View all 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 the public review period of the Draft EIA Report, comments from MDARDLEA and MTPA, particularly related to biodiversity mitigation measures, necessitated additional inputs from the specialists. The DFFE granted an extension to the timeframes of the EIA process, in line with Regulation 3(7) of the EIA Regulations, 2014, as amended and the Final EIA Report was stated to be due on or before 25 August 2025.
As a result, a second public commenting period of 30 days is therefore opened on the Draft EIA Report to ensure transparency and to allow stakeholders the opportunity to review the revised report, studies and Comments and Responses prior to submission of the Final EIA Report.
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).
Invitation to Comment: Members of the public, local communities, and stakeholders are invited to comment on the Draft EIA Reports, which is available for public review and comment, from Tuesday, 15 July 2025 until the Thursday, 14 August 2025 (both days inclusive), as per Table 1 below.
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With reference to the above, please send any queries to the below address. Please also indicate the contact details of any other potential I&APs that should be contacted and registered: |
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Environmental Resources Management Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd |
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Project Reference: 0684401 Amsterdam Cluster WEF |
Contact Person: Lucien Barbeau |
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Email: ERM.ArcusAmsterdam@erm.com |
Telephone: +27216815400 |
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Post: Postnet Suite 90, Private Bag X12, Tokai, 7966 |
Online: https://mulilowef.aidaform.com/public-participation-form |
Emvelo Wind Energy Facility documents
Emvelo Public Participation Report.pdf
Sheepmoor Wind Energy Facility documents
