Proposed integration of the Concentrating Solar Park (CSP) into the Eskom network. Issues and Responses Report

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1 Issues and Responses Report (Version 1) i ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS AND WATER USE LICENSE APPLICATION Proposed integration of the Concentrating Solar Park (CSP) into the Eskom network DEA Ref No 12/12/20/2606 to 12/12/20/2610 NEAS REF: DEA/EIA/ /774/778/785/786/ Issues and Responses Report Version 1 The Issues and Responses Report (IRR) captures the comments and issues raised by stakeholders during the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process for the proposed integration of the Concentrating Solar Park (CSP) just outside Upington into the Eskom network. As part of the announcement, a Background Information Document (BID), with a comment and registration sheet was distributed to potentially interested and affected parties during November. The BID was also handed out and site notices were put up during the second week of November along the various alternative corridors being investigated for this proposed development. An advertisement was also placed in various newspapers along the proposed corridors during November to announce this project. Comments received as a result of the announcement process were captured in Version 1 of this report which is an appendix to the Draft Scoping Report. The Draft Scoping Report is available for public review from 23 January to 2 March Stakeholders were notified of the availability of the Draft Scoping Report for comment through the placement of advertisements, notification letters as well as the distribution of a technical summary of the report with a comment sheet. Meetings will be held in the second week of February to review the contents of the Draft Scoping Report (DSR). Comments to be raised at these meetings and as a result of the public review process of the Draft Scoping Report will be captured in Version 2 of this report which will be an appendix to the Final Scoping Report. The Final Scoping Report will be available for public review. Comments as a result of the public review of the Final Scoping Report will be captured in Version 3 of this report which will be an appendix to the Draft Environmental Impact Report. The Draft Environmental Impact Report will be available for public. Stakeholders will be notified of the availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Report for comment through the placement of advertisements, notification letters as well as the distribution of a technical summary of the report with a comment sheet. Meetings will be held to review the contents of the Draft Environmental Impact Report. Comments received at these meetings and in response to the public review of the Draft

2 Issues and Responses Report (Version 1) ii Environmental Impact Report will be captured in Version 4 of this report which will be an appendix to the Final Environmental Impact Report. The Issues and Response Report is categorised in the following main and sub headings. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 PROCESS COMMENTS... 1 (1.1) Alternatives BIOPHYSICAL COMMENTS... 2 (2.1) Avi-fauna... 2 (2.2) Soils... 2 (2.3) Surface Water and Wetlands... 2 (2.4) Climate... 3 (2.5) Ecology SOCIO-ECONOMIC COMMENTS... 3 (3.1) Social... 3 (3.2) Land Use... 3 (3.3) Health issues... 4

3 Issues and Responses Report (Version 1) COMMENTS, QUESTIONS AND ISSUES COMMENTATOR(S) SOURCE(S) RESPONSE(S) 1 PROCESS COMMENTS (1.1) Alternatives 1 The feasibility of the proposed project should be investigated. In this study, the specific area and its special features should be assessed. 2 Our environment is extremely sensitive for the construction of new roads. As far as possible, construct the proposed power line next to existing roads or alternatively on farm boundaries. 3 Why can the Solar Park not be built where there is a need for power? That will minimise the length of the proposed power lines that has to be constructed now. 4 Could we please be provided with a map showing the detail of exactly where the power lines are proposed? 5 We would like a detailed map showing the alternatives from the Solar Park to Nieuwehoop substation. 6 The proposed power lines should be built as close as possible to the N14. 7 Please provide us with detailed maps of the final routes for the proposed power lines. 8 Please provide us a detailed map of the routes for us to provide detailed comment. Mr Albert Nicolaas van Niekerk, Farm Klipkoppies Mr Theo Spengler, Rooiwal Farmers Association, Olifantshoek Mr Theo Spengler, Rooiwal Farmers Association, Olifantshoek Mr Brennie Wiehahn, Rodelande Boedery, Kanoneiland Mr Brennie Wiehahn, Rodelande Boedery, Kanoneiland Mr Jacobus Becker, Farms Smalhoek, Koupan and Witboom Mr Limpho Mongoato, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Pretoria Mr Andries Bodenstein, Transnet Properties, Inland That will be part of the specialist studies to be conducted in Noted. The bulk of the power from the CSP will be fed into the Upington area and the Sishen- Saldanha railway line. In addition the solar park has to be in an area where there is enough sunlight to generate the power, so the location of the plant in limited in that respect as well. Detailed maps will be provided at the public meetings planned for February Detailed maps will be sent to the different farmer associations to share with their members. Detailed maps will be provided at the public meetings planned for February Detailed maps will be sent to the different farmer associations to share with their members. Noted. Detailed maps will be provided at the public meetings planned for February Detailed maps will be sent to the different farmer associations to share with their members. Detailed maps will be provided at the public meetings planned for February

