Acwa Power Africa Holdings (Pty) Ltd

January 2015

ACWA POWER AFRICA HOLDINGS (PTY) LTD

Draft Scoping Report: Proposed Solar Power Development on the Remaining Extent of Farm Bokpoort 390, Northern Cape

DEA Reference Numbers:

PV1 14/12/16/3/3/2/802 PV4 14/12/16/3/3/2/805 PV2 14/12/16/3/3/2/803 GS Trough 1 / Tower 1 14/12/16/3/3/2/800 PV3 14/12/16/3/3/2/804 GS Trough 2 / Tower 2 14/12/16/3/3/2/801 Distributed for public comment from: 28 January 2015 to 27 February 2015

Report Number: 1400951 Distribution: 1 x !Kheis Local Municipality Clinic 1 x !Kheis Local Municipality Public Library

DRAFT REPORT 1 x Golder Associates Africa Library - Midrand

BOKPOORT II SOLAR DEVELOPMENT - DRAFT SCOPING REPORT

PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT ACWA Power Africa Holdings (Pty) Ltd (herein referred to as ACWA) is proposing to establish a solar facility (Bokpoort II) on the north-eastern portion of the Remaining Extent (RE) of the farm Bokpoort 390, which is 20 km northwest of the town of Groblershoop within the !Kheis Local Municipality in the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality, Northern Cape Province.

In order to obtain Environmental Authorisation for the proposed project, ACWA Power is required to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in terms of GN R. 982 of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act 107 of 1998) (as amended). This EIA is being conducted in line with international standards, such as the Equator Principles (EP) and the requirements of the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Golder Associates Africa (Pty) Ltd, an independent consultant, is conducting the EIA and is compiling the Environmental Management Programme (EMPr).

The proposed Bokpoort II project will consist of four (4): 75 Mega Watt (MW) solar energy photovoltaic (PV) facilities and two (2): 100 MW Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) facilities which will either be CSP Parabolic Trough or a CSP Tower. The combined power generation capacity of the entire Bokpoort II solar development will be 500 MW (PV: 300 MW and CSP Trough or Tower: 200 MW). The associated infrastructure to operate the Bokpoort II solar development is also described in this Draft Scoping Report.

The applicant for environmental authorisation is an Independent Power Producer (IPP) who intends to bid in the Department of Energy’s (DoE) Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPP), and hence the environmental authorisation applications have been divided according to the DoE’s MW unit requirements. Six (6) stand-alone applications were submitted to Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) and were subdivided as follows: Four applications for 4 x 75 MW PV facilities and Two applications for 2 x 100 MW CSP Parabolic Troughs or 100 MW CSP Towers. ACWA Power would like to have the flexibility of bidding for either one of these technology options in the next bid window of the REIPPP Programme. DEA advised that one Scoping Report be drafted which combines the six (6) applications. Additionally DEA has allowed for one (1) combined Public Participation Process for all six (6) applications and their Scoping and EIA process, given the fact that all the solar facilities will be located on the same portion of the Remaining Extent of the Farm Bokpoort 390.

The south western portion of the Remaining Extent of Bokpoort 390 has already been permitted for a 75 MW CSP parabolic trough development in the ‘Environmental Impact Assessment for a Proposed 75 MW Concentrating Solar Thermal Power Plant and Associated Infrastructure in the Siyanda District Municipality (DEAT 12/12/20/1920)’ (‘Bokpoort I’ site). The location of the Bokpoort II proposed solar developments falls within the area previously assessed in this EIA. The Bokpoort I EIA’s sensitivity map indicates that the project footprint for the Bokpoort II solar development is in a preferred and acceptable developable area for solar developments.

This Draft Scoping Report is being presented to stakeholders so that they can be informed of the proposed development and to give stakeholders an opportunity to provide comments and/or raise issues of concern. The public is consulted on an on-going basis during the EIA process, with issues and concerns being recorded and incorporated into the process for evaluation. Feedback will be provided when a decision on the Project has been made. The public is also given the opportunity to comment on the Project, the proposed activities and the proposed scope of the EIA specialist studies. The comments received thus far have been recorded in this Draft Scoping Report.

The Draft Scoping Report will be available for public review and comment from Wednesday, 28 January 2015 to Friday, 27 February 2015. After the public comment period, the report will be updated and made available for public review. Thereafter, the final report will be submitted to the DEA.

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SUMMARY OF WHAT THIS DRAFT SCOPING REPORT CONTAINS  Details of the Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP);  Location of the proposed development;  Plan which locates the proposed activity or activities applied for at an appropriate scale;  Description of the scope of the proposed activity;  Description of the policy and legislative context applicable to the proposed development;  Motivation for the need and desirability for the proposed development;  Full description of the process followed to reach the proposed preferred activity, site and location within the site;  Plan of study for undertaking the Environmental Impact Assessment process to be undertaken; and Undertakings under oath or affirmation by the Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP).

Impact Environmental Decision‐ Assessment Impact making Scoping Phase Phase Phase Assessment Proponent and Detailed studies of Report To identify issues, authorities use EIA potential impacts, to focus the EIA Consolidate findings of findings to decide positive and impact assessment if project goes negative studies ahead

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PUBLIC REVIEW OF THE DRAFT SCOPING REPORT This Draft Scoping Report will be available for comment for a period of 30 days from Wednesday, 28 January 2015 to Friday, 27 February 2015. Copies of the Report are available to view at the following public places:

Public place Locality Contact person Telephone !Kheis Local Municipal Clinic Groblershoop Aletta Strauss 054 833 0231 !Kheis Public Library Groblershoop Matilda Mathupi 054 833 9500 Golder Associates Africa Midrand Sasha Slogrove- 011 254 4966 Saayman

The report is also available on the Golder Associates website: www.golder.com/public



OPPORTUNITIES TO COMMENT

Stakeholders can comment on the Draft Scoping Report by:

 Completing the comment sheet enclosed with the report at the public places, and  Submitting additional comments by e-mail, fax or telephone to the Public Participation Office.

DUE DATE FOR COMMENT ON THIS DRAFT SCOPING REPORT Friday, 27 February 2015

Please submit comments to the Golder Public Participation Office:

Sasha Slogrove-Saayman Golder Associates Africa P O Box 6001 HALFWAY HOUSE, 1685 Tel: (011) 254-4800 Fax: 086 582 1561 Email: [email protected]

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Table of Contents

1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... 1

1.1 Environmental applications ...... 1

1.2 Overview of the EIA Process ...... 2

1.3 Draft Scoping Report Content ...... 3

1.4 Objective of the Scoping Process ...... 6

2.0 PROJECT IDENTIFICATION DETAILS ...... 7

2.1 Company responsible for the solar development project (Applicant) ...... 7

2.2 Details of the Environmental Assessment Practitioner ...... 7

2.3 Project location ...... 8

2.4 Proposed plan locating the activity ...... 8

3.0 SCOPE OF THE PROPOSED ACTIVITY ...... 11

3.1 Photovoltaic solar facilities ...... 11

3.2 Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) facilities ...... 13

3.2.1 CSP Parabolic Trough ...... 13

3.2.2 CSP Towers ...... 16

3.3 Listed activities triggered ...... 19

4.0 LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT ...... 22

4.1 South African legislation ...... 22

4.1.1 National Environmental Management Act ...... 22

4.1.2 National Environmental Management: Waste Act ...... 23

4.1.3 National Water Act ...... 23

4.1.4 National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 ...... 25

4.1.5 Electricity Regulation Act 4 of 2006 as amended by the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act 28 of 2007 ...... 25

4.1.6 Other policies, plans and guideline documents ...... 25

4.2 Key authorities for the EIA application ...... 25

4.3 International Conventions and Agreements ...... 26

4.4.1 International Finance Corporation Performance Standards ...... 27

5.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT THAT MAY BE AFFECTED AND THE BASELINE CONDITIONS ...... 29

5.1 Physical Environment ...... 30

5.1.1 Regional climate ...... 30

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5.1.2 Air quality ...... 30

5.1.3 Noise ...... 31

5.1.4 Topography ...... 32

5.1.5 Geology ...... 32

5.1.6 Soils, land-use and land capability ...... 32

5.1.7 Surface water ...... 32

5.1.8 Groundwater ...... 33

5.2 Biological Environment ...... 34

5.2.1 Terrestrial ecology ...... 34

5.2.2 Aquatic ecology ...... 36

5.3 Human Environment ...... 36

5.3.1 Social ...... 36

5.3.2 Archaeology and cultural heritage/sites of cultural/historical importance ...... 37

5.3.3 Visual aspects ...... 38

5.3.4 Tourism assessment ...... 38

5.4 Other Impacts ...... 39

6.0 PROJECT MOTIVATION: NEED AND DESIRABILITY ...... 39

6.1 Need and Desirability for Renewable Energy Facilities ...... 39

6.2 Need and Desirability for Solar Development on the Remaining Extent of Bokpoort 390 ...... 40

6.3 Detailed Activity Motivation ...... 41

7.0 PROCESS FOLLOWED TO REACH THE PROPOSED PREFERRED ACTIVITY, SITE AND LOCATION WITHIN THE SITE ...... 44

7.1 Methodology for Project Site Sensitivity Maps ...... 45

7.2 Technology Alternatives ...... 48

7.2.1 PV facilities ...... 48

7.2.2 CSP Tower facility ...... 48

7.2.3 CSP Parabolic Trough facility ...... 48

7.3 No-Project Option ...... 48

8.0 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS...... 49

8.1 Objectives of public participation ...... 49

8.2.1 Stakeholder Engagement Plan ...... 50

8.2.2 Identification of I&APs ...... 50

8.2.3 Register of I&APs ...... 51

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8.3 Public participation during Scoping ...... 51

8.3.1 Announcement of the proposed project ...... 51

8.4 Public participation during the Impact Assessment Phase ...... 52

8.5 Lead Authority’s decision ...... 52

9.0 NEXT STEPS IN THE EIA PROCESS ...... 52

9.1 Objectives of the EIA process ...... 53

10.0 PLAN OF STUDY FOR THE EIA ...... 54

10.1 Environmental Aspects to be assessed as part of the EIA process ...... 55

10.1.1 Groundwater ...... 55

10.1.2 Biodiversity ...... 55

10.1.3 Noise and Vibration ...... 56

10.1.4 Surface hydrology ...... 56

10.1.5 Socio-economics ...... 57

10.1.6 Methodology ...... 57

10.1.7 Soils, Land Capability and Land Use ...... 58

10.1.8 Visual Impact ...... 58

10.1.8.1 Methodology ...... 58

10.2 Environmental Aspects to be assessed by a specialist ...... 59

10.2.1 Cultural and Heritage Resources ...... 59

10.2.1.1 Methodology for the HIA specialist report ...... 59

10.3 Impact Assessment Methodology ...... 60

10.4 Environmental and Social Management System and Action Plans to be Developed ...... 61

10.4.2 Community Health and Safety Plan ...... 64

11.0 UNDERTAKING ...... 65

12.0 ASSUMPTIONS AND LIMITATIONS ...... 65

13.0 REFERENCES ...... 66

TABLES Table 1: Environmental applications included in this Draft Scoping Report ...... 1 Table 2: Draft Scoping Report content as per NEMA EIA Regulations, 2014 GN R 982 Appendix 2 ...... 4 Table 3: Details of Proponent ...... 7 Table 4: Details of Golder Associates ...... 8 Table 5: Location of the activity ...... 8 Table 6: NEMA 2014 Listed activities triggered ...... 19

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Table 7: Relevant international conventions to which South Africa is a party ...... 26 Table 8: Total population of !Kheis Local Municipality, National Census 1996, 2001, and 2011 ...... 36 Table 9: Detailed Activity Motivation considerations ...... 41 Table 10: Sensitivity index and zone classifications ...... 45 Table 11: Bokpoort II EIA process timeframes ...... 53

FIGURES Figure 1: EIA Process for the Bokpoort II Solar Development ...... 3 Figure 2: Locality map for Bokpoort II ...... 9 Figure 3: Proposed infrastructure layout ...... 10 Figure 4: PV power plant scheme ...... 12 Figure 5: Example of a single axis tracking photovoltaic (PV) solar power plant...... 12 Figure 6: Example of PV Solar power facility’s tracker view...... 13 Figure 7: Scheme of a parabolic trough loop ...... 14 Figure 8: CSP Parabolic trough scheme ...... 15 Figure 9: Example of a CSP parabolic trough facility ...... 16 Figure 10: Example of a Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) Tower ...... 16 Figure 11: Molten Salt Power System Schematic ...... 18 Figure 12: The IFC PS Framework ...... 28 Figure 13: Cultural and Heritage Sites of Importance and Sensitive Biodiversity Areas ...... 35 Figure 14: Direct Normal Irradiation (DNI) solar resource for South Africa...... 40 Figure 15: Sensitive index map for Remaining Extent of Bokpoort 390 ...... 46 Figure 16: Sensitivity zoning map for Remaining Extent of Bokpoort 390 ...... 47 Figure 17: Steps for Developing a Robust Community Investment Strategy (IFC, 2010) ...... 64

APPENDICES APPENDIX A Document Limitations APPENDIX B Environmental Assessment Practitioner CV APPENDIX C Public Participation Documents Announcing the Draft Scoping Report

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LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS BIL Background Information Letter

CSP Concentrated Solar Power

DEA Department of Environmental Affairs

DNI Direct Normal Irradiance

DoE Department of Energy

DSR Draft Scoping Report

DWS Department of Water and Sanitation

EIA Environmental Impact Assessment

EIA Regulations National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act 107 of 1998) Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2014

EMP Environmental Management Programme

GN General Notice ha Hectares

HTF Heat Transfer Fluid

I&APs Interested and affected parties

IFC International Finance Corporation km Kilometre m metres

MW Megawatt

MWe Megawatt electrical

NEMA National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act 107 of 1998)

PS Performance Standards

PV Photovoltaic

REIPPP Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme

SG Surveyor General

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1.0 INTRODUCTION ACWA Power Africa Holdings (Pty) Ltd (ACWA) is proposing to establish a solar facility (Bokpoort II) on the north-eastern portion of the Remaining Extent (RE) of the Farm Bokpoort 390, which is 20 km northwest of the town of Groblershoop within the !Kheis Local Municipality in the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality, Northern Cape Province. There is an authorised 75 MW CSP parabolic trough development on south western portion of the remaining extent (RE) of the Farm Bokpoort 390 which commenced with construction on July 2013. It was authorised by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) in June 2011 (‘Bokpoort I’ site). The location of the Bokpoort II proposed solar development falls within the area previously assessed in this Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The Bokpoort I EIA’s sensitivity zoning map indicates that the project footprint for the Bokpoort II solar development is in a preferred and acceptable developable area. This is presented in Section 7.0. ACWA has indicated that the development will be funded both locally and internationally and hence the EIA would need to comply with the International Finance Corporation Performance Standards (IFC) 2012 and the Equator Principles. The solar development will feed power into the national Eskom grid. ACWA is proposing to bid for two different solar technologies on the site, with the second technology comprising two alternatives. Only one approved solar technology type, or a combination of the two, would be built. The applicant is proposing to bid for four 75 Mega Watt (MW) Photovoltaic (PV) solar power plant technology applications, and either two 100 MW Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) parabolic troughs or two 100 MW CSP towers. The combined power generation capacity of the entire Bokpoort II solar development will be 500 MW (PV: 300 MW and CSP Trough or Tower: 200 MW).

Golder Associates Africa (Pty) Ltd (Golder) has been appointed by ACWA as the Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) to conduct the Environmental Impact Assessment process for the proposed development. This DSR has been issued for public comment for a period of 30 days, from Wednesday, 28 January 2015 to Friday, 27 February 2015. 1.1 Environmental applications The Department of Energy under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPP) requirements necessitated that six (6) separate environmental authorisation applications be submitted to the competent authority DEA, for the Bokpoort II project as described in Table 1. Table 1: Environmental applications included in this Draft Scoping Report Abbreviated Reference Number Project Title Project Title Proposed Bokpoort II 100 Megawatt (MW) Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) Development (CSP Trough 1/Tower 1) on the CSP Trough 1 / 14/12/16/3/3/2/800 Remaining Extent of the Farm Bokpoort 390 near Groblershoop, Tower 1 !Kheis Local Municipality, Northern Cape Province Proposed Bokpoort II 100 Megawatt (MW) Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) Development (CSP Trough 2/Tower 2) on the CSP Trough 2 / 14/12/16/3/3/2/801 Remaining Extent of the Farm Bokpoort 390 near Groblershoop, Tower 2 !Kheis Local Municipality, Northern Cape Province Proposed Bokpoort II 75 Megawatt (MW) Photovoltaic Solar Development (PV1) on the Remaining Extent of the Farm 14/12/16/3/3/2/802 PV1 Bokpoort 390 near Groblershoop, !Kheis Local Municipality, Northern Cape Province

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Abbreviated Reference Number Project Title Project Title Proposed Bokpoort II 75 Megawatt (MW) Photovoltaic Solar Development (PV2) on the Remaining Extent of the Farm 14/12/16/3/3/2/803 PV2 Bokpoort 390 near Groblershoop, !Kheis Local Municipality, Northern Cape Province Proposed Bokpoort II 75 Megawatt (MW) Photovoltaic Solar Development (PV3) on the Remaining Extent of the Farm 14/12/16/3/3/2/804 PV3 Bokpoort 390 near Groblershoop, !Kheis Local Municipality, Northern Cape Province Proposed Bokpoort II 75 Megawatt (MW) Photovoltaic Solar Development (PV4) on the Remaining Extent of the Farm 14/12/16/3/3/2/805 PV4 Bokpoort 390 near Groblershoop, !Kheis Local Municipality, Northern Cape Province

1.2 Overview of the EIA Process Figure 1 depicts the EIA process for the 6 environmental applications submitted for the Bokpoort II solar development. DEA advised that one (1) Scoping Report be compiled for the six (6) applications, described above in Table 1 to streamline the process. In addition, one combined EIA for the 6 applications will be prepared which describes the impacts and mitigation measures for each solar technology (PV, CSP parabolic trough and CSP Tower) in their respective location within the project area. The Draft Scoping and Draft EIA reports for the 6 applications are following one combined public participation process.

