Wind farm for Gouda?
2011-04-07
A WIND farm is on the cards for Gouda, and a public participation process regarding the environmental impact assessment of the project has been launched by Aurecon. The project, known as iNca Gouda Wind Pty Ltd, proposes to construct a wind energy facility to generate approximately 30 megawatts of electricity, consisting of 20 turbines of 1,5 MW each, near the town. Two 66kV overhead powerlines will be constructed to connect to the Eskom grid at the Gouda substation, which is less than 1 km from the proposed wind farm. Authorisation must be obtained from the Department of Environmental Affairs via the impact assessment process. According to Ian McGregor, head of development at iNca Energy.the Gouda project is one of 11 wind projects currently in the pipeline from this company, including a larger one near Moorreesburg. The positioning of wind farms is affected by local wind speed, and proximity and connectibility to the Eskom grid. iNca is a renewable energy company with 51% South African ownership (including the Cosatu Investment Trust) with the remainder held by a French company (iNca Enercy France). According to McGregor, there are no commercial wind farms in South Africa which are up and running, except the one in Darling, due to delays in legislation. It is hoped that licence approval will be obtained by October, after which construction will take another year. A number of permanent jobs will be created once the wind farm has been completed, including maintenance and security, while a small percentage of the proceeds will be paid out to a local community development trust. To register as an interested or affected party in the project, contact Aurecon before 11 May on 021-481-2501, fax 021-424-5588, email nicole.petersen@aurecongroup.com or write to her at PO Box 494, Cape Town, 8000.
More
News
|
