1000MW wind energy facility permitted in South Africa

• The Carissa Wind Energy Facility (WEF), located near Beaufort West in the Western Cape, has achieved a major milestone by securing Environmental Authorisation (EA).
• With a capacity of up to 1,000 MW the Carissa WEF is now officially the largest permitted wind energy facility in South Africa, marking a transformative step in the country’s renewable energy transition.

The successful permitting of the Carissa WEF is the result of a seamless partnership between AMDA Developments (the project developer), Hive Hydrogen (the committed off-taker), and Blue Crane Environmental, the independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) responsible for leading the rigorous Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process.

Blue Crane Environmental’s team of experts, renowned for their work in renewable energy assessments across South Africa, ensured a transparent, thorough, and efficient permitting process. Their robust public participation strategy addressed stakeholder concerns, while detailed specialist reports mitigated environmental impacts to acceptable standards. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) endorsed the process, granting EA within a streamlined timeframe under the project’s Strategic Infrastructure Project (SIP)status.

Gcabashe Thulani Gcabashe, Chairman of Hive Hydrogen South Africa remarked

“We are delighted that our Carissa Wind Project has achieved this major milestone.  We have been constantly impressed by the professionalism, thoroughness and efficiency of the Environmental Impact Assessment conducted by Blue Crane and managed by AMDA. The quality of the studies is outstanding, and the specialists engaged were exceptional. This concludes the EIA work on all of Hive Hydrogen’s 3300MW of renewable energy assets, and the R105bn Coega Green Ammonia project can now commence with its Front End Engineering Design. The project remains on track to start construction in early 2027 with a commissioning date in December 2029. Congratulations to all involved”.

The Carissa WEF will play a pivotal role in South Africa’s emerging green hydrogen economy. Its clean energy will supply Hive Hydrogen’s pioneering green ammonia production facility in the Port of Ngqura (Coega), Eastern Cape. This initiative positions South Africa as a key global playerin sustainable energy innovation.

The Carissa WEF’s EA is more than a regulatory milestone—it’s a testament to how collaboration, transparency, and environmental commitment can drive meaningful progress in renewable energy. By aligning industry expertise, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable practices, the project sets a benchmark for future wind energy developments in South Africa and beyond.

Author: Bryan Groenendaal