Zululand Energy Terminal (ZET) (Pty) Ltd proposes the development of a new underground natural gas transmission pipeline between the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) Gas Hub and the existing Lily Gas Station near Empangeni, within the City of uMhlathuze Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal Province. The proposed pipeline will establish a transmission link between the RBIDZ Gas Hub and the existing Lily Gas Pipeline network.
The proposed development is limited to gas transmission infrastructure only and does not include gas processing, storage, regasification, storage of liquefied natural gas (LNG), or downstream distribution facilities.
Project Description
The proposed development comprises:
Construction will require a temporary servitude of approximately 30 m in width, reduced to approximately 15 m and, where unavoidable, to a minimum of 9 m in environmentally sensitive or constrained areas. The permanent operational servitude will be approximately 6 m wide.
The proposed pipeline is located within the Richards Bay-Empangeni corridor and traverses a range of land uses, including:
The proposed pipeline will cross approximately 57 properties.
Route Refinement and Environmental Optimisation
During preparation of the Final Basic Assessment Report (FBAR), the preferred pipeline alignment was refined to further avoid and minimise impacts on wetlands, aquatic habitats, verified Swamp Forest habitat and other environmentally sensitive features. Additional refinements were also implemented to increase separation from sensitive receptors, including Melomed Richards Bay Private Hospital. These refinements remain within the assessed corridor and improve the environmental performance of the preferred route.
Development Context
The proposed project is a standalone linear gas transmission infrastructure development that is not dependent on downstream facilities or end users and is not associated with liquefied natural gas (LNG) importation, storage or regasification.
The development falls within the Strategic Gas Transmission Pipeline Corridor (Phase 7: Coega to Richards Bay), identified in Government Notice 143 of 2021. The proposed pipeline forms part of the broader regional gas transmission network and establishes a connection between two existing gas infrastructure nodes.
Legislative Context
The proposed activity requires Environmental Authorisation (EA) in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA) and is triggered by the following listed activities:
The project falls within a Strategic Gas Pipeline Corridor declared in terms of:
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) is the competent authority for this application.
Environmental Assessment Process
Zululand Energy Terminal (ZET) (Pty) Ltd appointed CES Environmental and Social Advisory Services (CES) as the independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) to undertake the Basic Assessment process in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2014 (as amended), and the requirements applicable to developments within the Strategic Gas Transmission Pipeline Corridor (Phase 7: Coega to Richards Bay). The assessment included specialist investigations, route optimisation, stakeholder engagement, consideration of alternatives and environmental sensitivity verification.
The process evaluated potential biophysical, social and economic impacts and identified appropriate avoidance, mitigation, rehabilitation and monitoring measures. Additional specialist investigations undertaken during preparation of the FBAR informed route refinements and further reduced potential impacts on sensitive aquatic, terrestrial and agricultural features.
The Final Basic Assessment Report (FBAR), together with the Environmental Management Programme (EMPr), specialist studies and Comments and Responses Report, has been submitted to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) for consideration and decision-making in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998).
Date Published: 28 August 2026
Review Period: Not applicable
Contact Person: Sinazo Nyudwana
E-mail: cesppp@cesnet.co.za
Subject Title: “ZET Gas Pipeline from the RBIDZ to Empangeni".
