CaseDetails
Summary
Case ID
22337
Case Status
Proposal Description
The Applicant, Nyarhi Solar Power Plant (RF) (Pty) Ltd, proposes the development of the Nyarhi BESS grid connection infrastructure (including substations) which will the proposed Nyarhi Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project (DFFE Ref.: 14/12/16/3/3/1/2948), currently undergoing authorisation, and enable the storage and evacuation of electricity generated to the national grid via the Eskom Mercury Main Transmission Substation (MTS). The proposed Nyarhi BESS Grid Connection Corridor project is located approximately 28 km northwest of the town of Viljoenskroon and falls within the Moqhaka Local Municipality and the greater Fezile Dabi District Municipality.
A 100 m wide grid connection corridor, expanding up to 2400 m wide at the Existing Mercury Main Transmission Substation (MTS) (and surrounding the existing Eskom powerlines) has been identified for assessment and for the placement of the grid connection infrastructure. The grid corridor is up to 4.5 km long. The physical development footprint of the preferred grid connection corridor will be further reduced and restricted to power line pylon footprints only. The associated Grid Infrastructure further includes the development of an IPP step-up and Eskom switching/collector station and access roads.
The entire extent of the development is located within the Central Strategic Transmission Corridor and the Klerksdorp Renewable Energy Development Zone (REDZ).
The grid connection corridor has been identified as the most feasible option due to the short corridor length and the specific connection point, the existing Mercury MTS, that must be utilised to connect into the national grid. The grid connection corridor is also determined based on the location and requirements of the proposed Nyarhi Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project (DFFE Ref.: 14/12/16/3/3/1/2948), currently undergoing authorisation. The site was identified as being highly desirable due to its suitable climatic conditions, topography (i.e., in terms of slope), environmental conditions (i.e., low agricultural potential, ecological sensitivity and archaeology) and proximity to existing connection options.
For the proposed Nyarhi BESS Grid Connection Corridor, specific infrastructure and key components are required to be constructed, operated, and maintained to enable the storage and transmission of electricity from the BESS to the national grid. The main components are as follows:
• Up to 132 kV IPP step-up and Eskom switching/collector station with a physical footprint of up to 1.5 ha.
• Single or double circuit 132 kV overhead power line to enable the storage and evacuation of electricity by the authorised Nyarhi BESS (currently undergoing authorisation) to the national grid via the Eskom Mercury MTS.
• Access Roads and a service / access road is also required along the length of the proposed power line which will be located within the assessed corridor. The access road will be used as the servitude road by Eskom for maintenance of the power line once handed over.
The proposed grid connection infrastructure is intended to service the Nyarhi Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project (DFFE Ref.: 14/12/16/3/3/1/2948), currently undergoing authorisation, which is proposed to be BID as part of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) BID Window 2 for the Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (BESIPPPP). In terms of the tender requirements of BID Window 2 the proposed Nyarhi BESS and Associated Infrastructure is located near the Existing Mercury kV Substation, and therefore the location of the development is in line with the tender requirements and as per the requirements of the IPP Office.
Therefore, in response to the above Nyarhi Solar Power Plant (RF) (Pty) Ltd is proposing the development of the Nyarhi BESS Grid Connection Corridor and Associated Infrastructure to transmit energy generated from Nyarhi Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project (DFFE Ref.: 14/12/16/3/3/1/2948), enable the storage and evacuation of electricity generated to the national grid.
The Application is following a Basic Assessment Process.
Province(s): Free State
A 100 m wide grid connection corridor, expanding up to 2400 m wide at the Existing Mercury Main Transmission Substation (MTS) (and surrounding the existing Eskom powerlines) has been identified for assessment and for the placement of the grid connection infrastructure. The grid corridor is up to 4.5 km long. The physical development footprint of the preferred grid connection corridor will be further reduced and restricted to power line pylon footprints only. The associated Grid Infrastructure further includes the development of an IPP step-up and Eskom switching/collector station and access roads.
The entire extent of the development is located within the Central Strategic Transmission Corridor and the Klerksdorp Renewable Energy Development Zone (REDZ).
The grid connection corridor has been identified as the most feasible option due to the short corridor length and the specific connection point, the existing Mercury MTS, that must be utilised to connect into the national grid. The grid connection corridor is also determined based on the location and requirements of the proposed Nyarhi Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project (DFFE Ref.: 14/12/16/3/3/1/2948), currently undergoing authorisation. The site was identified as being highly desirable due to its suitable climatic conditions, topography (i.e., in terms of slope), environmental conditions (i.e., low agricultural potential, ecological sensitivity and archaeology) and proximity to existing connection options.
For the proposed Nyarhi BESS Grid Connection Corridor, specific infrastructure and key components are required to be constructed, operated, and maintained to enable the storage and transmission of electricity from the BESS to the national grid. The main components are as follows:
• Up to 132 kV IPP step-up and Eskom switching/collector station with a physical footprint of up to 1.5 ha.
• Single or double circuit 132 kV overhead power line to enable the storage and evacuation of electricity by the authorised Nyarhi BESS (currently undergoing authorisation) to the national grid via the Eskom Mercury MTS.
• Access Roads and a service / access road is also required along the length of the proposed power line which will be located within the assessed corridor. The access road will be used as the servitude road by Eskom for maintenance of the power line once handed over.
The proposed grid connection infrastructure is intended to service the Nyarhi Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project (DFFE Ref.: 14/12/16/3/3/1/2948), currently undergoing authorisation, which is proposed to be BID as part of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) BID Window 2 for the Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (BESIPPPP). In terms of the tender requirements of BID Window 2 the proposed Nyarhi BESS and Associated Infrastructure is located near the Existing Mercury kV Substation, and therefore the location of the development is in line with the tender requirements and as per the requirements of the IPP Office.
Therefore, in response to the above Nyarhi Solar Power Plant (RF) (Pty) Ltd is proposing the development of the Nyarhi BESS Grid Connection Corridor and Associated Infrastructure to transmit energy generated from Nyarhi Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project (DFFE Ref.: 14/12/16/3/3/1/2948), enable the storage and evacuation of electricity generated to the national grid.
The Application is following a Basic Assessment Process.
Province(s): Free State
Post date
03/04/2024 - 14:10
Last modified
18/11/2024 - 10:36
Reports
| Heritage Impact Assessment | download | |||
| Palaeontological Impact Assessment | download |
Official Use
Official
Case Officers
Location
Location
RoDs/Permits
Decisions, Comments + Permits
| Decision Date | Type | |
|---|---|---|
| Final Comment | Access Document |
Powered by Drupal
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 South Africa License.