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Figure 1: EIA Process for the Bokpoort II Solar Development 1.3 Draft Scoping Report Content This document is the Draft Scoping Report (DSR) for the EIA and contains the information necessary for a proper understanding of the project, describing all preferred alternatives, including location alternatives, the scope of the assessment, and the consultation process to be undertaken throughout the EIA process. The summarised content of this DSR, as prescribed by National Environmental Management Act (Act 107 of 1998) (NEMA) Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, 2014 is presented in Table 2. The DSR highlights existing baseline studies already completed within the project area and recommends a plan of study for the EIA. Golder’s standard document limitations can be found in Table 2.

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Table 2: Draft Scoping Report content as per NEMA EIA Regulations, 2014 GN R 982 Appendix 2 Section of the EIA Description of EIA Regulations Requirements for Location in this Regulations, Scoping Reports DSR 2014 Appendix 2, Details of – the EAP who prepared the report; and the expertise of Section 2.2 section 2 (a) the EAP, including a curriculum vitae; The location of the activity, including – (i) The 21 digit Surveyor General code of each cadastral land parcel; Appendix 2, Section 2.3 and (ii) Where available, the physical address and farm name; section 2 (b) Figure 1 (iii) Where the required information in items (i) and (ii) is not available, coordinates of the boundary of the property or properties A plan which locates the proposed activity or activities applied for at an appropriate scale, or, if it is – (i) A linear activity, a description and coordinates of the corridor in which the proposed activity or activities is to be undertaken; or Appendix 2, Section 2.4 and (ii) On land where the property has not been defined, the section 2 (c) Figure 2 coordinates within which the activity is to be undertaken; or (iii) On land where the property has not been defined, the coordinates within which the activity is to be undertaken. A description of the scope of the proposed activity, including – (i) All listed and specified activities triggered; Appendix 2, Section 3.3 section 2 (d) (ii) A description of the activities to be undertaken, including associated structures and infrastructure. Section 3.0 A description of the policy and legislative context within which the development is proposed including an identification of all legislation, Appendix 2, policies, plans, guidelines, spatial tools, municipal development Section 4.0 section 2 (e) planning frameworks and instruments that are applicable to this activity and are to be considered in the assessment process. A motivation for the need and desirability for the proposed Appendix 2, development including the need and desirability of the activity in the Section 6.0 section 2 (f) context of the preferred location. A full description of the process followed to reach the proposed preferred activity, site and location within the site, including- (i) Details of all alternatives considered; Section 7.0

(ii) Details of the public participation process undertaken in Section 8.0 terms of regulation 41 of the Regulations, including copies of the supporting documents and inputs; Appendix 2, (To be included in section 2 (h) (iii) A summary of the issues raised by interested and Final Scoping affected parties, and an indication of the manner in Report) which the issues were incorporated, or the reasons for not including them;

(iv) The environmental attributes associated with the Section 5.0 alternatives focusing on the geographical, physical, biological, social, economic, heritage and cultural

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Section of the EIA Description of EIA Regulations Requirements for Location in this Regulations, Scoping Reports DSR 2014 aspects;

(v) The impacts and risks identified for each alternative, Section 10.9 including the nature, significance, consequence, extent, duration, and probability of the impacts, including the degree to which the impacts-

(aa) can be reversed;

(bb) may cause irreplaceable loss of resources; and (cc) can be avoided, managed, or mitigated.

(vi) The methodology used in deterring and ranking the Section 10.9 nature, significance, consequences, extent, duration and probability of potential environmental impacts and risks associated with the alternatives;

(vii) Positive and negative impacts that the proposed activity Section 10.9 and alternatives will have on the environment and on the community that may be affected focusing on the geographic, physical, biological, social, economic,

heritage and cultural aspects;

(viii) The possible mitigation measures that could be applied Section 10.10 and level of residual risk;

(ix) The outcome of the site selection matrix; Section 7.1

(x) If no alternatives, including alternative locations for the Section 7.0 activity were investigated, the motivation for not considering such and; Section 7.0 (xi) A concluding statement indicating the preferred alternatives, including preferred location of the activity. A plan of study for undertaking the environmental impact assessment process to be undertaken including- (i) A description of the alternatives to be considered and Section 7.0 assessed within the preferred site, including the option of not proceeding with the activity;

(ii) A description of the aspects to be assessed as part of the environmental impact assessment process; Section 10.0

Appendix 2, (iii) Aspects to be assessed by specialists; Section 10.0 section 2 (i) (iv) A description of the proposed method of assessing the Section 10.9 environmental aspects, including a description of the proposed method of assessing the environmental aspects including aspects to be assessed by specialists;

(v) A description of the proposed method of assessing duration and significance; Section 10.9

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Section of the EIA Description of EIA Regulations Requirements for Location in this Regulations, Scoping Reports DSR 2014 (vi) An indication of the stages at which the competent authority will be consulted; Section 9.0

(vii) Particulars of the public participation process that will be conducted during the environmental impact Section 8.0 assessment process;

(viii) A description of the tasks that will be undertaken as part of the environmental impact assessment process; Section 10.0

(ix) Identify suitable measures to avoid, reverse, mitigate or manage identified impacts and to determine the extent Section 10.10 of the residual risks that need to be managed and monitored. Section 11.0 An undertaking under oath or affirmation by the EAP in relation to-

(i) The correctness of the information provided in the (to be included in report; Final Scoping (ii) The inclusion of the comments and inputs from Report) Appendix 2, stakeholders and interested and affected parties; and section 2 (j) (iii) Any information provided by the EAP to interested and Appendix C, affected parties and any responses by the EAP to additional comments or inputs made by interested and affected information to be parties. included in Final Scoping Report An undertaking under oath or affirmation by the EAP in relation to Appendix 2, the level of agreement between the EAP and interested and Section 11.0 section 2 (k) affected parties on the plan of study for undertaking the environmental impact assessment. Appendix 2, Where applicable, any specific information required by the (refer to DEA section 2 (l) competent authority. application letter(s)) Appendix 2, Any other matter required in terms of section 24(4) (a) and (b) of the Not applicable section 2 (m) Act.

1.4 Objective of the Scoping Process The objective of the scoping process, as per Appendix 2 to the 2014 EIA Regulations GN R.982 is to, through a consultative process: a) Identify the relevant policies and legislation relevant to the activity; b) Motivate the need and desirability of the proposed activity, including the need and desirability of the activity in the context of the preferred location; c) Identify and confirm the preferred activity and technology alternative through an impact and risk assessment and ranking process; d) Identify and confirm the preferred site, through a detailed site selection process, which includes an impact and risk assessment process inclusive of cumulative impacts and a ranking process of all the identified alternatives focusing on the geographical physical, biological, social, economic, and cultural aspects of the environment; e) Identify the key issues to be addressed in the assessment phase;

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f) Agree on the level of assessment to be undertaken, including the methodology to be applied, the expertise required as well as the extent of further consultation to be undertaken to determine the impacts and risks the activity will impose on the preferred site through the life of the activity, including the nature, significance, consequence, extent, duration and probability of the impacts to inform the location of the development footprint within the preferred site; and g) Identify suitable measures to avoid, manage or mitigate identified impacts and to determine the extent of the residual risks that need to be managed and monitored. 2.0 PROJECT IDENTIFICATION DETAILS 2.1 Company responsible for the solar development project (Applicant) Table 3: Details of Proponent Item Description International Company for Water and Power Projects Applicant name Applicant is trading as: ACWA Power Africa Holdings (Pty) Ltd who is a subsidiary of ACWA Power International Responsible person Noxolo Nkomonde 5th Floor, Fredman Towers 13 Fredman Drive Address Sandton 2196 Tel: 011 722 4128 Contact details [email protected] Remaining Extent of the Farm Bokpoort 390: ACWA Power SolAfrica Bokpoort CSP Power Plant (RF) Proprietary Limited Sand Draai 391 Portion 0 and 5: Johannes Fourie ACWA has permission Land Owners thru an agreement with the landowner to use an existing 50m wide water pipeline servitude that runs across the farm Sand Draai 391 Portion 0 and 5 to the Remaining Extent of the Farm Bokpoort 390.

2.2 Details of the Environmental Assessment Practitioner In terms of the NEMA the proponent must appoint an independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) to undertake the EIA of any activities regulated in terms of the aforementioned Act. ACWA appointed Golder, an independent consultancy to undertake the environmental authorisation process for the proposed project in accordance with the NEMA Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, 2014 (R.982). The EIA process is also being undertaken in conformance with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards (2012) and Equator Principles as the project proponent will seek international finance for the development. Golder is a member of the world-wide Golder Associates group of companies, offering a variety of specialised engineering and environmental services. Employee owned since its formation in 1960, the Golder Associates group employs more than 8 000 people who operate from more than 160 offices located throughout Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, North America and South America. Golder Associates Africa (Pty) Ltd has offices in Midrand, Pretoria, Durban, Maputo and Accra. Golder Associates Africa has more than 360 skilled employees and is able to source additional professional skills and inputs from Golder offices around the world.

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Golder has no vested interest in ACWA or the proposed project and hereby declares its independence as required by the EIA Regulations. Table 4: Details of Golder Associates Name Golder Associates Africa (Pty) Ltd Building 1, Magwa Cresent West, Maxwell Office Park, Waterfall City, Midrand P O Box 6001, Halfway House, 1685, South Africa Address Telephone: [+27] (11) 254 4800 Fax: [+27] (86) 582 1561 Margaret Mondlane (Senior Environmental Specialist) Environmental Ms Mondlane has over 15 years in Environmental Impact Assessment in South Africa. Assessment She is a professional Member of the Southern African Institute of Ecologists and Practitioner (EAP) Environmental Scientists, member of the International Association of Impact Assessment (IAIA). Full CV is provided Appendix B. Public Participation Sasha Slogrove-Saayman (Public Participation Practitioner) Coordinator

2.3 Project location The project area is located on the north eastern portion of the Remaining Extent of the Farm Bokpoort 390 which is 20 km north-west of the town of Groblershoop within Ward 3 of the !Kheis Local Municipality in the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality, Northern Cape Province as indicated in Figure 2. The approximate centre of the project area is 28°41'59.89"S and 22° 0'35.07"E. The total Bokpoort II project area designated for the development is approximately 1,500 ha. Bokpoort is situated approximately 77 km south-east of Upington. The Orange River is located approximately 12 km south-west of the site.

The 21 digit Surveyor General code of each cadastral land parcel is provided in Table 5. Table 5: Location of the activity Farm Name SG 21 Digit Code Physical Address Comments Remaining Preferred location of solar Farm Bokpoort 390 Extent of Farm C02800000000039000000 development and Groblershoop Bokpoort 390 associated infrastructure Preferred location for Farm Sand Farm Sand Draai 391 Portion 0 placing water pipeline in Draai 391 C02800000000039100000 Groblershoop existing water pipeline Portion 0 servitude Preferred location for Farm Sand Farm Sand Draai 391 Portion 5 placing water pipeline in Draai 391 C02800000000039100005 Groblershoop existing water pipeline Portion 5 servitude

2.4 Proposed plan locating the activity Figure 3 shows the proposed layout plan where the solar development will be positioned within the Remaining Extent of the Farm Bokpoort 390. The exact configuration of the solar power facility and associated infrastructure is still being determined. However, it is assumed that a 20km water pipeline will follow the existing water pipeline servitude being used for the Bokpoort I development. The proposed pipeline will extend through the 50m buffer zone to which ACWA has landowner consent to utilise (Refer to Figure 3).

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Figure 2: Locality map for Bokpoort II

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Figure 3: Proposed infrastructure layout

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3.0 SCOPE OF THE PROPOSED ACTIVITY The project will include different types of solar power technologies and associated infrastructure, which are each described in the subsections below. 3.1 Photovoltaic solar facilities The Photovoltaic (PV) solar power plant converts the sun’s energy directly into electrical energy. The PV power plant will consist of 4 x 75 MW photovoltaic solar arrays. The general position of the PV power plant is shown in Figure 3. The facility consists of the following main functional groups (Figure 4):  Solar generator comprised of polycrystalline PV modules (JINKO Solar modules JKM 310Wp) with a power export capacity of up to 75MW for each of the 4 arrays.  Inverters that convert direct current (DC) generated by the PV modules into alternating current (AC) to be exported to the electrical grid. The inverter is a HSC2160S Solar Station manufactured by Helios Systems. The inverter is an 11.28 m high cube container which includes the DC distribution, the inverter, the medium voltage transformer and the medium voltage switchgear.  A transformer that raises the system AC low voltage (LV) to medium voltage (MV). The transformer converts the voltage of the electricity generated by the PV panels to the correct voltage for delivery to Eskom.  Transformer substation, if required.  Instrumentation and Control consisting of hardware and software for remote plant monitoring and operation of the facility.

Associated infrastructure includes (Figure 4):  Mounting structures (single axis tracking) for the solar panels will be either rammed steel piles or piles with pre-manufactured concrete footings to support the PV panels.  Cabling between the structures, to be lain underground where practical.  A new power line which will connect the facility into the national grid via Eskom’s existing Garona Substation.  Internal access roads (4 – 6 m wide roads will be constructed but existing roads will be used as far as possible) and fencing (approximately 3 m in height).  Associated buildings, including a workshop area for maintenance, storage (i.e. fuel tanks, etc.), and offices.

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Figure 4: PV power plant scheme

An example of an installed PV facility is shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5: Example of a single axis tracking photovoltaic (PV) solar power plant

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Figure 6: Example of PV Solar power facility’s tracker view. 3.2 Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) facilities The other technology types will be one of the following two alternatives; either 2 x 100 MW Concentrating Solar Power Parabolic Trough Developments or 2 x 100 MW Concentrating Solar Power Tower Developments. ACWA Power would like to have the flexibility of bidding for either one of these technology options in the next bid window of the REIPPP Programme. 3.2.1 CSP Parabolic Trough The CSP Parabolic Trough (PT) facility is a solar thermal power plant which is an electricity generation system based on a low temperature Rankine cycle with intermediate reheating that uses solar thermal energy primarily obtained from a system of concentration of solar radiation with parabolic capturing technology. The general position of the CSP Parabolic Trough power plant is shown in Figure 3. The CSP PT is one technology alternative (although the design is site specific) and will have an export capacity of up to 100MW to the Eskom national grid. The most elementary systems that make up the plant described in the bullet list below and shown in Figure 7 are: a solar field, thermal storage system which uses salts as thermal fluid, the Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF) system, the power island and the Balance of Plant (BoP) systems. A solar field, consisting of hundreds or potentially thousands of solar collector assemblies, will convert solar energy into electrical energy. The solar field will have a footprint of 117 ha. The solar field is made up of a modular array of single-axis-tracking parabolic trough solar collectors that will be mounted on steel or concrete piles, usually aligned on a north-south horizontal axis. Each solar collector assembly is independently tracking from the adjacent collector. See Figure 7 which shows a scheme of a parabolic trough loop which has solar field piping, absorber tube and reflector.

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Figure 7: Scheme of a parabolic trough loop  Thermal energy storage system is based on molten salts as a thermal fluid and a steam cycle. The main function of the salt system is to store thermal energy to extend the operation of the plant during non-radiation hours by providing thermal energy when there is not enough solar energy available to run the plant at full load.  The Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF) System is a thermal oil system which receives and transfers the Solar Energy obtained in the Solar Field to the Water-Steam Cycle and the Thermal Storage System.  The steam generation system is made up of two systems running at 50% capacity each; steam is produced and sent to the turbine to generate electricity. The system is made up of shell and tube heat exchangers where the thermal oil transfers its heat into the water/steam.  The Balance of Plant (BoP) systems are a steam turbine, steam and bypass system, and auxiliary steam system, condensation system, and feed water system.  A power island which receives thermal oil which is transferred along the solar field by the solar field HTP system.

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Figure 8: CSP Parabolic trough scheme

The following associated infrastructure is also required:  Cabling to be lain underground to connect the parabolic trough infrastructure;  A new power line which will connect the facility into the national grid via Eskom’s existing Garona Substation;  Water pipeline (potentially up to 20km in length) extending from the Orange River to the project site; *Note: the water pipeline will be constructed within a 50m buffer strip which belongs to the Bokpoort I project company. An agreement signed by the Bokpoort I project company shall be submitted as proof thereof.  Raw water storage reservoir/tank;  Storm water impoundment basin;  Firewater tank;  Evaporation pond;  Sewage disposal field and septic tank;  Water pumps;  Internal access roads (4 – 6m wide roads will be constructed but existing roads will be used as far as possible) and fencing (approximately 3m in height);  Associated buildings, including a workshop area for maintenance, storage (i.e. fuel tanks, etc.), temporary staff accommodation, ablution facilities and offices;  Electrical plant;  Control and instrumentation system; and  Auxiliary and ancillary system.

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Figure 9: Example of a CSP parabolic trough facility 3.2.2 CSP Towers The general position of the CSP Tower power plant is shown in Figure 3. The CSP tower technology involves capturing solar radiation using a set of dual-axis mirrors (Heliostats) that track the sun, and concentrate the reflected sunlight on to the receivers or recovery units located at the top of the tower. Technically speaking, the CSP Tower is a 100 MWe Net Solar Thermal Power Plant that will deploy the CSP Central Receiver Tower technology, utilising molten salt as the heat transfer fluid and storage medium and sun-tracking heliostat mirrors to receive and reflect the Direct Normal Irradiation (DNI) to the central receiver mounted on a tower. An example of a developed CSP Tower is shown in Figure 10.

Figure 10: Example of a Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) Tower

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The CSP Tower is a technology alternative (although the design is site specific), which will have an export capacity of up to 100MW to the Eskom National Grid. Infrastructure used in the CSP Tower is outlined below:  Power Plant: . Power tower with a central receiver located on the top of a concrete tower.

. Receiver system (mounted on the tower) consisting of a cylindrical tube wall heat exchanger with associated components (e.g. piping, valves and fittings) that receives solar energy from the heliostat field and transfers it to molten salt, increasing the salt temperature from 288o C to 565o C. After absorbing solar energy, the hot molten salts are pumped to the thermally insulated Hot Molten Salt Storage Tank for storage until the energy is required to generate superheated steam.

