ABERDEEN NEWS - The possible development of renewable energy facilities in the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipal area has become a hot topic - around the fire and at formal meetings.
Most recently Savannah Environmental (Pty) Ltd published a Notice of Basic Assessment and Public Participation in the Graaff-Reinet Advertiser of 9 March, backed by a Background Information Document (BID), dated February 2023.
The plan is to develop three separate wind farms about 20km west of Aberdeen in the DBNLM area with a combined capacity of 720MW.
Each farm will be allowed to sport 41 turbines - 123 in total. The hub height could be up to 200m with the rotor tip height up to 300m.
The anticipated construction period for each of the wind farms is estimated to be two years.
The proposed facilities are located within the Beaufort West Renewable Energy Development Zone (REDZ) and are to be known as Aberdeen Wind Facility 1, 2 and 3.
The land parcels identified overlap and comprise 9180ha for facility 1, 6475ha for facility 2 and 7225ha for facility 3. The BID contains all the property descriptions.
Basic assessment
Site-specific studies and assessments will be undertaken through the Basic Assessment (BA) processes in order to delineate areas of potential sensitivity within the surrounding areas and the identified project sites. Once constraining factors have been determined, the layout of the wind energy facilities can be planned to minimise the social and environmental impact. Studies proposed as part of the BA process include biodiversity studies.
A Basic Assessment provides an opportunity for the project applicant to be forewarned of potential environmental issues and allows for the resolution of issues identified and reported on as part of the BA process, as well as provides opportunity for dialogue with key stakeholders and interested and affected parties.
It is anticipated that each facility will be constructed as a separate stand-alone project. However, due to proximity of the projects, the public participation process will be undertaken concurrently, providing the public with an opportunity to understand and comment on all three projects.
Correspond with Savannah Environmental at publicprocess@savannahsa.com. The BID is published at https://www.savannahsa.com/portal/downloads/energy-generation/aberdeen-wind-energy-facilities.
The 2011 designated area as featured in the BID.
The 2023 designated area as featured in the BID.
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