Renewable energy project planned for Merafong
The facility will be known as known as Merafong Hybrid Park 2.
The sustainable energy project that has been planned for the Merafong area is on the go again, and residents have more than a week to give their input on the matter.
Savannah Environmental is handling the public participation regarding the development of the facility, known as Merafong Hybrid Park 2.
According to the company, the project will comprise a hybrid renewable energy facility with a contracted generation capacity of up to 175MW and a 600MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). The new development will include a Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Energy Facility, Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), and associated infrastructure.
Electricity generated by the facility will be evacuated via a 132kV overhead power line, approximately 6.5km in length, connecting the facility to the Eskom Midas Main Transmission Substation (MTS) located directly southeast of the project site.
The project site is located approximately 12km east of Carletonville, next to the R501. The proposed site is situated next to the bend in the road to Westonaria, close to the entrance to Sibanye-Stillwater’s East Driefontein mine.
Solani Renewables Proprietary (Pty) Ltd intends to bid for the project under the Department of Electricity and Energy’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme or similar, according to a document providing background information about the project.
Alternatively, the document states that electricity generated by the facility may be sold to private off-takers or supplied to the national grid, subject to the necessary regulatory approvals and commercial arrangements.
The development requires environmental authorisation before implementation. The assessment will include terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity, avifauna, agricultural potential, heritage, visual, social and traffic studies.
Residents who want to find out more about the project can download, review, and comment on the Savannah Environmental website: https://savannahsa.com/PublicDocuments. The final date to submit written comments is Monday, September 21.
