Notice of Environmental Authorisation Processes for the proposed Tutuka Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Energy Facility (SEF) Cluster
10/11/2023
Proposed Tutuka Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Energy Facility (SEF) Cluster and Associated Grid Connection Infrastructure
Jones & Wagener (Pty) Ltd Engineering and Environmental Consultants (J&W) has been appointed to conduct the Environmental Impact Assessment Processes for the Proposed Tutuka Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Energy Facility (SEF) Cluster and Associated Grid Connection Infrastructure. The proposed project is near Thuthukani in Lekwa Local Municipality, Mpumalanga.
An Integrated Regulatory Processes (IRP) is proposed by South Africa Mainstream Renewable Power Developments (Pty) Ltd for the Tutuka Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Energy Facility (SEF) Cluster and Associated Grid Connection Infrastructure for:
- Environmental Authorisation (EA) by means Scoping and Environmental Impact Reporting (S&EIR) processes and a Basic Assessment process and the compilation of Environmental Management Programmes (EMPr) in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act 107 of 1998; NEMA) and its Regulations.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) will be the Competent Authority (CA) for the respective applications.
The Tutuka SEF Cluster is proposed near the Tutuka Power Station, approximately 13 km east-south-east of Thuthukani and will comprise two (2) renewable energy facilities, namely:
| Facility | Maximum Capacity | Area | Farm |
| Vikela SEF | Up to 130 MW | ± 433 ha | Remaining Extent of Farm Witkoppies No. 81 and Portion No. 11 of Farm Witkoppies No. 81 |
| Nobuhle SEF | Up to 110 MW | ± 319 ha | Remaining Extent of Farm Rietfontein No. 66, a portion of Portion No. 6 and a portion of portion No. 11 of Farm Rietfontein No. 66 |
These proposed SEFs are being developed on land awarded by Eskom SOC Ltd to develop renewable energy projects in response to the energy crisis that South Africa is currently facing. The aim of this development is to generate renewable energy to feed into the national grid.
The proposed project triggers the following listed activities under the NEMA EIA Regulations, as amended:
| NEMA Listing Notice | Listed Activities |
| Listing Notice 1, published under GNR 983 in Government Gazette 38282 of 4 December 2014, as amended by GN 327 of 7 April 2017 and by GN 517 of June 2021 | 11(i), 14, 19, 24(ii), 28(ii) |
| Listing Notice 2, published under GNR 984 in Government Gazette 38282 of 4 December 2014, as amended by GN 325 of 7 April 2017 and by GN 517 of June 2021 | 1 and 15 |
| Listing Notice 3, published under GNR 985 in Government Gazette 38282 of 4 December 2014, as amended by GN 324 of 7 April 2017 and by GN 517 of June 2021 | 4(f)(i)(ee), 3(f)(i)(ee);10 (f)(i)(ee) and 12 (f)(ii) |
For more information and/or to register as an Interested and Affected Party, please contact:
Anelle Lötter / Jana de Jager, Jones & Wagener Engineering and Environmental Consultants, P O Box 1434, Rivonia, 2128, Tel: 011 519 0200, Email: anelle@jaws.co.za / jana@jaws.co.za
Interested and Affected Parties are invited to participate by providing written comments by 15 December 2023.
Attached:
Tutuka Background Information Document
Tutuka Agtergrondinligtingsdokument
Tutuka Incwadi Yolwazi Oluyisisekelo
(Comment Sheet included in the BID)