Amended Background Information Document

Transcription

1 1 Amended Background Information Document Proposed construction of the Xaris Gas Fired Power Plant and Gas Supply Facility in Walvis Bay P u r p o s e o f t h i s d o c u m e n t : This is the second version of the previous document circulated on the 26 th of February Its purpose is to elaborate on amendments made to the project scope: o The FSRU ship supplier will conduct their own EIA for the ship based processes including process water discharge. Enviro Dynamics has now been appointed to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process that is to Equator Principles (EP) as well as the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Standards. Three separate EIA studies will be undertaken to assess the: o Berthing area of the FSRU and transport of the gas from the ship along a trestle jetty to the port premises (including associated dredging activities); o Overland pipeline from the port premises to the power plant (including the port premises); o Power plant including a purification plant to supply process water from Birds Paradise. The following components have been eliminated from the project scope: o The desalination plant is no longer the preferred alternative for supplying water to the power plant. O v e r v i e w Xaris Energy Namibia (Pty) Ltd proposes to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) into the Walvis Bay area. It will be regasified for use at a power plant that will be constructed approximately 10 km east of Walvis Bay. The development will consist of the following components: Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU) Light trestle and overland pipelines for transporting the gas Open cycle gas turbine power plant and water purification plant. Enviro Dynamics has now been appointed to re-do the Environmental process so that it complies with the requirements of the Equator Principles (EP) as well as the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Standards.

2 2 N e e d f o r t h e d e v e l o p m e n t Electricity demand continues to grow and due to Namibia s reliance on procurement of power from other countries facing shortages themselves, a supply deficit is expected over the short-medium term (Key contracts expire in June 2016). To that end, NamPower has appointed Xaris Energy (Pty) Ltd to develop a 300MW power plant. The Proposed Project could potentially: assist in ensuring security of power supply, reduce Namibia s reliance on electricity imports, contribute through the development of gas infrastructure from which various industries can leverage off, and result in secondary spin-off benefits such as job creation in construction and operation of the power plant. have economic benefits to Namibia in that the electricity can be sold to neighbouring countries. P r o j e c t L o c a l i t y Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) would be imported on an LNG Carrier, transferred to a permanently moored FSRU located approximately 2.4 km from the shore within the Walvis Bay North harbour. From the FSRU it is regasified and redistributed via a 2.4 kmlong trestle pipeline and 12.5 km over-land pipeline to the power plant The power plant is located on 40 hectares of land within the proposed heavy industrial zone of the Walvis Bay Municipality (Farm 58), just east of Dune 7. What is Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)? It is natural gas (predominantly methane, CH 4 ) that has been converted to liquid form for ease of storage or transport. It is odourless, colourless, non-toxic and non-corrosive. It is stored in liquid form due to the reduced space that is required. The proposed locations of each of the project components are illustrated in Figure 1. It includes in-land, coastal and marine habitats of Walvis Bay in the Erongo Region of Namibia: What is a Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU)? It is the vessel that is used for the storage and regasification of natural gas by heating up LNG to its original gaseous state. The FSRU will be permanently moored and will receive LNG via.

3 3 nclude a map indicating the five Figure 1: Project components and the location of each.

4 4 1. F l o a t i n g S t o r a g e R e g a s i f i c a t i o n U n i t ( F S R U ) LNG is supplied from a LNG carrier (LNGC) that is moored alongside the FSRU for the period of regasification. The FSRU (Figure 3) is fitted with two 30cm high pressure gas connections (one on either side) for delivery of high pressure gas. Cooled LNG is transferred to the FSRU from the LNGC via cryogenic (operated under low temperatures) flexible hoses at flow rates up to 6,000 m 3 /h. LNG is regasified on the FSRU through a process that includes heating and compressing of LNG to 70 to 100 Barg. FSRU would remain connected to the GasPort in the Single Berth or Buoy configuration Parameter LNG carrier FSRU Cargo Capacity (m 3 ) 173, ,000 Maximum Delivery: 589,935m 3 /h The FSRU do not require any services to be provided and operate independently from the port Jetty The jetty will consist of: o Sea island including Breasting Dolphins, Mooring Dolphins, Loading Platform, Walkways, Quick Release Hooks, Fenders, Navigational Aids, Utilities, Gangway o Trestle & related pipelines from FSRU to Port Station via a light trestle (Figure 2) Will be a fixed structure of reinforced concrete deck on piles Berthing and mooring systems The Berthing Management System (BMS) will provide the facilities for the vessel to dock, and will include functions for met-ocean monitoring (weather forecasting, climate studies, operations & safety, resource assessment, maritime safety and marine domain awareness, among others) High pressure gas loading arm Mounted at the FSRU berth. Used to convey high pressure re-gasified LNG from the FSRU to the jetty gas delivery point.

