Proposed Amendments to the authorised Castle Wind Energy Facility and associated infrastructure near De Aar in the Northern Cape

In the previous amendment undertaken for ACED on the Castle WEF, the DFFE refused the amendment to split the EA. However, following an appeal, which the Minister upheld, the EA has now been amended to split the EA into 2 WEFs – i.e. the 96MW WEF which is currently under construction and the 32MW Castle WEF 2. The EA for the split 32MW WEF will lapse in May 2025. The client (ACED) has requested a proposal to extend the validity of this EA. This would extend the validity beyond 10 years.

The applicant, requires the validity of the EA to be extended beyond ten (10) years as the proposed project has not been granted preferred bidder status in the Department of Energy and Electricity Renewable Energy Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) and intends to bid the proposed facility in future REIPPPP Rounds and/or private renewable energy procurement. A valid EA is required for inclusion into a REIPPPP or private renewable energy procurement bid.

Province(s): Northern Cape