed development will be conducted in terms of the EIA Regulations, 2014 (as amended) promulgated in terms of Chapter 5 of the National Environmental Management Act, Act No. 107 of 1998 (NEMA) (as amended). In terms of these regulations, a BA process is required for the proposed development. All relevant legislation and guidelines will be consulted during the BA process and will be complied with at all times.

The proposed development will comprise several arrays of PV panels, and associated infrastructure. The associated infrastructure would include, but not be limited to, additional internal access roads, on-site substation, Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), temporary laydown area, O&M Buildings etc. The total capacity of the Solar PV plant will have a maximum total generation capacity of up to 50 megawatts (MW) be known as the ABO Serval Solar Energy Facility 10.