. Heliostat Solar Field comprises of thousands of two-axis tracking mirrors called heliostats. The heliostats are positioned in specific geometric arrangements, typically in a radial stagger pattern. Each heliostat consists of a typically rectangular or circular concentrator mounted on a pylon with a two-axis tracking unit. During the day, the tracking unit is operated to ensure that the heliostat reflector surfaces are always oriented in such a way that they reflect direct solar radiation onto a central receiver installed on a tower top. The size of footprint of the solar field is to be determined. Mounting structures for the dual-axis mirrors to be either rammed steel piles or piles with pre- manufactured concrete footings to support the mirrors;

. Molten Salt System (MSS) is a closed loop thermodynamic system using nitrate salt1 as a heat transfer and thermal energy storage medium. The main function of the MSS is to convert the concentrated solar flux collected by the collection system into thermal energy by increasing the temperature of molten nitrate salt flowing through the receiver; the hot salt is stored in an insulated tank (hot tank) and pumped through a series of salt-steam heat exchangers to produce steam to power the turbo-generator. After passing through the heat exchangers, the cold salt is returned to the cold storage tank. The MSS includes the receiver, the insulated Hot and Cold Molten Salt Storage Tanks, the Molten Salt Pumps, the Steam Generator System and the instrumentation and controls necessary for operation and monitoring the health/status of the systems. It also includes all associated civil works, buildings, steel structures, electrical systems and protection systems.

. Steam turbine and generator;

. Air cooled condenser;

. Auxiliary systems and facilities;

. Control System; and

. Electrical systems.

To summarise, the receiver absorbs and transfers the impinging thermal energy to increase the temperature of the molten salt, which will be first stored in the Thermal Energy Storage System, also referred to as Molten Salt System (MSS), and subsequently directed to the Steam Generator System to generate steam to power the Turbo-Generator (coupled Steam and Electric Generator) and produce electricity. The MSS will enable power generation during periods of low solar radiation. See Figure 11 for a general representation of the overall systems of the plant’s Molten Salt Power System.

1 The nitrate salt is a mixture of sodium nitrate (NaNO3, 60 % of the mixture) and potassium nitrate (KNO3, 40 % of the mixture), which is stable in contact with air and has low vapour pressure.

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Figure 11: Molten Salt Power System Schematic

Associated Infrastructure includes:  Internal access roads (4 – 6m wide roads will be constructed but existing roads will be used as far as possible) and fencing (approximately 3m in height);  Associated buildings, including a workshop area for maintenance, storage (i.e. fuel tanks, etc.); and offices  Water pipeline (potentially up to 20km in length) extending from the Orange River to the project site. *Note: the water pipeline will be constructed within a 50m buffer strip which belongs to the Bokpoort I project company. An agreement signed by the Bokpoort I project company shall be submitted as proof thereof.  Water storage tanks;  Evaporation ponds;  Auxiliary fossil fuel boilers;  Lay down and assembly area;  Raw water storage reservoir/tank;  Storm water impoundment basin;  Firewater tank;  Sewage disposal field and septic tank;  Cabling to be lain underground where practical to connect the CSP tower to the panels; and  A new power line which will connect the facility into the national grid via the existing Eskom’s Garona Substation.

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3.3 Listed activities triggered The NEMA EIA Regulations, 2014 GN R.983, 984, and 985 listed activities associated with the project are indicated in Table 5.

Table 6: NEMA 2014 Listed activities triggered Listed activity as described in GN Description of project activity that triggers Applicable to R.983, 984 and 985 listed activity – if activities in GN R. 985 are which solar triggered, indicate the triggering criteria as technology described in the second column of GN R. 983 type GN R. 983 Item 9: The development The proposed development will require facilities or CSP trough of infrastructure exceeding 1000 infrastructure exceeding 1000 metres in length for and tower metres in length for the bulk the bulk transportation of water from the Orange transportation of water or storm water River with a peak throughput of 120 litres per (ii) with a peak throughput of 120 litres second or more. per second or more

GN R. 983 Item 11: The development Electrical transmission lines will be constructed PV, of facilities or infrastructure for the within this activity’s kilovolt capacity threshold to CSP trough transmission and distribution of connect the 75 MW PV facility to the existing and tower electricity Eskom Garona Substation located on the (i) outside urban areas or industrial remainder of the Farm Bokpoort 390. complexes with a capacity of more than 33 but less than 275 kilovolts. GN R. 983 Item 12: The development The proposed development of the 75 MW PV PV, of: facility will require the construction of channels, CSP trough (ii). Channels exceeding 100 square buildings and/or infrastructure within 32 metres of and tower metres in size; the watercourse (i.e. Orange River) and will not exceed of this activity’s threshold. (x). buildings exceeding 100 square metres in size; or (xi). Infrastructure or structures with a physical footprint of 100 square metres or more, Where such development occurs within a watercourse or, if no development setback exists, within 32 metres of a watercourse, measured from the edge of a watercourse GN R. 983 Item 13: The development The facilities or infrastructure for the off stream CSP trough of facilities or infrastructure for the off storage of water may have a combined capacity of and tower stream storage of water, including more than 50 000 cubic metres. The evaporation dams and reservoirs, with a combined ponds and storage reservoir will have a high- capacity 50 000 cubic meters or more. water mark surface area of less than 10 hectares. GN R. 983 Item 14: The development The proposed development will require the PV, of facilities or infrastructure for the storage of fuel for construction vehicles and CSP trough storage, or for the storage and generators on site, the fuel will not exceed a and tower handling, of a dangerous good, where combined capacity of 500 cubic metres. such storage occurs in containers with a combined capacity of 80 but not exceeding 500 cubic metres

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Listed activity as described in GN Description of project activity that triggers Applicable to R.983, 984 and 985 listed activity – if activities in GN R. 985 are which solar triggered, indicate the triggering criteria as technology described in the second column of GN R. 983 type GN R. 983 Item 19: The infilling or Infilling and removal of soil material will take place PV, depositing of any material of more within 32m of a watercourse (Orange River) CSP trough than 5 cubic metres into, or the during the construction phase for the water pump and tower dredging, excavation, removal or and water pipeline installation. moving of soil, sand, shells, shell grit, pebbles or rock from (i). a watercourse GN R. 983 Item 25: The development The evaporation ponds included in the CSP trough and related operation of facilities or development of the project will store water from and tower infrastructure for the treatment of the steam cycle. effluent, wastewater or sewage with a daily throughput capacity of more than 2000 cubic metres but less than 15000 cubic metres. GN R. 983 Item 28: Residential, The development of the proposed project will PV, mixed, retail, commercial, industrial or occur outside an urban area and the total land to CSP trough institutional developments where such be developed is greater than 1 hectare in size. and tower land was used for agriculture or afforestation on or after 01 April 1998 and where such development: (ii) will occur outside an urban area, where the total land to be developed is bigger than 1 hectare. GN R. 983 Item 56: The widening of a The proposed development will require the PV, road by more than 6 metres, or the construction of roads of approximately 6m in width CSP trough lengthening of a road by more than 1 falling within a sensitive and critical biodiversity and tower kilometre – area (i.e. Orange River) where no reserve exists, where the existing road is wider than 8 metres. GN R. 984 Item 1: The development The maximum electricity generation of the PV, of facilities or infrastructure for the proposed photovoltaic facility is 75 MW and does CSP trough generation of electricity from a not occur within an urban area. and tower renewable resource where the electricity output is 20 megawatts or more, excluding where such development facilities or infrastructure is for photovoltaic installations and occurs within an urban area. GN R. 984 Item 5: The development The proposed activity will require a nitrogen plant CSP trough and related operation of facilities or (or Pressure Swing Absorption) that will be used and tower infrastructure for the refining, to generate nitrogen through in-taking of air which extraction or processing of gas, oil or will be used inside salt tanks to prevent fire. petroleum products with an installed Nitrogen is used as a fire blanket and nitrogen is capacity of 50 cubic metres or more pumped into tanks to prevent fires. per day.

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Listed activity as described in GN Description of project activity that triggers Applicable to R.983, 984 and 985 listed activity – if activities in GN R. 985 are which solar triggered, indicate the triggering criteria as technology described in the second column of GN R. 983 type GN R. 984 Item 7: The development The nitrogen produced in the nitrogen plant will be CSP trough and related operation of facilities or used inside the salt tanks to prevent fires. and tower infrastructure for the bulk transportation of dangerous goods- in gas form, outside an industrial complex, using pipelines, exceeding 1000 metres in length, with a throughput capacity of more than 700 tons per day. GN R. 984 Item 11: The development The proposed development will require the CSP trough of facilities or infrastructure for the development of facilities or infrastructure for the and tower transfer of 50 000 cubic metres or transfer of 50 000m3 per day or more of water more water per day, from and to or from a water catchment between any combination of the following: water catchments, water treatment works; or impounds, excluding treatment works where water is to be treated for drinking purposes. GN R. 984 Item 15: The clearance of The development of the proposed project will PV, an area of 20 hectares or more of require the clearance of more than 20 hectares of CSP trough indigenous vegetation. indigenous vegetation within a sensitive and and tower critical biodiversity area. GN R. 985 Item 4: The development The proposed development will require the PV, of a road wider than 4 metres with a construction of roads of approximately 6m in width CSP trough reserve less than 13.5 metres falling within a sensitive and critical biodiversity and tower (a). Northern Cape Province area (i.e. Orange River) (ii). Outside urban areas (cc). Sensitive areas as identified in an environmental management framework as contemplated in chapter 5 of the Act and as adopted by the competent authority (ee). Critical biodiversity areas as identified in systematic biodiversity plans adopted by the competent authority or in bioregional plans GN R. 985 Item 12: The clearance of The development of the proposed project will PV, an area of 300 square metres or more require the clearance of 300 square metres or CSP trough of indigenous vegetation except where more of indigenous vegetation. and tower such clearance of indigenous vegetation is required for maintenance purposes undertaken in accordance with a maintenance management plan. (a). Northern Cape Province

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4.0 LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT This section provides a brief overview of both the national and international requirements that must be met by this project. It includes international conventions and agreements, as well as the IFC Standards and the Equator Principles. 4.1 South African legislation 4.1.1 National Environmental Management Act In terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA), as amended and the EIA Regulations, 2014, an application for environmental authorisation for certain listed activities must be submitted to either the provincial environmental authority, or the national authority (Department of Environmental Affairs, DEA), depending on the types of activities being applied for (see 4.1.2 below).

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The current EIA regulations, GN R.982, GN R.983, GN R.984 and GN R.985, promulgated in terms of Sections 24(5), 24M and 44 of the NEMA and subsequent amendments, commenced on 08 December 2014. GN R.983 lists those activities for which a Basic Assessment is required, GN R.984 lists the activities requiring a full EIA (Scoping and Impact Assessment phases) and GN R.985 lists certain activities and competent authorities in specific identified geographical areas. GN R.982 defines the EIA processes that must be undertaken to apply for Environmental Authorisation. The listed activities that are applicable to this project are discussed in Section 3.3. 4.1.2 National Environmental Management: Waste Act The National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008 (Act 59 of 2008) (NEMWA) was implemented on 1 July 2009 and section 20 of the Environment Conservation Act 73 of 1989, under which waste management was previously governed, was repealed. One of the main objectives of the NEMWA is to reform the law regulating waste management in order to protect health and the environment by providing reasonable measures for the prevention of pollution and ecological degradation and for securing ecologically sustainable development and to provide for:  National norms and standards for regulating the management of waste by all spheres of government;  Specific waste management measures;  The licensing and control of waste management activities;  The remediation of contaminated land; to provide for the national waste information system; and  Compliance and enforcement; In terms of the NEMWA, certain waste management activities must be licensed and in terms of Section 44 of the Act, the licensing procedure must be integrated with an environmental impact assessment process in accordance with the EIA Regulations promulgated in terms of the NEMA. Government Notice 921, which was published in Government Gazette No. 37083, on 29 November 2013 and implemented with immediate effect, lists the waste management activities that require licensing. A distinction is made between Category A waste management activities, which require a Basic Assessment, and Category B activities, which require a full EIA (Scoping followed by Impact Assessment). 4.1.3 National Water Act The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) (NWA) is the primary legislation regulating both the use of water and the pollution of water resources. It is applied and enforced by the Department of Water Affairs (DWA). Section 19 of the National Water Act regulates pollution, which is defined as “the direct or indirect alteration of the physical, chemical or biological properties of a water resource so as to make it:  less fit for any beneficial purpose for which it may reasonably be expected to be used; or  harmful or potentially harmful to - . the welfare, health or safety of human beings;

. any aquatic or non-aquatic organisms;

. the resource quality; or

. property.

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The persons held responsible for taking measures to prevent pollution from occurring, recurring or continuing include persons who own, control, occupy or use the land. This obligation or duty of care is initiated where there is any activity or process performed on the land (either presently or in the past) or any other situation which could lead or has led to the pollution of water.

The following measures are prescribed in the section 19(2) of the NWA to prevent pollution:  cease, modify or control any act or process causing the pollution;  comply with any prescribed standard or management practice;  contain or prevent the movement of pollutants;  eliminate any source of the pollution;  remedy the effects of pollution; and  remedy the effects of any disturbance to the bed or banks of a watercourse. Section 21 of the NWA lists the water uses for which a water use licence (WUL) is required. ACWA intends to abstract water from the Orange River to provide water to the project area through 20km a water pipeline which will most likely be placed within the existing Bokpoort I water pipeline servitude. The exact amount of water to be used is currently under investigation as the amount of water to be used is influenced by the technology choice for the solar development. Other water infrastructure to be used is described in Section 3.1 and 3.2 In terms of the NWA, water uses include the following activities:

(a) Taking water from a water resource;

(b) Storing water;

(d) Engaging in a stream flow reduction activity contemplated in section 36;

(e) Engaging in a controlled activity identified as such in section 37(1) or declared under section 38(1);

(f) Discharging waste or water containing waste into a water resource through a pipe, canal, sewer, sea outfall or other conduit;

(g) Disposing of waste in a manner which may detrimentally impact on a water resource;

(h) Disposing in any manner of water which contains waste from or which has been heated in, any industrial or power generation process;

(i) Altering the bed, banks, course or characteristics of a watercourse:

(j) Removing, discharging or disposing of water found underground if it is necessary for the efficient continuation of an activity or for the safety of people; and

(k) Using water for recreational purposes.

In addition, any development proposed within or within 500m of a watercourse requires a WUL.

For the purposes of the Renewable Energy Procurement process, a non-binding letter of confirmation is required from the DWS in lieu of an actual WUL, on the premise that a WUL would be applied for and obtained from the Department upon the project applicant being identified as a preferred bidder in the procurement process.

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4.1.4 National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 The National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 governs the management of heritage resources which are of cultural significance. The South African Heritage Resources Agency is the national body responsible for the protection of South Africa’s cultural heritage resources. 4.1.5 Electricity Regulation Act 4 of 2006 as amended by the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act 28 of 2007 These regulations regulate the use and generation of electricity. 4.1.6 Other policies, plans and guideline documents Other policies, municipal plans and guideline documents that are relevant to the project are listed below:  Guidelines published in terms of the NEMA EIA Regulations;  National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act (NEMBA) (Act 10 of 2004);  Electricity Act (Act 41 of 1987);  Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (Act 2 of 2000);  Civil Aviation Act (Act 13 of 2009) and Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR) of 1997;  Civil Aviation Authority Act (Act 40 of 1998);  White Paper on Renewable Energy (2003);  Integrated Resource Plan for South Africa (2010);  Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (Act No. 43 of 1983);  Astronomy Geographic Advantage (Act 21 of 2007);  Land Use Planning Ordinance (Ordinance 15 of 1985); and  National Road Traffic Act (Act No. 93 of 1996). 4.2 Key authorities for the EIA application The DEA will be the decision-making authority for the environmental authorisation process, which is being undertaken in terms of the NEMA.

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is the authority responsible for issuing WULs, however this EIA will not be integrated with a WUL process as specific detail on the solar development water uses will only be known once the applicant has completed the bidding process with the Department of Energy.

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4.3 International Conventions and Agreements Relevant environmental and social international conventions and agreements to which South Africa is a party are presented in Table 7.

Table 7: Relevant international conventions to which South Africa is a party South African Convention Summary of objectives or relevant conditions Status Develop strategies, plans or programs for conservation Convention on Biological and sustainable use of biological diversity or adapt for this Diversity Party to. purpose existing strategies, plans or programs which shall (29 December 1993) reflect, inter alia, the measures set out in this Convention. Convention on Wetlands of International To stem the progressive encroachment and loss of Party to. Importance (Ramsar) wetlands now and in the future. (21 December 1975) To further reduce greenhouse gas emissions by enhancing United Nations the national programs of developed countries aimed at this Framework Convention goal and by establishing percentage reduction targets for on Climate Change the developed countries and through the clean Party to. - Kyoto Protocol (23 development mechanism (CDM) (where developed February 2005) countries can invest in developing country clean technology to offset emissions). Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete Calculated levels of consumption and production of CFCs Party to. the Ozone Layer must not exceed the stipulated thresholds. (1 January 1989) United Nations Convention to Combat To combat desertification and mitigate the effects of Party to. Desertification drought through national action programs. (26 December 1996) Protection of the climate system: Operations must protect United Nations the climate system by controlling greenhouse gases not Framework Convention controlled by the Montreal Protocol, which cause climate Party to. on Climate Change (21 change through anthropogenic interference with the March 1994) climate system. * Sources: United States Central Intelligence Agency World Fact book (www.cia.gov/library/publications/the- world-factbook/index.html) Stockholm Convention on This convention seeks to ban the production and use of Persistent Organic persistent organic chemicals but allow the use of some of Party to. Pollutants (POPs) these banned substances, such as DDT, for vector control. (17 May 2004) Control of hazardous and radioactive waste: the operation The Fourth ACP-EEC must be aware that international law emphasizes strict Convention 15 December control of hazardous waste and compliance with domestic Party to. 1989 (Lome) legislation in this regard. It also seeks to prohibit imports and exports of such substances.

