Amda Developments Secures Environmental Authorization for South Africa's Largest Onshore Wind Project

Amda Developments has achieved a significant milestone by securing environmental authorization for the Carissa onshore wind project, set to become South Africa's largest wind energy facility with a capacity of 1 GW and consisting of 154 turbines. Located near Beaufort West in the Western Cape, this project will generate renewable energy to power Hive Hydrogen's Coega green ammonia project in Nelson Mandela Bay, a venture valued at approximately ZAR 105 billion (USD 6 billion) aimed at producing one million tonnes of green ammonia annually.

The streamlined granting of this authorization, facilitated by the project's strategic infrastructure status, underscores the importance of efficient regulatory processes in advancing sustainable energy initiatives. With the environmental impact assessment now complete, Hive Hydrogen is poised to proceed to the front-end engineering design phase of the Coega project, with construction of the wind facility anticipated to commence in early 2027 and commissioning expected by December 2029.

Hive Hydrogen has been diligently working since 2019 to establish this large-scale green ammonia plant, integrating renewable energy from the Carissa wind farm as a critical component of its ambitious 3,300 MW renewable energy pipeline. This integration not only supports local energy needs but also positions South Africa as a potential leader in the global green ammonia market, an essential fuel for decarbonizing heavy industries and shipping.

The successful collaboration between Hive Hydrogen, Amda Developments, and Blue Crane Environmental, the independent environmental assessment practitioner, has been pivotal in navigating the complex permitting process. Blue Crane's commitment to stakeholder engagement and environmental integrity ensured a thorough and transparent assessment, culminating in the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment's swift approval.

As Thulani GCabashe, chairman of Hive Hydrogen South Africa, noted, the professionalism and efficiency demonstrated during the environmental impact assessment have been commendable. This accomplishment not only marks the completion of the EIA for Hive Hydrogen's renewable energy assets but also sets the stage for upcoming development phases of the Coega project.

Piero Granelli, head of Amda's South African operations, emphasized the project's significance and the challenges that come with development. The partnership's success in overcoming these hurdles speaks to the strength of collaboration in the renewable energy sector. The directors of Blue Crane Environmental highlighted the importance of teamwork in achieving this authorization, emphasizing responsible development as a priority throughout the process.

The Carissa wind energy facility is poised to play a crucial role in South Africa's burgeoning green hydrogen economy. By supplying clean energy to Hive Hydrogen's pioneering production facility at the Port of Ngqura, this initiative not only contributes to the nation's renewable energy landscape but also positions South Africa as a key player in sustainable energy innovation. The project serves as a benchmark for future wind energy developments, demonstrating how commitment to environmental stewardship and collaborative efforts can drive meaningful progress in the renewable energy sector.