Final Environmental Impact Report (Revision 01) DEA REFERENCE NO: 12/12/20/1920 A PROJECT FOR:

Transcription

1 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR A PROPOSED 75 MW CONCENTRATING SOLAR THERMAL POWER PLANT AND ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE SIYANDA DISTRICT, NORTHERN CAPE Final Environmental Impact Report (Revision 01) DEA REFERENCE NO: 1/1/0/190 A PROJECT FOR: FEBRUARY 011

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3 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION Client: Report name: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR A PROPOSED 75 MW CONCENTRATING SOLAR THERMAL POWER PLANT AND ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE SIYANDA DISTRICT, NORTHERN CAPE Report type: Final Environmental Impact Report (Revision 01) Project name: Bohlweki-SSI project number: Solafrica Concentrating Solar Thermal Power Plant (Northern Cape) E0.JNB DEA reference number: 1/1/0/190 Document number: Version: 1 Date: February 011 Author(s): Date / location: Signature: Frank Benedek 10 February 011 Woodmead, Johannesburg Reviewer: Date / location: Signature: Frank Benedek 10 February 011 Woodmead, Johannesburg Approver: Date / location: Signature: Malcolm Roods 10 February 011 Woodmead, Johannesburg E0.JNB I February 011

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5 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION Background Project Overview Approach to the EIA Studies Environmental Scoping Study Authority Consultation Environmental Impact Assessment Study Specialist Studies Legal Considerations Details of the Applicant Details of the Environmental Assessment Practitioner Structure of this Report Electricity Generation using Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) Technologies Fundamental Terminology Insolation, Irradiance and Irradiation Concentrating Solar Power Technology Options The Proposed Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) Plant Parabolic Trough Plant Operation Explained Turbine and Generator Heat Exchanging and Cooling Wet Cooling Dry Cooling Hybrid Cooling Cooling Methods Advantages and Disadvantages Thermal Storage CSP Plant Typology CSP Plant Interfaces Civil Works and Infrastructure Vehicle Access / Service Roads Electricity Supply/Connection Infrastructure Water Supply and Management Auxiliary Heating System / Boiler Stormwater Management E0.JNB III February 011

6 Security Fire protection Windbreak Dangerous Goods Storage PROJECT ALTERNATIVES No-go Alternative Site Alternatives Site Alternatives Identified within the Northern Cape Province for the Establishment of a New Concentrating Solar Power Plant Description of Identified Site Alternatives Plant Location Alternatives Technology Alternatives PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS Public Participation Process - Scoping Phase Overview Stakeholders Stakeholder and I&AP Comments Registered I&APs Public Participation Process - EIA Phase Review of Draft Environmental Impact Assessment Report Public and Focus Group Meetings Social Issues Trail Final Environmental Impact Assessment Report Environmental Authorisation SITE SELECTION AND SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS Site Selection Approach to Site Selection Site Evaluation Field Studies Specialist Studies Site Evaluation Site Evaluation Findings Soils and Agricultural Potential Hydrology Geohydrology Biodiversity E0.JNB IV February 011

7 Avi-fauna Noise Visual Heritage Social and Land Use Tourism Summary of Site Evaluation Findings Site Preference Rating Environmental and Social Matrix Technical and Economic Matrix Conclusion and Recommendation Sensitivity Analysis Sensitivity Mapping Specialist Disciplines Sensitivity Indexing Sensitivity Zoning Conclusions DESCRIPTION OF THE RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT Physical Environment Locality Climate Topography Geology Soils Methodology Regional Overview Geohydrology (Groundwater) Methodology Regional Overview Site Specific Findings Surface Water Regional Overview Surface Water Characteristics of Bokpoort Assessment Findings Air Quality Methodology Assumptions and Limitations Baseline Description of the Area E0.JNB V February 011

8 Atmospheric Stability Temperature and Humidity Health Risk Evaluation Criteria Impact Assessment Conclusion Biophysical Environment Terrestrial Biodiversity Methodology Flora Fauna Ecological Interpretation Avifauna Review of Potential Avifaunal Issues Issues Relating to the CSP Plant Issues Relating to Associated Plant Infrastructure Issues or Factors That May Attract Birds to the Vicinity of the CSP Limitations Avifauna in the Study Area Site Specific Impacts Associated with the CSP Plant Site Specific Impacts Associated with CSP Plant Infrastructure - Powerlines Site Specific Impacts Associated with CSP Plant Infrastructure - Roads Aquatic Biodiversity Methodology Site Specific Findings Social-Economic Environment Social Assessment Definition of a Social Impact Assessment Purpose Scope Methodology Overview Assessment Findings Cultural / Heritage Resources Scope of work Methodology Regional Context Site Specific Findings Tourism E0.JNB VI February 011