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South African Convention Summary of objectives or relevant conditions Status Convention concerning the Protection of the Ensuring the identification, protection, conservation, World Cultural and presentation and transmission to future generations of the Ratification. Natural Heritage 1972 cultural and natural heritage (Paris) Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Promote shared responsibility and cooperative efforts Consent Procedure for among Parties in the international trade of certain Certain Hazardous Party to. hazardous chemicals in order to protect human health and Chemicals and Pesticides the environment from potential harm in International Trade (24 February 2004)

4.4 International Standards 4.4.1 International Finance Corporation Performance Standards ACWA is committed to complying with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards (PS) on social and environmental sustainability. These were developed by the IFC and were last updated on 1st January 2012. The overall objectives of the IFC PS are:  To fight poverty;  To do no harm to people or the environment;  To fight climate change by promoting low carbon development;  To respect human rights;  To promote gender equity;  To provide information prior to project development, free of charge and free of external manipulation;  To collaborate with the project developer to achieve the PS;  To provide advisory services; and  To notify countries of any Transboundary impacts as a result of a Project. The PS comprise of eight performance standards namely:  Performance Standard 1: Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts;  Performance Standard 2: Labour and Working Conditions;  Performance Standard 3: Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention;  Performance Standard 4: Community Health, Safety and Security;  Performance Standard 5: Land Acquisition and Involuntary Resettlement;  Performance Standard 6: Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources;

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 Performance Standard 7: Indigenous Peoples; and  Performance Standard 8: Cultural Heritage. The PS framework is presented in Figure 12. Performance Standard 1 establishes the importance of:

(i) integrated assessment to identify the social and environmental impacts, risks, and opportunities of projects; (ii) effective community engagement through disclosure of project-related information and consultation with local communities on matters that directly affect them; and (iii) the management of social and environmental performance throughout the life of a project through an effective Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS). PS 1 is the overarching standard to which all the other standards relate. The ESMS should be designed to incorporate the aspects of PS 2 to 8 as applicable.

Performance Standards 2 through 8 establish specific requirements to avoid, reduce, mitigate or compensate for impacts on people and the environment, and to improve conditions where appropriate. While all relevant social and environmental risks and potential impacts should be considered as part of the assessment, Performance Standards 2 through 8 describe potential social and environmental impacts that require particular attention in emerging markets. Where social or environmental impacts are anticipated, the developer is required to manage them through its Social and Environmental Management System consistent with Performance Standard 1.

IFC PS 1 – Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts

and

Living

and

Safety and

People

Working

Heritage

Health,

Efficiency

and Conservation

Prevention Resettlement

Resources

Security Acquisition

Management Conditions

Cultural and

Indigenous

Labour Land

7: Resource Natural

2: 5: Pollution Community

PS 3: PS

Involuntary PS 4: PS

6:Biodiversity PS

PS Sustainable PS

Figure 12: The IFC PS Framework

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4.4.2 Equator Principles The Equator Principles (EPs) is a credit risk management framework for determining, assessing and managing environmental and social risk in Project Finance transactions. Project Finance is often used to fund the development and construction of major infrastructure and industrial projects.

The EPs are adopted by financial institutions and are applied where total project capital costs exceed US$10 million. The EPs are primarily intended to provide a minimum standard for due diligence to support responsible risk decision-making.

The EPs are based on the IFC PS 2012 and on the World Bank Group Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines (EHS Guidelines).

The Equator Principles Financial Institutions (EPFIs) have consequently adopted these Principles in order to ensure that the projects they finance are developed in a manner that is socially responsible and reflect sound environmental management practices.

EPFIs will only provide loans to projects that conform to the following principles:  Principle 1: Review and Categorisation;  Principle 2: Social and Environmental Assessment;  Principle 3: Applicable Social and Environmental Standards;  Principle 4: Action plan and Management;  Principle 5: Consultation and Disclosure;  Principle 6: Grievance Mechanism;  Principle 7: Independent review;  Principle 8: Covenants;  Principle 9: Independent Monitoring and Reporting; and  Principle 10: EPFI Reporting. 4.4.3 The World Bank Group Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Guidelines The EHS Guidelines (World Bank Group, 2007) are technical reference documents with general and industry specific (i.e. mining) examples of Good International Industry Practice (GIIP). Reference to the EHS guidelines is required under IFC PS 3. The EHS Guidelines contain the performance levels and measures normally acceptable to the IFC and are generally considered to be achievable in new facilities at reasonable cost. When host country regulations differ from the levels and measures presented in the EHS Guidelines, Projects are expected to achieve whichever standard is more stringent. 5.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT THAT MAY BE AFFECTED AND THE BASELINE CONDITIONS This section describes the biophysical and socio-economic environment that may be affected and the baseline conditions which are likely to be affected by the proposed solar development. An authorised EIA

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study for a concentrated solar thermal power plant project2 (referred to as the Bokpoort I EIA) and additional studies referenced in section 13.0 References were used to compile the subsections below. A summary of the affected environment is provided and more detailed studies focused on significant environmental aspects of the development will be provided during the impact assessment phase. A detailed site selection and sensitivity analysis were conducted for the Bokpoort I EIA and it was indicated that the project area for the Bokpoort II development is in a preferred and acceptable developable area. A comprehensive Environmental Management Programme (EMPr) is to be developed and implemented to mitigate and minimise the impacts during the construction and operational phases. The EIA will investigate the impacts summarised in the baseline sections below. 5.1 Physical Environment 5.1.1 Regional climate Rainfall is scarce and generally between 260 and 340mm per year, while evaporation is extremely high, due to the high temperatures, which can reach 35 - 40o C in summer. Daily average summer temperatures range between 240 C and 260 C with winter temperatures ranging between 110 C and 130 C. Humidity is highest during the winter months. 5.1.2 Air quality Google Earth satellite imagery was used to identify sensitive receptors to potential air pollutant emissions. A sensitive receptor is a person or place where involuntary exposure to pollutants by the proposed development could occur. The main sensitive receptors identified are residential areas and their respective proximity to the centre point of the project site include: Wegdraai (~21km southwest), Groblershoop (~22km south), Boegoeberg (~40km south-southeast), and Upington (~70km west-northwest). There is one settlement (~14km southwest) from the centre point of the project site. Additionally the Bokpoort I solar development is currently under construction and is located in the southern portion of the Remaining Extent of Bokpoort 390. The air quality baseline3 within the proposed project area was based on MM54 meteorological data from January 2005 to December 2009. The data was modelled to determine the atmospheric dispersion potential of the area. Existing sources of air pollution surrounding the site include dust and vehicle emissions from the construction of the Bokpoort I site. During the operation of the Bokpoort I site, dust and vehicle emissions will be reduced and limited to vehicles travelling along the gravel access road to the site. Other air pollution sources are from agricultural activities, domestic fuel burning and occasional veld fires. The baseline air quality, generally speaking is better than national standards give the sparsely populated area with short duration of emissions from the air pollutants identified in the area. In general, the Bokpoort II site experiences neutral (Class D) to stable (Class E) atmospheric conditions. This is expected given the predominance of a high-pressure anticyclone over South Africa which produces stable, clear conditions. The analysis of the meteorological data showed that winds originate predominately from the north-north east (10% of the time) and north (9% of the time). Over the monitoring period moderate to fast winds are generally recorded. Winds speeds less than 0.5m/s or calm winds occur infrequently (4% of the time). Diurnal trends in the wind field show that during the day-time (06:00 – 18:00) moderate to fast winds originate predominately from the westerly and northerly directions. During night calmer winds were reported. Emissions released from the proposed site will likely travel predominately in a south-south-westerly and southerly direction.

2 Environmental Impact Assessment for a Proposed 75 MW Concentrating Solar Thermal Power Plant and Associated Infrastructure in the Siyanda District, Northern Cape. 2011. DEA Reference number: 12/12/20/1920. 3 Air Quality Impact Assessment. Air Quality Unit at SSI Engineers and Environmental Consultants for the Environmental Impact Assessment for a Proposed 75 MW Concentrating Solar Thermal Power Plant and Associated Infrastructure in the Siyanda District, Northern Cape. 2011. DEA Reference number: 12/12/20/1920. 4 MM5 stands for Fifth-Generation Penn State/ NCAR Mesoscale Model) and is a regional mesoscale model used for creating weather forecasts and climate projections.

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Additionally an emissions inventory was compiled to estimate emissions of a proposed 11.5 MW boiler which is to be installed during the construction of the Bokpoort I solar development. This boiler will be designed to mitigate any potential air pollution and will be monitored regularly. The boiler will only operate 6 months in a year. The boiler will operate on diesel or LPG gas. Emission rates for the proposed boiler were calculated using the USEPA AP-42 emission factors for Fuel Oil Combustion and LPG Combustion. Dispersion modelling simulations for the boiler were undertaken using the AERMOD dispersion model and are were presented graphically as isopleth plots. Comparison with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards was made to determine compliance. The comparison showed that maximum hourly, daily and annual average concentrations are low and fall well below the National standards for all modelled pollutants at the Bokpoort I EIA site. Furthermore, the comparison revealed that the neighbouring farmhouse will not be influenced by elevated pollutant concentrations due to emissions from the Bokpoort I boiler to be installed. The Bokpoort II project may also use a boiler and specifics of the technology and its potential impact will be updated in the EIA. However, the boiler operating on a fossil fuel will emit some NOx emissions. The CSP solar technology will require a nitrogen plant (Pressure Swing Absorption) that will be used to extract nitrogen from air, for use as a fire blanket inside the salt tanks. There are no anticipated nitrogen emissions that will be released into the atmosphere through the use of this technology. The proposed boiler operating on a fossil fuel will emit some NOx emissions but it is anticipated this will be within the national standards limits. There will be no emissions into the atmosphere other than exhaust emissions and dust associated with the construction and operational phases of the solar development. Potential Air Quality Impacts Air quality is expected to be minimally impacted by vehicle emissions and dust on the main access road and at the project site during construction. The impact will be short term as it will be greatly reduced during the operational phase. There will be combustion gases emitted by the auxiliary power generation system during operation. 5.1.3 Noise The existing baseline noise sources5 at the project area include:  Construction activities for the Bokpoort I solar development (e.g. vehicular traffic, heavy equipment moving, machinery used to install the solar facility, workers at work);  Traffic on the access roads to Farm Bokpoort 390;  Railroad traffic from the Saldanha- Sishen line which runs through the centre of the Farm Bokpoort 390;  Eskom Garona Substation;  Noise from general farming operations; and  Fans from refrigeration units at various wineries. Sensitive receptors are located primarily in residential areas as indicated in section 5.1.2. The project area is remote, it is located away from the main roads and other farms along the banks of the Orange River and so the baseline noise levels are low, typical of a rural/agricultural noise environment. Noise climates are degraded in areas close to the National Road N10 and National Road N8/Road R64 as well as by the Sishen railway line. The nearest settlements are Groblershoop and Wegdraai which experience noise levels typical of urban areas. The existing residual noise climate throughout the study area is typical of a rural/agricultural environment as defined in SANS 10103:2008, that is, an area where ambient

5 Noise Impact Assessment. Jongens Keet Associates using specialists Mr Derek Cosijn and Dr Erica Cosijn. 2010. For the Environmental Impact Assessment for a Proposed 75 MW Concentrating Solar Thermal Power Plant and Associated Infrastructure in the Siyanda District, Northern Cape. 2011. DEA Reference number: 12/12/20/1920.

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noise levels generally do not exceed 45dBA during the day and generally do not exceed 35dBA during the night-time. Potential Noise Impacts Construction phase activities are likely to temporarily increase noise levels due to vehicle movements, equipment and employees. During the operation phase of the Bokpoort I solar development the predicted noise sources will be the cooling fans at the power block, the pumps, the power generating unit, and the movement of the Heliostats of the CSP Tower that will track the sun . The cooling fans are anticipated to be the loudest noise source with noise levels ranging between 52.5 dBA at 1 000m from the plant to 32.6 dBA at 5 000m from the site. 5.1.4 Topography The elevation of the project site ranges from the highest point of 1 110m located at the southeast corner of the Bokpoort Farm to the lowest point of around 950m. The general project area is relatively flat and can be characterised by dunes (parallel crests) and lowlands toward the northern region, and irregular plains in the southern region. The project area slopes toward the Orange River in a south-eastern direction. Part of the Korannaberg foothills is located in the extreme northern section of the study area, comprising a small section of the site, characterized by the presence of boulders, high slopes and mountainous topography. 5.1.5 Geology The geology of the area is generally characterised by the metamorphosed sediments and volcanics intruded by granites and is known as the Namaqualand Metamorphic Province. The proposed plant site is situated on red-brown windblown sands of the Gordonia Formation, Kalahari Group. Dune ridges occur in the northern portions of the site and are characterised by NNW-SSE orientation. Calcrete outcrops occur approximately 2km west and southwest from the Garona Substation. 5.1.6 Soils, land-use and land capability The Farm Bokpoort 390 has soil types6 that largely consist of red and yellow sand of the Hutton (Hu) form with occasional dunes. Additionally, there are smaller areas of shallow lithosols of the Mispha (Ms) and Hutton forms along with rock. Given the hot and dry climatic conditions and the rapid drainage of the soil types and occasional occurrence of dunes, the agricultural potential of the soils are low. The only areas indicated as high potential, falling outside of the project area footprint, are in the alluvial zones close to the Orange River, where irrigation is also used. Domestic livestock grazing (cattle, sheep and game) occurs at the farm. Potential Soils and Land Use Impacts The total project footprint of the solar development is to be determined in the EIA. The land use will change from grazing land to solar energy production. The site will be cleared of all vegetation during the construction phase and top soil will be subjected to wind erosion, possibly resulting in displacement. Equipment such as tanks, steam generator and pumps may leak and pollute the soil resource, however appropriate mitigation measures will be implemented. The transformers and vehicles may also pollute the soil through oil leakage. Panel breakages could result in foreign materials deposited on the soil. 5.1.7 Surface water The Orange River located west and southwest of the project area is the predominant perennial surface water feature in the vicinity of the proposed development. This section of the river falls in the Lower Orange Water Management Area (LOWMA). The Orange River is main source of water for the Mgcawu (previously referred to as the Siyanda) District and !Kheis Local Municipality. The Mgcawu District Environmental Management Framework cited that the evaporation rate in the LOWMA is estimated at 3000mm which is much higher than the Mean Annual Rainfall. The banks of the Orange River are heavily used for irrigated agriculture.

6 Soils and Agricultural Potential 2006. ARC-Institute for Soil, Climate and Water (ARC-ISCW) databases. For the Environmental Impact Assessment for a Proposed 75 MW Concentrating Solar Thermal Power Plant and Associated Infrastructure in the Siyanda District, Northern Cape. 2011. DEA Reference number: 12/12/20/1920.

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The hydrological assessment conducted for the Bokpoort I EIA and satellite imagery review indicate that there are no areas of permanent surface water present on the site. Satellite imagery indicates some ephemeral drainage lines in the southern part of the proposed site, but these areas are only expected to contain flowing water during periods of exceptionally high rainfall. There are no significant wetlands, estuaries, Ramsar Sites or major dams present within the immediate vicinity of the study site. One seasonal pan occurs approximately 3km north of the Garona Substation and the Bokpoort I EIA indicates a 200m ‘no development area’ buffer demarcated around the pan. The smaller riparian systems in the region are impacted upon by livestock where natural habitats are grazed intensively. The Orange River’s water quality is categorised as Moderately Transformed (Class C) due to existing agricultural activities along the river banks. The Orange River’s major inflow of water is from the Vaal River which has high nutrient levels which sometimes result in algal blooms. Slow water flow rates also cause siltation and turbidity of the water which leads to water quality degradation within the river. The installation of the Bokpoort II water pump will abstract water from the Orange River, the quantity is to be determined in the EIA. Potential Surface Water Impacts The impact of the water abstraction point at the Orange River will be investigated in the EIA report. The amount of water required for the solar development is to be determined. The impact on the use of surface water for the operation of the facility is anticipated to be low. The abstraction pump will use a liquid fuel for power and could have a chance spill during operation. There may be a slight increase in siltation near the water abstraction pump. There is a chance of hydrocarbon pollution resulting from vehicles during construction and machinery leakages. 5.1.8 Groundwater Baseline groundwater conditions7 for the local aquifer system were assessed to determine the likely risks to the groundwater environment. A desktop study and hydrocensus within a 1km radius surrounding the site were performed. The study showed that the Remaining Extent of the Farm Bokpoort 390 is located in an area of complex pre-Cambrian basement geology, including volcanic, igneous and metamorphic rocks. Groundwater depth is often in excess of 40m. The groundwater is stored and transmitted mainly via secondary features such as fractures, although some intergranular porosity and permeability are present in certain areas. The report stated that there is no significant usage of groundwater in the project area. Additionally, the Bokpoort I solar development will source water from the Orange River at the Shalom Abstraction Point located approximately 3km southwest of the site. There is a fractured aquifer that occurs in the area as indicated on the hydrogeological map. The estimated yield of local aquifers ranges from 0.1 to 0.5 l/s. There are 6 boreholes within a 2km radius around the boundaries of the Remaining Extent of the Farm Bokpoort 390 with an average water level of 41.88m below ground level. It is indicated that these boreholes provide minimal amounts of water for domestic purposes and stock watering. In terms of ground water quality, chemical analysis results were compared with the DWA South African Water Quality Guidelines for Domestic Water Use and the SABS Standards. Groundwater in the area contains elevated levels of electric conductivity. The dominant cations in two of the six sampled boreholes (Borehole 2 and Borehole 5) (map to be included in the EIA) were sodium and calcium and the dominant anions were chloride and sulphates. Furthermore, high concentrations of nitrates were recorded for these samples Borehole 3 had water of good quality with all the determinants falling in class 0 of the DWA standards. From the chemical analysis of the borehole samples it was concluded that the groundwater in the area is of Ca/MgHCO3 to CaMg/SO4 type. There is no predicted impact on the ground water quality through the existing construction operation for Bokpoort 1.

7 Geohydrological Impact Assessment, Groundwater Consulting Services (Pty) Ltd (GCS). 2010. For the Environmental Impact Assessment for a Proposed 75 MW Concentrating Solar Thermal Power Plant and Associated Infrastructure in the Siyanda District, Northern Cape. 2011. DEA Reference number: 12/12/20/1920.

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Potential Groundwater Impacts There are no expected groundwater impacts. 5.2 Biological Environment 5.2.1 Terrestrial ecology There are five biomes in the Northern Cape Province, which are Fynbos, Grassland, Nama Karoo, Savanna and Succulent Karoo 8. The Remaining Extent of the Farm Bokpoort 390 falls within the Kalahari variation of the Savanna Biome and is densely covered by grasses, shrubs and trees. The Savannah Biome is comprised of more than 5,700 plant species. The SANBI database indicated the presence of only 91 species within the ¼ degree grids in which the project area is located (2821DB, DD, 2822CA) which indicates a low knowledge of biodiversity in the area.

