NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ACT, 107 OF 1998: CONSULTATION ON INTENTION TO EXCLUDE IDENTIFIED ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION OF BATTERY STORAGE FACILITIES FROM THE REQUIREMENT TO OBTAIN AN ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORIZATION BASED ON THE BATTERY STORAGE EXCLUSION NORM
Notice Title: National Environmental Management Act, 107 of 1998 (“NEMA”): Consultation on intention to exclude identified activities associated with the development and expansion of battery storage facilities from the requirement to obtain an environmental authorization based on the battery storage exclusion norm
Government Notice: GN 3308 in GG 48429 on 14 April 2023
Commencing date: Comments to be submitted by 15 May 2023
The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (“the Minister”), intends to exclude certain activities identified in terms of section 24(2)(a) and (b) of the NEMA, associated with the development and expansion of battery storage facilities, from the requirement to obtain environmental authorisation.
The Norm, entitled “Norm for the Exclusion of Identified Activities Associated with the Development and Expansion of Battery Storage Facilities in Areas of Low or Medium Environmental Sensitivities” (“the Norm”) has been prepared to provide rules under which activities associated with the development and expansion of battery storage facilities identified in terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2014 may be excluded from the requirement to obtain an environmental authorisation prior to commencement, while meeting the objectives of the NEMA.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment developed a screening tool to identify environmental sensitivities of a specific geographical location or site related to various identified environmental themes. The environmental sensitivities related to “medium” or “low” for specific environmental themes are applicable to the Norm.
Members of the public are invited to submit written comments and inputs on or before 15 May 2023. For a copy of the Government Gazette Notice click here.
For more information or assistance please contact Jan Nel at jan@shangoni.co.za