5 Port premises 2. P i p e l i n e s f o r t r a n s p o r t i n g L N G Houses the FSRU gas control room. Footprint of approximately 110m x 120m to allow for back pressure control equipment FSRU Safety and Exclusion Zone 200 m safety radius offset from other vessels in transit. 500 m safety radius between LNG vessels and other marine infrastructure Dredging The dredging scope for this project includes: o Widening of the planned entrance channel to 230m from entrance to the LNG berthing terminal. o Dredging of a 265m radius turning circle for the LNG ships. o Dredging for the LNG berthing pocket. o The entrance channel, the berthing pocket as well as the turning basin have a minimum MLLW (mean lower low water) depth requirement of 16.5m. Regasified LNG from the FSRU is distributed into a highpressure manifold linked to the high pressure loading arm, which convey the gas into the gas pipelines transported via the trestle to the port premises. Parameter Trestle pipeline Overland Location From the manifold to an onshore metering terminal From the port premises to the power plant at the port station Description 2.4 km long carbon steel pipeline along a trestle structure (which will accommodate the 12.5 km long trenched, carbon steel pipeline in existing municipal servitude, with a way leave. electrical and instrument cables.) Pressure bar (gauge pressure) 70 to 100 bar (gauge pressure) Flow rate 814,109.34m 3 /h 814,109.34m 3 /h Parameters minimum 15 cm in size 61 cm in size (provision for future expansion) A Safety Shutoff Valve (SSV) will be provided at the Power Plant site boundary.

6 6 3. O p e n C y c l e G a s T u r b i n e P o w e r P l a n t 3.1 Plant Layout Footprint area of 40 ha in the proposed noxious and heavy industrial zone of Walvis Bay. 6 gas turbine bays with 6 gas turbines (GTs) (General Electric LM6000PC SPRINT machines) operating in open-cycle (heat content of the exhaust gases exiting the turbine is discarded instead of reusing it in a heat exchanger to preheat the combustion air entering the combustor) generating 11.5kV power. Designed for an operational life of 25 years from the date of commencement of commercial operation. 3.2 Plant Operations Piped gas is supplied to the Plant s gas receiving and metering station MW of electrical power generated per turbine SPRINT Air-cooled technology used to cool the turbines and keep temperature at 15 C. 3.3 Power Generation and Distribution Generated power to be distributed via a high voltage 220 kv substation located within the site boundary. Two emergency diesel generators will be provided for safe shutdown of Power station. The units shall consist of a diesel engine directly coupled to a generator, mounted on a common steel base with a fuel tank and a selfcontained enclosure. In case of failure of normal power supply the diesel generators shall start automatically to supply power to the essential loads of the power station for a safe shutdown. The power station shall be designed to allow operation for limited periods in island mode (island mode operation is defined as operation with the power station isolated from the Namibian network, supplying its own auxiliary equipment). This islanded mode would be sustained for at least 20 minutes without tripping. Plant will initially be sized to yield 300 MW of base load power to the national grid of Namibia kv power generated per gas turbine is reticulated using 11 kv single core cables in trefoil on racks to the Generator Circuit Breaker and GSU. Water injection is used for Nitrous Oxide (NOx) emission control and evaporative cooling.

7 7 4. W a t e r p u r i f i c a t i o n p l a n t The construction of a desalination plant no longer forms part of the project description. Excess water from Birds Paradise will be pumped through pipelines (approximately 10km) to the power plant. A water purification plant will be constructed at the power plant site treating the semi-purified water from Birds Paradise to a quality required for the power plant. Power plant water consumption: 500,000 m 3 /annum The water from the purification plant will be used to provide for service water demands and fire fighting. 5. O t h e r s i t e i n f r a s t r u c t u r e The Power Station will generate its own power, water purification and a sewage plant will be constructed on site. During construction: o Power will be provided by Xaris through generators or by connecting to the Erongo RED supply. o Water will be provided by Xaris via containers or by connecting to the Walvis Bay council supply. During operations the following will apply: o Sewage will be a temporary facility supplied by the Contractor (EPC) o Temporary roads will be supplied by the Contractor during construction Water Reticulation network: o Utility water for own use will be obtained from Bird s Paradise, purified and stored in utility water and fire water tanks. o Potable water shall be delivered on site by pipeline from the municipal water supply authority. It shall be piped to standpipes and buildings as required. Potable water piping shall be HDPE, mechanically protected where installed on pipe-racks. Sewer network: o Gas Turbine waste wash water and oily residue from the oily water separator collected for removal and disposal by a specialised contractor. o Sewage to be treated on site using a packaged sewage treatment plant.

8 8 o Solid and construction wastes shall be collected, stored and transported in accordance with the applicable regulations and local authority s requirements. Road network: o Current access is available via M44 to the Power Plant site. New roads for the industrial area are not expected to be available in time. o Permanent roads will have to be supplied through Roads Authority (RA) or Council (or NamPort for port premises) as required. o NamPort Access roads are available for interim period. Figure 2: The light trestle jetty structure. Figure 3: The FSRU vessel.