9 Methodology Regional Overview Northern Cape Province Findings Conservation Areas Noise Location and Extent of the Study Area Scope and Limitations Methodology Regional Overview Site Specific Findings Conclusions and Recommendations Visual Description of the proposed CSP technology Landscape Character and Visual Resources Sensitive Viewer Locations and Viewer Perceptions Approach, Methodology and VIA tools Visual Impact Assessment Preferred Site Selection Issues Relating to Visual Impact Conclusion IMPACT ASSESSMENT Introduction Assumptions and Limitations Impact Assessment Abstraction Point Methodology Impact Ratings of the Proposed Water Abstraction Point Description of Impacts Construction Phase Riparian Vegetation Impacts Soil Erosion Impacts on Aquatic Fauna Compaction of Soils Description of Impacts Operational Phase Biodiversity Impacts Soil Erosion Mitigation Measures Impact Assessment Plant Location Alternatives (including Roads, Powerline and Pipeline) E0.JNB VII February 011

10 7.4.6 Methodology Impact Status Spatial Scale Temporal Scale Probability Scale Severity/Beneficial Rating Scale Significance Scale Impact Ratings of CSP Plant Location Alternatives (including Roads, Powerline and Pipeline) Preferred alternative Impact Ratings of CSP Plant Development After Mitigation Plant Location A IMPACT STATEMENT Key Findings Negative Impacts Positive Impacts Impact Mitigation RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS Evaluation of the Proposed Project Overall Conclusion Overall Recommendations E0.JNB VIII February 011

11 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Annual incoming short wave radiation for South Africa (Courtesy: DME, Eskom, CSIR)... 3 Figure : Locality map showing the two alternative sites considered for the construction of the CSP plant... 5 Figure 3: EIA Process flow diagram... 8 Figure 4: The Remainder of the Farm Bokpoort 390 preferred development site Figure 5: Schematic of the energy conversion in a CSP plant. Storage is optional (Red thermal energy; Blue electrical energy, Grey losses) Figure 6: Directional property of sunrays... 0 Figure 7: CSP technologies... 1 Figure 8: Photographic illustration of a parabolic trough (Source: Google Earth)... Figure 9: Photographic illustration of the Andasol plant in Spain... Figure 10: Typical configuration of a parabolic trough CSP plant... 3 Figure 11: Mirrors in stow position... 3 Figure 1: Photographic illustration of a parabolic trough... 4 Figure 13: A receiver tube... 4 Figure 14: HTF circulation through receiver tube... 4 Figure 15: An illustration of a condensor... 5 Figure 16: Flow diagram illustrating wet cooling technology... 7 Figure 17: Flow diagram illustrating direct dry cooling technology... 8 Figure 18: Flow diagram illustrating indirect dry cooling technology... 8 Figure 0: An example of a parabolic trough power plant with thermal storage Figure 1: An illustrative plant interface Figure : A conceptual layout for the proposed Solafrica CSP plant Figure 3: Access roads to the Solafrica CSP plant Figure 4: Powerline alignment for plant location alternative A Figure 5: Powerline alignment for plant location alternative B Figure 6: Perennial / non-perennial streams crossings along pipeline alignment Figure 7: Pipeline support crossing stream Figure 8: Water main pipeline alignment and pumpstation location plant location alternative A Figure 9: Water main pipeline alignment and pumpstation location plant location alternative B Figure 31: Typical demineralised water treatment process Figure 3: Location of the site alternatives in relation to each other Figure 33: Site 1 - Farm Olyvenhouts Drift (15 km west of Upington)... 5 Figure 34: Site - Farm Bokpoort E0.JNB IX February 011

12 Figure 35: Development preference based on soil type (Olyvenhouts Drift left; Bokpoort - right) Figure 36: Development potential of the Farms Olyvenhouts Drift and Bokpoort Figure 37: Avifauna sensitivity (yellow ideal ; red - unacceptable )... 9 Figure 38: Biodiversity sensitivity (green acceptable ; yellow ideal ; red unacceptable ) Figure 39: Surface water (yellow ideal ; red unacceptable ) Figure 40: Groundwater sensitivity (green acceptable ) Figure 41: Social sensitivity (green acceptable ; yellow ideal ; red unacceptable ) 94 Figure 4: Soil / agricultural potential (green acceptable ; yellow ideal ; red unacceptable ) Figure 43: Heritage sensitivity (yellow ideal ) Figure 44: Tourism sensitivity (green acceptable ; yellow ideal ) Figure 45: Sensitivity index - Bokpoort Figure 46: Sensitivity zoning - Bokpoort Figure 47: Development area alternatives Figure 48: Plant location alternatives considered for the EIA phase Figure 49: Towns/settlements located in close proximity to the Farm Bokpoort Figure 50: Site geology Figure 51: Land types (Bokpoort) Figure 5: Land types (Bokpoort) - with high agricultural potential soils highlighted in yellow Figure 53: Boreholes on the Farm Bokpoort and surrounding farms Figure 54: Seasonal pan located north of the Garona substation Figure 55: Plant locations assessed during the Air Quality Assessment Figure 56: Period wind rose for the proposed site for the period Jan 005 Dec Figure 57: Diurnal wind roses for the proposed site for the period Jan 005 Dec Figure 58: Seasonal wind roses for the proposed site for the period Jan 005 Dec Figure 59: Stability class frequency distribution for the proposed site for the period Jan 005 Dec Figure 60: Average monthly temperature and humidity for the proposed site for the period Figure 61: Hourly, daily and annual average predicted ground level concentrations (µg/m3) from the proposed boiler at Site A Figure 6: Hourly, daily and annual average predicted ground level concentrations (µg/m3) from the proposed boiler at Site B Figure 63: Ecological habitat types Figure 64: Floristic sensitivities of habitat types within the study area Figure 65: Faunal sensitivity of the study area E0.JNB X February 011

