This post hereby serves as an update on the gazetting process for the Phase 2 Wind and Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). As noted in July and August 2020, the following gazettes were released by the DEFF for comment:
- Government Gazette 43528, Government Notice 785, Date: 17 July 2020 – Consultation on the intention to amend the procedures to be followed in applying for or deciding on an environmental authorisation application for large scale wind and solar photovoltaic renewable energy development activities when occurring in Renewable Energy Development Zones.
- Government Gazette 43528, Government Notice 786, Date: 17 July 2020 – Consultation on the intention to identify three geographical areas which are of strategic importance when planning large scale wind and solar photovoltaic energy facilities in terms of section 24(3) of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998). These areas are called Renewable Energy Development Zones.
- Government Gazette 43571, Government Notice 840, Date: 31 July 2020 – Consultation on the intention to identify the procedures to be followed when applying for or deciding on an environmental authorisation application for the development of electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure when occurring in Renewable Energy Development Zones.
- Government Gazette 43571, Government Notice 841, Date: 31 July 2020 – Consultation on the intention to identify the procedures to followed in applying for or deciding on an environmental authorisation application for large scale wind and solar photovoltaic facilities, when occurring in Renewable Energy Development Zones.
The DEFF has hereby extended the comment period for Government Notices 785 and 786 in Government Gazette 43528 of 17 July 2020 and Government Notices 840 and 841 in Government Gazette 43571 of 31 July 2020, to 4 September 2020.
Members of the public are invited to submit written comments or input directly to the DEFF, by 4 September 2020. Details of the process regarding comment submission can be found in the abovementioned Government Gazette. A copy of the Government Gazette has been placed on the homepage of the project website: https://redzs.csir.co.za/
Stakeholders are encouraged to follow the publications in the Government Gazette, as well as the DEFF website, for further details on the gazetting process.
The REDZs Phase 2 SEA Team would like to thank all stakeholders for their participation in this process.
