Shaping a Greener Future: How Collaborative Efforts Overcame Red Tape to Light Up Darling Green Estate's 6MW Solar Success

With the country experiencing ongoing power outages for years, the Western Cape Government (WCG) has worked swiftly to implement innovative solutions that address both immediate and long-term energy needs. One such solution was the City of Cape Town’s Pilot Electricity Wheeling Project, which enabled customers to purchase energy from third-party suppliers connected to the Eskom or City of Cape Town grids. Darling Green Country Estate, located in the beautiful town of Darling in the Western Cape, was a role player in this pilot project.

The estate sought to develop a 6MW PV Solar Plant that would connect to Eskom’s network in the town of Darling. However, despite the immense potential of the project, it faced significant red tape challenges. Ralph Rabie, from the Darling Green Country Estate, reached out to the Red Tape Reduction Unit (RTRU) on 24 January 2023 for help with a long-standing appeal with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment (DFFE). The estate had been waiting for the approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and urgently needed it approved by 31 January 2023 to proceed with the project.

Recognising the urgency, the Unit, through its Business Support Helpline Service responded promptly to the business’s needs, working directly with the DFFE. Although the DFFE had until 6 April 2023 to issue the necessary approval, Mrs Cindy Rose of the RTRU who was handling the case requested an expedited review, highlighting the project’s time-sensitive nature. The DFFE acknowledged the urgency and committed to issuing the EIA approval by the end of February 2023. 

With the intervention of the Unit, the EIA approval was issued on 22 February 2023, Darling Green Country Estate was able to move forward with the construction of the solar plant, valued at around R150 million. This successful resolution was made possible through the collaboration of several key departments: The Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, and WESGRO.

It was shortly after, on 31 October 2023, the Country Estate reached out once again for assistance, as they were facing significant delays with Eskom in finalising the budget quote for their project, an essential step for connecting to Eskom’s substation in Darling. Once again, Mrs Rose immediately engaged with Eskom, advocating on behalf of the estate to resolve the matter. After persistent efforts, Eskom approved the grid access on 23 January 2024, enabling the project to proceed without further delay.

Thanks to these crucial interventions, Darling Green Country Estate was able to officially open its PV Solar Plant, which was developed to provide energy not only to the estate but also to the broader community of Darling. On 13 March 2025, the estate held a ribbon-cutting ceremony, with the Red Tape Reduction Unit invited to celebrate the successful completion of the project. The event highlighted not only the hard work and dedication of the Darling Green team but also the collaborative efforts of all the partners involved in bringing this transformative initiative to life.

The project has had a positive impact on the local economy by providing employment opportunities, including 20 direct jobs, 8 indirect jobs, and two permanent security guard roles. This success story demonstrates the powerful role the Red Tape Reduction Unit plays in removing bureaucratic obstacles and helping businesses contribute to solving critical national challenges, such as the energy crisis. The Unit aims to continue its efforts to make it easier for businesses to thrive in the economy through its Business Support Helpline Service.

If you are a business facing red tape challenges, you can send through your enquiry to the Business Support Helpline Service at Redtape@westerncape.gov.za for assistance.