A flora assessment site investigation for the biodiversity scoping evaluation was done by Riaan Robbeson of BEC for the Bokpoort I EIA9. This study indicates that the ecological habitat types of the project area are Open Shrub Plains, Open Shrub Duneveld, Calcareous Low Shrub Plains, and small areas of Rocky Outcrops/Foothills. Dewald Kamffer (Faunal Specialists Incorporated, FSI) conducted the faunal assessment for the Bokpoort I EIA. The desktop review and site assessment investigated the presence of invertebrates, herpetofauna and mammals including the occurrence of Red Data species. Faunal habitat sensitivities for the Bokpoort II study area indicate a medium (Calcareous Low Shrub Plains and Open Shrub Duneveld) to medium – low (Open Shrub Plains) sensitivity. Only the Rocky Outcrop/ Foothills habitat indicated a high sensitivity and this area will not be disturbed by the proposed Bokpoort II development. The largest extent of the study area exhibits low and medium ecological sensitivity.

A separate avifauna study for Bokpoort I was completed by Chris van Rooyen Consulting as the impact of the solar development on birds was the most significant. Thirty-four priority bird species and their associated habitat types and conservation status in terms of potential impact by the solar development were presented. The investigation found that there were critically important bird micro-habitats namely: ephemeral drainage lines which drain into the Orange River and seasonal pans, the largest pan being the one located 3km north of the Garona Substation. The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) National Threatened Ecosystems GIS database indicates the project area does not have a threatened ecosystem, however the riparian zone of the Orange River is an endangered ecosystem, see Figure 13. The riparian zone of the Orange River is indicated as a Critical Biodiversity Area in the Terrestrial Critical Biodiversity Areas GIS dataset (Figure 13). The proposed solar development will use a water abstraction pump in the Orange River which will have an associated water pipeline crossing the riparian zone in an existing water pipeline servitude used by the Bokpoort I project. There will be no new footprint for the water pipeline nor water abstraction point. In terms of the Terrestrial Protection level the project area falls within a poorly to hardly protected area. The closest protected area is the Witsand Nature Reserve, which is located roughly 42km from the northern boundary of the Remaining Extent of the Farm Bokpoort 390. Potential Terrestrial Ecology Impacts Plant species are sensitive in the project area due to the low rainfall and poor soils. There will be a negative impact on the vegetation due to the clearance of land. The impacts to vegetation will negatively impact on habitat, and consequently the faunal elements of the receiving environment. Avi-fauna may be negatively impacted upon as a result of collisions with pylons and the CSP Tower reflectivity. A 3m high fence is to be constructed around the solar facility which could obstruct the movement of some fauna.

8 Biodiversity Impact Assessment.) Bathusi Environmental Consultants (BEC). August 2010. For the Environmental Impact Assessment for a Proposed 75 MW Concentrating Solar Thermal Power Plant and Associated Infrastructure in the Siyanda District, Northern Cape. 2011. 9 Biodiversity Impact Assessment.) Bathusi Environmental Consultants (BEC). August 2010. For the Environmental Impact Assessment for a Proposed 75 MW Concentrating Solar Thermal Power Plant and Associated Infrastructure in the Siyanda District, Northern Cape. 2011.

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Figure 13: Cultural and Heritage Sites of Importance and Sensitive Biodiversity Areas

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5.2.2 Aquatic ecology The impact on aquatic ecology was assessed at the proposed abstraction point of the Orange River for the Bokpoort I EIA. EnviRoss CC conducted an aquatic biomonitoring and impact assessment survey of the water abstraction point along a section of the Orange River. The aim of the survey was to ascertain the present ecological state (PES) of the river and the potential aquatic ecological impacts that would result from a development of this nature at the proposed abstraction point. The habitat characterisation for the area near Bokpoort I and II was assessed using the Integrated Habitat Assessment System (IHAS). The IHAS application indicated a good habitat quality. Instream zone habitat and riparian zone habitat integrity scored 85% and 86% and both a Class B when the Index of Habitat Integrity (IHI) was applied. The IHI indicated that the proposed abstraction site presently does not suffer from habitat modification and degraded habitat quality due to anthropogenically induced features. The site is largely representative of an un-impacted habitat. The vastness of the river channel at the site contributes greatly to the significance of any impacts. This was ascertained during a field survey undertaken in June 2010. This study indicated that the species abundance and richness / diversity are rated as low at the proposed abstraction point. The results from the SASS5 survey at the abstraction site showed that the aquatic macroinvertebrate community structures were representative of largely natural conditions. Furthermore, the installation of migratory barriers such as weirs constructed for water abstraction points have the greatest impact on fish abundance and diversity of species. Note that a Final Basic Assessment Report10 dated October 2014 is under review by DEA for an alternative abstraction point (called Shalom) on the Orange River for the Bokpoort I solar development. Potential Aquatic Ecology Impacts The potential aquatic ecological impacts are anticipated to be low. The water pipeline will use an existing disturbed servitude line. The water abstraction pump will have a small localised impact on aquatic fauna due to noise and abstraction of water. 5.3 Human Environment 5.3.1 Social This section summarises the socio-economic baseline with key indicators such as population size and density, household data, education and economic data. !Kheis Municipality, formerly known as Groblershoop Municipality, includes the following settlements: Boegoeberg, Gariep, Grootdrink, Kleinbegin, Opwag, Topline, and Wegdraai. These settlements were previously part of the Siyanda and Karoo District Municipalities. Current socio-economic baseline data indicates that there has been a marginal increase in population (0.06%) in the !Kheis Local Municipality from 2001 to 2011, see Table 8. In the 2011 Census the majority (60.3%) of the total population is of working age, while youth comprise 35% and the elderly (+65) comprise 4.7% of the population. The average population density for the municipality is 1 person per every square kilometre. Table 8: Total population of !Kheis Local Municipality, National Census 1996, 2001, and 2011 Census Year 1996 2001 2011 Total Population 14 950 16 539 16 637

The municipal unemployment rate is high at 28% in the 2011 Census indicating that there are limited formal job opportunities in the municipality. Youth, or persons 35 years or younger, comprise 34.3% of the municipal unemployment rate. In terms of education levels, 13.5% of the municipal population above the age of 20 years has received no formal schooling. Only 4.5% of the population over 20 years old received high

10 Final Basic Assessment Report for the proposed Construction of a 3 km Pipeline and Associated Infrastructure on Portions 0 and 5 of Farm Sand Draai 391 near Upington (Groblershoop) Northern Cape. Oct 2014. DEA Reference Number 14/12/16/3/3/1/1214 Royal Haskoning DHV. DEA Reference number: 12/12/20/1920.

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education, while 14% achieved Matric qualifications. The dominant language spoken in the municipality is Afrikaans (93%). There are 4,146 households in the municipality of which 1,209 are defined as agricultural households in the 2011 Census. The average household size is nearly 4 people per house. Thirty-three present of households are headed by females. Formal dwellings (66.3%) dominate the types of dwellings found in the municipality, but only 27% have flush toilets connected to a reticulated sewerage system and 16.7% have piped water inside their dwellings. Sixty-four percent of the municipal population uses electricity for lighting. On the Remaining Extent of the Farm Bokpoort 390 construction of the Bokpoort I facility is underway and there has been an influx of people and heavy equipment to the south of the project area. The Social Impact Assessment (SIA) in the EIA will focus on the impacts that the project is expected to have on the local social environment and will also look at the long term, indirect social impacts that the proposed Bokpoort II project will have on a regional and even national scale. One of the most obvious positive short term social impacts will be the creation of jobs. Construction activities will create a number of temporary employment opportunities. The construction of the PV plant is expected to take 12 months and the CSP Parabolic Trough and CSP Tower around 30 months.. The construction of each CSP will create 1,000 employment opportunities which will reduce to 80 jobs during the operational phase. The PV plant will require around 300 people for the construction phase reducing to 25 people for the operational phase. Other social impacts will be discussed in the SIA and could include, but not be limited to the increased demand for services, the influx of job seekers, social problems arising from population increase in the area, change in land use, social investment initiatives by ACWA and the effect on sense of place. Potential Social Impacts The news of employment opportunities may result in an influx of workers to the area, thereby impacting existing community networks and perceptions of safety and crime levels. The number of jobs to be created by the development is to be determined and can be viewed as a positive impact. The electricity fed into the Eskom grid through the operation of the solar development, will have a positive impact on meeting the nation’s energy demands. 5.3.2 Archaeology and cultural heritage/sites of cultural/historical importance Figure 13 illustrates the cultural and heritage sites of importance in the project area and surrounds. Scattered artefacts, Middle Stone Age scatter, are found near the Garona Substation near the centre of the Remaining Extent of the Farm Bokpoort 390, approximately S28o43’57”, E21o59’52”. The scattered artefacts were identified in a previous heritage impact assessment11 conducted for the Bokpoort 1 EIA. A destruction permit was applied for in October 2011 and the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) granted permission in November 201212 as these artefacts were deemed insignificant. The artefact material used was meta-quartzite and chalcedony from the local lithic sources. The lithic assemblages found during the investigation seem to be in the form of a general distribution of flakes cores. The impact on the cultural heritage remains located on the Farm Bokpoort will be of minor significance. The stone flakes are sparsely distributed on the surface with the intensity of the distribution being the same at both sites. No other cultural, historical or palaeontological components were found during the investigation, nor were any buildings, graves or burial grounds.

11 Heritage Impact Assessment. C Dreyer. For the Environmental Impact Assessment for a Proposed 75 MW Concentrating Solar Thermal Power Plant and Associated Infrastructure in the Siyanda District, Northern Cape. 2011. 12 SAHRA Permit number 80/11/09/031/51.

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This existing HIA report will need to be updated according to communications with the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) as indicated in the EIA Plan of Study. Potential Archaeological and Heritage Impacts A Phase 1 Heritage Assessment will be done during the EIA to further investigate Middle Stone Age flakes discovered previously at Bokpoort 390. These sites may be disturbed during the construction of the proposed infrastructure. In addition, unmarked graves and/or archaeological artefacts could be unearthed during construction. 5.3.3 Visual aspects A Visual Impact Assessment (VIA) for the Bokpoort I EIA was undertaken and compiled by Dawie van Vuuren from MetroGIS (Pty) Ltd by quantifying and visually representing information related to parameters such as visibility, proximity and visual absorption capacity, measured against the visual quality of the landscape. The landscape in the study area is characterised by open plains and mountain ridges within a semi-arid region. Shrubland and thickets with occasional views of the Orange River and high mountain ridges in the distance are typical of the area. Land use in the study area consists predominantly of agricultural activities within the Orange River floodplain. Small towns occur intermittently along the N10 national road between Groblershoop and Upington. Farmsteads occur in a distinct linear pattern alongside the Orange River. Potentially sensitive viewer locations include places of residence, work, leisure (including tourism), and travelling routes. Tourists are attracted by the Orange River Wine Route as well as other destinations such as the Augrabies National Park. Potential Visual Impacts A visual impact assessment is proposed as the installation of the solar development will change the aesthetics of the project area. Construction activities, dust mobilisation and construction vehicles traversing the proposed site, as well as the presence of new infrastructure will transform the landscape. Given the relative flatness of the project site, the solar facility will be visually prominent from a considerable distance. 5.3.4 Tourism assessment The tourism Impact Assessment was undertaken and compiled by Zengeziwe Msimang in her capacity as a consultant for Grant Thornton Tourism Hospitality and Leisure during 2006 as a specialist component to the 2006 Eskom CSP EIA project. According to the SA Tourism survey (2004) the Northern Cape receives the lowest number of tourists, both foreign and domestic, of all the provinces. It consequently experiences the lowest foreign spending too. The tourism sector in the !Kheis Municipality has not reached its full potential. Currently the Boegoeberg Dam is the most popular tourist attraction in the area, drawing fishing and water sport enthusiasts. Other popular attractions include:  Ezelsklaauw;  Centenary Monument;  Oranjerivier Wine Cellars; and  Water turbine at Winstead Farm. The study area has no established tourism facility in its vicinity. None currently registered conservation areas are impacted on by the proposed site.

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Potential Impacts on Tourism The influx of workers for the construction period and personnel during the operational phase may have a low adverse impact on tourism. The solar development in itself may attract tourists once operational. 5.4 Other Impacts The glint and glare from the heliostats and electromagnetic interference emanating from the CSP tower power plant could interfere with overflying aircraft. An application will be made to the South African Civil Aviation Authority who will assess the impact of this. 6.0 PROJECT MOTIVATION: NEED AND DESIRABILITY 6.1 Need and Desirability for Renewable Energy Facilities The recent power cuts or load shedding by Eskom is an indication that additional energy facilities are needed to deliver power into the national electricity grid highlights the need for and desirability of a renewable energy project, which will not generate greenhouse gas emissions. The fact that the Department of Energy has a Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme is a testament that the government is seeking more independent power producers to meet the country’s ever growing electricity demand. Additionally the Integrated Resource Plan for Electricity 2010-30 being implemented by the Department of Energy, highlights the electricity demand forecasts and Government’s plan to meet this demand, one of which is to implement more renewable energy projects.

The need for solar power technology developments in South Africa has been increasing over the recent years, as it is a means of providing the country with an alternate energy supply, the need for which is directly proportional to the increase in social and economic growth and development within the country. South African citizens are also growing more aware of global issues such as climate change and sustainable development, which also tie into using more "environmentally friendly" methods with which to meet the country's energy requirements.

In the past, most of South Africa's energy demands were met using fossil fuels, mainly coal. South Africa does, however, have the means with which to generate electricity via renewable energy resources, such as solar, wind, hydro, tidal, wave, geothermal, and others. While energy generation via renewable resources is still in the early stages of development in South Africa, Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) technologies have been investigated and identified as a potentially viable means of power generation countrywide.

The Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff or REFIT programme: The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) has proposed this mechanism in order to increase the deployment of renewable energy in the country, and contribute toward the sustained growth of the sector both in the country and internationally. FIT, or Feed-in Tariffs, are where guaranteed prices for electricity supply are implemented, as opposed to conventional consumer tariffs. The reason for this implementation is that the capital costs associated with the construction and development of renewable energy generating facilities is much greater than the equivalent costs associated with the more typical, fossil fuel generation plants' expansion and continued use. Establishing a tariff would cover the cost of the renewable energy generation as well as "reasonable return", which would encourage the developers to invest in the project.

The use of renewable energy resources contributes to diversifying the fuel sources used for energy production, improving electricity production efficiency, decreasing the quantity of burned fossil fuels, decreasing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and decreasing the amount of other aerial pollutant emissions. This all, in turn, contributes to improving the sustainability of South Africa's development.

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South Africa experiences some of the highest levels of solar radiation in the world, which also translates to significant solar resource potential for solar water heating applications, solar photovoltaic and solar thermal power generation. 6.2 Need and Desirability for Solar Development on the Remaining Extent of Bokpoort 390 In 2009 the Department of Energy and Central Energy Fund commissioned a pre-feasibility study13 by the Clinton Climate Initiative to assess the potential of developing one or more Solar Parks in South Africa. The pre-feasibility study approved by Cabinet concluded that solar power can be deployed in South Africa in large quantities over the next decade at costs that become competitive with coal-fired power, providing the country with clean and secure energy to help meet its growing demand. Furthermore, the study indicated that the Northern Cape has excellent and consistent sun; flat and sparsely-populated land; the ability to connect to the electricity grid at multiple points; water availability from the Orange River; a developed highway system and the Upington Airport.

The Northern Cape’s potential as a solar resource was assessed14 and it showed that the province is one of the best places to capture solar radiance in the world. The high Direct Normal Irradiation for the proposed project area is illustrated in Figure 14 where the black circle on the map indicates the Upington Solar Park study area and the yellow star indicates the Bokpoort II project area.

Figure 14: Direct Normal Irradiation (DNI) solar resource for South Africa15.