13 Figure 66: Ecological sensitivity of the study area Figure 67: Jurisdictional map of the study area Figure 68: Overview of social and land use impacts Figure 69: Stone flakes from Bokpoort (site ) made out of Chalcedony, banded ironstone and meta-quartzite (Pocket knife = 83 mm) Figure 70: The development areas investigated during the Noise Impact Assessment... 0 Figure 71: Noise sensitive receptors Figure 7: Noise profile of Development Area A Figure 73: Noise profile of Development Area B Figure 74: Land use, topography and vegetation depicting the landscape quality. Looking towards Bokpoort from two different locations Figure 75: View of the farm owner s residence, as seen from the CSP site Figure 76: Location of roads, towns and farmsteads in relation to the CSP site Figure 77: Illustration of a person's central field of vision and the relation between distance from an object and visual impact Figure 78. Graph illustrating reduced visibility over distance. (Source: MetroGIS) Figure 79: Proximity zones around the CSP site Figure 80: Area of possible exposure to the Collector Assembly... 1 Figure 81: Area of possible exposure to the Heat Exchange Tower... Figure 8: Area of possible exposure to the Cooling Tower... Figure 83: Area of possible exposure to the Boiler Stack... 3 Figure 84: Cross section from north to south, illustrating the location of the CSP in relation to the Orange River basin where most of the viewer locations occur... 4 Figure 85: Shaded relief map depicting the topography around the CSP site... 4 E0.JNB XI February 011

14 LIST OF TABLES Table 1: International solar potential relative to South Africa... 3 Table : Listed activities according to GN. R386 and R Table 3: Specialist studies undertaken during the EIA Table 4: Summary of applicable environmental legislation... 1 Table 5: Details of the Applicant Table 6: Details of the EAP Table 7: Report Structure Table 8: Advantages and disadvantages of various cooling methods... 9 Table 9: Description of the potable water treatment process... 4 Table 10: Description of the potable water treatment process Table 11: List of hazardous chemical substances and asphyxiants Table 1: Combined storage capacity of dangerous goods (construction and operation). 46 Table 13: Major advantages and disadvantages of the proposed CSP technologies considered for the project Table 14: Comments received during the Scoping phase Table 15: List of registered I&APs... 7 Table 16: Specialist studies and the components investigated during the Environmental Scoping phase Table 17: Site preference scores... 8 Table 18: Weighted scores... 8 Table 19: Recommendation of specialists Table 0: Environmental and social matrix Table 1: Technical and economic matrix Table : General description of land types Table 3: Soil properties per land type Table 4: Data obtained from hydrocensus survey Table 5: Hydrochemical analysis results Table 6: Atmospheric stability classes Table 7: Ambient air quality guidelines and standards for particulate matter Table 8: Ambient air quality guidelines and standards for nitrogen dioxide Table 9: Ambient air quality guidelines and standards for sulphur dioxide Table 30: Identified receptors surrounding the proposed site (as determined from Site A) Table 31: Source parameters for the Proposed Boiler Table 3: Emission rates for the Proposed Boiler Table 33: Extent of biomes within the Northern Cape Province E0.JNB XII February 011

15 Table 34: Extent of habitat types within the study area Table 35: Conservation important flora species for the region Table 36: Declared invasive and exotic flora species for the study area Table 37: Floristic sensitivity for the respective habitat types Table 38: Red Data fauna probabilities for the study area Table 39: Faunal habitat sensitivities for the study area Table 40: Ecological sensitivity of the study area Table 41: Extent of ecological habitat sensitivities within the study area Table 4: Vegetation types in the study area (Harrison et al 1997) Table 43: Priority species identified in the study area Table 44: Various components of the ecological indicators selected for characterisation of the aquatic and associated riparian site Table 45: Eco-classification model for determining the Present Ecological State for Nama Karoo Lower rivers, based on SASS5 and ASPT* scores (adapted from Dallas, 007) Table 46: Results from the IHAS survey conducted at each site Table 47: Results of the IHI after application at each survey site Table 48: Results from the SASS5 sampling Table 49: Fish species expected to inhabit the river reach associated with the proposed development area Table 50: Population of the!kheis Local Municipality Table 51: Offsets from the plant and associated noise levels Table 5: List of component used for viewshed analysis Table 53: Reduced visibility classified in terms of proximity zones Table 54: Specialist studies undertaken during the EIA... 7 Table 55: Rating scores for the various factors used for calculating the significance rating of a particular impact... 9 Table 56: Consolidated impact ratings table for the Construction Phase Table 57: Consolidated impact ratings table for the Operational Phase... 3 Table 58: Status of impacts Table 59: Extent of impacts Table 60: Duration of impacts Table 61: Probability of impacts Table 6: Severity of impacts Table 63: Impact ratings table Table 64: Consolidated impact ratings table for the Construction Phase Table 65: Consolidated impact ratings table for the Operational Phase Table 66: Summary of impact significance for alternatives considered Table 67: Extent of area likely to be affected by plant location alternatives E0.JNB XIII February 011