4 Issues and Responses Report (Version 1) COMMENTS, QUESTIONS AND ISSUES COMMENTATOR(S) SOURCE(S) RESPONSE(S) Region Detailed maps will be sent to the different farmer associations to share with their members. 9 We are situated between the Solar Park and the proposed Niewehoop substation, could you please provide us with a detailed map? 10 According to my knowledge of the terrain the Ferrum Solar 2 will be the best route to use. 11 The proposed line from Pearsons Hunt to Kathu will clash with existing servitudes 2 BIOPHYSICAL COMMENTS Mr S J Lerm Plaas Middelpost Mr Elias Laubscher, PO Box 225, Olifantshoek, 8450 Mr Gerrit Nell, PO Box 28,Olifantshoek, on 27 December sheet December Detailed maps will be provided at the public meetings planned for February Detailed maps will be sent to the different farmer associations to share with their members. Noted. Noted. (2.1) Avi-fauna 1 What will be the impact of the proposed lines on birds, especially in the area where the Orange River has to be crossed? Mr Brennie Wiehahn, Rodelande Boedery, Kanoneiland An avi-fauna specialist studies will be conducted in (2.2) Soils 1 The Kalahari Dunes are extremely sensitive for erosion if the proposed construction is implemented wrongly. Detailed studies with regards to the type of soil have to be done. Cognisance should also be taken with the low rainfall, prevalence of dunes and its unique plant species. Mr Jacobus Becker, Farms Smalhoek, Koupan and Witboom Detailed soil, flora and fauna studies will be conducted in (2.3) Surface Water and Wetlands 1 The amount of water that will be required for the implementation of the project has to be investigated 2 What will be the impact of the proposed power lines on surface water and wetlands, especially where the Orange River will be crossed? Mr Albert Nicolaas van Niekerk, Farm Klipkoppies Mr Brennie Wiehahn, Rodelande Boedery, Kanoneiland It will be investigated as part of the specialist studies to be conducted in It will be investigated as part of the specialist studies to be conducted in Please send us information on the application Mrs Sarah Liebenberg, Farm The information, once compiled, will be

5 Issues and Responses Report (Version 1) COMMENTS, QUESTIONS AND ISSUES COMMENTATOR(S) SOURCE(S) RESPONSE(S) for a water use licence. Florida available for public review and comments. 4 The amount of water to be used during construction of the power lines has to be investigated. Mr Andreas Kuhn, Kalkspruit Farmers Association It will be investigated as part of the specialist studies to be conducted in (2.4) Climate 1 What will be the impact of the Solar Park and the associated power lines on the micro climate? 2 It is possible that the energy used for the solar park may lead to a local high pressure which may impact directly on the rainfall of the area this should be investigated in details 3 The impact on our local weather patterns should be investigated, especially the possibility of increased temperatures and less rainfall. Mr Brennie Wiehahn, Rodelande Boedery, Kanoneiland Dr David Holtzhausen, Farm Mooibult Mr Andreas Kuhn, Kalkspruit Farmers Association Please refer to the original CSP EIA report for details on the impacts of the CSP Please refer to the original CSP EIA report for details on the impacts of the CSP Please refer to the original CSP EIA report for details on the impacts of the CSP (2.5) Ecology 1 Investigate the impact on the ecology. Ds J P Strauss, PO Box 88, Groot Brakrivier, SOCIO-ECONOMIC COMMENTS sheet December It will be investigated as part of the specialist studies to be conducted in (3.1) Social JOBS 1 The possible impacts on local labour and labourers should be investigated. Mr Andreas Kuhn, Kalkspruit Farmers Association A detailed social impact assessment will be conducted in 2012 (3.2) Land Use 1 We farm mainly with sheep and would not like to experience any disturbances should the proposed project be implemented. Mr Albert Nicolaas van Niekerk, Farm Klipkoppies Noted.

6 Issues and Responses Report (Version 1) COMMENTS, QUESTIONS AND ISSUES COMMENTATOR(S) SOURCE(S) RESPONSE(S) (3.3) Health issues 1 Investigate the impact on human health. Ds J P Strauss, PO Box 88, Groot Brakrivier, 6525 sheet December It will be investigated as part of the specialist studies to be conducted in 2012.