Proposed Deviations to Emkhiweni-Silimela 400kV Powerline, Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces

Proposed Deviations to the Authorised Emkhiweni-Silimela 400kV Powerline, within the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, Nkangala District Municipality, Mpumalanga Province, as well as the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality, Sekhukhune District Municipality, Limpopo Province.
The current transmission subsystems in the Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces are experiencing several problems. Eskom thus proposed the development of the new Emkhiweni Substation and the 400kV Line from the Emkhiweni Substation to the Silimela Substation to strengthen the grid in these provinces. These developments will improve the network security and create capacity for future load increases.
The former Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), now known as Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), granted Environmental Authorisation (EA) for the abovementioned developments on 11 February 2020 (DEA reference 14/12/16/3/3/2/1137). Subsequent changes to the authorised Emkhiweni-Silimela 400kV powerline route have occurred due to Eskom’s consultation with the landowners during the securing the servitude rights. Hence, a new application for EA is required for the deviations to the authorised route of the 400kV Line from the Emkhiweni Substation to the Silimela Substation.
The project qualifies under Strategic Integrated Project (SIP) 10. The power line route falls within the International Strategic Transmission Corridor, in terms of GN 113 of 2018 (as amended), and a Basic Assessment Process thus needs to be undertaken.


Province(s): Limpopo, Mpumalanga