16 Table 68: Consolidated impact ratings table for the Construction Phase (after mitigation) Table 69: Consolidated impact ratings table for the Operational Phase (after mitigation) 88 E0.JNB XIV February 011

17 APPENDICES Appendix A: Appendix B1: Appendix B: Appendix B3: Appendix B4: Appendix B5: Appendix B6: Appendix C: Appendix D: Appendix E: Appendix F: Appendix G: Appendix H: Appendix I: Appendix J: DEA Acceptance of the Environmental Scoping Report and Plan of Study for Environmental Impact Assessment I&AP Comments (Scoping Phase) Social Issues Trail Newspaper Advertisement (Review of draft EIR), Notification Letter to Stakeholders/I&APs and I&AP comments (EIA Phase) Newspaper Advertisement (Public / Focus Groupo Meetings); invitation letter (refer to Appendix B3), EIA Phase Presentation, Attendance Registers and Minutes of the Meetings Consolidated Social Issues Trail (Scoping and EIA phases) I&AP and Stakeholder Database Geohydrological Report Air Quality Impact Assessment Report Biodiversity Assessment Report Avifauna Report Aquatic Impact Assessment Report Noise Impact Report Visual Impact Report Draft Environmental Management Plan (EMP) E0.JNB XV February 011

18 GLOSSARY OF TERMS Alternatives: Aquifer: Different means of meeting the general purpose and requirements of the activity, which may include site or location alternatives; alternatives to the type of activity being undertaken; the design or layout of the activity; the technology to be used in the activity and the operational aspects of the activity. A geologic formation of porous rock, often sandstone that stores water, An aquifer may yield significant quantities of water to wells and springs and this water is often utilized as a primary source for municipal, industrial, irrigation and other uses. Ambient Noise: Ambient sound level or ambient noise: means the totally encompassing sound in a given situation at a given time, and usually composed of sound from many sources, both near and far. Note that ambient noise includes the noise from the noise source under investigation. The use of the word ambient should however always be clearly defined (compare with residual noise). Cumulative impact: Do-nothing alternative: Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Hydrology The impact of an activity that in itself may not be significant but may become significant when added to the existing and potential impacts eventuating from similar or diverse activities or undertakings in the area. The do-nothing alternative is the option of not undertaking the proposed activity. In relation to an application to which scoping must be applied, means the process of collecting, organising, analysing, interpreting and communicating information that is relevant to the consideration of that application as defined in NEMA. The science encompassing the behaviour of water as it occurs in the atmosphere, on the surface of the ground, and underground. Interested Affected (I&AP) and Party Any person, group of persons or organisation interested in or affected by an activity; and any organ of state that may have jurisdiction over any aspect of the activity. Plan of Study for Environmental Impact Assessment: Public Participation Process A document which forms part of a scoping report and sets out how an environmental impact assessment must be conducted. A process in which potential interested and affected parties are given an opportunity to comment on, or raise issues relevant to, specific matters. Red Data Species listed in terms of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, E0.JNB XVI February 011

19 Species and/or in terms of the South African Red Data List. In terms of the South African Red Data List, species are categorised as being extinct, endangered, vulnerable, rare, indeterminate, insufficiently known or not threatened. E0.JNB XVII February 011

20 ABBREVIATIONS C Degree Celcius AEWA Listed under the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement ARC-ISCW ARC-Institute for Soil, Climate and Water AERMIC American Meteorological Society and USEPA Regulatory Model Improvement Committee ARI Acute Respiratory Infections BATNEEC Best Available Techniques Not Entailing Excessive Costs BEC Bathusi Environmental Consultants CARA Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act CDM Clean Development Mechanism CEPA Canadian Environmental Protection Act CERs Certified Emissions Reductions CHE Christian Higher Education COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease CSIR Council for Scientific and Industrial Research CSP Concentrating Solar Power DEA Department of Environmental Affairs DME Department of Minerals and Energy DMR Department of Minerals and Resources DNI Direct Normal Irradiance DTI Department of Trade and Industry EAP Environmental Assessment Practitioner EC European Commision ECA Environment Conservation Act EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EMFs Environmental Management Frameworks EMP Environmental Management Plan ENPAT Environmental Potential Atlas ESS Environmental Scoping Study EU European Union FIT Feed-in Tariffs FPAC Forest Products Association of Canada FSI Faunal Specialists Incorporated GCS Groundwater Consulting Services (Pty) Ltd GDACE Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment GHG Greenhouse Gas GIS Geographic Information System GN Government Notices g/kg Grams per kilogram GWh Gigawatt hour ha Hectares HTF Heat Transfer Fluid Hu Hutton IAP Indoor Air Pollution I&APs Interested and Affected Parties E0.JNB XVIII February 011

