Background Information Document for the Basic Assessment and Environmental Impact Assessment of the Proposed Development of 4 Wind Energy Projects by InnoWind near (Pty) Limited Swellendam, Heidelberg, Albertinia and Mossel Bay in the Province

INTRODUCTION Phase 2 includes approximately 70 turbines InnoWind (Pty) Limited is a South Africa- (10 near Swellendam, 10 near Heidelberg, based renewable energy generator that 6 near Albertinia and 44 near Mossel Bay) develops, finances, builds, operates and turbines of approximately 3 MW each and is maintains commercial wind-powered the subject of a full EIA. The DEA reference generation facilities. InnoWind's develop- number for the EIA is 12/12/20/1815. ment and operating expertise has been acquired through its French-based sister The purpose of this Background Information company, InnoVent (www.innovent.fr ), Document (BID) is to provide interested and which has ten years of operating experience affected parties (I&APs) with information on in wind energy. InnoWind is proposing to both the Basic Assessment and EIA pro- establish four commercial wind energy cesses currently being conducted by CSIR on projects near the towns of Swellendam, behalf of InnoWind. Heidelberg, Albertinia and Mossel Bay in the Western Cape Province. The InnoWind NEED FOR THE PROJECT project is being developed in two phases: The intention of this project is to generate Phase 1 includes one temporary wind additional electricity that will feed into the monitoring mast (except Mossel Bay which national grid by installing 4 wind farms with will have two) and a single turbine of a maximum capacity of between 18 and 132 approximately 2.3 to 3 MW at each site (i.e. MW per farm. At a national level, renewable 5 masts and 4 turbines in total), which is the energy has the potential to play an impor- focus of a Basic Assessment Process with the tant role in South Africa through diversifying following DEA Reference numbers allocated the sources of power generation and to the project: reducing the carbon footprint from fossil fuel power generation, such as coal fired Swellendam: 12/12/20/1773; Heidelberg: power stations. Currently, approximately 12/12/20/1772; Albertinia: 12/12/20/1770; 90% of South Africa's power generation is and Mossel Bay: 12/12/20/1774 derived from coal. The favourable renew- able energy feed-in tariffs released by government in April 2009 provide an

February 2010 Background Information Document for InnoWind Western Cape Wind Project important catalyst to promote the use of wind energy in South Africa.

Hub In terms of resource-use, wind energy offers Nacelle significant advantages. Coal-based energy requires significant water input to generate electricity, while also producing vast amounts of CO2 . Wind energy on the other hand, requires no water input and Rotor blade generates no CO2 emissions during operation. South Africa's labour market will also be positively influ- enced by wind energy development, with the procurement of various local sub-contractors during the construction phase, and the creation of perma- nent and temporary jobs as part of the development of this emerging industry.

