THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR THE PROPOSED ± 131KM ESKOM FOSKOR-MERENSKY 400kV POWERLINE AND ASSOCIATED SUBSTATION WORKS, IN MOPANI AND GREATER SEKHUKHUNE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITIES, LIMPOPO PROVINCE

Eskom Holdings (SOC) Limited is mandated by the South African Government to ensure the provision of reliable and affordable power to South Africa. Eskom currently generates approximately 95% of the electricity used in South Africa. Therefore, electricity must be generated in accordance with supply demand requirements. Eskom’s core business is in the generation, transmission, distribution (transport), trading and retail of electricity. There is a growing demand for electricity in the Limpopo province, accelerated by the electrification load as well as the new residential developments in the area.

The proposed transmission line will stretch approximately 131km through various private farms and state-owned properties between Phalaborwa and Steelpoort in the jurisdiction of Greater Sekhukhune and Mopani District Municipalities in the Limpopo Province. The load center is predominantly driven by mines and rural development within the Ba-Phalaborwa and Maruleng Local Municipalities, running from Foskor through Finale to the Oaks Township.

The proposed development triggers the NEMA EIA listed activities; as such, Eskom is required to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process and obtain an Environmental Authorisation prior to construction of the above-mentioned activities in accordance with the EIA Regulations, 2014 (promulgated in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA), as amended in April 2017. It is important to note that the previous application, with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) Reference Number 14/12/16/3/3/2/2391 has lapsed, and a new reference number 14/12/16/3/3/2/2471 has been allocated for the project

Province(s): Limpopo