Paulputs South WEF 132kV Grid Connection, Northern Cape Province

Paulputs Wind Energy Facility (RF) (Pty) Ltd (‘PWEF’), a wholly owned subsidiary of WKN Windcurrent SA (Pty) Ltd, was granted environmental authorisation for the 300MW (75 turbines) Paulputs Wind Energy Facility (WEF) and its associated 132kV OHPL on 11 December 2019 by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) (DEFF Reference No. 14/12/16/3/3/2/1120). As part of the original Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) , three alternative OHPL options (A, B and C) and three alternative on-site substation options (A, B and C) were assessed. The Competent Authority (CA), DEFF, chose to only issue a favourable authorisation for the preferred OHPL option ‘C’ and on-site substation option ‘A’’.

To comply with the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) bidding requirements, the abovementioned 300MW Paulputs WEF is being split into the 150MW Paulputs South WEF and the 150MW Paulputs North WEF (being split as part of a separate amendment application). The authorised OHPL option ‘C’ and on-site substation option ‘A’ will be used for Paulputs North WEF and a new authorisation for additional electrical infrastructure is now required to connect Paulputs South WEF to the National Grid

In effect of the above, Paulputs South (the Applicant ) intend to apply for Environmental Authroisation for the construction and operation of the proposed development, which includes:
• A 132 kV, double circuit Grid Connection; and a
• A 4 ha substation yard comprising: 1.1 ha on-site substation, 0.5 ha for offices, 1 ha battery energy storage systems (BESS), and 1 ha permanent laydown area.