Makhado 1, 2 and 3 Solar PV Facilities

Gridflex SA (Pty) Ltd (the “Applicant”) to undertake an assessment process under the Norm for the Exclusion of the Development and Expansion of Solar Photovoltaic Facilities in Areas of Low or Medium Environment Sensitivity, for the proposed development of three PV Solar and Battery Energy Storage System Facilities with associated infrastructure on three sites, namely Makhado 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The project will comprise of the following:
Solar Field:
• Photovoltaic (PV) Solar panels
o Makhado 1 (175MW)
o Makhado 2 (415MW)
o Makhado 3 (720MW)
• Steel support structure and tracker system on concrete/PILED foundations
• Inverter and transformer stations located within the PV field
• Transformers, switchgear, and related equipment as part of the Substations
• Internal roads

Associated infrastructure:
• An on-site substation (33/132/kV), including control rooms and grid control yards, will connect the PV to the Eskom grid.
• The grid connection will be through a loop-in-loop-out to the existing Eskom 132 kV line running within the site.
• Battery Energy Storage System (175MW/700MWh for Makhado 1, and 200MW/800MWh for Makhado 2 and 3 respectively)
• Operations and Maintenance Buildings
• Borehole and Water Treatment Plant
• Access & Internal roads
• Perimeter fencing & Access Controlled Gate

Temporary Infrastructure:
• Concrete batching facility
• Construction of temporary offices
• Laydown area

Project Site Location
The Makhado 1 Solar PV Facility will be located on Portion 3 of the Farm Palmietfonein 311, Farm Uitspanning 321 and the Remaining Extent of the Farm Tweeputkoppies 322, which is adjacent to the Airforce Base Road near Tshikwani, Makhado Municipality, Vhembe District, Limpopo Province.

Province(s): Limpopo