Heritage Cases

Envirolution Consulting (Pty) Ltd was appointed by Eskom Holdings SOC Limited (Eskom) to conduct the Basic Assessment (BA) Process for the proposed development of the 132 kV Reabetswe (Chikadee) power line between the existing Speculate/Grootlaagte 132kv line and the proposed Reabetswe Traction Substation within the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, Mpumalanga Province. The Proposed Reabetswe powerline (Red route) (loop in loop out lines) has been proposed, which will span for approximately 80m. The proposed powerline will link the newly authorised 5MW 3KV Reabetswe traction substation and the existing Speculate/Grootlaagte 132 kV power line. Eskom will provide the substation with a 132 KV supply which will be stepped down to 3KV. The proposed power line loop in loop out line will have a 52 m servitude (including the separation distance between the loop in/out lines). It must be noted that a corridor of 100 m will be assessed for the preferred route for the purpose of this basic assessment. Important Note: An environmental authorisation from Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has been granted to Transnet (SOC) Ltd, hereafter Transnet, for the proposed Reabetswe substation. The proposed Reabetswe substation’s footprint servitude belongs to Transnet however, Eskom will install feeder equipment on a section of this servitude footprint of the substation in order to accommodate the proposed 132 kV Chikadee line will connect from the Reabetswe substation to the existing Speculate/Grootlaagte 132 kV power line. At the time of compilation of this BAR, construction works of the substation had commenced. The proposed Reabetswe substation will be located directly adjacent to the existing Transnet traction station. As mentioned above, the objective for this specific development is to assist Transnet in increasing its export coal `1capacity to 81MTPA and to upgrade the DC sections on the Transnet traction site as well as on the corresponding Eskom sides. In addition, this application is a second application to the department after the first application (DEA Reference) 14/12/16/3/3/1/1878 was withdrawn due to technical reasons relating to an amendment of the proposed power line alignment amongst other reasons. A new application is being submitted incorporating the new power line alignment and as such, specialists have been approached to offer their professional opinion in relation to the impacts of the new/amended power line alignment by way of confirmation letters or amendment of their reports. The specialist’s findings on of their amended reports and/or confirmation letters have been incorporated into this basic assessment report. Proposed Reabetswe powerline (red route) - preferred: The length of power line (loop in/out) Proposed Reabetswe powerline is approximately 80 m in total and it will originate from the recently authorised Reabetswe substation and extend in a north easterly direction for approximately 25 m before turning in a right angle northwards for approximately 55 m before joining the existing Speculate/Grootlaagte 132 kV power line. This power line servitude is 31 m and traverses Portion 4 of the Farm Tweetfontein 458 JS and has a capacity of 132 kV. Proposed Alternative powerline: The length of power line (loop in/out) Proposed Reabetswe powerline is approximately 543 m in total and it will originate from the recently authorised Reabetswe substation and extend in a north easterly direction for approximately 25 m before turning in a south eastern direction for approximately 42 m then the line turns to a south western direction where it spans for approximately 315 m before then turns northwards direction for approximately 161 m before joining to the existing Speculate/Grootlaagte 132 kV power line. This power line servitude is 31 m and traverses Portion 4 of the Farm Tweetfontein 458 JS and has a capacity of 132 kV.