The Proposed Ngiri Solar Power Plant near Mokopane, Limpopo Province

Ngiri Solar Power Plant (RF) (Pty) Ltd intends to develop a 150 MW photovoltaic solar energy facility and associated infrastructure (including LILO connection into existing Eskom infrastructure) on Remaining Extent of Doelen No. 327, situated within the Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality and Mogalakwena Local Municipality, Waterberg District Municipality, area of jurisdiction. The town of Mokopane is located approximately 21 km north of the proposed development (refer to Figure A and B for the locality and regional maps).

A site of up to 360 hectares has been identified for assessment as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, which is fully assessed as part of this draft Scoping Report. The development footprint of up to 341 ha will be sited within this area. The project further entails a Loop-In-Loop-Out (LILO) overhead power line connection between the back-to-back facility substation and Eskom collector switching station and into either the existing Eskom Chromore - Tweekoppies 1 132kV overhead line or Warmbad - Witkop 1 275kV overhead line. The exact point of connection is pending confirmation by Eskom. Electrical Grid Infrastructure (EGI) will be placed within a connection corridor that is to be assessed.

For the development of Ngiri Solar Power Plant specific infrastructure and key components are required to be constructed and operated to enable the generation of electricity through the use of photovoltaic technology. The main components are as follows:
• PV Panel Array to enable the generation of up to 150 MW of electricity.
• Inverters and cabling are required to connect the PV array and thereby enabling the conversion of direct current (DC) electricity to alternating current (AC) electricity at grid frequency.
• Grid connection infrastructure is required to connect the PV array to the electrical grid. This requires the transformation of the voltage from 480 V up to 33 kV and 132 kV. The grid connection infrastructure required includes an on-site facility substation and an Eskom collector switching station (located back-to-back) and a single or double circuit overhead power line. A Loop-In-Loop-Out (LILO) connection between the back-to-back facility substation and Eskom collector switching station and into existing Eskom power lines
• Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) / facilities are required for the storage of generated electricity.
• Supporting infrastructure is required in the form of auxiliary buildings (including basic services such as water and electricity). These include an operations and maintenance building / offices, switch gear and relay room, a gate house and security control, control centre, workshops for storage and maintenance, staff lockers and changing room.
• Temporary and permanent laydown areas are also required.
• Roads are required to access the site, as well as internally to access the various project components.
• Fencing

Another solar PV facility, the Pumba Solar Power Plant, is concurrently being considered on surrounding properties and will be assessed through a separate Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process.

Province(s): Limpopo