TA017456
NOTICE OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCESS AND WATER USE LICENCE APPLICATION – PROPOSED IPS SALEM PV SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC FACILITY AND ASSOCIATED BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM (BESS), SUBSTATION AND ASSOCIATED TRANSMISSION LINES (PORTIONS 2, 6 AND THE REMAINDER OF THE FARM DOORNHOEK 143 JT, THABA CHWEU LOCAL MUNICIPALITY, EHLANZENI DISTRICT, MPUMALANGA)
Ref NR LOK/02/2026
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 11 – The development of a 132 kV electricity transmission line and associated infrastructure.
Activity 19 – The infilling or depositing of any material of more than 10 cubic metres into, or the dredging, excavation, removal or moving of soil, sand, shells, shell grit, pebbles or rock of more than 10 cubic metres from a watercourse.
Activity 26 – The development of agricultural land exceeding
1 ha outside an urban area.
Activity 27 – Clearance of an area of 1 ha or more of indigenous vegetation.
Activity listed under Listing Notice 2:
Activity 2 – Generation of electricity from a renewable resource where the output is 20 MW or more.
Activities listed under Listing Notice 3:
Activity 12 – The clearance of an area of 300 square metres or more of indigenous vegetation. f. Mpumalanga. ii. Within critical biodiversity areas identified in bioregional plans.
Activity 14 – The development of – (ii) infrastructure or structures with a physical footprint of 10 square metres or more; where such development occurs – (a) within a watercourse; (b) in front of a development setback; or (c) if no development setback has been adopted, within 32 metres of a watercourse, measured from the edge of a watercourse. f. Mpumalanga i. Outside urban areas: (bb) National Protected Area Expansion Strategy Focus areas; (ff) Critical biodiversity areas or ecosystem service areas as identified in systematic biodiversity plans adopted by the competent authority or in bioregional plans.
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 Salem PV and BESS
Project Description: The proposed development comprises a 394.66 MWp Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Facility, a 215 MW / 842 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), substation, associated transmission lines and related infrastructure. The proposed photovoltaic arrays will occupy approximately 166 ha. Project Locality: The project site is situated approximately 5 km north-west of Bambi and the R539, directly west of the R36 and approximately 40 km south- west of Mashishing within the Thaba Chweu Local Municipality, Ehlanzeni District Municipality, Mpumalanga Province. The Kwena Dam is located approximately 5 km north of the project site.
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: 27 August 2026
Type of application: A Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment (S&EIA) process will be undertaken.
For further information on this application and to request an electronic copy of the report, please contact:
Delia de Lange of Lokisa Environmental Consulting CC at P.O. Box 219, Groenkloof, 0027.
Tel: 012-346 -7655
Cell/ WhatsApp: 083-289-3240
Email: delia@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 (27 August 2026 to
28 September 2026).
Reference Number: TA017456