21 IDP IEM kv kw kwh/m LED LIDPs LPG LOWMA m 3 MAR MJ/m µg/m 3 Ms MW NC DENC NEMA NERSA NGDB NHRA NNW-SSE NO NO NSR NT PBL PM Ppm PPP PV R Ra REFIT SABS SAHRA SANBI SANS SEGS SI SO SPL SS TDS UK UNEP V WHO WMA Integrated Development Plans Integrated Environmental Management kilo Volt kilo Watt Kilowatt hour per square meter Local Economic Development Local Integrated Development Plans Liquid Petroleum Gas Lower Orange Water Management Area Cubic metres Mean Annual Rainfall Megajoule per square meter Micrograms per cubic meter Mispah Megawatt Northern Cape Department of Environment and Nature Conservation National Environmental Management Act National Energy Regulator of South Africa National Groundwater Database National Heritage Resources Act North-North-West to South-South East Nitrogen Oxide Nitrous Dioxide Noise Sensitive Receptors Near threatened Planetary Boundary Layer Particulate Matter Parts per million Public Participation Process Photovoltaic Rand Raptor Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff South Africa Bureau of Standards South African Heritage Resources Agency South African National Botanical Institute South African National Standards Solar Electric Generating Systems International System of Units Sulphur Dioxide Sound Pressure Level Special regional significance Total Dissolved Solids United Kingdom United Nations Environmental Programme Vulnerable World Health Organization Water Management Area E0.JNB XIX February 011

22 WTP Water Treatment Plant E0.JNB XX February 011

23 1 INTRODUCTION Increasing economic growth and social development within South Africa is placing a growing demand on energy supply. Coupled with the rapid advancement in economic and social development, is the growing awareness of environmental impact, climate change and the need for sustainable development. Whilst South Africa relies heavily on coal to meet its energy needs, the country is well endowed with renewable energy resources that offer sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. Renewable energy harnesses naturally occurring non-depletable sources of energy, such as solar, wind, biomass, hydro, tidal, wave, ocean current and geothermal, to produce electricity, gaseous and liquid fuels, heat or a combination of these energy types. The successful use of renewable energy technology in South Africa still requires extensive investigation, however, Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) technologies have been identified as being potentially viable and capable of being employed on a large scale. 1.1 Background South Africa has a high level of renewable energy potential and to this end the South African Government has set a target of GWh renewable energy contribution to final energy consumption by 013, to be produced mainly from biomass, wind, solar and small-scale hydro. The renewable energy is to be utilised for power generation and non-electric technologies such as solar water heating and bio-fuels. This equates to approximately 4% (1 667 MW) of the projected electricity demand for 013 ( MW) 1. To contribute towards this target and towards socio-economic and environmentally sustainable growth, and to kick-start and stimulate the renewable energy industry in South Africa, an appropriate market mechanism, the Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff or REFIT programme, has been proposed by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA). The establishment of the REFIT will provide an excellent opportunity for South Africa to increase the deployment of renewable energy in the country and contribute towards the sustained growth of the sector in the country, the region and internationally. Feed-in Tariffs (FIT) are, essentially, guaranteed prices for electricity supply rather than conventional consumer tariffs. The capital costs involved in the development and construction of renewable energy generating facilities far outweighs the incremental costs of typical, fossilfuel generation plant expansion and continued usage. The basic economic principle underpinning the REFIT is the establishment of a tariff (price) that covers the cost of generation plus a "reasonable return" to encourage developers to invest. The proposed project involves diversification of electricity production fuel sources, improved efficiency in electricity production, a decrease in the quantity of fossil fuel burned, a decrease in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and a decrease in a number of other aerial pollutant 1 Department of Minerals and Energy White Paper on Renewable Energy. National Energy Regulator of South Africa South Africa Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff (REFIT) Regulatory Guidelines. E0.JNB February 011

24 emissions. These can all be seen as making a contribution to improving the sustainability of development in South Africa. This is in line with Government s commitment to reduce the country s emissions by 34% by 00 and 4% by 05 with financial and technical support from the international community. The project can therefore be seen as making a contribution to improving the sustainability of development in South Africa. The proposed Solafrica CSP project is likely to qualify for registration as a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project as the proposed development will lead to reductions in Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) due to the resultant reduction in electricity that will need to be produced from power plants using non-renewable resources like coal. A CDM is a projectbased instrument that allows public or private entities to trade in GHG mitigating activities in developing countries and earn abatement credits called Certified Emissions Reductions (CERs). If the project is formally registered with the Executive Board of the CDM, managed by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the reductions in GHGs levels achieved by the project can be registered as Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) allowing Solafrica to sell CERs (the formal name for carbon credits) to buyers who need these credits for compliance purposes in developed countries. In light of the above, Solafrica intends to develop the project as a CDM project and to generate and sell CERs to support the financial viability of the project. The CDM requirements with regards to the CSP project include the following: Requirements defined by the international process include: Projects must result in real, measurable and long-term emission reductions, as certified by a third party agency; Emission reductions must be additional to any that would occur without the project, and Projects must be in line with sustainable development objectives, as defined by the national government. In South Africa this is the Department of Energy which is the relevant national authority for CDM. 1. Project Overview South Africa experiences some of the highest levels of solar radiation in the world. The average daily solar radiation in South Africa varies between 4.5 and 6.5 kwh/m (16 and 3 MJ/m ) 3, compared to approximately 3.6 kwh/m for parts of the United States and ±.5 kwh/m for Europe and the United Kingdom. Figure 1 below illustrates the annual solar radiation (direct and diffuse) for South Africa, which identifies significant solar resource potential for solar water heating applications, solar photovoltaic and solar thermal power generation. In 006, Eskom Holdings Limited conducted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Study for a pilot CSP plant with an installed capacity of approximately 100MWe. Through a 3 Stassen, G Towards a Renewable Energy Strategy for South Africa, unpublished PhD Thesis, University of Pretoria. E0.JNB February 011

