PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE AUTHORISED RAINMAKER MALABAR WIND ENERGY FACILITIES NEAR MOLTENO IN THE EASTERN CAPE

Malabar Wind Farm (Pty) Ltd received an Environmental Authorisation (EA) for the construction of the Malabar Wind Energy Facility, including overhead power line and associated infrastructure on a site (the ‘Property’) near Molteno in the Eastern Cape Province (DEA ref: 12/12/20/1778/3) on 02 November 2012. The original EIA (which received environmental authorisation in May 2011) and associated specialist studies considered five wind energy facilities collectively referred to as the Dorper Wind Farm (DEA ref: 12/12/20/1778).

The Dorper Wind Farm consisted of five phases: Dorper Wind Energy Facility, Loperberg Wind Energy Facility, Malabar Wind Energy Facility, Spinning Head Wind Energy Facility and Spreeukloof Wind Energy Facility. The authorisation for the Malabar Wind Energy Facility was received following the application to amend the Dorper Wind Farm authorisation (i.e. splitting of the project into phases) for the broader facility, although the project was initially know as the Penhoek Pass Wind Energy Facility. Subsequent amendments have been granted for the project as follows:
DFFE Ref: 12/12/20/1778/3 (dated 23 May 2013): Amendment to the properties specified for the project, as well as turbine specification changes.
DFFE Ref: 12/12/20/1778/3 (dated 27 June 2014): Amendment to the EA holder details as well as change of the project name to Malabar Wind Farm.
DFFE Ref: 12/12/20/1778/3/AM2 (dated 23 February 2015): Amendment to the EA validity (extension)
DFFE Ref: 12/12/20/1778/3/AM3 (dated 13 June 2016): Amendment to the EA validity (extension).
DFFE Ref: 12/12/20/1778/3/AM4 (dated 29 November 2018): Amendment to the EA validity (extension).

The proponent is now applying for a substantive amendment (Part II) towards amending the EA with the following amendments:
Amendment of turbine specifications, to be as follows:
Wind turbine generators (up to 34 turbines), comprising a hub height of ‘up to 120m’ and rotor diameter of ‘up to 176m’ as opposed to the currently authorised number of 81 turbines with hub height and rotor diameter of 120 and 125, respectively.
A reduction in the authorised number of turbines from the currently authorised 81 turbines, to reflect as ‘up to 34’ wind turbines. An updated layout will be provided for the amendment towards reflecting the removal of turbines from the currently authorised.
Update of the project description to reflect the revised 132KV grid connection line routing and substation location, respectively.
Removal of the specification of the facility generating capacity within the EA, to rather reflect the number of authorised turbines as per the revised layout.
Extension of the Environmental Authorisation (EA) validity by an additional two years

The purpose of the facility will be to provide up to 202.5MW of power to be exported to the national energy grid. The project is intended to be bid into future rounds of the Department of Energy’s (DoE) Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement (REIPPP) Programme. The Wind Energy Facility, including overhead powerline, substation infrastructure and all associated infrastructure will occupy and area of up to 2325ha, and include the following:
Wind turbines and associated foundations to support the turbine towers.
Underground electrical distribution cabling between the turbines.
A shared substation with Dorper Wind Farm project for evacuation to the national energy grid.
Internal access roads
Offices and workshop buildings for maintenance
Laydown areas.