1(a)(b); 2; 3; 4 and 5
The initial EA for the proposed development was granted on 4 February 2019.
On 26 February 2019, the Directorate: Appeals and Legal Review within the Department received an appeal from Grassridge Wind Power (Pty) Ltd, challenging the granting of the above EA (2019 EA). The grounds of the appeal were broadly premised on procedural and substantive irregularities, with specific reference to the absence of a Wake Effect Assessment and commercial agreement as relevant considerations.
On 14 October 2019, Minister issued an appeal decision as follows:
îv. remit the matter to the CD: IEA for further consideration and reconsideration as alluded in paragraphs 1.44 and 1.45 of the appeal decision.
Following the abovementioned appeal decision, the competent authority, after taking into consideration the Wake Effect Assessment, reissued the EA on 23 March 2021. Thereafter two appeals were received against this EA. These appeals were received from Wilderness Foundation Africa and Indalo Private Nature Reserve Association on 15 April 2021 and 24 May 2021, respectively.
The appeals are currently being considered by the Appeals Unit.
Regards
MS B D CREECY, MP
MINISTER OF FORESTRY, FISHERIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT
DATE: