Proposed Mulilo Newcastle Wind Power (160MW) 2 -Wind Energy Facility and Associated Infrastructure within the Newcastle Local Municipality, Kwazulu-Natal Province

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 2 WEF will consist of up to 16 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 160MW. The proposed activity will be located on the following land parcels: Farm Embosweni 17421, Farm Paardeplaat A Dene Heights 8831, Farm Paardeplaat A 9389, Farm Franzhoek 8800, Farm Paardeplaat B 9390, Farm Cliffdale 9439, Farm Byron 9448 and Farm Geelhoudtboom 1/3350. The expected WEF footprint will be up to 45 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: Dr. Alan Carter
Email: reppp@cesnet.co.za
Tel: 043-726 7809 | 087 830 9809

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