Cookie Preferences

Mabele Emoyeni Wind Energy Facility and Grid Connection Scoping and EIA

Short Project Title

Mabele Emoyeni WEF and Grid EIA

Project Title

Mabele Emoyeni Wind Energy Facility and Grid Connection S&EIA

SRK Project Reference Number

610106

EA Holder

N/A

Official Reference Number

14-12-16-3-3-2-2707

SRK Project Manager

Kelly Armstrong

Contact Person

Kelly Armstrong

Contact Email

ctpp@srk.co.za

Contact Number

+27 21 659 3060

PROJECT SYNOPSIS

Mabele Emoyeni (Pty) Ltd (Mabele Emoyeni) intend to develop the Mabele Emoyeni Wind Energy Facility (WEF) and Grid Connection (the Grid) near Ventersburg on a site in the Lejweleputswa and Fezile Dabi District Municipalities in the Free State Province.

The WEF will comprise turbines, cabling or overhead lines of up to 66 kV, Independent Power Producer (IPP) substations and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), an Operational and Maintenance (O&M) area, as well as access and internal roads. The Grid will comprise distribution substations (also known as switching stations), up to 132 kV powerlines, a Main Transmission Substation (MTS), 400 kV Loop-in Loop-out (LILO) powerline connection, as well as access and internal roads. Once constructed, the WEF will be owned and operated by the IPP, while the Grid will be ceded to Eskom and form part of the national grid.

The National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 (NEMA), and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, 2014 (promulgated in terms of NEMA) warrant that listed activities require Environmental Authorisation (EA) from the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). A Scoping and Environmental Impact Reporting (S&EIR, also referred to as an EIA) process is required to support an application for EA. SRK Consulting (South Africa) Pty Ltd (SRK) has been appointed by Mabele Emoyeni to undertake the S&EIR process required in terms of the NEMA and the EIA Regulations, 2014, for this project.

PROJECT LOCATION

Matjhabeng and Moqhaka Local Municipalities, Free State

STATUS OF PROJECT

The Scoping Report was accepted by DFFE on 12 August 2025.

 

The EIA Report is now available for public comment and SRK invites stakeholders to review the report and to participate in the public participation process. An Executive Summary of this report has been distributed to registered stakeholders and is available below.

 

Copies of this report are also available for review at the following locations:

  • Ventersburg Library;
  • Mmamahabane Library; and
  • SRK’s office in Rondebosch.

 

The EIA Report may be amended based on comments received from stakeholders. Stakeholders’ comments on the EIA Report will assist DFFE in making a decision regarding the application. The public is therefore urged to submit comment(s). If you require assistance in compiling and submitting comments, please contact us and we will ensure that you receive appropriate support.

Comments must be submitted by 20 April 2026 to be incorporated into the Final EIA Report.

Once stakeholders have commented on the information presented in the EIA Report, the Final EIA Report will be prepared and submitted to DFFE for approval. Stakeholders will be informed when the Final EIA Report is submitted to the DFFE, and the Final EIA Report, including the Issues and Response Summary will be uploaded onto SRK’s website. Once a decision is taken by authorities, this decision will be communicated to registered stakeholders.