In response to the current shortage of electricity generation capacity in South Africa, the growing electricity demand and the need to diversify Eskom's energy mix, Eskom invited proposals for the generation and/or provision of energy from Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in terms of the Medium Term Power Purchase Programme (MTPPP) as well as the Multi-Site Base Load Independent Power Produce Program (Multi Site Program). Mulilo Power (Pty) Ltd responded to Eskom’s invitations to submit proposals by proposing to build a coal-fired power station with a capacity of up to about 900 Megawatt (MW).
The proposed project includes the establishment of a new coal-fired power station in the Musina area. The location of the proposed Mulilo Power Station was determined by the availability of coal from the Vele coal fields which are situated on the nearby properties. Whereas the location of the coal supply is normally the key criterion determining the location of a power station, in the case of this project as elsewhere the location is also influenced by the availability of water, the proximity to the national transmission system and other factors.
The power station may ultimately have a maximum installed capacity of about 900 MW, and the first phase will have an installed capacity of 300 to 600 MW. The footprint of the proposed new power station is still to be determined through final engineering and design, but would be in the order of 100 hectares (ha) for the power plant and associated infrastructure (terrace area), and an additional area of in the order of 350 ha for ashing facilities (ash disposal options are currently under investigation). In addition to the power station itself the scope of the project includes the transmission infrastructure required for the evacuation of power from the power plant to the national transmission system. These requirements include the need for transmission lines of approximately 40 km as well as a potential new substation to be located near Musina.
As part of the EIA and Public Participation Process for this project, you are invited to register as an Interested and Affected Party and to review the draft reports that will be produced. The Background Information Document (BID) that accompanies this letter will help you to:
Determine if you are interested in and/or affected by the proposed project;
Better understand the project in order to be able to provide comment; and
Understand the environmental authorisation process so that you are able to participate effectively.
Penny Cooke or Fiona Grimett
Arcus GIBB (Pty) Ltd
P O Box 2700, Rivonia, 2128
Tel: (011) 519-4600
Fax: (011) 807 5670
E-mail: muliloeia@gibb.co.za