The Western Cape Province produce approximately Hub height ~ 100 m 31 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2 ) per year. Tower Electricity generation is responsible for roughly half of this figure. In the light of the Western Cape being one of the worst affected provinces in terms of climate change, the Western Cape Provincial Government recently announced that reliance on fossil fuel-based energy sources is no longer a solution to the province's energy security and air quality challenges. Accordingly, the Western Cape A single pilot turbine (with a maximum of 3 MW aims to improve energy efficiency by 15% by 2014 capacity) is also proposed to be erected within the and 20% by 2020. To achieve this goal, the develop- boundaries of each proposed site. The turbine is ment of new generation capacity from the prov- described below. ince's abundant renewable resources was identified as a key climate change mitigation factor in the Phase 2: Wind farms at four sites Provincial Government's Climate Change Response and Strategy Plan (2008). The 4 wind farms proposed The key components of the wind farm at the four by InnoWind would greatly assist in establishing a sites are: zero-carbon energy reserve for the Western Cape BApproximately 70 turbines (for all four sites) of without contributing to air pollution. approximately 2.3 to 3 MW each. The Siemens 2.3 MW turbine (Figure 1) is used as a typical PROJECT OVERVIEW example of the type of turbine envisaged. This turbine has a hub height of approximately 100 m, Phase 1: Temporary monitoring mast and single blade diameter of between 93 and 101 m, and a turbine foundation of 16 m x 16 m x 2.5 m depth. BGravel access roads to the turbines, with the The temporary monitoring mast InnoWind intends intent being to upgrade existing roads as far as to erect consists of a 60m steel tower, 15cm in possible. diameter, equipped with 6 anemometers and BConstruction of hard standing areas for use by attached to the ground by 12 guy wires connected to cranes during construction and retained for buried poles (anchors). The anchors are placed in possible maintenance use. rows of 3 in the 4 cardinal directions. The furthest BPower line connections between wind turbines anchors are 50m from the base of the mast. and via a sub-station to the Eskom grid. The wind turbines will be connected to the grid with InnoWind intends to gather wind data for a period of underground lines, except possibly where the 12-24 months, after which the mast might be taken cables may need to cross a valley or gulley, in down, depending whether sufficient data has been which case the connecting lines would be above gathered . ground. p.2 Background Information Document for InnoWind Western Cape Wind Project PROJECT LOCATION AND LAYOUT hill approximately 10 km north-east of the local PetroSA facilities. It is envisaged that the Proteus site will host up to 44 turbines, each with a nominal power output ranging between The proposed project will be developed at 4 different 2.3 and 3 MW. The wind farm will cover an area of approxi- locations alongside the . Each site was selected mately 3000 hectares with a maximum output of approxi- based on criteria such as the local wind regime, mately 132 MW. adequate geography and proximity to existing electrical infrastructure. Each of the sites are BASIC ASSESSMENT PROCESS described in more detail below: The Basic Assessment (BA) process being followed Swellendam consists of the following key steps: The proposed Vryheid wind energy project is to be constructed ! Submission of Notice of Intent to authorities on a site located on the southern side of the N2, south-west of (20 January 2010) the town of Swellendam on the northern side of the . The ! site encompasses two properties, farms Vryheid and Announcement of BA process via newspaper Kluitjieskraal, where it is planned to install 10 turbines of adverts and letters, with invitation to register on between 2.3 and 3 MW with a total maximum output of I&AP database approximately 30 MW. ! Release of Draft BA Report for review by all Heidelberg stakeholders The site selected for the wind energy project near Heidelberg is ! Submission of Final BA Report to authorities for located on the southern side of the N2, approximately 5 km decision making south-west of Heidelberg and east of the R322. The proposed ! Communication of the authority decision to all development is located on two properties, farms Morningstar and Hooikraal, and would host 10 turbines of between 2.3 and I&APs on the register. 3 MW with a total maximum output of approximately 30 MW. HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED? Albertinia The proposed Albertinia wind energy project is to be con- 1. By registering your interest in the project with the structed on a site located on the southern side of the N2 approximately 2 km from the town of Albertinia. The site is consultant indicated below located on a hill called Olifantsberg and overlaps two proper- 2. By responding to our invitation for your involve- ties, farm Buffelsfontein Portions 5 and 16, where it is planned ment advertised in local newspapers. to install a row of 6 turbines, each with a nominal power output 3. By mailing or faxing a comment form to the ranging between 2.3 to 3 MW. The maximum output is approximately 18 MW. participation consultant indicated below. 4. By telephonically contacting the participation Mossel Bay consultant if you have a query, comment, or require The proposed wind farm in the Mossel Bay area is referred to as further project information. the Proteus site, due to its proximity to the Eskom Proteus 5. By reviewing the various reports within the 40-day substation. The Proteus wind energy project is to be con- comment period. structed on a site located on the southern side of the that connects Mossel Bay and Herbertsdale. The site is located on a 6. By attending any feedback meetings, which may be held during the review period. Should you be registered as an I&AP you will be invited to attend these meetings.

WHO SHOULD YOU CONTACT?

Rudolph du Toit Environmental Management Services CSIR P.O. Box 320 / Jan Cilliers Street Stellenbosch 7599 Ph: +27 (0)21 888 2538 Fax: +27 (0)21 888 2693 Cell: +27 (0)769026479

Website for information on this EIA process: www.csir.co.za/EIA

p.3 p.4 Layout & Design: DTP Solutions