Part 1 Amendment Application for the Layout Change of the Approved Kuduskop North Wind Energy Facility

Kuduskop Wind Farm (Pty) Ltd is developing the approved 160 MW Kuduskop North Wind Energy Facility (WEF) and associated infrastructure, located between Matjiesfontein and Sutherland in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa.

Environmental Authorisation (EA) has been granted for the Kuduskop North WEF, including approval of the final layout and associated Environmental Management Programme (EMPr).

SLR Consulting (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd (SLR) has been appointed by Kuduskop Wind Farm (Pty) Ltd to undertake a Part 1 Amendment application in terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, 2014 (as amended), under the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998), to amend a portion of the approved facility layout.

The proposed amendment entails the relocation of the approved substation by approximately 180 m to the northwest of its current authorised position. This adjustment is driven by technical and civil engineering considerations, as the revised location is situated on flatter and more suitable terrain. This allows for a more optimal substation design, reducing the need for extensive cut-and-fill activities and ground stabilisation. The substation footprint remains unchanged at 2.25 ha, as authorised.

The relocation of the substation results in minor adjustments to associated infrastructure, including the substation access road and the 33 kV overhead powerline (OHL). While the OHL alignment remains largely consistent with the authorised layout, minor refinements have resulted in a slight reduction in its overall length. Similarly, the access road alignment has been optimised, also resulting in a marginal decrease in length.

The proposed amendment falls within the ambit of a Part 1 Amendment, as it does not alter the scope of the authorised development nor increase the nature or significance of environmental impacts previously assessed. All specialists involved in the approved layout and EMPr process were requested to review the proposed changes and have confirmed that the amendment will not introduce any new impacts or increase existing impacts.

Status

Notice is hereby given that the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has approved the Part 1 Amendment Application for the Kuduskop North Wind Energy Facility and Associated Infrastructure.

The EA Amendment Approval Letter can be downloaded from this webpage. The Amendment Approval Letter outlines, amongst others, the Department's decision regarding the amendment application, details of the approved amendment, the reasons for the decision, and the appeal process in terms of the National Appeal Regulations, 2025.

Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) are hereby informed that any person wishing to appeal the Department's decision may do so in accordance with Section 43 of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998), as amended, and the National Appeal Regulations, 2025. Appeals must be submitted within twenty (20) days from the date on which notification of the decision was sent to registered I&APs.