Page 25 - Vol 33 Issue 34 2021

Energy Reformation energy

DFFE has further published “fast-tracked” could potentially make use of existing a mend ments to the application regulations have
procedures to be followed when applying infrastructure including roads and grid been finalised to date and therefore developers
for or deciding on EA applications, and infrastructure pertaining to former mining a wait the publication of a Government Gazette by
substantive amendments to EAs, for operations; and the DHSWS to officially reduce the legislated time
the development or expansion of gas » similar to the Strategic Gas Pipeline pe riod and update the online WUL application
transmission pipeline infrastructure within Procedures, the DFFE has also prescribed BA plat form E-WULAAS.
the strategic gas pipeline corridors (Strategic processes for EA applications and substantive
Gas Pipeline Procedures). The Strategic Gas amendments in relation to the development Conclusion
Pipeline Procedures provide that only a basic of electricity transmission and distribution The environmental regulatory framework de-
assessment (BA) process is required which infrastructure of large-scale wind and solar ve lop ments to facilitate renewable energy ge-
should facilitate and speed up EA application photovoltaic facilities located in a REDZ. ne ration, coupled with the 100MW Exemption
and amendment processes for this type of Threshold increase, will hopefully encourage
infrastructure in these areas; From a water perspective, the Department and contribute towards a robust embedded
» geographical areas of strategic importance of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation energy sector; energy security and associated
for the development of large-scale wind (DHSWS) is in the process of considering amend- economic recovery stemming from energy and
and solar photovoltaic energy facilities, ments to the prescribed licensing requirements infrastructure development that South Africa
which areas are known as Renewable which will reduce the WUL application process desperately needs. Although encouraging, there
Energy Development Zones (REDZ). In July from an extensive 300 days to 90 days. This ini tia- will remain the need to appreciate the risk of
2020, DFFE promulgated three new REDZ tive falls within Operation Vulindlela, a project es- challenges and learning from these challenges
in addition to the existing eight which, in tablished by the presidency and National Trea su- to ensure robust assessment and public par ti ci-
relation to solar PV developments, are ry to accelerate the implementation of structural pation processes are carried out.
located in Emalahleni in Mpumalanga reforms to overcome the current delays sy no-
and Klerksdorp in the North West, and in ny mous with the processing of applications for Authored by Margo­Ann Werner, Alecia Pienaar,
relation to wind energy projects, Beaufort WULs. Laura Wilson and Anton Ackermann from Cliffe
West in the Western Cape (New REDZ). It To address these constraints, the DHSWS Dekker Hofmeyr
is noteworthy that, in the case of the New has communicated that additional officials will
REDZ designated in mining regions, given be recruited to fast-track WUL applications. No
the high energy demands associated with
mining and processing, it is anticipated
that the development of large-scale
renewable projects by mining companies
and independent power producers will be
incentivised. These projects, which would
be located close to Eskom’s load centres,

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