25 series of feasibility studies and high level assessments undertaken by Eskom - land availability, land use capability, fuel availability and costs, grid connection capacity and strengthening effects, and DNI measurements were considered in the selection of feasible sites. Based on the afore-mentioned considerations the Northern Cape Province ranked as the most favourable area for the establishment of a new CSP plant. Within the Northern Cape Province, the Upington and Groblershoop areas were specifically identified as potential areas for the establishment of the CSP plant the farms Olyvenhouts Drift, Bokpoort and Tampansrus were selected for further detailed investigation. Subsequent to the Scoping and EIA studies, the farm Olyvenhouts Drift was selected as the preferred site and with consideration of the site specific environmental sensitivities, a preferred location for the plant on the farm was selected. Eskom received authorisation from the Department of Environmental Affairs to construct the CSP plant during 006. Figure 1: Annual incoming short wave radiation for South Africa (Courtesy: DME, Eskom, CSIR) 4 Table 1: International solar potential relative to South Africa Location Site Latitude Annual DNI (kwh/m ) Relative Solar Resource South Africa Upington, Northern Cape 8 S % 4 Department of Minerals and Energy, Eskom, CSIR South African Renewable Energy Resource Database, E0.JNB February 011

26 Location Site Latitude Annual DNI (kwh/m ) Relative Solar Resource United States Barstow, California 35 N 75 9% Las Vegas, Nevada 36 N % Albuquerque, Mexico International New 35 N % Northern Mexico 6-30 N % Wadi Rum, Jordan 30 N % Quarzazate, Morocco 31 N % Crete 35 N 93 78% Jodhpur, India 6 N 00 74% Spain 34 N % Against the backdrop of the above Eskom CSP EIA, Solafrica proposes the construction and operation of a CSP plant associated infrastructure in the Northern Cape Province in the region of two of the alternative sites identified during the Eskom CSP EIA study. The close proximity to the Eskom sites arises from the fact that the selection of feasible sites was guided by similar considerations as mentioned above. The two alternative sites identified by Solafrica were (refer to Figure for the locality map): Site 1: Olyvenhouts Drift (15 km west of Upington), and Site : Bokpoort 390 (northwest of Groblershoop). The power station is proposed to operate at an installed generation capacity of a maximum 75 MWe. The exact output will depend on the generating technology utilised, the specification of the equipment installed, and the ambient operating conditions. The potential impacts associated with the maximum output of 75 MWe have been evaluated within the environmental studies. The footprint of the proposed CSP plant is conservatively estimated at 350 hectares (ha). It is preferred that the proposed power plant will utilise a wet cooling method to condense steam, used to drive a turbine, back into water. According to an engineering pre-feasibility study completed by Hatch during July 010, the plant operation will require approximately m 3 of water per year. The environmental impact assessment has been based on this maximum amount of water that may be used and the associated abstraction system. If this volume of water is not available from the water resource, the plant will utilise dry cooling or a wet-dry hybrid system employing both evaporative and dry cooling components. In such cases, the overall impact will be lower in respect of water use and transfer. E0.JNB February 011

27 Olyvenhouts Drift (Site 1) N14 Orange River Bokpoort (Site ) Figure : Locality map showing the two alternative sites considered for the construction of the CSP plant E0.JNB February 011

