Media Release

8 February 2005

Darling National Demonstration Wind Farm

Today the High Court of South Africa (Cape Good Hope Provincial Division) made a Settlement Agreement between the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism and Darlipp (Pty) Ltd an order of court.

The Agreement was reached yesterday at a meeting of the parties convened by the Department of Minerals and Energy. Government has published its commitment to renewable energy in the White Paper on Renewable Energy. Darlipp is also committed to renewable energy and in particular wind energy.

Darlipp (Pty) Ltd wishes to develop South Africa’s first wind driven independent power generation facility (producer) near the Village of Darling in the Western Cape. The Minister of Minerals and Energy, Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka has declared the initiative a national demonstration project. The so-called “green” power generated is expected to be purchased by the Cape Town municipality. Darlipp had brought legal action against the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism seeking certain declaratory orders relating to its environmental impact assessment.

The agreement provides that:-

1. the court case be postponed to about 1 June 2005;
2. the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism will issue a Record Of Decision on the environmental impact assessment (EIA) by 28 th February 2005, subject to the necessary approvals from Swartland Municipality.
3. The issue of legal costs will be determined later.

An implication of this settlement is that the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism must still apply its mind to the merits of the Darlipp application.

Issued by

Dr R Crompton

Deputy Director-General: Hydrocarbons and Energy Planning

Department of Minerals and Energy