Notice is hereby given in terms of Regulation 41(2) published in Government Notice No. 982 under Chapter 6 of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (Act No. 107 of 1998, as amended) Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations (2014, as amended) of the intention of Mulilo Newcastle Wind Power (Pty) Ltd (the Applicant) to submit a new Application for Environmental Authorisation (EA) for the development of the Mulilo Newcastle Wind Power Wind Energy Facility (WEF) of up to 160 MW capacity, and associated infrastructure within the Newcastle Local Municipality of the Amajuba District Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Province.

Mulilo Newcastle Wind Power (Pty) Ltd (14/12/16/3/3/2/2212) and Mulilo Newcastle Wind Power 2 (Pty) Ltd 2 (14/12/16/3/3/2/2213) received records of refusal for Environmental Authorization (EA) on the 8th and 7th of August, respectively, from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) in terms of Regulation 24(1)(b) of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, 2014, as amended. 

The new applications will proceed from the EIA phase subject to confirmation from DFFE to extend the validity of the Scoping Reports from the previous applications, in terms of Regulation 21 (2) of the NEMA Regulations (GNBR 326). 

Mulilo Newcastle Wind Power WEF will consist of up to 35 turbines with a maximum hub height of up to 140 m and a rotor diameter of up to 200 m, with a total facility output of up to 160 MW. The proposed activity will be located on the following land parcels: Portion 1 of Geelhoutboom Farm 3350, Remaining Extent (RE) of Bernard Farm 9447, RE of Cliffdale Farm 9439, RE of Spitskop Farm 16302, RE of Byron Farm 9448, and RE of Geelhoutboom Farm 3350.  The expected WEF footprint will be up to 65 Ha after rehabilitation. Associated infrastructure will include an onsite substation, temporary laydown areas/construction yards, internal access roads (upgrade of existing roads and the construction of new roads), operations and maintenance (O&M) building.

The development of the proposed Mulilo Newcastle Wind Power WEF triggers NEMA (Act No. 107 of 1998, as amended) EIA Regulations (2014, as amended) Listing Notice 1, 2, and 3 activities, including Listing Notice 2 Activity 1 for the development of facilities or infrastructure for the generation of large-scale renewable energy (20 megawatt or more electricity output) and, therefore, requires a Scoping and EIA process.

Coastal and Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd, trading as “CES”, have been appointed to undertake the required Scoping and EIA process. The Competent Authority for this Application for EA is the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).

Published: 10th November 2023
Review Period: 10th November to 10th December 2023

Contact Person:

Contact Person: Dr Alan Carter

Email: reppp@cesnet.co.za
Tel: 043-726 7809
Alternative Tel: 087 830 9800

DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT

Draft Environmental Impact Assessment Report

 

APPENDICES Appendix D1 - Comments and Response Report-Scoping Appendix D2 - Comments and Response Report - First draft EIAr Appendix E1 - Agriculture specialist study Appendix E2 - Aquatic specialist study Appendix E3 - Botanical and Faunal specialist study Appendix E4 - Biodiversity specialist study Appendix E5 - Avifaunal specialist study Appendix E6 - Bat specialist study Appendix E7 - Heritage and Palaeo specialist study Appendix E8 - Noise specialist study Appendix E9 - Socio-economic specialist study Appendix E10 - Visual specialist study Appendix E11 - Traffic specialist study Appendix G1 - Draft Final WEF EMPr Appendix G2 - Draft Final Substation EMPr Appendix H1 - Impact tables - General Appendix H2 - Impact tables - Specialists

 

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