28 1.3 Approach to the EIA Studies The National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (No. 107 of 1998) states that the principles of Integrated Environmental Management (IEM) should be adhered to in order to ensure sustainable development. A vital underpinning of the IEM procedure is accountability to the various parties that may be interested in or affected by a proposed development. Public participation is a requirement of the IEM procedure, in terms of the identification of potentially significant environmental impacts during the Scoping phase. The IEM procedure aims to ensure that the environmental consequences of development proposals are understood and adequately considered during all stages of the project cycle, and that negative aspects are resolved or mitigated and positive aspects enhanced. The NEMA EIA Regulations, which replaced the Environment Conservation Act - ECA EIA Regulations - have been promulgated and came into effect on 3 July 006. Sections 4 and 4D of NEMA, as per Government Notices (GN) R386 and R387 (April 006) contain a schedule of activities that are considered likely to have substantial detrimental effects on the environment and which require authorisation from the competent environmental authority. The nature of the proposed project includes activities listed in these schedules. The primary triggers are (according to GN R386 and R387) included in Table. Table : Listed activities according to GN. R386 and R387 GN. R386 LISTING NOTICE 1 Activity 1(k) Activity 1(m) Activity 4 The construction of facilities or infrastructure, including associated structures or infrastructure, for The bulk transportation of sewage and water, including storm water, in pipelines with - i. An internal diameter of 0,36 metres or more; or ii. A peak throughput of 10 litres per second or more. The construction of facilities or infrastructure, including associated structures or infrastructure, for any purpose in the one in ten year flood line of a river or stream, or within 3 metres from the bank of a river or stream where the flood line is unknown, excluding purposes associated with existing residential use, but including - i. Canals; ii. Channels; iii. Bridges; iv. Dams; and v. Weirs. The dredging, excavation, infilling, removal or moving of soil, sand or rock exceeding 5 cubic metres from a river, tidal lagoon, tidal river, lake, in-stream dam, floodplain or wetland. E0.JNB February 011

29 Activity 7 Activity 1 Activity 15 Activity 16(b) The above ground storage of a dangerous good, including petrol, diesel, liquid petroleum gas or paraffin, in containers with a combined capacity of more than 30 cubic metres but less than cubic metres at any one location or site. The transformation or removal of indigenous vegetation of 3 hectares or more or of any size where the transformation or removal would occur within a critically endangered or an endangered ecosystem listed in terms of Section 5 of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 004 (Act No. 10 of 004). The construction of a road that is wider than 4 meters or that has a reserve wider than 6 meters, excluding roads that fall within the ambit of another listed activity or which are access roads of less than 30 meters long. The transformation of undeveloped, vacant or derelict land to residential, mixed, retail, commercial, industrial or institutional use where such development does not constitute infill and where the total area to be transformed is bigger than 1 hectare. GN. R387 LISTING NOTICE Activity 1(a) Activity 1(l) Activity The construction of facilities or infrastructure, including associated structures or infrastructure, for the generation of electricity where i. The electricity output is 0 megawatts or more; or ii. The elements of the facility cover a combined area in excess of 1 hectare. The construction of facilities or infrastructure, including associated structures or infrastructure, for the transmission and distribution of above ground electricity with a capacity of 10 kilovolts or more. Any development activity, including associated structures and infrastructure, where the total area of the developed area is, or is intended to be, 0 hectares or more. In order to obtain the necessary environmental authorisation from the relevant regulating authority, the undertaking of the appropriate environment assessment process (as prescribed by the EIA Regulations) by an independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) was required prior to the commencement of any construction related activities associated with the proposed project. In terms of Regulation 1 of GN. R 385 (April 006), should an application for environmental authorisation be required for any activity listed in GN R387 (Listing Notice ) then the undertaking of an EIA Process is required (Figure 3) according to the provisions of the EIA Regulations, an EIA Process is triggered for the Solafrica CSP project. E0.JNB February 011

30 Submit application Notice of Intent Landowner s consent Acknowledge receipt & provide guidance Public Participation (incl. Organs of State) Scoping (Phase I) Specialist Studies Compile Scoping Report Compile Plan of Study (POS) for EIA EIA (Phase II) Specialist Studies (detailed) Compile EIR (incl. EMP) Public Participation Public review of draft EIR & EMP Submit EIR & EMP (for Authority Review) Public Participation Public review of draft SR Stakeholder/Public Meeting Amend Reject Accept Submit Scoping Report & POS for EIA (for Authority Review) Authority Review & Response Notify Applicant Notify I&APs (of decision) Amend Reject Accept Appeal decision Notify EAP to proceed with EIA Phase Figure 3: EIA Process flow diagram The required environmental studies included the undertaking of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process. This process was undertaken in two phases: Phase 1 - Environmental Scoping Study (ESS), and Phase - Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) Environmental Scoping Study An application for authorisation in terms of Section 4 of the National Environmental Management Act (Act No. 107 of 1998) for activities listed in Table above was submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs (previously known as the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism or DEAT) during March 010. An ESS for the proposed construction and operation of the Solafrica Concentrating Solar Thermal Power Plant was undertaken in accordance with the EIA Regulations published in Government Notice R385. The scope of this phase of the EIA Process included the following: E0.JNB February 011