9 9 I s s u e s i d e n t i f i e d Potential environmental impacts on the inland and marine environment affected by the construction and operation of the LNG facilities include: Potential Inland Impacts: Air pollution associated with the construction and operation of all facilities particularly the FSRU and power plant. Noise and pollution from construction and operation activities particularly during the operation of the FSRU. The effects of leaks or ruptures in the gas pipelines. Effect on the Walvis Bay airport due to electromagnetic interference from the turbines at the power station and the height of the structures. Water balance and quality of water from Birds Paradise. Potential Marine impacts: The intake of water from the bay by the LNG Carriers and FSRU. Increased vessel traffic in the Walvis Bay Port area. Disturbance of seabed communities during the construction of the berths and trestle jetty. Impacts associated with dredging activities e.g, Removal of the bottom sediment and associated communities, increased suspended sediment concentrations and turbidity during construction and dredging. Potential impacts on fisheries (e.g. mariculture, recreational fisheries, through the movement of vessels and operation of power-generation barges). Fish recruitment, migrations and community health Mariculture both established and potential growth areas based on current leased water areas in the bay. Localised commercial fisheries and the large-scale fisheries in the Walvis Bay area and the movement of fisher vessels associated with these establishments. Fish recruitment, migrations and community health. This would apply to all fisheries resources exploited in the proximity E n v i r o n m e n t a l P r o c e s s An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study was completed by an external consultant in However, the EIA has been withdrawn by the client.

10 10 Enviro Dynamics has subsequently been appointed to undertake and environmental process that satisfies the requirements of the Environmental Management Act (Act No. 7 of 2007) and its regulations (2012) and complies with the requirements of the Equator Principles as well as the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Standards. Performance standards In order to qualify for these international standards, criteria are prescribed in terms of social and environmental compliance. The following Equator principles may apply to this project: PS1 - Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts PS2 - Labour and Working Conditions PS3 - Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention PS4 - Community Health, Safety and Security PS6 - Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources Environmental Assessment (EA) process Due to time constraints and changed circumstances the proponent has opted to treat the three major components of the project as separate EIAs, with a combined public participation process and separate Environmental Management Plans for each component: Berthing area of the FSRU and transport of the gas from the ship along a trestle jetty to the port premises (including associated dredging activities); Overland pipeline from the port premises to the power plant (including the port premises); Power plant including a purification plant for the refinement of water from Birds Paradise. The SFRU ship supplier will conduct their own EIA for the ship based processes including process water discharge. The approach with these EIA studies is to: Undertake combined public consultation for the project as a whole; Establish the environmental risk of each project component, its alternatives and various components based on the findings of the specialist studies; Prepare three separate EIA reports and EMPs; Public review of the EIAs and EMPs; Prepare and submit final documents to Directorate of Environmental Affairs (DEA) and finance corporations for a decision; Communicate the decision to I&APs;

11 11 Specialist Studies Based on the required performance standards the following specialist inputs have been initiated for the various project components (separate EIAs): EIA component Specialist input Specialist consultant Berthing area of the FSRU and transport of the gas from the ship along a trestle jetty to the port premises (including associated dredging activities); Overland pipeline from the port premises to the power plant (including the port premises); Power plant including a purification plant for the refinement of water from Birds Paradise. Evaluating sediment dynamics model for dredging of the FSRU berth and the trestle jetty foundations. Evaluating marine ecology for the FSRU berth and trestle jetty. Air pollution dispersal models at the FSRU and OCGTPP Air pollution dispersal models at the FSRU and OCGTPP Air pollution dispersal models at the FSRU and OCGTPP Noise pollution and dispersal model at the OCGTPP. Water balance and quality of water from Birds Paradise PRDW Consulting Port and Coastal Engineers Pisces Environmental Services Rayten Engineering Solutions Rayten Engineering Solutions Rayten Engineering Solutions Safetech Geo Business Pollutions

12 12 P u b l i c p a r t i c i p a t i o n All parties who may be affected directly or indirectly, or those who are interested in the project, including those members that have previously been registered, must be consulted about this proposed development. Matters so raised will, amongst others, be addressed as part of this Environmental process. Your registration as an I&AP is a key component of the process. Through your participation you actively take responsibility for the utilisation of our legislation, as well as contributing to ensuring responsible environmental management and decision making. Registration will ensure that you are kept up to date with developments in the process, and that you are invited to the relevant meetings. A public meeting is scheduled to which you are invited: Date: Thursday, 12 March 2015, Time: 18h00 Venue: Immanuel Ruiters Primary School, Kuisebmond, Walvis Bay If you have an interest in the project, you are invited to attend this meeting. Additional meetings with the relevant authorities will also be held in Walvis Bay and Windhoek. Your role as a stakeholder/interested & Affected Party (I&AP): Attend meetings and obtain information about the proposed project; Raise any issues that you have in respect of the proposed project; Provide the proponents with additional information which needs to be considered in the project design; process of evaluating the impacts; and the decision making process; and Review and comment on the draft reports prepared during this Environmental process. You can become involved: by registering as an I&AP (this is necessary to ensure your name is added to the contact list); by submitting your comments or requests for information to the stakeholder public participation team in Windhoek (see registration form); by attending consultation meetings; and by reviewing the draft documents as they are circulated for comment.

13 13 Once you have registered you will be added to our stakeholders list and included in all further communication regarding the project. To register: Fax or your request to Enviro Dynamics or inform the consultant at the consultation meetings. Contact us to express your interest in this project before the 19 th of March Eloise Carstens Tel: Fax: