Heritage Cases

Klipkraal Wind Energy Facility 5 (Pty) Ltd is proposing to develop the Klipkraal Wind Energy Facility 5 and associated infrastructure [including substations and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)] near the town of Fraserburg in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. The proposed wind farm project will have maximum export capacities of up to approximately 300 megawatt ac (MWac). The proposed wind farms make up a larger wind energy facility (WEF) (with associated BESS) which will be referred to as the Klipkraal WEF project, consisting of up to five (5) phases, with a combined generation capacity of up to approximately 1 500 MWac, as follows: ▪ Klipkraal Phase 1 Wind Farm: up to 300MWac + BESS (part of a separate EIA process / application) ▪ Klipkraal Phase 2 Wind Farm: up to 300MWac + BESS (part of a separate EIA process / application) ▪ Klipkraal Phase 3 Wind Farm: up to 300MWac + BESS (part of a separate EIA process / application) ▪ Klipkraal Phase 4 Wind Farm: up to 300MWac + BESS (part of a separate EIA process / application) ▪ Klipkraal Phase 5 Wind Farm: up to 300MWac + BESS (this application) The overall objective of the larger proposed Klipkraal WEF project is to generate electricity by means of renewable energy technologies, capturing wind energy to feed into the national grid, which will be procured under either the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), other government run procurement programmes, or any other program it intends to supply power to or for sale to private entities, if required. To further ensure efficient power delivery, the facility will also incorporate the use of storage technologies like batteries (i.e. BESS). The Klipkraal WEF 5 project (including BESS and other associated infrastructure) will be located on the following properties / farms: ▪ Portion 3 of the Farm Ratelfontein No 394 (3/394)- C02600000000039400003 ▪ Remainder of the Farm Matjiesfontein No 411(RE/411)- C02600000000041100000 The proposed WEF is not located within any of the eleven (11) Renewable Energy Development Zones (REDZs) which have formally been gazetted in South Africa as per GN 1141 and GN 1442 for the purpose of development of solar and wind energy generation facilities. As such, a full EIA process in terms of Appendices 2 and 3 of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations (2014, as amended in 2017) is being undertaken for the Klipkraal WEF 5 project. The Klipkraal WEF 5 will comprise approximately 60 turbines and will have a maximum total energy generation capacity of up to approximately 300MWac. The electricity generated by the proposed wind farm project will be fed into the national grid via 132kV/400kV power lines (part of a separate BA process, which will be undertaken in parallel to the respective EIA process), majority of which are situated within one (1) of the Strategic Transmission Corridors, namely the Central Corridor (as defined and in terms of the procedures laid out in Government Notice No. 113 and No. 145 which were formally gazetted on 16 February 2018 and 26 February 2021 respectively). In summary, the proposed Klipkraal Wind Energy Facility 5 Project will include the following components: Wind Turbines: ▪ Approximately 60 turbines, between 5MW and 8MW, with a maximum export capacity of up to approximately 300MWac. This will be subject to allowable limits in terms of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) or any other program. ▪ The final number of turbines and layout of the wind farm will, however, be dependent on the outcome of the Specialist Studies in the EIA phase of the project; ▪ Each wind turbine will have a maximum hub height of up to approximately 200m; ▪ Each wind turbine will have a maximum rotor diameter of up to approximately 200m; ▪ Permanent compacted hardstanding areas / platforms (also known as crane pads) of approximately 100m x 100m (total footprint of approx. 10 000m2) per wind turbine during construction and for on-going maintenance purposes for the lifetime of the proposed wind farm projects. This will however depend on the physical size of the wind turbine; ▪ Each wind turbine will consist of a foundation (i.e. foundation rings) which may vary in depth, from approximately 3m and up to 10m or greater, depending on the physical size of each wind turbine. It should be noted that the foundation can be up to as much as approximately 700m³; Electrical Transformers: ▪ Electrical transformers will be constructed near the foot of each respective wind turbine in order to step up the voltage to 66kV. ▪ The typical footprint of the electrical transformers is up to approximately 10m x 10m, but can be up to 20m x 20m at certain locations; Step-up / Collector Substations: ▪ One 11-66/132-400kV step-up / collector substation, each occupying an area of up to approximately 2ha (20 000m2), ▪ The proposed substation will include an Eskom portion and an Independent Power Producer (IPP) portion, hence the substation has been included in this EIA and in the grid connection infrastructure BA (separate application - substations, switching stations and power lines) to allow for handover to Eskom. ▪ Following construction, the substation will be owned and managed by Eskom. The current applicant will retain control of the medium voltage components (i.e. 33kV components) of the substation, while the high voltage components (i.e. 400kV components) of the substation will likely be ceded to Eskom shortly after the completion of construction; Main Transmission Substations (MTS): ▪ One (1) new 132/400kV Main Transmission Substation (MTS) is being proposed, occupying an area of up to approximately 120ha (1 200 000m2). ▪ The proposed MTS will include an Eskom portion and an IPP portion. ▪ Following construction, the substation will be owned and managed by Eskom. The current applicant will retain control of the 132-400kV and lower voltage components of each MTS, while the 132/400kV voltage components of the MTS will likely be ceded to Eskom shortly after the completion of construction; Electrical Infrastructure: ▪ The wind turbines will be connected to the proposed substation via medium voltage (i.e. 33kV) cables. ▪ These cables will be buried along access roads wherever technically feasible, however, the cables can also be overhead (if required); ▪ Each WEF will then connect to the MTS via an up to 400kV powerline. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS): ▪ One (1) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) will be constructed for the wind farm and will be located next to the 33-66/132-400kV step-up / collector substations which form part of the respective wind farms, or in between the wind turbines. ▪ It is anticipated that the type of technology will be either Lithium Ion or Sodium-Sulphur (or as determined prior to construction). ▪ These batteries are not considered hazardous goods as they will be storing ‘energy’. ▪ The size, storage capacity and type of technology will be determined / confirmed prior to construction. This information will be provided to I&AP’s prior to the commencement of construction. Roads: ▪ Internal roads with a temporary width of up to approximately 15m will provide access to each wind turbine. These roads will be rehabilitated back to 8m once construction has been completed. ▪ Existing site roads will be used wherever possible, although new site roads will be constructed where necessary. ▪ Existing site roads may also be upgraded using temporary concrete stones in order to accommodate for the heavy loads. ▪ Turns will have a radius of up to 50m for abnormal loads (especially turbine blades) to access the various wind turbine positions. Site Access: ▪ The proposed wind farm application site will be accessed via existing gravel roads from the R353 Regional Route; Temporary Staging Areas: ▪ A temporary staging area will be required for the wind farm and will be located both at the foot of each wind turbine and at the storage facility (i.e. turbine development area) to allow for working requirements. ▪ One (1) temporary staging area per wind turbine / range of wind turbines will be required. ▪ Temporary staging areas will cover an area of up to approximately 100m x 100m (10 000m2 / 1ha) each; Temporary Construction Camps/Permanent Maintenance Area: ▪ One (1) temporary construction camp will be required during the construction phase for the wind farm. ▪ This area will be used as a permanent maintenance area during the operational phase. ▪ The combined Temporary Construction Camp / Permanent Maintenance Area will cover an area of up to approximately 2.25ha. ▪ A cement batching plant as well as a chemical storage area will fall within the Temporary Construction Camp and Permanent Maintenance Area. ▪ The Temporary Construction Camp and Permanent Maintenance Area will be strategically placed within the proposed wind farm site and will avoid all high sensitivity and/or ‘no-go’ areas; Offices, Accommodation, a Visitors’ Centre and Operation & Maintenance (O&M) Buildings: ▪ An office (including ablution facilities), accommodation (including ablution facilities), a Visitors’ Centre and an Operation & Maintenance (O&M) building will be required and will occupy areas of up to approximately 100m x 100m (i.e. 1ha). ▪ Each wind farm (i.e. each phase) will have its own O&M building and Office, however, the Accommodation and Visitors’ Centre will be centralised locations which will be shared between certain wind farm projects (i.e. shared between certain phases which will be confirmed at a later stage); Septic Tank and Soak-Away Systems: ▪ The proposed wind farm will consist of a septic tank and soak-away system. ▪ This will be required for construction as well as long term use. ▪ The septic tank and soak-away system will be placed 100m or more from water resource (which includes boreholes); Fencing: ▪ Fencing will be required and will surround the wind farm. ▪ The maximum height of the fencing as well as the area which the fencing will cover will be confirmed during the detailed design phase, prior to construction commencing. ▪ Fences will however be constructed according to specifications recommended by the Ecologist and Avifauna specialist (as per the EMPr); Temporary Infrastructure to Obtain Water from Available Local Sources: ▪ Temporary infrastructure to obtain water from available local sources will be required. Water may also be obtained from onsite boreholes and from the town of Fraserburg. ▪ New or existing boreholes, including a potential temporary above ground pipeline (approximately 50cm in diameter) for each wind farm, to feed water to the sites are being proposed. ▪ Water will potentially be stored in temporary water storage tanks. ▪ The necessary approvals from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) will be applied for separately (should this be required); and Temporary Containers: ▪ Temporary containers of up to approximately 80m3 will be required for the storage of fuel on-site during the construction phase of the wind farm. ▪ The chemical storage area will fall within the Temporary Construction Camp and permanent Maintenance Area.