31 A brief project description (including a description of the proposed activity, alternatives considered, plans illustrating the study area, and brief technical details regarding the proposed project); A brief description of the pre-conversion environment; A description of environmental (biophysical and social) issues identified and potential impacts of the proposed project on these aspects (i.e. how the environment may be affected as a result of the proposed activity); A description of the public participation process, including the identification of I&APs, a record of the procedures followed, and the perceptions and views of the I&APs regarding the activity, and Conclusions and recommendations regarding the presence of any environmental fatal flaws and recommendations regarding further environmental work required within the EIA phase. Existing information and input from specialists, the Authorities and I&APs were used to identify and evaluate potential environmental impacts (i.e. social and bio-physical) associated with the proposed Solafrica CSP project. The specialist studies also provided input into the site selection process through which a preferred site was nominated for further assessment in the EIA phase. No fatal flaws associated with the proposed project were identified during the EIA Process. The Scoping phase of the environmental assessment process provided I&APs with the opportunity to participate in the process and raise issues of concern. The draft Environmental Scoping Report was made available at public places for I&AP review and commenting purposes from 1 May to 8 June 010. Subsequent to the draft report review period public and focus group meetings with I&APs and Stakeholders were arranged on 17 and 18 June 010. All the comments, concerns and suggestions received during the Scoping phase Public Participation Process were included in the final Scoping Report, which was submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) on 5 June 010. Acceptance of the Environmental Scoping Report and Plan of Study for Environmental Impact Assessment was received from DEA on 16 August 010 (refer to Appendix A). In terms of this acceptance, an Environmental Impact Assessment was required to be undertaken for the proposed project in accordance with the Plan of Study for EIA. No additional requirements to be addressed during the EIA phase were requested from the DEA Authority Consultation The relevant authorities, that are required to provide input to the proposed project, were consulted from the outset of this study, and were engaged throughout the environmental assessment life-cycle. The required application form submission process has been completed and the Plan of Study for EIA approved by the DEA. The authority mandated to provide a decision regarding the application for environmental authorisation for the proposed project is the national E0.JNB February 011

32 Department of Environmental Affairs. The authority consultation process to date has included the following activities: Submission of an application for authorisation in terms of the provisions of GN. R385 to R387 of the NEMA to the DEA, together with a Declaration of Independence from the environmental assessment practitioner; Submission to and approval of an Environmental Scoping Report by the DEA, and Ad hoc consultation with DEA and Northern Cape Department of Environment and Nature Conservation (NC DENC) if and when required Environmental Impact Assessment Study As part of the overall project planning process, this Environmental Impact Assessment aims to achieve the following: To provide an overall assessment of the social and biophysical environments of the affected area by the proposed CSP project; To undertake a detailed assessment of the preferred site/s in terms of environmental criteria including the rating of significant impacts; To identify and recommend appropriate mitigation measures (to be included in an EMP) for potentially significant environmental impacts; and To undertake a fully inclusive public participation process to ensure that I&AP issues and concerns are recorded and commented on and addressed in the EIA process Specialist Studies In undertaking the Environmental Impact Assessment Process, Bohlweki Environmental was assisted by various specialists in order to comprehensively identify both potentially positive and negative environmental impacts (social and biophysical) associated with the Solafrica CSP project, evaluate the significance of the identified impacts, and propose suitable mitigation measures, where required. The environmental specialist team identified and evaluated the potential impacts for the nominated preferred site i.e. the Remainder of the Farm Bokpoort 390. These specialists and their fields of expertise are outlined in Table 3. Several specialist studies previously conducted for the Eskom CSP EIA 5 during 006 were consulted and referred to as part of the Solafrica EIA for impacts specifically relating to soils, social and land use, heritage and tourism. 5 Bohlweki Environmental Environmental Impact Assessment for the establishment of a New Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) plant and associated infrastructure in the Northern Cape Province. E0.JNB February 011

33 Table 3: Specialist studies undertaken during the EIA Specialist Field Avifauna Impact Assessment Biodiversity Assessment Geohydrology Noise Impacts Visual Impact Assessment Air Quality Impact Assessment Aquatic Impact Assessment Heritage Social and Land Use Study Soils and Agricultural Potential Tourism Hydrology Specialist and Organisation Chris van Rooyen Chris van Rooyen Consulting Riaan Robbeson Bathusi Environmental Consulting) Dewald Kamffer - Faunal Specialists Incorporated Kobus Troskie - Groundwater Consulting Services Derek Cosijn - Jongens Keet and Associates Dr. Dawie van Vuuren MetroGIS Nicola Walton Bohlweki-SSI Environmental Mathew Ross EnviRoss cc Cobus Dreyer Dawid de Waal - Afrosearch Garry Paterson - Agricultural Research Council: Institute for Soil, Climate and Water Martin Jansen van Vuuren - Grant Thornton Tourism Hospitality and Leisure Arthur Chapman - CSIR The Aquatic Impact Assessment was undertaken as part of the Water Use Licence Application Specialist studies from the EIA study for the Eskom CSP plant In order to evaluate the significance of the potential impacts related to the proposed CSP project, the following characteristics of each potential impact were identified: The nature, which shall include a description of what causes the effect, what will be affected and how it will be affected; The extent, wherein it will be indicated whether the impact will be limited to the immediate areas or site of the development activity (local), limited to the immediate surroundings, sub-regional, regional, and/or national; The duration, wherein it will be indicated whether the lifetime of the impact will be of a short duration (0-5 years), medium-term (5 15 years), long-term (> 15 years) or permanent; The probability, which shall describe the likelihood of the impact actually occurring, indicated as improbable (low likelihood), probable (distinct possibility), highly probable (most likely) or definite (impact will occur regardless of any preventative measures), and The significance, which shall be determined through a synthesis of the characteristics described above and can be assessed as low, medium or high. E0.JNB February 011