Lethabo Feiar Main Report
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCESS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT PROPOSED LETHABO PV SOLAR ENERGY FACILITY NEAR SASOLBURG, FREE STATE PROVINCE DEA REF NO.: 14/12/16/3/3/2/753 FINAL FOR SUBMISSION TO THE DEA JUNE 2016 Prepared for: Eskom Holdings SOC Limited Megawatt Park, Maxwell Drive, Sandton, Johannesburg Prepared by: Savannah Environmental Pty Ltd Unit 10, Block 2 5 Woodlands Drive Office Park, Corner Woodlands Drive & Western Service Road, WOODMEAD, Gauteng po box 148, sunninghil, 2157 Tel: +27 (0)11 656 3237 Fax: +27 (0)86 684 0547 E-mail: [email protected] www.savannahsa.com PROPOSED LETHABO PV SOLAR ENERGY FACILITY NEAR SASOLBURG, FREE STATE PROVINCE Environmental Impact Assessment Report June 2016 PROJECT DETAILS DEA Reference No. : 14/12/16/3/3/2/753 Title : Environmental Impact Assessment Process Environmental Impact Assessment Report for the Proposed Lethabo PV Solar Energy Facility near Sasolburg, Free State Province Authors : Savannah Environmental (Pty) Ltd Sandhisha Jay Narain Jo-Anne Thomas Sub-consultants : Feathers Environmental Services Limosella Consulting ARC-Institute for Soil, Climate and Water Heritage Contracts and Archaeological Consulting CC (HCAC) BM Geological Services Afzelia Environmental Consultants and Environmental Planning and Design Client : Eskom Holding SOC (state owned company) Ltd Report Status : Final Environmental Impact Assessment Report for Public Review Review Date : June 2016 When used as a reference this report should be cited as: Savannah Environmental (2016) Environmental Impact Assessment Report: Proposed Lethabo PV Solar Energy Facility near Sasolburg, Free State Province. COPYRIGHT RESERVED This technical report has been produced by Savannah Environmental (Pty) Ltd for Eskom Holding SOC (state owned company) Ltd. No part of the report may be copied, reproduced or used in any manner without written permission from Eskom Holding SOC (state owned company) Ltd or Savannah Environmental (Pty) Ltd. Project Details Page i PROPOSED LETHABO PV SOLAR ENERGY FACILITY NEAR SASOLBURG, FREE STATE PROVINCE Environmental Impact Assessment Report June 2016 PURPOSE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT Eskom Holding SOC (state owned company) Ltd is proposing to establish a 75MW photovoltaic solar energy facility and associated infrastructure on a site within the Lethabo Coal Fired Power station boundary, approximately 25 km north-east of Sasolburg in the Free State Province. Savannah Environmental has been appointed as the independent environmental consultants, to undertake the requisite Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Process. The EIA process is being undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA; Act No. 107 of 1998). The EIA Phase aims to address those identified potential environmental impacts and benefits (direct, indirect and cumulative impacts) associated with the project including design, construction, operation and decommissioning, and recommend appropriate mitigation measures for potentially significant environmental impacts. The purpose of this EIA report is to assess the impacts associated with the currently proposed layout for the Lethabo PV Solar Energy Facility through detailed specialist studies and public consultation. This EIA report aims to provide the environmental authorities with sufficient information to make an informed decision regarding the proposed project. The release of a draft EIA Report provided stakeholders with an opportunity to verify that the issues they have raised to date have been captured and adequately considered within the study. The Final EIA Report incorporates all issues and responses prior to submission to the National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), the decision-making authority for the project. The Final EIA report demonstrates that the conditions of the Acceptance of the Scoping Report, and the comments received during the review period of the EIA report (including those received from the Competent Authority) have been considered and addressed as required. This Environmental Impact Assessment Report represents the findings EIA phase of the EIA process and contains the following sections: » Chapter 1 provides background to the Project and the environmental impact assessment, and an introduction to the rationale behind the selected site and technology proposed. » Chapter 2 provides the project description, need and desirability, site selection information and identified project alternatives. » Chapter 3 outlines the strategic legal context for the energy planning and the Project. » Chapter 4 outlines the approach to undertaking the environmental impact assessment process. Purpose of the Scoping Report Page ii PROPOSED