HIVE Hydrogen announced earlier this month that its Carissa Wind Energy Facility, located near Beaufort West in the Western Cape, successfully secured Environmental Authorisation (EA), paving the way for the R105 billion project to enter its next phase.
With a capacity of up to 1,000 MW and comprising 154 wind turbines, the Carissa Wind Energy Facility will contribute renewable energy to power the Coega Green Ammonia project in Nelson Mandela Bay. According to Hive Hydrogen, it is the largest permitted wind energy facility in South Africa and marks a significant step towards the production of green hydrogen.
Environmental stewardship
The successful permitting of the Carissa Wind Energy Facility is the result of a partnership between Hive Hydrogen (the Coega Green Ammonia project sponsor and the committed off-taker), AMDA Developments (the project developer) and Blue Crane Environmental (the independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) responsible for leading the rigorous Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process).
Blue Crane Environmental has built a reputation for its work in renewable energy assessments across South Africa. Its robust public participation strategy addressed stakeholder concerns, while detailed specialist reports mitigated environmental impacts to acceptable standards. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) endorsed the process, granting Environmental Approval within a streamlined timeframe under the project’s Strategic Infrastructure Project (SIP) status.
Thulani Gcabashe, Chairman of Hive Hydrogen South Africa remarked: “We are delighted that our Carissa Wind Project has achieved this major milestone. We have been constantly impressed by the professionalism, thoroughness and efficiency of the Environmental Impact Assessment conducted by Blue Crane and managed by AMDA. The quality of the studies is outstanding, and the specialists engaged were exceptional.
“This concludes the EIA work on all of Hive Hydrogen’s 3,300 MW of renewable energy assets, and the R105 billion Coega Green Ammonia project can now commence with its Front End Engineering Design. The project remains on track to start construction in early 2027 with a commissioning date in December 2029. Congratulations to all involved.”
Piero Granelli, Head of AMDA’s South African operations, highlighted the project’s significance: “Development projects always present unique challenges, but we are thrilled to have successfully navigated this milestone. Since 2010, AMDA has grown its renewable energy portfolio in South Africa to over 5,000 MW. We commend Blue Crane for their dedication to meeting strict permitting timelines without compromising on environmental integrity, and we appreciate the DFFE’s clear guidance throughout the process.”
Marélie Botha and Lisa de Lange, Directors of Blue Crane Environmental, emphasised the power of collaboration: “This authorisation is the outcome of true teamwork. Our close coordination with specialists and AMDA’s development team ensured every aspect of the project was carefully considered, with responsible development at the forefront. This well-managed process is something we are extremely proud of.”
The Carissa Wind Energy Facility will play a pivotal role in South Africa’s emerging green hydrogen economy. Its clean energy will supply Hive Hydrogen’s pioneering green ammonia production facility in the Port of Ngqura. This initiative positions South Africa as a key global player in sustainable energy innovation.
