- In a series of government notices published in July, the South African Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Barbara Creecy, called for public input as part of the public consultation process on the amendment of procedures to be followed in applying for, or deciding on, environmental authorisation applications for large scale wind and solar PV activities.
- Public comment on the geographical areas identified as Renewable Energy Development Zones (REDZ) for wind and solar, and required environmental authorisation processes has been extended to 4 September 2020.
These are also related to the identification of geographical areas of strategic importance for the development of electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure, large-scale wind and solar PV energy facilities and strategic gas transmission pipeline infrastructure.
The Department has also extended the comment period for the government notices related to the REDZ programme on 17 and 31 July 2020.
The Department explained that the areas of strategic importance for energy development were determined through three Strategic Environmental Assessments undertaken between 2016 and 2019.
Public input was also requested on the identification of procedures to be followed when applying for, and deciding on, environmental authorisation applications for REDZ activitiesThe boundaries of the areas referred to in the Notices are available from the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries at http://egis.environment.gov.za – Geographical Areas.
Link to call HERE for submission process
Author: GBA News Desk
Source: sanews.gov
1 Comment
Renewable energy drives up the cost of electricity and drives down reliability of energy supply which is currently undermining our economy. This is irresponsible.
Wind energy in particular occupies vast tracks of land which visually pollutes our pristine landscapes, disturbs the quality of life for those living close to them and impacts negatively on our bird life. I am therefore agains the rollout of renewable energy in South Africa on a large scale. Use it where it is most valuable. If we care about the climate then nuclear energy will be more effective. It has and will continue to provide the cleanest, cheapest and most reliable electricity in South Africa. Confront this truth and and see through the confusion being generated in our energy industry. We do not have to repeat the mistakes of Germany and now California. We are smarter than that.