Proposed ABO Imvubu Solar Energy Facility 1, near Utrecht, Emadlangeni Local Municipality, Kwazulu-Natal Province

ABO Imvubu Solar Energy Facility 1 (Pty) Ltd proposes the development of ABO Imvubu Solar Energy Facility 1 (SEF), a photovoltaic (PV) solar energy facility, of up to 300MW in capacity, and associated infrastructure located approximately 16km south of the town of Utrecht in the KwaZulu-Natal Province, in the eMadlangeni Local Municipality within the Amajuba District Municipality.

• The proposed facility will comprise the following (to be located within the proposed development footprint):
  Solar Field/Solar Arrays (max height of 3.5m) up to 444Ha in extent and associated infrastructure (note that the foundations, mounting structures and module types, inverter details, etc. would be confirmed during detail design, and that the total footprint may incorporate that of the temporary laydown areas once they are no longer required, as well the electrical infrastructure hub alternative footprint if the full proposed footprint is not utilised);
• Primary/main access roads (Option 1 and Option 2) as well as internal road reticulation within the development footprint (note that existing roads/disturbed areas would be used as far as possible, and for the main access road, an up to 12m wide road corridor may be temporarily impacted upon during construction and be rehabilitated to up to 10m wide after construction, while internal road reticulation would disturb an up to 6m wide corridor during construction and be rehabilitated to up to 5m wide after construction). No formal road reserves will be applied; and/or
• Pre-assembled containerised lithium-ion BESS (note: to be located within the electrical infrastructure hub described under “associated infrastructure” below).

 The proposed associated infrastructure will include the following (to be located within the proposed development footprint):

• Associated internal electrical reticulation (i.e., low- and medium voltage powerlines), underground as far as is feasible;
• On-site electrical infrastructure hub up to 6 ha in extent consisting of:
• On-site substation and associated infrastructure,
• Additional step-up/ transformation/ collector/switchyard infrastructure,
• Auxiliary buildings (including, but not limited to, Operation and Maintenance (O&M) building/s, admin building/s, workshop/s, gatehouse/s, security building/s, control centre/s, office/s, visitor centre/s, warehouse/s, etc.), and/or
• Pre-assembled containerised lithium-ion BESS; and

Perimeter fencing (with a total fenced area footprint of up to 495ha).

Date Published:  27 January 2026
Review Period:  Not applicable

Contact Person: Mr Andile Nxumalo / Ms Tamera Pillay
E-mail: reppp@cesnet.co.za

Public Participation Information: 
Submission and review of the Draft Environmental Impact Assessment Report. Documents can be downloaded from the CES webpage | please scroll down to the Report Download Registration form.