ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCESS FOR THE HUGO AND KHOE WIND ENERGY FACILITIES AND ANCILLARY INFRASTRUCTURE, NEAR DE DOORNS, IN THE WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE

NOTIFICATION OF AVAILABILITY OF THE DRAFT SCOPING REPORTS FOR PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT (PREVIOUSLY LAPSED)

29 February 2024

DFFE Reference: Hugo (14/12/16/3/3/2/2485) and Khoe (14/12/16/3/3/2/2484)

Lapsed Application: The Hugo and Khoe Wind Energy Facility has previously undergone a Public Review and Comment process from Monday, 08 January 2024 to Thursday, 08 February 2024 (both days inclusive). Due to the lapse of the previous application, the proposed development will be subject to reapplication under a new reference number.

Therefore, an additional 30-day scoping Public Participation period will be undertaken to ensure compliance with the regulations and will augment the public participation process that was undertaken during the lapsed application process.

All comments received during the previous public participation period noted above will still be considered valid, and will form part of the updated Comments and Responses Report.

Project Scope: Environmental Resources Management Southern Africa Pty Ltd (ERM) was appointed by Energy Team Pty Ltd (hereafter ‘ET’) to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed establishment of the Hugo and Khoe wind energy facilities (WEFs) and associated infrastructure near De Doorns in the Western Cape Province. This Project requires an Environmental Authorisation (EA) from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (Act No. 107 of 1998), as amended (NEMA). The proposed Hugo WEF will comprise up to 48 turbines with a maximum output capacity of up to 360 MW, while the Khoe WEF will comprise up to 38 turbines with a maximum output capacity of up to 290 MW. Each WEF will comprise various buildings, access roads, a battery energy storage system (BESS), and a substation hub (with a capacity of up to 132 kV) with associated electrical grid infrastructure such as a 33 kV overhead / underground transmission powerline connecting the WEF to the national electrical grid network. The proposed Project triggers the following Listed Activities:

  • Listing Notice 1 (LN1): 11(i), 12(ii)(a)(c), 14, 19 (i), 24(ii), 28(ii), 56(i)(ii)
  • Listing Notice 2 (LN2): 1, 15
  • Listing Notice 3 (LN3): 4 (i)(ii)(aa), 12(i)(ii), 14(ii)(a)(c)(i)(i)(ff), 18(i)(ii)(aa)

“Based on the project understanding, the project triggers listed activities of Listing Notice 2 and is therefore subject to a full Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment (S&EIA) Process.”

Two separate S&EIA processes will be undertaken for each of the two WEFs. This notification serves to announce the commencement of the S&EIA processes. The EA Applications and respective Reports will be submitted to the competent authority, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), for a decision. Notification of submission of the Draft and Final Reports, and any other correspondence required to be included as part of the Public Participation Process (PPP), will be sent to all registered Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs). The Draft reports will also be made available for public review and comment once completed (exact date and location of availability to be confirmed in notification to all registered I&APs).

Hugo WEF documents
Hugo draft scoping report
Hugo Khoe WEFs locality map
Hugo WEF layout plan
Khosi Ngema CV
Hugo EAP Declaration

Hugo scoping reports
Hugo screening tool report
Agriculture Hugo scoping report
Aquatics Hugo scoping report
Animal Hugo scoping report
Bats Hugo scoping report
Avian Hugo scoping report
Noise Hugo scoping report
Visual Hugo scoping report
Heritage Hugo scoping report
Terrestrial biodiversity Hugo scoping report
Social Hugo scoping report
Traffic Hugo scoping report
Flora Hugo scoping report

Khoe WEF documents
Khoe draft scoping report
Hugo Khoe WEFs locality map
Khoe WEF layout plan
Khosi Ngema CV
Khoe EAP Declaration

Khoe scoping reports
Agriculture Khoe scoping report
Aquatics Khoe scoping report
Animal Khoe scoping report
Bats Khoe scoping report
Avian Khoe scoping report
Noise Khoe scoping report
Visual Khoe scoping report
Heritage Khoe scoping report
Terrestrial biodiversity Khoe scoping report
Social Khoe scoping report
Traffic Khoe scoping report
Flora Khoe scoping report