LETHABO PV SOLAR ENERGY FACILITY NEAR SASOLBURG, FREE STATE PROVINCE Environmental Impact Assessment Report June 2016 » Chapter 5 describes the existing biophysical and socio-economic environment within and surrounding the Project development footprint. » Chapter 6 provides an assessment of the potential issues and impacts associated with the Project and presents recommendations for mitigation of significant impacts. » Chapter 7 provides an assessment of cumulative impacts. » Chapter 8 presents the conclusions and recommendations based on the findings of the EIA. » Chapter 9 provides a list of reference material used to compile the EIA Report. Purpose of the Scoping Report Page iii PROPOSED LETHABO PV SOLAR ENERGY FACILITY NEAR SASOLBURG, FREE STATE PROVINCE Environmental Impact Assessment Report June 2016 DEA & LEGAL REQUIREMENTS As outlined in the acceptance of the FSR dated June 2015, Savannah Environmental has compiled a tables (refer to Table 1 and 2 below) which outline the general site information and technical details of the proposed facility. Table 1: A detailed description of the project site Province Northern Cape Province District Municipality Fezile Dabi District Municipality Local Municipality Metsimaholo Local Municipality Ward number(s) 19 Nearest town(s) Sasolburg & Vereeniging Farm name(s) and number(s) Farm 1814 Portion number(s) 0 SG 21 Digit Code (s) F01600000000181400000 Table 2: Dimensions of typical structures required for the PV Facility Component Description/ Dimensions Electricity Generating » Alternative site 1 – 75MW capacity » Alternative site 2 – 35MW Extent of the proposed » Alternative site 1– 162ha development footprint » Alternative site 2– 52ha Centre Point for each » Alternative site 1: Longitude: 27°57'25.49"E Latitude: alternative proposed 26°44'23.61"S » Alternative site 2: Longitude: 27°58'26.27"E Latitude: 26°44'59.40"S Site access The main access to the site will be obtained via the R715 that runs parallel to the site. Internal access roads of up to 5m wide will also be required. Proposed technology and Static - up to 3.5 m Height of installed Tracking – single/double axis up to 6 m panels from ground level Number of Panels Dependant on module to be used. This will be confirmed before construction. Typically it would be: Alternative site 1 – » Approximately 300,000 PV modules (Polycrystalline technology) » Approximately 714,000 PV modules (Thin Film technology) DEA & Legal Requirements Page iv PROPOSED LETHABO PV SOLAR ENERGY FACILITY NEAR SASOLBURG, FREE STATE PROVINCE Environmental Impact Assessment Report June 2016 Component Description/ Dimensions Alternative site 2: » Approximately 140,000 PV modules (Polycrystalline technology) » Approximately 333,300 PV modules (Thin Film technology) Panel Dimensions 1,640 x 990 mm (Polycrystalline technology) 1,200 x 600 mm (Thin Film technology) Panel direction North facing Number of inverters Dependant on inverter to be used. This will be confirmed before construction. Typically it would be: » Alternative site 1 and 3 – 150 » Alternative site 2– 70 Main transformer / on- All two alternatives – site substation capacity » Step-up up to 6.6/11 kV (for connection at station board) and size » Step-up up to 88/132 kV (for connection at HV yard) on site substation size approximately 50m x 50m Associated buildings Approximately 150 m2 (size) New overhead power Servitude width – depending upon the overhead voltage level line (between 9 m to 15.5 m : measured from the centre line of the power line) Length: approximately 800 - 1000 m Height of towers – maximum height of 12 to 25 m Services required » Sewage and Refuse material disposal - all sewage and refuse material generated during the establishment of the proposed site will be collected by a contractor to be disposed of at a licensed waste disposal site » Water and electricity – water will be obtained from the municipality. Electricity will be generated from generators for any electrical work on site or electricity will be obtained from an Eskom auxiliary supply, depending on the feasibility during construction. The requirements of an Environmental Impact Assessment Report, in accordance with regulation 31 of GN 543 are presented in Table 3. Table 3: Content of the EIA report EIA Regulations requirements Environmental Impact Assessment Report (a) Details of EAP and expertise to carry out an Chapter 1 environmental impact assessment (b) Description of the proposed activity Chapter 1 (c) Description of the property on which the Chapter 1 activity is to be undertaken and the location of DEA & Legal Requirements Page v PROPOSED LETHABO PV SOLAR ENERGY FACILITY NEAR SASOLBURG, FREE STATE PROVINCE Environmental Impact Assessment Report June 2016 the activity on the property (d) Description of the environment that