AM043981
NOTICE OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCESS AND WATER USE LICENCE APPLICATION
•PROPOSED IPS MABET SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) FACILITY AND ASSOCIATED BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM (BESS) AND TRANSMISSION LINE (REMAINDER OF PORTION 1, 2 AND 11 OF THE FARM BRANDSPRUIT 318 IS & PORTION 6 OF THE FARM TWEEFONTEIN 321 IS, GOVAN MBEKI LOCAL MUNICIPALITY, GERT SIBANDE DISTRICT, MPUMALANGA) REF NR LOK/01/2026 Notice is hereby given in terms of Regulation 41 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2014 (as amended), promulgated under the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA), of the intention to submit an application for Environmental Authorisation to the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (MDARLEA) for the proposed development, which triggers the following listed activities:
Activities listed under Listing Notice 1:
Activity 1 – The development of a 132 kV electricity transmission line and associated infrastructure. Activity 26
•The development of agricultural land exceeding 1 ha outside an urban area for the proposed Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Facility and associated Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). Activity 27 – Clearance of approximately 1.1 ha, up to a maximum of 19 ha, of indigenous vegetation.
Activity listed under Listing Notice 2:
Activity 1 – Generation of electricity from a renewable resource with a generating capacity of approximately 278.21 MWp.
Activities listed under Listing Notice 3:
Activity 12 – Clearance of approximately 1.1 ha, up to a maximum of 19 ha, of indigenous vegetation within a Critical Biodiversity Area (CBA).
Water Use Authorisation: An application for a Water Use Licence / General Authorisation in terms of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act Nr 36 of 1998) will be made to the Department of Water & Sanitation (DWS).
Project Name: IPS Mabet PV / BESS and Transmission line
Project Description: The proposed development comprises a 278.21 MWp Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Facility, a 215 MW / 842 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), a 132 kV overhead transmission line to the proposed Wonderkrag Substation, and associated infrastructure. A preliminary corridor has been identified for the proposed 132 kV transmission line connecting the facility to the proposed Wonderkrag Substation. The final alignment will be determined during the Environmental Impact Assessment process.
Project Locality: The site is situated immediately west of the R546 Provincial Road, approximately 10 km south-west of Secunda and 6 km south-east of Embalenhle, within the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality, Gert Sibande District Municipality, Mpumalanga Province
Independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner: Lokisa Environmental Consulting CC Environmental Authority: Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land & Environmental Affairs (MDARLEA)
Date of Placement of Notice: 4 August 2026
Type of application: A Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment (S&EIA) process will be undertaken.
For further information on this application and an electronic copy of the report, please contact: Elaine Minnaar of Lokisa Environmental Consulting CC at P.O. Box 219, Groenkloof, 0027. Tel: 012 346 7655 Cell/ WhatsApp: 082 493 9616 Email: elaine@lokisa.co.za
In order to be registered as an Interested and Affected Party (I&AP) and to receive future correspondence regarding the proposed development, please submit the following information in writing:
•Contact person;
•Postal address;
•Email address;
•Telephone number;
•Interest in the project; and
•Any comments on the proposed development. Comments must be submitted within the 30 -day public review period (4 August 2026 to 7 September 2026).
Reference Number: AM043981