13 Central Energy Fund Solar Park Brochure. 14 Assessment of Solar Resource. Upington Solar Park. 2011. GeoModel Solar. Reference Number 58-01/2011 15 Assessment of Solar Resource. Upington Solar Park. 2011. GeoModel Solar. Reference Number 58-01/2011

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Additionally the Remaining Extent of the Farm Bokpoort 390 has already been permitted for a 75 MW CSP parabolic trough development in the ‘Environmental Impact Assessment for a Proposed 75 MW Concentrating Solar Thermal Power Plant and Associated Infrastructure in the Siyanda District Municipality (DEAT 12/12/20/1920)’ (‘Bokpoort I’ site). The location of the Bokpoort II proposed solar developments falls within the area previously assessed in this EIA. The Bokpoort I EIA’s sensitivity maps (Figure 15 and Figure 16) and Figure 13 indicates that the project footprint for the Bokpoort II solar development is in a preferred and acceptable developable area. If implemented, the proposed Bokpoort II solar development would add an additional 500 MW into the Eskom grid. The development will generate electricity from a renewable energy resource which has nearly zero carbon dioxide emissions, unlike coal fired power plants, South Africa’s main electricity resource. A detailed activity motivation is provided in Table 9, which further emphasises the need for and desirability of the project. 6.3 Detailed Activity Motivation Table 9: Detailed Activity Motivation considerations16 DEA Questions on activity motivation Answer

Explanation 1) Is the activity permitted in terms of the property’s existing land use rights? Yes ACWA Power is the surface owner of the Remaining Extent of the Farm Bokpoort 390 and has land use rights. Additionally ACWA has land use rights to use a 50m water pipeline servitude located on Sand Draai 391 Portion 0 and 5. 2) Will the activity be in line with the following? (a) Provincial Spatial Development Framework (PSDF) Yes The activity is a renewable energy initiative that will not only reduce regional environmental impacts associated with the generation of electricity from fossil fuels but it also has the potential to provide clean energy to regional households and businesses in the future. Energy security is vital to all aspects of social welfare and business. The proposed activity is in line with the Northern Cape PSDF (2012) Energy Policy which states that “renewable energy sources (e.g. wind, solar thermal, biomass, and domestic hydroelectricity generation) are to comprise 25% of the province's energy generation capacity by 2020” and the PSDF Objectives which include “to promote the development of renewable energy supply schemes. Large-scale renewable energy supply schemes are strategically important for increasing the diversity of domestic energy supplies and avoiding energy imports while minimizing detrimental environmental impacts”. (b) Urban edge / Edge of Built environment for the area Yes The proposed development site is located in a remote, rural area and so it will not contribute to urban growth. (c) Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and Spatial Development Framework (SDF) of the Local Municipality (e.g. would the approval of this application compromise Yes the integrity of the existing approved and credible municipal IDP and SDF?). The !Kheis Municipality IDP (2014-2015) recognises that the supply of electricity along with high unemployment are some of the key issues that require addressing. The Key Performance Area objective Number 12 is to provide all residents of !Kheis Municipality with basic electricity (Eskom or solar) by June 2015. This requires the provision of electricity networks and to make solar electricity available to areas without networks. As part of the Economic Development Programme, objective Number 6 is to reduce

16 Basic Assessment form 8 December 2014. Section 10 Activity Motivation. Department of Environment

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DEA Questions on activity motivation Answer unemployment and poverty by at least 5% by June 2016. The proposed solar energy facility would contribute to addressing the need for increased electricity supply as well as to create temporary and limited permanent employment in the area. (d) Approved Structure Plan of the Municipality Yes As above, the !Kheis Municipality IDP (2014-2015) lists providing electricity to people in the municipality as a priority. The proposed solar energy facility would contribute to addressing the infrastructural needs for increased electricity supply. (e) An Environmental Management Framework (EMF) adopted by the Department (e.g. Would the approval of this application compromise the integrity of the Yes existing environmental management priorities for the area and if so, can it be justified in terms of sustainability considerations?) The Siyanda (now known as ZF Mqcawu) Environmental Management Framework within the! Kheis Municipality IDP (2014-2015) states that due to the climate of the area there is huge potential to utilise solar energy more widely, especially in the remote areas of the district. The proposed activity is a Solar Plant which is a sustainable and renewable operation that provides an additional economic resource to the area. Such an activity is also in line with International Millennium and Local Municipality goals and will therefore not compromise the integrity of any current development plans. (f) Any other Plans (e.g. Guide Plan) Yes The Integrated Resource Plan for Electricity 2010-2030 promotes the use of renewable energy technologies. 3) Is the land use (associated with the activity being applied for) considered within the timeframe intended by the existing approved SDF agreed to by the relevant Yes environmental authority (i.e. is the proposed development in line with the projects and programmes identified as priorities within the credible IDP)? See above. 4) Does the community/area need the activity and the associated land use concerned (is it a societal priority)? (This refers to the strategic as well as local level (e.g. Yes development is a national priority, but within a specific local context it could be inappropriate.) Due to South Africa’s electricity generation and supply system being overloaded, the demand for an increased and stable electricity supply is a priority not only in the Northern Cape, but in many other South African provinces. Solar energy plants are important for reducing the country’s overall environmental footprint from power generation and for directing a pathway towards sustainability. Thus, the proposed project addresses a national/strategic priority. At a local level, the !Kheis Municipality IDP (2014-2015) identifies inadequate electrical supply as a key shortfall of the municipality, identifying the need for additional electrical infrastructure. The proposed development will make available approximately 500MW of installed capacity with associated distribution infrastructure. 5) Are the necessary services with adequate capacity currently available (at the time of application), or must additional capacity be created to cater for the No development? (Confirmation by the relevant Municipality in this regard will be attached to the final EIA The proposed solar plant development requires the construction of a new water pipeline, new access roads, a new power line and associated building infrastructure. The amount of water to be used by the solar development is still to be determined and limiting the amount of water to be used is a key consideration in the technology design.

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DEA Questions on activity motivation Answer

6) Is this development provided for in the infrastructure planning of the municipality, and if not what will the implication be on the infrastructure planning of the Currently municipality (priority and placement of services and opportunity costs)? (Comment unknown by the relevant Municipality in this regard will be attached to the final EIA) The infrastructure required for the proposed development is to be provided and maintained by the proponent, and so it is unlikely to conflict with municipal infrastructure planning or priorities. In addition, the proposed development is to be constructed on overgrazed agricultural land with little or no existing and planned infrastructure outside of an urban area. 7) Is this project part of a national programme to address an issue of national concern Yes or importance? South Africa has a high level of Renewable Energy potential and presently has in place a target of 10 000 GWh of Renewable Energy. The Minister has determined that 3 725 megawatts (MW) to be generated from Renewable Energy sources is required to ensure the continued uninterrupted supply of electricity. This 3 725 MW is broadly in accordance with the capacity allocated to Renewable Energy generation in the Integrated Resource Plan for Electricity 2010-2030. 8) Do location factors favour this land use (associated with the activity applied for) at this place? (This relates to the contextualisation of the proposed land use on this site Yes within its broader context.) The Northern Cape has been recognised as having the highest solar resource in the country and so is ideally suited to the proposed development project. Currently 9) Is the development the best practicable environmental option for this land/site? unknown The environmental suitability of the proposed development will be determined in the impact assessment phase of this EIA process. However, in comparison with the current overgrazed status of the land which varies in conjunction with climate variability, the proposed solar energy facility is likely to be more stable in terms of public good, economic viability and profitability. Also, solar energy facilities can be dismantled and completely removed from the site leased for the development and do not permanently prevent alternative land-uses on the same land parcel. 10) Will the benefits of the proposed land use/development outweigh the negative Yes impacts of it? The proposed activity will supply clean renewable energy to Eskom, and will consequently increase the amount of electricity available to users. Potential negative impacts are expected to be low. For instance, impacts such as an increase in traffic flow rates and noise will be limited to the construction phase (i.e. temporary). 11) Will the proposed land use/development set a precedent for similar activities in the Yes area (local municipality)? There is currently limited renewable power generation in operation in the region and there are many renewable energy projects under consideration to be developed in the municipality. 12) Will any person’s rights be negatively affected by the proposed activity/ies? No The proposed activity will not affect any person’s rights negatively. 13) Will the proposed activity/ies compromise the “urban edge” as defined by the local No municipality?

The proposed development site is located in a remote, rural area and so it will not contribute to

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DEA Questions on activity motivation Answer urban growth. 12) Will the proposed activity/ies contribute to any of the 17 Strategic Integrated Projects No (SIPS)? Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPS) relate to social and economic infrastructure across all nine provinces and include catalytic projects that can fast-track development and growth. This project has not yet been registered as a Strategic Infrastructure Project, however the proposed activity does have elements which are relevant to SIPS:  Green economy + “Green” and energy-saving industries; and  Infrastructure – electricity (generation, transmission & distribution). 13) What will the benefits be to society in general and to the local communities? Society: The operations will contribute electricity to the National Grid, thereby improving Eskom’s ability to meet the growing demands of the country. Additional power on the National Grid will in turn mean a lesser likelihood of power shortages and an increased amount of power for the nation’s industrial sector to operate more efficiently, which is of critical importance to the national economy. The solar plant also fits into the country’s national goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and impacts on climate change, which on an international and global scale is aligned with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992), the Kyoto Protocol (1997), the Johannesburg Declaration (2002), the Copenhagen Accord (2009) and the Durban Summit in 2011. Communities: The Project will have a positive socio-economic impact with an increase in job opportunities and indirect economic spin offs. Among those employed for the project, skills will be developed through training thus bringing about empowerment for both permanent and temporary employees. The work generated would benefit households by uplifting their socio-economic standards through an increase in income. Secondary jobs and income will also be created in terms of repair and supply of the solar panels. The circulation of additional money within the micro-economy will also benefit those who are not directly affiliated with the solar project. As people will receive an increased income they will have more money to spend on amenities for both themselves and their families, thus uplifting the local and national economy via the energy saved and jobs created from this initiative. 14) Any other need and desirability considerations related to the proposed activity? A reduced carbon footprint will benefit society at large.

7.0 PROCESS FOLLOWED TO REACH THE PROPOSED PREFERRED ACTIVITY, SITE AND LOCATION WITHIN THE SITE The selection of the project area within the Remaining Extent of the Farm Bokpoort 390 has been thoroughly investigated and alternative sites considered. The Bokpoort farm was evaluated as an alternative site in a pre-environmental Scoping study17 and pre-feasibility study done by Eskom Holdings Limited in 2006 for a pilot CSP plant with an installed capacity of approximately 100 MW. The study assessed 2 sites (Farm Olyvenhouts Drift (15km west of Upington) and Farm Bokpoort 390) in terms of land availability, land use capability, and fuel availability and costs. Accessibility to the Eskom grid and associated connection capacity was also reviewed. Furthermore, the Direct Normal Insolation (DNI) measurements were assessed over a

17 Bohlweki Environmental (on behalf of Eskom Holdings Limited). 2006. Environmental Impact Assessment for the establishment of a New Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) plant and associated infrastructure in the Northern Cape Province.

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selection of potential sites. It was concluded that the Northern Cape Province was the most favourable area for the development of a CSP plant. Additionally, the study determined that Upington and Groblershoop in particular would be suitable areas in which to establish a CSP plant, on various selected farm portions, Bokpoort included. The authorised Bokpoort I project for a 75 MW CSP parabolic trough development on south western portion of the Remaining Extent (RE) commenced construction in July 2013. The location of the Bokpoort II proposed solar development falls within the area previously assessed in this EIA. The Bokpoort I EIA’s sensitivity zoning map indicates that the project footprint for the Bokpoort II solar development is in a preferred and acceptable developable area (see Figure 15 and Error! Reference source not found.). 7.1 Methodology for Project Site Sensitivity Maps A qualitative sensitivity mapping exercise was completed in the Bokpoort I EIA on the Remaining Extent of the Farm Bokpoort 390. The objective of the exercise was to determine the environmental opportunities and constraints (feasibility limits) associated with the Bokpoort site, thereby providing an illustrative overview of the developable portions suitable for the proposed CSP project. The Sensitivity Index Map (Figure 15) and Zoning Map (Figure 16) were developed according to prescribed groupings of environmental sensitivities. Individual specialist maps were developed for each of the following disciplines: avifauna, biodiversity, surface water, groundwater, social, soils / agricultural potential, heritage, and tourism. Noise and visual specialist inputs were excluded from the sensitivity mapping. The specialists maps were demarcated into the following categories: “ideal” (least sensitive areas), “acceptable” (areas with medium or average sensitivity) and “unacceptable / not ideal” (i.e. sensitive areas). Subsequently, sensitivity indexing was done by overlaying each of the specialist sensitivity maps. A sensitivity index range of values from lowest suitability to highest suitability is provided in Table 10. Table 10: Sensitivity index and zone classifications Score Description Map colour Index classes 1 - 4 Ideal/preferred (Developable) Dark green to light green Index classes 5 – 7 Acceptable (Developable) Light green to light orange Index classes 8 - 11 Not preferred (sensitive) Light orange to red

The sensitivity index map shows areas which are least sensitive (or developable areas) and areas that should be avoided. The sensitivity index map (Figure 15) was further improved to provide a simplified overview of the developable areas of the site by delineating sensitivity zones (Figure 16) based on the classification / grouping of the sensitivity indices into the sensitivity categories initially used by the respective specialists as follows:

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Figure 15: Sensitive index map for Remaining Extent of Bokpoort 390

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Figure 16: Sensitivity zoning map for Remaining Extent of Bokpoort 390

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In addition to this Sensitivity Map, Figure 13 presented earlier in the report depicts cultural and heritage sites of importance and sensitive biodiversity areas. This map also indicates that the solar development will not impact on sensitive areas. 7.2 Technology Alternatives The preferred technology is a PV solar facility. The alternative technologies being considered are the CSP Parabolic Trough and the CSP Tower facilities. The different technologies were described in detail, including graphic illustration in Section 3.0 of this report. 7.2.1 PV facilities Four 75 MW Photovoltaic (PV) solar facilities are proposed as the preferred technology. The specific PV panel technology to be used and number of solar panels to be erected are still to be determined by the engineering consultant. The solar facility will have stationary panels that will not track the movement of the sun. An intricate mounting system will be utilised to mount the panels in arrays. The PV panels will comply with international standards. A number of inverters (to be determined) will be used to convert the direct current (DC) power to the grid synchronised alternating current (AC) power. 7.2.2 CSP Tower facility The CSP tower facility is being considered as a technology alternative. The CSP Tower facility uses heliostats, which are sun-tracking glass mirrors, mounted on an axis and reflect sunlight to a central receiver. The central receiver is located on the top of a central tower, or alternatively, on a number of small central towers. The receiver is a heat exchanger which absorbs the concentrated beam of solar radiation, converts it to heat and transfers the heat to the working fluid (i.e. molten salt or water) which is in turn used to generate steam for conventional power generation. The advantages and disadvantages of using this technology type are currently under investigation by ACWA and findings will be presented in the EIA report. 7.2.3 CSP Parabolic Trough facility The CSP PT facility is being considered as a technology alternative. Parabolic trough systems reflect solar radiation to a focal point - linear receiver. An absorber tube located at the focal point transfers solar energy to a working fluid which is used to drive a conventional power cycle.

In a parabolic trough system the solar field consists of rows of parabolic troughs which are placed in a modular formation. As the sun rises, the plant is taken out of its stow or storage position, which is typically with the troughs positioned vertically, In order to initiate this start up procedure, auxiliary power is required. This is typically drawn off the utility grid into which the solar power plant feeds. If the grid power is not available, a small amount of power is required to run the backup and auxiliary systems. The auxiliary power, whether it be drawn off the grid, or generated by a backup diesel driven generator, for example, is designed to be adequate to support such parasitic loads. The advantages and disadvantages of using this technology type are currently under investigation by ACWA and findings will be presented in the EIA report. 7.3 No-Project Option If the proposed solar power development of Bokpoort II does not go ahead, the local communities will forego the benefits of the associated additional employment opportunities and revenue streams. The development of alternative renewable energy sources is crucial within the context of South Africa’s current power crisis. Without the solar development project being implemented there will be no net gain of an additional 500 MW of renewable electricity exported to the Eskom national electricity grid.

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8.0 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS This section provides an overview of the public participation process undertaken to date in this EIA Figure 1 provides a simplified graphic overview and indicates the public participation process as well. 8.1 Objectives of public participation The public consultation process is designed to provide Opportunities for Comment information to and receive feedback from interested and Documents will be available at various affected parties (I&AP) for use throughout the EIA process, stages during the EIA process to provide thus providing organisations and individuals with an stakeholders with information, further opportunity to raise concerns and make comments and opportunities to identify issues of concern suggestions regarding the proposed Project. By being part of and suggestions for enhanced benefits the assessment process, stakeholders have the opportunity and to verify that the issues raised have to influence the Project layout and design as well as the plan been considered. of study of the EIA.

The principles for the EIA that determine communication with society at large are included in the principles of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (Act 107of 1998, as amended) and are elaborated upon in General Notice 657, titled “Guideline 4: Public Participation” (Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, 19 May, 2006), which states that: “Public participation process means a process in which potential interested and affected parties (I&APs) are given an opportunity to comment on, or raise issues relevant to, specific matters.”

Public participation is an essential and regulatory requirement for an environmental authorisation process, and must be undertaken in terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations GN R.982 (December 2014). Public participation is a process that is intended to lead to a joint effort by stakeholders, technical specialists, the authorities and the proponent/developer who work together to produce better decisions than if they had acted independently.

Internationally, the public consultation process complies with the Equator Principles (in particular Principles 5 and 6) and the IFC Performance Standards (PS) (specifically PSs 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8). A Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), provides a more comprehensive summary of the local regulatory requirements and international standards that were considered in the design of the public consultation process.

The public participation process is designed to provide sufficient and accessible information to Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) in an objective manner and:

During the Scoping Phase to enable them to:  Understand the context of the EIA;  Become informed and educated about the proposed project and its potential impacts;  raise issues of concern and suggestions for enhanced benefits;  verify that their comments, issues of concern and suggestions have been recorded;  assist in identifying reasonable alternatives; and  contribute relevant local information and traditional knowledge to the environmental assessment. During the impact assessment phase to assist them to:

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 contribute relevant information and local and traditional knowledge to the environmental assessment;  verify that their issues and suggestions have been evaluated and considered in the environmental investigations and feedback has been provided;  comment on the findings of the EIA; and  Identify further issues of concern from the findings of the EIA. During the decision-making phase:  to advise I&APs of the outcome, i.e. the authority decision, and how the decision can be appealed. 8.2 Pre-Scoping Phase: Capacity Building IFC PS 1 stipulates that stakeholder consultation should include elements of capacity building to ensure the process is considered “free, prior and informed”. This was done by:  Providing accessible and adequate information without creating undue fears (related to potential negative impacts) or expectations (regarding jobs);  Using visual illustrations and verbal explanations for illiterate stakeholders; and  Using local languages and small groups to ensure stakeholders did not feel intimidated. The pre-scoping phase public consultation process provided vulnerable groups with equal opportunities to participate by:  Making a special effort to identify disadvantaged or vulnerable groups; and  Providing transportation and or subsidies for the vulnerable poor to ensure their participation does not come at the expense of their livelihoods. 8.2.1 Stakeholder Engagement Plan The Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) follows the framework provided by the International Finance Corporation (IFC, 2012). The purpose of stakeholder engagement is to establish, maintain and preserve a beneficial relationship with various stakeholders over a certain period of time. The SEP deals with both public consultation for an EIA, and following EIA, on-going engagement with stakeholders. 8.2.2 Identification of I&APs I&APs were initially identified through a process of networking and referral, obtaining information from Golder’s existing stakeholder database, liaison with potentially affected parties in the study area, newspaper advertisements and a registration process involving completion of a registration and comment sheet. The registration sheet encouraged I&APs to indicate the names of their colleagues and friends who may also be interested in participating.

I&APs representing various sectors of society include:  Government (national, provincial and local);  Environmental NGOs;  Conservation Agencies;

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 Community Representatives and CBOs;  Directly affected communities;  Business and Commerce; and  Other. 8.2.3 Register of I&APs The NEMA Regulations (GN R.982) distinguishes between I&APs and registered I&APs.

I&APs, as contemplated in NEMA include: “(a) any person, group of persons or organisation interested in or Please register as an I&AP! affected by an activity; and (b) any organ of state that Stakeholders who have not yet registered as may have jurisdiction over any aspect of the activity”. I&APs during the announcement of the In terms of the Regulations: project, are invited to do so on/before Friday, 27 February 2015. Please complete the “An EAP managing an application must open and enclosed Registration, Reply and Comment maintain a register which contains the names, contact form and return it to the Public Participation details and addresses of: Office.

