Heritage Cases

South Africa Mainstream Renewable Power Developments (Pty) Ltd (Mainstream) received three Amended Environmental Authorisations (EAs), dated 10 November 2016 (DEA Reference Numbers: 12/12/20/1782/1; 12/12/20/1782/2; and 12/12/20/1782/3), from the National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) to construct and operate the Sutherland Wind Energy Facility (WEF), Sutherland 2 WEF, and Rietrug WEF, each with a generation capacity of 140 MW. Mainstream is now proposing to amend the turbine and hub specifications of each of the separately authorised WEFs (dated 10 November 2016). Three separate EA Amendment Applications were submitted to the DEA accordingly (as part of a separate assessment). Mainstream is also proposing to construct electrical infrastructure (including on-site substations, Operational and Maintenance Buildings, laydown areas, service roads, 132 kV distribution lines, and connection to a proposed third party substation) to support the three separately authorised WEF projects. Three separate Basic Assessment (BA) Processes are being undertaken for each Electrical Infrastructure project. An integrated Public Participation Process will be undertaken for the proposed projects. This specific application is for the BA Electrical Infrastructure project and is referred to as “Sutherland 2 WEF – Electrical Grid Infrastructure". The proposed project will take place approximately 23 km south of Sutherland and 50 km north of Laingsburg, within the Northern and Western Cape Provinces.