Heritage Cases

Establishment of a 2x132/88kV 80MVA Mnambithi Substation with the following: • 132/88kV Double Busbar System • 5x88kV fully equipped bays, • 1x88kV spare feeder bay • Control room We have two proposed substation sites We are applying for a 150mx150m substation yard. • ASSOCIATED 132/88KV POWER LINES The power lines associated with the proposed project are: • 2 x 6km of 132kV Kingbird Single Circuit Powerline from Danskraal MTS to the proposed Mnambithi Substation • 2km Mnambithi 88kV turn in Lines to a site tying into CRAIGSIDE/INGANGANE (CRG/ING) 88KV power line Colenso Main Distribution Station (MDS) has a single 132/88kV 80MVA transformer which will overload in future due to expected load growth. The Mnambithi, 132/88kV substation will “deload” Colenso MDS transformer. The proposed new Mnambithi substation will also serve to improve voltage regulation on substations fed from Colenso-Groenkop 88kV line and ensure that no load shedding to be implemented during Colenso or Estcourt 132/88kV transformer contingency. Two (2) sites have been proposed for the new substation will be assessed during the EIA process, with input from the affected landowners, the public, the relevant authorities, other stakeholders and the EIA team including specialists. A preferred site has been selected, with the other one (1) sites being the alternative. Four power line corridors will be assessed during the EIA process. One (1) 88kV power line corridor from the proposed Mnambithi substation to CRG/ING 88kV has found to be most preferential as it will have less negative impacts on the environmental, while two (2) will remain alternatives. One (1) 132kV power line corridor from the existing Danskraal MTS to proposed Mnambithi Substation to has been selected as route A. Due to the growing industrial, residential infrastructure in the eZakheni-Modelkloof area, only one corridor route was found to be most preferential. The range of specialists selected for this study includes people with expertise in the natural environment (e.g. plants, birds and ecology) and cultural heritage resources (e.g. archaeological)