(a) All persons who; have submitted written comments or attended meetings with the applicant or EAP; (b) All persons who; have requested the applicant or EAP managing the application, in writing, for their names to be placed on the register; and (c) All organs of state which have jurisdiction in respect of the activity to which the application relates. A Register for I&APs has been opened.

All stakeholders on the initial database received a letter in January 2015 inviting them to register as I&APs.

As per the EIA Regulations, future consultation during the Impact Assessment phase will only take place with registered I&APs. Stakeholders who were involved in the initial consultation will be added to the register. The I&AP register will be updated throughout the EIA process. 8.3 Public participation during Scoping This section provides a summary of the public participation process to be followed during the Scoping Phase of the EIA. 8.3.1 Announcement of the proposed project Draft Scoping Report This Draft Scoping Report (DSR) is available for public review for 30 days from Wednesday, 28 January 2015 until Friday, 27 February 2015.

The proposed project will be announced as follows:  Distribution of this Draft Scoping Report (DSR) and a letter of invitation to participate to all I&APs on the database, accompanied by a registration, comment and reply sheet that will be mailed/emailed to the entire stakeholder database. Copies of these documents are attached as Appendix C.  The abovementioned documents were made available at the public places listed on page ii of this report

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and posted to the Golder websitewww.golder.com/public;  An advertisement was published in one local newspaper, Gemsbok Newspaper, 28 January 2015; and  Site notices were erected on the boundaries of the project area (GPS coordinates to be inserted here in the Final Scoping Report) also on 28 January 2015. After expiry of the comment period on the DSR, the report will be finalized and submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA). This finalised report will include a comment and responses report, which will include all comments captured during the DSR comment period. 8.4 Public participation during the Impact Assessment Phase Public participation during the impact assessment phase of the EIA will entail a review of the findings of the EIA, presented in the Draft EIA and EMP Reports. These reports will be made available for public comment.

I&APs will be advised timeously of the availability of these reports and how to obtain them. They will be encouraged to comment either in writing (mail or email) or by telephone. Ample notification of due dates will be provided.

All the issues, comments and suggestions raised during the comment period on the Draft EIA Report/EMP will be added to the Comments and Response Report (CRR) that will accompany the Final EIA Report/EMP. The Final EIA Report/EMP will be submitted to the DEA for a decision about the proposed project. 8.5 Lead Authority’s decision Once the DEA have taken a decision about the proposed project, the Golder Public Participation Office will immediately notify I&APs of this decision and of the opportunity to appeal. This notification will be provided as follows:  A letter will be sent, personally addressed to all registered I&APs, summarising the authority’s decision and explaining how to lodge an appeal should they wish to; and  An advertisement to announce the Lead Authority’s decision will be published in the Gemsbok Newspaper.

A grievance mechanism will be established by the ACWA to record grievances during the construction, operation and decommissioning phases of the proposed development. A responsible person from the solar facility will ensure that this grievance mechanism is maintained and that grievances are attended to in a timeous manner. 9.0 NEXT STEPS IN THE EIA PROCESS The Impact Assessment (IA) Phase will follow completion of the Scoping Phase (this phase). During the IA phase, specialist studies will be conducted that will inform the impact assessment. Issues raised by I&APs and the potential impacts of the establishment and operation of the proposed water and waste management components on the physical, biological and socio-economic environment of the area will be examined in detail. In this way stakeholder issues will assist to drive the EIA process.

When completed, the findings of the specialist studies will be integrated into a single report, the Draft EIA report, for comment by I&APs. This report will be presented for comment during the latter half of 2015.

The Draft EIA Report will be finalised by incorporating any additional comments received from I&APs and an Environmental Management Programme (EMP) will be developed from the findings and recommendations of

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the impact assessment studies. The Final EIA Report and EMP will be presented to the authorities for decision-making.

For further information please contact Golder:

Sasha Slogrove-Saayman or Tony Seef

Golder Associates

P O Box 6001 HALFWAY HOUSE, 1685 Tel: (011) 254 4800 Fax: 086 582 1561

Email: [email protected]

Table 11: Bokpoort II EIA process timeframes Key Milestone Proposed timeframe Draft Scoping Report public review period: 30 days 28 January 2015 to 27 February 2015 Review of Final Scoping Report (FSR) by DEA – decision on the March 2015 FSR within 43 days Public review period for Draft EIA report: 30 days May 2015 Submission of EIA Report to DEA for review and decision-making June 2015

9.1 Objectives of the EIA process The objectives of the EIA process, as per the NEMA EIA Regulations 2014 are to, through a consultative process: a) determine the policy and legislative context within which the activity is located and document how the proposed activity complies with and responds to the policy and legislative context; b) describe the need and desirability of the proposed activity, including the need and desirability of the activity in the context of the preferred location; c) identify the location of the development footprint within the preferred site based on an impact and risk assessment process inclusive of cumulative impacts and a ranking process of all the identified development footprint alternatives focusing on the geographical, physical, biological, social, economic, heritage and cultural aspects of the environment; d) determine the

a. nature, significance, consequence, extent, duration and probability of the impacts occurring to inform identified preferred alternatives; and b. degree to which these impacts i. can be reversed;

ii. may cause irreplaceable loss of resources, and

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iii. can be avoided, managed or mitigated;

h) identify the most ideal location for the activity within the preferred site based on the lowest level of environmental sensitivity identified during the assessment; i) identify, assess, and rank the impacts the activity will impose on the preferred location through the life of the activity; j) identify suitable measures to avoid, manage or mitigate identified impacts; and k) identify residual risks that need to be managed and monitored.

10.0 PLAN OF STUDY FOR THE EIA The findings of the environmental and social baseline information (Section 5.0) frame the scope work or plan of study, for the EIA. The plan of study for the EIA will meet the objectives of an EIA report as described in Section 9.1.

The plan of study for undertaking the EIA process includes the following: a) a description of the alternatives to be considered and assessed within the preferred site, including the option of not proceeding with the activity, as described in section 7.2; b) a description of the aspects to be assessed as part of the environmental impact assessment process, see Table 12; c) aspects to be assessed by specialists see section 10.1; d) a description of the proposed method of assessing the environmental aspects, including a description of the proposed method of assessing the environmental aspects including aspects to be assessed by specialists, see Section 10.3; e) a description of the proposed method of assessing duration and significance, see section 10.3; f) an indication of the stages at which the competent authority will be consulted (see Figure 1); g) particulars of the public participation process that will be conducted during the environmental impact assessment process (section 8.0); and h) a description of the tasks that will be undertaken as part of the environmental impact assessment process (section 10.4); i) identify suitable measures to avoid, reverse, mitigate or manage identified impacts and to determine the extent of the residual risks that need to be managed and monitored (section 10.4). The impact assessment component of the EIA is subdivided into several environmental aspects to be studied as shown in Table 12. Golder will use in-house specialists to review the environmental aspects which will be assessed as part of the environmental impact assessment process. The reasoning for this approach is the site has been subject to exhaustive specialist studies which were prepared for authorised EIA completed for a solar development at the same project area. These environmental aspects will be updated, and site and technology specific impacts and mitigation recommendations will be made and be reviewed by in-house senior specialists. Hence a full Terms of Reference has not been included for these environmental aspects, but rather key considerations, as individual separate specialist reports will not be prepared for these environmental aspects. Table 12 identifies Archaeology and Cultural Heritage as the one aspect which will be studied by a specialist as the NEMA EIA Regulations, 2014 Appendix 6. The significance of the impacts will be assessed in terms of the methodology described in Section 10.3. Note the Plan of Study for the EIA

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may be updated should the public participation process result in issues raised during the Scoping process that require additional studies. Table 12: Plan of Study for the EIA: Process to assess environmental impact Aspect to be assessed as part of the environmental impact Aspect to Environmental Aspect assessment process and assessed by a professional specialist Specialist opinion given Air Quality Yes Noise Yes Soils, Land use and land capability Yes Surface Water Yes Groundwater Yes Biodiversity Yes Socio-economic Yes Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Yes Visual Yes Tourism Yes

The terms of reference for the specialist investigations to be conducted during the impact assessment phase are drafted in terms of the NEMA EIA Regulations 2014 Appendix 6 Specialist Reports and are set out below. The description is presented in fairly general terms, but all the issues that need to be addressed by the studies are captured. Maps relevant to the study will be developed using GIS for the various disciplines. 10.1 Environmental Aspects to be assessed as part of the EIA process 10.1.1 Groundwater Geohydrology was assessed under the Bokpoort 1 EIA. Groundwater will not be used in the proposed solar development as water is to be sourced via a water pipeline from the Orange River. Given the fact that the geohydrology at the proposed project site has already been assessed under a previous EIA it is not anticipated that this would need to be reassessed under the current EIA process. A high level assessment of the impacts of the proposed projects on ground water resources will be possible making use of available information contained within the study. To assess the impact on ground water a conceptual groundwater model from hydrocensus data will be developed. A professional opinion on the impacts of project and recommendations on mitigation measures will be provided. 10.1.2 Biodiversity Previous biodiversity studies on the Farm Bokpoort 390 contain detailed information as to the ecological attributes of the site, as well as potential negative ecological impacts, as per the 2010 project description (75 MW CSP parabolic troughs). The existing biodiversity data for terrestrial and aquatic ecology will be revised and updated at a desktop level against the latest ecological datasets and references, and augmented with limited ground-truthing (including the date and season of the investigation), as and where appropriate, to reflect inter alia current species status, and conservation guidelines and legislation. It will also be necessary to undertake a new impact assessment, in context of the current project description, with particular emphasis on cumulative impacts. Any specific identified sensitivities of the site related to the project and its associated structures and infrastructures will be reported. This will include an identification of any areas to be avoided,

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including buffers. The location of the water abstraction point and the intrusion of the water pipeline into the riparian zone at the Orange River as well as the solar infrastructure footprint and overhead power line to be connected to the Garona Substation will be assessed and mitigation measures recommended.

The biodiversity impact assessment will include an assessment of the impact of the proposed project on avifauna, and that will be done in accordance with the Guidelines to Minimise the Impact on Birds of Solar Facilities and Associated Infrastructure in South Africa released by BirdLife in 2014. The Avifauna assessment will also take cognisance of associated infrastructure such as overhead power line routings and impacts of noise and electromagnetic interference on fauna. A professional opinion on the assessment of the impact and recommended mitigation measures on aquatic ecology will be included for the water pipeline abstraction point.

The environmental management programme monitoring reports for the construction of the Bokpoort I 75 MW CSP parabolic trough project will be reviewed to identify any species impact or updated mitigation measures which may have been proposed. (i.e. evidence of avifauna or fauna impact incidences).

As per IFC PS requirements a Biodiversity Action Plan will be included in the Environmental and Social Management Systems. 10.1.3 Noise and Vibration A Noise Impact Assessment (NIA) of the proposed CSP project was undertaken by Jongens Keet Associates (October, 2010). According to the assessment there is only one farmhouse situated within 2km of the proposed development sites. Given the distance of noise sensitive receptors to the proposed project site it is not anticipated that a NIA would be required for the projects. The NIA assessed the noise impact associated with the development of a single 75 MW CSP parabolic trough project. The findings and recommendations of the previous NIA will be used for the project. The possibility may exist however that such findings would need to be adjusted to take into consideration the cumulative impacts of the proposed projects. A professional opinion based on the location of sensitive receptors and typical construction and operation activities will be provided in the EIA.

Given the limited sensitive receptors near the proposed development the anticipated impact from noise or vibration is anticipated to be low. Noise impact on fauna during the construction and operation phase will be assessed in the biodiversity study. 10.1.4 Surface hydrology A surface water supply inputs into the EIA will be completed to:  Confirm water quantity and quality required to operate the solar developments;  Confirm drainage and floodlines (1:100 year) across the site in order to assist in solar technology site placement on the farm;  Provide a water balance for the development;  Describe impact of water use for the development on supply source;  Recommend mitigation measures: storm water management plan and conservation via demand management strategies; and  Develop informative surface hydrology maps using GIS.

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10.1.5 Socio-economics The following documents are relevant to the proposed study area:  Environmental Impact Assessment for a proposed 75 MW Concentrating Solar Thermal Power Plant and Associated Infrastructure in the Siyanda District, Northern Cape, compiled by Bohlweki and SSI Environmental Consultancies in February 2011;  Social Impact Assessment Report for the proposed Concentrated Solar Thermal Power Plant at the Olyvenhouts Drift Farm, Northern Cape compiled by Afrosearch for Bohlweki in December 2006; and  Environmental and Social Review Summary for the Kaxu Solar One or Pofadder Solar Thermal Plant in the Northern Cape compiled by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in April 2012.

This existing information provides a social baseline that is outdated. More recent (2011) Census data is now available for the provincial, district and local municipalities. The studies completed for similar projects in this area focused on a preferred site which was not near the Bokpoort farm, so there is a lack of local site information.

A SIA is to be undertaken for the proposed project and, based on the findings of the study, further recommendations will be made in terms of management plans. The following actions will take place:  The social baseline will be updated with the latest 2011 Population Census statistics and will focus on the local study area; and  A Community Health, Safety and Security Plan and a Stakeholder Engagement Plan will be developed. 10.1.6 Methodology The study proposes a predominantly qualitative approach, supported by limited secondary data gathering, to generate a baseline and assess impacts.

It is proposed that a desktop review of available documents and literature will be undertaken, including (but not limited to):  Official statistics such as Census 2011’s housing and population census;  Municipal documents such as the IDPs, LEDs and SDFs;  Available EIAs conducted in the area;  Project documentation such as project description, maps and documents produced through the public participation process such as the comments and response report; and  Other specialist studies within the EIA that may have a bearing on the social environment (e.g. noise, visual, traffic, groundwater, surface water, etc.).

Based on a review of the available documentation, fieldwork will be undertaken to interview key stakeholders and/or hold focus group discussions with specific targeted groups.

Key stakeholders may include municipal officials, ward councillors, community leaders and stakeholders who stand to be directly or indirectly affected by the proposed project. Golder assumes that no more than four key stakeholder interviews will be required.

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Data will be captured and analysed using content analysis to determine dominant themes within the data.

The socio-economic assessment will determine impact of jobs from the development. The capital and operational expenditure within context of existing local unemployment and gross geographic product will be reviewed. The effect of additional renewable energy power security without Greenhouse gas emissions on national economy will be studied. Additionally the skills development resulting from the development will be assessed. These aspects will inform the impact assessment and associated management plan. 10.1.7 Soils, Land Capability and Land Use A preliminary high level Soils and Agricultural Potential study was conducted on the proposed project site at a reconnaissance scale (namely 1:250 000) as part of the 2006 EIA conducted on behalf of Eskom by the Agricultural Research Council: Institute for Soil, Climate and Water. The findings showed that given the arid and shallow or sandy nature of the soils at Farm Bokpoort No. 390 and the area has minimal agricultural potential. The farm has been purchased by a subsidiary of ACWA for the purpose of installing solar power plants. The current land use is known as sparse livestock grazing. The area to be used for the solar development will be fenced off and vegetation will be cleared. The impact of the change in land use and the ecosystem services impact will be written in the EIA report. Mitigation recommendations will be provided based on the findings of the impact assessment. It is noted that Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) is a key commenting authority and this department will be included in the key stakeholder engagement process. 10.1.8 Visual Impact The visual impact assessment will describe the pre-project visual characteristics of the proposed project site, assess the visual impact of developing the solar facility on this site and discuss possible mitigation measures.

A VIA will be conducted as part of the current EIA process and will be written directly into the EIA. The VIA will assess the impact of the different technology types and their preferred site location, and will include a viewshed analysis/visibility analysis to generate objective and quantifiable data, to demonstrate the extent and degree of visibility, as an indicator of the magnitude of visual impact that may be associated with the project. Special consideration will be given to the impact on aviation flight paths in the vicinity of the project, and a glare path analysis should be conducted, to determine whether any ground-based receptors as well as potentially significant areas of airspace will be affected by glare from the solar panels. The VIA will also include an assessment of the cumulative impacts of the proposed project. 10.1.8.1 Methodology  Conduct a desktop study of relevant project information including drawings, topographical maps, aerial photography and infrastructure drawings;  Conduct a photographic assessment of the project site and surrounding study area;  Conduct a visual resources analysis of the study area, as a function of its natural biophysical and land use attributes and identify potentially affected visual receptors;  Identify receptors that may be negatively impacted upon by the proposed project as well as significant commuting routes and areas where large groups of people may congregate;  Compile additional baseline maps and baseline inputs into the EIA; and  Assessment of visual impacts and recommended mitigation measures will be included the EIA.

