The project has secured environmental authorisation (EA) following a comprehensive environmental impact assessment (EIA) carried out by Blue Crane Environmental. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) approved the process within an expedited timeframe, made possible by the project’s Strategic Infrastructure Project (SIP) status.
Head of AMDA’s South African operations Piero Granelli said: “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 5000MW. 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.”
Hive Hydrogen South Africa will serve as the offtaker for the project’s output. Clean electricity generated by the Carissa WEF will be directed to Hive Hydrogen’s planned green ammonia production facility at the Port of Ngqura (Coega) in the Eastern Cape. The integration of wind power into green hydrogen production is expected to support the development of sustainable fuel supply chains and industrial growth in the region.
Chairman of Hive Hydrogen South Africa Thulani Gcabashe commented: “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 Carissa project represents an important advancement in South Africa’s renewable energy landscape, supporting both national energy diversification goals and emerging opportunities in hydrogen production. The alignment between renewable generation and downstream industrial applications such as green ammonia demonstrates the role large-scale infrastructure projects can play in creating new value chains.
By combining AMDA’s development expertise, Blue Crane’s environmental oversight, and Hive Hydrogen’s industrial demand, the Carissa WEF sets an example of collaborative progress in energy transition initiatives. With its 1GW capacity, the facility will add significant renewable power to the grid while enabling the supply of clean energy for innovative applications in the hydrogen economy.
