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 Chikadee power line between existing Bothashoek/Speculate 132 kV power line and the proposed Woestalleen Traction Station within the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, Mpumalanga Province. ALTERNATIVES/DEVIATIONS CONSIDERED: A Preferred Alternative 1 (Orange route) has been proposed for the 132 kV Chikadee power line between the existing Bothashoek/Speculate 132 kV power line and the proposed Woestalleen traction substation, which will span for approximately 450 m. One other alignment (Alternative 2) has been proposed as the alternative and spans for approximately 560 m. Both alternative alignments are proposed to have 32 m servitude. It must be noted that a corridor of 100 m (50 m either side) will be assessed for both alternatives for the purpose of this basic assessment. Alternative 1 (preferred): The length of power line Alternative 1 is approximately 450 m in total and it will originate from the proposed Woestalleen substation. The power line will start at the proposed Woestalleen substation and span in a north easterly direction before turning north west over the railway, before connecting to the Bothashoek / Speculate power line. This power line servitude is 32 m and traverses Woestalleen 477 JS, Woestalleen 477 JS Portion 8 and De Groote Rietpan 479 JS Portion 2. Alternative 2: The length of power line Alternative 2 is approximately 560 m in total and it will exit the Woestalleen Substation in a northerly direction over the railway, before turning north east and connecting to the Bothashoek / Speculate power line.. This power line servitude is 32 m and traverses Woestalleen 477 JS, Woestalleen 477 JS Portion 8 and De Groote Rietpan 479 JS Portion 2. No Go Alternative: The No-go option implies that the Project does not proceed, and will thus comprise of Eskom not going ahead with the construction of the proposed power line and substation expansion. Ideally, this would be the preferred alternative as the status quo of the environment remains unchanged, however due to the growing demand for energy and activities that will require electricity in the area, this alternative is not preferred. This option is assessed as the “No go” alternative in this basic assessment report. Important Note: An environmental authorisation from Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has been granted to Transnet (SOC) Ltd, hereafter Transnet, for the proposed Woestalleen substation (DEA Ref: 14/12/16/3/3/1/1437) (see Appendix J1). The proposed Woestalleen 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 Woestalleen substation to the existing Bothashoek/Speculate 132 kV power line. At the time of compilation of this BAR, construction of the Woestalleen substation had commenced. The proposed Woestalleen 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 capacity to 81MTPA and to upgrade the DC sections on the Transnet traction site as well as on the corresponding Eskom sides.