Pegasus Unfolozi 400kV Transmission Powerline, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Providing personal service through our inventive knowledge, yet practical approach

BHP Billiton, the world’s third-largest copper and nickel producer, required a dedicated 400kV supply from the national utility provider, Eskom to power a new aluminium smelter. We were appointed to undertake a ‘fast track’ EIA without compromising legal process, in order for Eskom to extend an existing transmission network.

On appointment we were informed that government authorisation was required at a board meeting in February. This gave us a mere four months rather than the nine months that the study would normally take. A delay may have resulted in the board choosing to invest in a scheme elsewhere, possibly in another country.

Using our experience in power line studies the two most probable routes were identified by running preliminary and detailed investigations in parallel involving a risk that these studies may not identify issues for detailed assessment. To ensure legal compliance both the public and government needed to accept this process. This involved an intensive campaign of identifying landowners along the two routes – a total distance of some 200km. After securing these agreements, detailed studies were initiated in early November. The final report was submitted to government by the middle of January and authorisation was awarded at the board meeting on the 2nd February.

There were no appeals on the final route.

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Did you know?

Without our ability to work to extremely tight deadlines and our expertise in power line studies. BHP Billiton’s would have been unlikely to obtain the 400 kiloVolt supply of electricity they required to run a new aluminium smelter.

Services provided

Project management
Public consultation strategy
Environmental assessments – socio-economic, visual impact, avifauna (birds), ecology and heritage
GIS integration
Final assessment and recommendation

Project highlights