NOTIFICATION OF SUBMISSION OF THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORTS FOR PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT FOR THE PROPOSED SHEEPMOOR AND EMVELO WIND ENERGY FACILITIES, MPUMALANGA PROVINCE

DFFE Reference(s):14/12/16/3/3/2/2611 and 14/12/16/3/3/2/2613

Nature of Activity: The Project Developer, under the Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), namely Sheepmoor Wind Energy Facility (Pty) Ltd, and Emvelo Wind Energy Facility (Pty) Ltd, intend to submit separate applications for Environmental Authorisation (EA) for the proposed Sheepmoor and Emvelo Wind Energy Facilities (WEFs) including their associated infrastructure. The proposed WEFs will include 29 and 24 turbines respectively with a maximum output capacity of up to 260 MW and an anticipated lifespan of 30 years. The WEFs will all connect directly into National Eskom Grid via the Eskom Camden Substation. Each WEF will apply for authorisation of a proposed grid connection route to connect to the existing Eskom Camden Substation, via approximately 30 km long 132 kV overhead transmission lines.

Development Location:The Cluster WEF preferred project site (for both WEFs) is located between 15 - 30 km east of the town of Ermelo in Mpumalanga Province and falls within the Msukaligwa Local Municipality and Gert Sibande District Municipality.

Application Process:In terms of Chapter 5 of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act 107 of 1998 – NEMA), and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, 2014 (as amended), the Project Applicants appointed Environmental Resources Management Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd (ERM), to undertake the Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment (S&EIA) process as the independent environmental impact assessment practitioner (EAP).

Following comprehensive input from Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) in the scoping phase, the applicant has conducted several additional studies to address all identified sensitivities. In response to these sensitivities, the applicant has optimized the arrangement of the wind turbines and related infrastructure. This significant reduction in the number of turbines has prompted the applicant to consolidate the projects from three to two. The applicant has merged the previous Rochdale application site with the Emvelo application and will be withdrawing the separate Rochdale application. We anticipate no issues arising from this change, as all feedback, scoping findings, sensitivities, and specialist contributions related to Rochdale will be integrated into the Emvelo application. The updated layouts also feature extensive conservation zones, as the applicant recognizes a unique opportunity to implement strategies that enhance the biodiversity value of the project area.

The Draft Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report for the Sheepmoor WEF and Emvelo WEF and associated infrastructure is being subjected to the required 30-day comment and review period, from Monday, 10 March 2025 until Thursday, 10 April 2025 (both days inclusive), taking into consideration Chapter 2 Regulation 3 (1); (2) and (3) of the NEMA, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998). Comments received during the scoping phase for all three original projects were incorporated, addressed and responded to in both the Draft EIA reports. Following the 30-day public comment and review period of the Draft EIA reports, the Final EIA reports will be submitted to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (competent authority) for Environmental Authorisation.

In terms of Section 21 of the National Water Act (NWA) (36 of 1998), as amended, the development may potentially require water use license. If required, an application for Water Use License will be submitted to the Department of Human Settlement and Water and Sanitation for authorisation.

ERM has submitted two separate Environmental Applications to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).

Emvelo Wind Energy Facility documents

Emvelo WEF DEIAr.pdf
Emvelo Figures.pdf
Emvelo Specialist Reports.pdf
Emvelo Public Participation Report.pdf

Sheepmoor Wind Energy Facility documents

Sheepmoor WEF DEIAr.pdf
Sheepmoor Figures.pdf
Sheepmoor Specialist Reports.pdf
Sheepmoor Public Participation Report.pdf