Proposed Steenbok Solar 1, Steenbok Solar 2 and Steenbok Grid Connection, near Bloemfontein, Free State Province

The activities entail the development of two individual 100MW photovoltaic solar energy facilities consisting of standard infrastructure namely PV arrays, an on-site substation, cabling, inverters, access roads, laydown areas, fencing, operation and maintenance buildings (including offices and warehousing) and battery energy storage system. The two solar energy facilities proposed are known as Steenbok Solar 1 and Steenbok Solar 2. Furthermore, a grid connection solution is proposed to connect the two solar energy facilities to the national grid.

The projects are situated within the jurisdiction of Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality located approximately 12 km north of the centre of Bloemfontein in the Free State Province. The affected property falls under the Registration Division Bloemfontein.

The property on which the facilities are to be constructed will be leased by the Applicant from the property owner, for the lifespan of the projects (minimum of 20 years). The applicant is known as Steenbok Solar (Pty) Ltd.

Each solar energy facility will have a generation capacity of up to 100MW electrical power through photovoltaic (PV) panels. A development area of approximately 160ha has been identified per 100MW facility. A 300m wide grid connection corridor has been identified for the placement of the grid connection infrastructure. The final facility footprints will be confirmed during the EIA process, following specialist input.