Camden I Wind Energy Facility 132 KV Grid Connection

ENERTRAG South Africa (Pty) Ltd (the Developer) is proposing the development of a Camden Renewable Energy Complex comprising various projects within the vicinity of the Camden Power Station in Mpumalanga. The Complex consists of eight projects referred to as:
— Camden I Wind Energy Facility (up to 200MW) (subject to a Scoping and Environmental Impact Reporting (S&EIR) process) (DFFE Ref: 14/12/16/3/3/2/2137);
— Camden, I Wind Grid Connection (up to 132kV) (subject to a Basic Assessment (BA) Process); (this application);
— Camden Grid Connection and Collector substation (up to 400kV) (subject to a S&EIR process)(DFFE Ref: 14/12/16/3/3/2/2134);
— Camden I Solar (up to 100MW) (subject to a S&EIR process)(DFFE Ref: 14/12/16/3/3/2/2136);
— Camden I Solar Grid Connection (up to 132kV) (subject to a BA Process);
— Camden II Wind Energy Facility (up to 200MW) (subject to a S&EIR process);(DFFE Ref: 14/12/16/3/3/2/2135);
— Camden II Wind Energy Facility up to 132kV Grid Connection (subject to a BA Process); and
— Camden Green Hydrogen and Ammonia Facility and associated infrastructure (subject to a S&EIR process)(MDARDLEA Ref: 1/3/1/16/1G-242)

The proposed Camden I Wind Facility will be connected to the nearby Camden Collector substation (which in turn will connect to the Camden Power Station), through an up to 132kV powerline (either single or double circuit) between the grid connection substation portion (immediately adjacent the Camden I Wind Facility on-site IPP substation portion) and that of the Camden Collector substation.

The focus of this Application is the proposed Camden I Wind Facility up to 132kV Grid Connection powerline and associated infrastructure.
WSP Group Africa (Pty) Ltd (WSP) has been appointed by Enertrag as the independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) to facilitate the Basic Assessment (BA) process in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations (2014, as amended).

The proposed project entails the construction of an up to 132kV Grid connection overhead powerline including associated infrastructure, from the Camden I Wind Facility to the nearby Camden Collector substation (which in turn will connect to the Camden Power Station). The lengths of the powerline alternatives are listed below, and is dependent on the authorized location of the collector substation:
— Alternative 1: 3.9km (Preferred) (Preferred substation to Preferred collector)
— Alternative 2: 5.69km
— Alternative 3: 1.94km
— Alternative 4: 1km
The onsite grid connection substation will consist of high voltage substation yard to allow for multiple (up to) 132kV feeder bays and transformers, control building, telecommunication infrastructure, access roads, etc. The area for the onsite substation will be up to 1.5ha. The up to 132kV powerline and substation will have a 500m corridor (250m either side of the centre line and 250m around the entire perimeter of the proposed substation sites), to allow for micro-siting and avoidance of sensitive features where possible. This corridor, as opposed to the line routing, is proposed for authorisation. This application includes the necessary up to 132kV voltage electrical components required for connection at the Collector Substation (i.e., the termination works).
The proposed project will comprise the following key components, detailed further in the table below:
— The grid connection substation (adjacent the IPP substation), consisting of a high voltage substation yard to allow for multiple (up to) 132kV feeder bays and transformers, control building, telecommunication infrastructure, access roads, lighting and fencing;
— Construction of an up to 132kV power line (either single or double circuit) between the grid connection substation portion and that of the Camden Collector substation; and
— Termination works, comprising the necessary up to 132kV voltage electrical components required for connection at and into the Collector Substation.
— Existing or new access and service roads (utilising existing roads where possible, with new roads developed where there are no existing roads to be utilised).
— In order for the proposed project to proceed, it will require an Environmental Authorisation (EA) from the Competent Authority (CA) (i.e. the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, (DFFE)).