This post hereby serves as an update on the gazetting process for the Gas Pipeline and Electricity Grid Infrastructure (EGI) Expansion Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). As noted in March 2020, the Final SEA Reports were published electronically on the project website at the following link: https://gasnetwork.csir.co.za/final-sea-reports/, which served as the project closure.
The last phase of the SEA processes is the Decision-Support Outputs and Gazetting Process, which is currently underway. The gazetting process is being handled by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF). This phase translates the outputs from the environmental assessment phase into environmental management measures and planning interventions for inclusion in the relevant legal environmental framework and local government planning tools, to ensure that long term energy planning is secured. The Decision-Support Outputs compiled for the Gas Pipeline and EGI Expansion SEA are stipulated below:
| Gas Pipeline SEA | EGI Expansion SEA |
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At this stage, the following gazettes have been released by the DEFF for comment:
- Government Gazette 43528, Government Notice 787, Date: 17 July 2020 – Consultation on the intention to identify seven geographical areas, which are of strategic importance when planning for the development of electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure, in terms of Section 24(3) of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act 107 of 1998); and
- Government Gazette 43528, Government Notice 788, Date: 17 July 2020 – Consultation on the intention to identify geographical areas which are of strategic importance when planning gas transmission pipeline infrastructure, in terms of Section 24(3) of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act 107 of 1998).
Members of the public are invited to submit written comments or input directly to the DEFF, within 30 days after the publication of the above notices in the Government Gazette (i.e. within 30 days after 17 July 2020). Details of the process regarding comment submission can be found in the abovementioned Government Gazette. A copy of the Government Gazette has been placed on the homepage of the project website: https://gasnetwork.csir.co.za/
Stakeholders are encouraged to follow the publications in the Government Gazette, as well as the DEFF website, for further details on the gazetting process.
The Gas Pipeline and EGI Expansion SEA Team would like to thank all stakeholders for their participation in this process.