DEVELOPMENT OF PERMANENT SOIL BERMS TO SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE AUTHORIZED 132/400KV GAMMA SUBSTATION YARD LOCATED NEAR THE TOWN OF VICTORIA WEST IN THE UBUNTU LOCAL MUNICIPALITY OF THE PIXLEY KA SEME DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY, NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE

Emoyeni Project Management (Pty) Ltd proposes the development of two permanent soil berms to support the construction of the second phase of the 132kV/400kV Gamma Substation yard (DFFE Ref.: 12/12/20/873). The berms are required to store excess spoil material generated during excavation activities within the authorised Gamma Substation yard. The proposed development involves two berm area strategically located on either side of the existing Gamma Substation:

• Northern Berm: Envisioned to cover approximately 11.7 hectares
• Southern Berm: Envisioned to cover approximately 7,69 hectares

The proposed soil berms will play a critical role in enabling the construction of the second phase of the Gamma Substation, which includes the development of the 132kV/400kV substation yard and turn in of the existing 400kV Droerivier-Hydra 2 Overhead Powerline (OHL) and associated infrastructure. This second phase is essential to facilitate the connection of the authorised Umsinde Emoyeni Wind Energy Facility (WEF) (DFFE Ref.: 14/12/16/3/3/2/686), Khangela Emoyeni Wind Energy Facility (DFFE Ref.: 14/12/16/3/3/2/687), and Ishwati Emoyeni Wind Energy Facility (DFFE Ref.: 12/12/20/2351) which are currently under construction. The Umsinde Emoyeni WEF has been registered as a Strategic Infrastructure Project (SIP).

On-site operations for the soil berms development are expected to last approximately 12-18 months and the proposed project will include:
» Two permanent soil berms:
 The Northern Berm is envisioned to cover approximately 11,7 Ha.
 The Southern Berm is envisioned to cover approximately 7.69 Ha
» Proposed internal gravel access roads which will be up to 8m wide.
» Existing access road will be used as far as possible and widened up to 8m
» Fill gradient of approximately 1:4 and anticipated volume of 119 330m3
» Maximum fill height of approximately 2.1m.

The proposed construction of the soil berms will be located within Portion 1 of the Farm Uit Vlugt Fontein 265 adjacent to the authorised Gamma substation (Ref: 12/12/20/873) within the Ubuntu Local Municipality of the Pixley Ka Seme District Municipality, Northern Cape Province, approximately 39km from the town of Victoria West.

Province(s): Northern Cape