SRK Consulting (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd (SRK) has been appointed by Red Cap Energy (Pty) Ltd (Red Cap) to undertake the S&EIR processes required in terms of NEMA and the EIA Regulations, 2014 for their proposed development of a cluster of Wind Energy Facilities (WEFs) and associated infrastructure near Edenville, Free State. The three WEFs are referred to as Renoster 1 Wind Farm, Renoster 2 Wind Farm and Renoster 3 Wind Farm. Red Cap also proposes to construct a grid collector ring line (‘Renoster Grid Connection’) to evacuate electricity generated by the WEFs to the national grid. The WEFs and the grid infrastructure are collectively referred to as the ‘Renoster Wind Farms Development’.
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). Scoping and Environmental Reporting (S&EIR) processes must be followed for each of the three WEFs and the Renoster Grid Connection.
Four separate S&EIR processes are being undertaken in parallel for:
- Renoster 1 Wind Farm;
- Renoster 2 Wind Farm;
- Renoster 3 Wind Farm; and
- Renoster Grid Infrastructure.
Heritage Approval is also sought in terms of the National Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999 (NHRA).
