SR016105
NOTICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA), AIR EMISSION AND WATER USE LICENSE APPLICATION
UGESI THERMAL POWER PLANT ON THE RE OF ERF11445 RICHARDS BAY (RB), AND ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE (POWERLINE AND GAS PIPELINE) ON VARIOUS PROPERTIES IN RB REGISTRATION DIVISION GV, UMHLATHUZE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY, KING CETSHWAYO DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY, KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCE Grus Energy (Pty) Ltd proposes to develop, construct and operate the Ugesi Thermal Power Plant, with a maximum capacity of 1,500 MW, on the Re of Erf 11445, Richards Bay GV (approximately 197 ha), including an approximately 11.8`15.9 km underground gas pipeline connecting the planned LNG import and regasification facility at the Port of RB to the proposed power plant, together with associated 400 kV electrical infrastructure connecting the power plant to the Eskom electricity network.
The pipelines will traverse the following properties:
Alternative 1:
The Re of ERF 11455, Portion 1 of ERF 15665, Portion 13,14 and Re of ERF 11451, Re of ERF 11525, Portion 5 and Re of ERF 11456, Re of ERF 11469, Re of ERF 16177, Re of Farm RESERVE 6 15825 GV, Portion 12 of Farm RESERVE 6 15825 GV, Portion 5 of ERF 11376, Re of ERF 15406, Re of ERF 16875, Portion 8, 45, 145, 148, 149,150, 151 and Re of ERF 5333, RB GV
Alternative 2:
The Re of ERF 11455, Portion 1 of ERF 15665, Portion 1 and Re of ERF 11451, Portion 1 and Re of ERF 11528, Portion 10, 11, 13, 15, 20, 21, 22, 36, 54, 55 and 57 of ERF 11451, Portion 1, 2, 3 and 5 of ERF 11449, Portion 1 and Re of ERF 16177, Portion 2 and Re of ERF 11452, Portion 13, 14 and Re of ERF 11454, Portion 7, 45 and Re of ERF 5333, RB GV and Portion 1 of LOT 223 UMHLATUZI 16230 GV
The proposed powerlines will traverse the following properties
Alternative 1
• Loop-in/Loop-out connection to the Athene`Invubu 400 kV line: Re of Erf 11445, RB GV.
Alternative 2 *` Connection to Eskom Athene Substation: Re of Erf 11445, Remainder of Erf 15665 and Portion 1 of Erf 11451, RB GV.
Exigent Engineering Consultants (Exigent) has been appointed by Grus Energy (Pty) Ltd as the Environmental Assessment Practitioner to undertake the Scoping and EIA process and associated Public Participation Process.
Notice is given for the Environmental Authorisation application to be submitted to the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment in terms of the EIA Regulations, 4/12/2014 (GG38282) under section 24(5) and 44 of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998), as amended (GNR326, 2017), of the intent to carry out the EIA Process in terms of Listed Activities 11 (i), 12 (ii)(c), 13, 14, 16,19, 24 (ii), 27 and 28 (ii) of Listing Notice 1 (GNR 327), Listed Activity 2, 6, 7(i), 9 and 15 of Listing Notice 2 of 2014 (GNR 325), and Listed activities 2 (d)(xii) (aa), 4(d)(viii)(xi)(xii)(aa), 10 (d)(xii)(aa), 12 (d)(iv)(v)(xii), 14 (ii)(c)(d)(vii)(viii)(x)(aa) of Listing Notice 3 of 2014 (GNR 324), as amended.
Applications/processes are also being undertaken in terms of the: National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 (Act No. 39 of 2004) for an Atmospheric Emission Licence;
National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) for a Water Use Licence; and
National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act No. 25 of 1999).
Invitation to participate
Interested and/or Affected Parties (I&APs) are invited to register and obtain further project information by providing their name, contact details and interest in the project to Exigent by 12 November 2026.
Project information will be provided on the Exigent website: www.exigent.co.za and updated as the process continues. EAP Contact details:
Jacolette Adam
Tel: (082)8526417
E-mail: ugesi@exigent.co.za
Website: https://www.exigent.co.za/environmental/public-review- documents
Date of notice: 12 October 2026
12-10- 2026
Reference Number: SR016105