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10.2 Environmental Aspects to be assessed by a specialist 10.2.1 Cultural and Heritage Resources As required in terms of Section 38 of the National Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999 (NHRA), the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) will be notified of the intended development. A First Phase Archaeological, Cultural and Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) study was completed for the 2006 EIA and was referenced in the 2011 EIA. A HIA which assesses the Cultural Heritage, Archaeology and Palaeontology of the proposed site will be required. The HIA will be submitted to the commenting authority, South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA). SAHRA will register the HIA on their public South African Heritage Resources Information System (SAHRIS) website. SAHRA was consulted regarding the existing Phase 1 HIA for the report and they advised that SAHRA do not approve heritage reports older than 3 years as there are new SAHRA guidelines and requirements. Middle Stone Age flakes were discovered during the construction of the Bokpoort I solar development, but a destruction permit was approved by SAHRA to disturb these artefacts as they were deemed insignificant. Therefore, a Phase 1: Heritage Impact Assessment will be conducted for the proposed project by a suitably qualified heritage specialist as part of the EIA process. 10.2.1.1 Methodology for the HIA specialist report The HIA specialist report will be prepared in terms of Appendix 6 of the NEMA EIA Regulations, 2014. An independent heritage specialist will be appointed as per the NHRA. The following tasks will be conducted”:

1) Review of existing heritage information on the site. 2) Site visit of the project area with specific focus on the project footprint. 3) Phase 1 Heritage Impact Assessment Report to be drafted which includes:

a. A description of the methodology adopted in preparing the report or carrying out the HIA; b. Identification of and sensitivities of the site related to the solar development including associated infrastructure; c. Identification of any areas to be avoided, including buffers;

d. Indication of sensitive areas that cannot be avoided and where potentially a destruction permit may need to be applied for should additional middle stone age flakes or other artefacts be discovered in the site assessment; e. A map superimposing the activity including the associated structures and infrastructure on the environmental sensitivities of the site including areas to be avoided and buffers. Map will include GPS coordinates of heritage features discovered in the site visit. Additionally the a GPS track will be recorded of the areas viewed in field during the site assessment; f. Assumptions made and any uncertainties or gaps in knowledge; g. Description of the findings and potential implications of such findings on the impact of the proposed activity, including identified alternatives on the environment; h. Any mitigation measures for inclusion in the EMPr; i. An conditions for inclusion in the environmental authorisation; j. Any monitoring requirements for inclusion in the EMPr or environmental authorisation; k. A reasoned opinion as to whether:

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i. the proposed activity or portions thereof should be authorised; and ii. if the opinion is that the proposed activity or portions thereof should be authorised, any avoidance, management and mitigation measures that should be included in the EMPr; l. Description of any consultation process that was undertaken during the course of preparing the HIA; m. A summary and copies of any comments received during any consultation process and where applicable all responses thereto; and n. Any other information requested by the competent authorities (DEA and SAHRA). 10.3 Impact Assessment Methodology The significance of the identified impacts will be determined using the approach outlined below (terminology from the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Guideline document on EIA Regulations, April 1998). This approach incorporates two aspects for assessing the potential significance of impacts, namely occurrence and severity, which are further sub-divided as follows:

Occurrence Severity

Magnitude (severity) of Probability of occurrence Duration of occurrence Scale / extent of impact impact

To assess each of these factors for each impact, the following four ranking scales are used:

Probability Duration

5 - Definite/don’t know 5 - Permanent

4 - Highly probable 4 - Long-term

3 - Medium probability 3 - Medium-term (8-15 years)

2 - Low probability 2 - Short-term (0-7 years) (impact ceases after the operational life of the activity)

1 - Improbable 1 – Immediate

0 - None

SCALE MAGNITUDE

5 - International 10 - Very high/don’t know

4 - National 8 - High

3 - Regional 6 - Moderate

2 - Local 4 - Low

1 - Site only 2 - Minor

0 - None

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Once these factors are ranked for each impact, the significance of the two aspects, occurrence and severity, is assessed using the following formula:

SP (significance points) = (magnitude + duration + scale) x probability The maximum value is 100 significance points (SP). The impact significance will then be rated as follows:

Indicates high An impact which could influence the decision about whether or not to SP >75 environmental significance proceed with the project regardless of any possible mitigation. Indicates moderate An impact or benefit which is sufficiently important to require management SP 30 – 75 environmental significance and which could have an influence on the decision unless it is mitigated. Indicates low Impacts with little real effect and which should not have an influence on or SP <30 environmental significance require modification of the project design. + Positive impact An impact that constitutes an improvement over pre-project conditions

10.4 Environmental and Social Management System and Action Plans to be Developed IFC Performance Standard 1 establishes the importance of: (i) integrated assessment to identify the social and environmental impacts, risks, and opportunities of Projects; (ii) effective community engagement through disclosure of Project-related information and consultation with local communities on matters that directly affect them; and (iii) the management of social and environmental performance throughout the life of the Project through an effective Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS). PS 1 is the overarching standard to which all the other standards relate. The proposed ESMS is designed to incorporate the aspects of PS 2 to 8 as applicable (Figure 12: The IFC PS Framework).

The following standard components of an ESMS and corresponding Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) report will be addressed to the extent that they are applicable to this project: Step 1 – Development of Stakeholder Engagement and Monitoring Modules  Development of the framework Stakeholder Engagement and Grievance Mechanism Module;  Development of the framework module for recording environmental and social monitoring data; and  Development of the ArcGIS server platform, monitoring dashboards and reporting. Step 2 – Development of the ESMP The ESMP will be developed following completion of the Impact Assessment and will be structured to include (i) policy; (ii) identification of risks and impacts; (iii) management programs; (iv) organizational capacity and competency; (v) emergency preparedness and response; (vi) stakeholder engagement; and (vii) monitoring and review. The ESMP will be structured as a stand-alone document that will then be converted into an Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS). The management / action plans will be developed based upon the framework below:  Identification and rating of impacts through the impact assessment process;  Development of specific mitigation measures based on the mitigation hierarchy (avoidance, reduction, rehabilitation and compensation/offsetting) to manage those impacts;

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 Determine suitable timeframes, responsibilities, methods, performance indicators and targets, and costs for selected mitigation/management measures (in consultation with proponent/Project design team); and  Consolidate selected measures, timeframes, responsibilities and performance indicators into comprehensive action plans.

The ESMP will include the following additional plans which will be generated by the specialist studies. Step 3 – Conversion of the ESMP to the ESMS Based on the framework laid out by the ESMP, the ESMS will be developed on an Isometrix™ platform. The ESMS will be customised to ACWA’s organisational structure, and will include all the measures and specific management plans outlined in the ESMP, with responsibilities assigned. The ESMS will also allow for new or unforeseen impacts to be rated and new mitigation measures to be assigned once the ESMS goes live. Mitigation measures will also go through a process of continual review, with the database updated and changes tracked.

At the end of the Process ACWA will have a customised live, easily auditable ESMS that will track management actions, stakeholder issues and monitoring actions, and will be easily updated. Regular reporting will be automated by the system in the format as required by the client, regulator or financier. 10.4.1 Specific Plans Key specific Plans to be developed include the following: 10.4.1.1 Biodiversity Action Plan A Biodiversity Action Plan will be compiled using the results of faunal, flora and aquatic data obtained during baseline assessments as well as relevant literature for the area.  A literature review of the following documentation (not limited to) will be undertaken: . Convention on biodiversity;

. Biodiversity Assessment report;

. Environmental Management Framework;

. Integrated Development Plan (IDP);

. Integrated Environmental Management Policy;

. Plan of Implementation; and

. Planning Policy, Framework and Strategies. Scope of Biodiversity Action Plan The Biodiversity Action plan will be a dynamic document, constantly updated with new information and requirements, as necessary, but will include the following:  A description of the existing biodiversity context with regard to flora; which will include: . A broad scale vegetation description, including the aspect of landscape features and their effect on biodiversity;

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. A summary of the findings of previous studies, including the baseline assessment;

. A description of the regional biodiversity context which will include:

 Overview of the fine scale biodiversity mapping;

 An indication of habitat transformation; and

 The extent of natural habitats.

. A description and spatial indication of important biodiversity areas according to the North West Conservation plan;

. A description of vegetation communities within the mine area;

. A description and spatial characterisation of endangered or rare plant species; and

. A description and spatial characterisation of important botanical areas, important landscapes and habitats.  A description of the existing biodiversity context, with regard to fauna, which will include the following: . A summary of the findings of previous studies, including the baseline assessment;

. A summary and spatial characterisation of faunal habitats;  A summary of fauna found within the mining area;  A description and spatial characterisation of endangered or rare fauna species including the following taxa:

. Amphibians;

. Reptiles;

. Birds;

. Mammals; and

. Invertebrates.  A description of biodiversity management units;  A detailed Project interaction matrix;  Recommendations for general biodiversity actions, such as: . Maintaining the BAP;

. Species of special concern;

. Custodianship of native species; and

. Alien species management and eradication.

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 A biodiversity monitoring plan; and, if necessary;  Action plans for the immediate surrounds of the mining area. 10.4.1.2 Sustainable Development Plan In line with the IFC PS a Sustainable Development Plan will be developed by the Project following the steps outlined in Figure 17. This process will:  Develop a 3-5 year plan for the company’s community investments;  Establish Community Investment (CI) strategy objectives;  Identify the key program areas in which the company will invest;  Identify the implementation model and decision-making / governance structures;  Define roles and responsibilities, budget, scope, and timeline;  Describe the company’s exit / handover and sustainability strategies;  Consider both short-term and long-term objectives; and  Describe how project results will be monitored and communicated.

Figure 17: Steps for Developing a Robust Community Investment Strategy (IFC, 2010)

10.4.2 Community Health and Safety Plan A Community Health, Safety and Security (CHSS) plan is proposed as part of the EIA. This process will include:  Desktop study of existing literature;  Following on from the completion of specialist studies and the preliminary identification of impacts, specific impacts relating to community health, safety and security will be evaluated utilising a risk

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assessment tool and specific mitigation / management measures will be developed to reduce negative impacts;  The community health and safety risk assessment, inclusive of a high level evaluation of potential community security risks, will be carried out in a workshop environment, and suggested mitigation measures will be determined. This will then be presented to communities for comment during the course of the Impact Assessment stakeholder engagement process; and  Finalisation of the community health, safety and security plan inclusive of i) policy; (ii) identification of risks and impacts; (iii) management programs; (iv) organizational capacity and competency; (v) emergency preparedness and response; (vi) stakeholder engagement; and (vii) monitoring and review. 11.0 UNDERTAKING I, Margaret Mondlane, hereby confirm that the information provided in this report is correct at the time of compilation and was compiled with input provided by the applicant, ACWA Power Africa Holdings.

I hereby also confirm that the comments received from I&APs will be included in the final Scoping Report that will be submitted to the DEA. Hereafter a record will be kept of any comments and again submitted with the final EIA to the DEA. This will be in the form of a Comments and Responses Report (CRR). I also undertake that the Plan of Study for the EIA will be implemented and the findings will be presented in the EIA report. 12.0 ASSUMPTIONS AND LIMITATIONS The study that has been used to prepare this report is the previous EIA compiled and conducted for the Bokpoort I solar power project. Limited information is known at this stage on the specifics of where the different solar technologies on the site will be positioned and this information will be presented in the EIA. Limited information on the thresholds of the NEMA triggered activities were also unavailable at the time of drafting this DSR and this information will be presented in the EIA.

The report does not address Occupational Health and Safety as required by IFC Performance Standard 2. However it is anticipated that ACWA provide a Health and Safety policy for the EIA.

Although all effort is being made by the Project team to identify all environmental social and health aspects, impacts and mitigation measures, errors and omissions may occur. The Environmental and Social Management System that will be developed as part of the EIA process will be a live database that can be adapted and updated should additional information, aspects or impacts be identified. The objective of the ESMS will be for the Bokpoort II Project team to continually improve environmental and social performance. In addition, according to South African legislation, the EMP will need to be updated or amended with new information when there are significant changes during the life of the Project.

Every effort has been made to engage stakeholders to the extent possible, however not every stakeholder may have been consulted or their comments may not have been recorded accurately. A grievance mechanism will be put in place for the Project through which stakeholders will be able to raise grievances and continue to contribute their concerns and issues with the Project team.

More detail on the assumptions and limitations of the DSR will be provided once the impact assessment has been completed. These assumptions and limitations may relate to the accuracy of quantitative and qualitative impact assessment methods utilised.

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13.0 REFERENCES References used to compile this DSR are listed below.

Environmental Impact Assessment for a Proposed 75MW Concentrating Solar Thermal Power Plant and Associated Infrastructure in the Siyanda District, Northern Cape (2011) including specialist reports. Bohlweki Environmental and SSI. (Referred to in this report as the ‘Bokpoort I EIA’);

Environmental Impact Assessment for the establishment of a New Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) plant and associated infrastructure in the Northern Cape Province. Concentrated Solar Thermal Plant, Upington Area –Detailed Ecological Report. P.J. du Preez for Bohlweki Environmental (on behalf of Eskom Holdings Limited). 2006. (2006);

Air Quality Impact Assessment for a Proposed Concentrating Solar (2010). Plant in the Northern Cape. Bohlweki Environmental and SSI.

Biodiversity Impact Assessment for the proposed Concentrated Solar Thermal Power Plant (Siyanda District, Northern Cape Province) on a portion of the Farm Bokpoort 390. Bathusi Environmental Consulting for (August 2010);

Proposed Thermal Power Plan, Orange River, Northern Cape. Aquatic Biomonitoring and Impact Survey (2010);

Avifaunal Impact Assessment Report – Concentrated Solar Thermal Power (CSP), Northern Cape. Chris van Rooyen Consulting (2010);

Hydrogeological Contribution to EIA of Proposed Solar Power Station, Upington, South Africa. J Cobbing. CSIR (2006);

Noise Impact Assessment of the Planned Concentrating Solar Thermal Power Plant. Bokpoort, Northern Cape Province. Jongens Keet Associates. D Cosijn (2006);

Noise Impact Assessment of the Planned Concentrating Solar Thermal Power Plant. Bokpoort, Northern Cape Province. Jongens Keet Associates. D Cosijn (2010);

Social Impact Assessment for a Proposed Concentrated Solar Thermal Power (CSP) Plant Project in the Siyanda District, Northern Cape. Afrosearch for Bohlweki Environmental (2006);

Visual Impact Assessment for a Proposed Concentrated Solar Thermal Power (CSP) Plant Project in the Siyanda District, Northern Cape. Metro GIS. D. van Vuuren for Bohlweki and SSI. (2006);

Visual Impact Assessment for a Proposed Concentrated Solar Thermal Power (CSP) Plant Project in the Siyanda District, Northern Cape. Metro GIS. D. van Vuuren for Bohlweki and SSI. (2010) ;

ESKOM Concentrating Solar Thermal Plant: Hydrology Environmental Impact Report. RA Chapman. CSIR for Bohlweki Environmental (2006);

The development of a fish index to assess the biological integrity of South African rivers. Water SA 25(3):265-278 (1999);

A Complete Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Southern Africa. Struik Publishers, Cape Town. (2001); and

IUCN. 2014. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Red list of threatened species. www.iucnredlist.org

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International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) Performance Standard 6: Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources;

International Union for Conservation of Nature (2014);

Guidelines to minimise the impact on birds of Solar Facilities and Associated Infrastructure in South Africa. BirdLife South Africa; and

Environmental Guidance Renewable Energy – Solar Projects. Overseas Private Investment Corporation. 2006.

Hydrogeological Baseline Assessment for the Proposed Thermal Solar Plants. Groundwater Consulting Services. May 2010.

National Census 2011 Statistics South Africa.

GOLDER ASSOCIATES AFRICA (PTY) LTD.

Margaret Mondlane Brent Baxter Project Manager Project Director

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Reg. No. 2002/007104/07 Directors: SA Eckstein, RGM Heath, SC Naidoo, GYW Ngoma

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APPENDIX A Document Limitations

January 2015 Report No. 1400951

DOCUMENT LIMITATIONS

DOCUMENT LIMITATIONS This Document has been provided by Golder Associates Africa Pty Ltd (“Golder”) subject to the following limitations: i) This Document has been prepared for the particular purpose outlined in Golder’s proposal and no responsibility is accepted for the use of this Document, in whole or in part, in other contexts or for any other purpose. ii) The scope and the period of Golder’s Services are as described in Golder’s proposal, and are subject to restrictions and limitations. Golder did not perform a complete assessment of all possible conditions or circumstances that may exist at the site referenced in the Document. If a service is not expressly indicated, do not assume it has been provided. If a matter is not addressed, do not assume that any determination has been made by Golder in regards to it. iii) Conditions may exist which were undetectable given the limited nature of the enquiry Golder was retained to undertake with respect to the site. Variations in conditions may occur between investigatory locations, and there may be special conditions pertaining to the site which have not been revealed by the investigation and which have not therefore been taken into account in the Document. Accordingly, additional studies and actions may be required. iv) In addition, it is recognised that the passage of time affects the information and assessment provided in this Document. Golder’s opinions are based upon information that existed at the time of the production of the Document. It is understood that the Services provided allowed Golder to form no more than an opinion of the actual conditions of the site at the time the site was visited and cannot be used to assess the effect of any subsequent changes in the quality of the site, or its surroundings, or any laws or regulations. v) Any assessments made in this Document are based on the conditions indicated from published sources and the investigation described. No warranty is included, either express or implied, that the actual conditions will conform exactly to the assessments contained in this Document. vi) Where data supplied by the client or other external sources, including previous site investigation data, have been used, it has been assumed that the information is correct unless otherwise stated. No responsibility is accepted by Golder for incomplete or inaccurate data supplied by others. vii) The Client acknowledges that Golder may have retained sub-consultants affiliated with Golder to provide Services for the benefit of Golder. Golder will be fully responsible to the Client for the Services and work done by all of its sub-consultants and subcontractors. The Client agrees that it will only assert claims against and seek to recover losses, damages or other liabilities from Golder and not Golder’s affiliated companies. To the maximum extent allowed by law, the Client acknowledges and agrees it will not have any legal recourse, and waives any expense, loss, claim, demand, or cause of action, against Golder’s affiliated companies, and their employees, officers and directors. viii) This Document is provided for sole use by the Client and is confidential to it and its professional advisers. No responsibility whatsoever for the contents of this Document will be accepted to any person other than the Client. Any use which a third party makes of this Document, or any reliance on or decisions to be made based on it, is the responsibility of such third parties. Golder accepts no responsibility for damages, if any, suffered by any third party as a result of decisions made or actions based on this Document.

GOLDER ASSOCIATES AFRICA (PTY) LTD

document1

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BOKPOORT II SOLAR DEVELOPMENT - DRAFT SCOPING REPORT

APPENDIX B Environmental Assessment Practitioner CV

January 2015 Report No. 1400951

Curriculum Vitae MARGARET MONDLANE

Golder Associates Africa (Pty.) Ltd. – Johannesburg Education Masters of Philosophy Senior Environmental Specialist Environmental Specializing in project management, environmental science, impact assessment Management, University of and geographic information systems (GIS). Have completed a various waste Cape Town, Cape Town, management, natural resources, environmental, forestry, local government, and 2004 impact assessment projects at various capacity levels. Experience in writing Bachelor of Science Natural professional environmental reports, proposals, and budgets and client liaison. Resources Management, Proficient in the use of ESRI ArcMAP 10 and qualified Cityworks administrator Colorado State University, (GIS-centric asset management software). Fort Collins, Colorado, USA, 1995 Employment History Certifications Golder Associates Africa – Johannesburg Certificado de Consultor de Senior Environmental Specialist (2012 to Present) AIA No. 02/2013 Republica de Mocambique Ministerio - Leading and managing large scale EIAs and other environmental projects e.g. Para a Coordenacao da EMPs, etc. Accao Ambiental , - Attending meetings with clients, authorities, and other team members 28/01/2013 - Writing proposals, reports, and presentations - Mentoring and managing staff Professional Member Southern African Institute of - Undertaking site visits and fieldwork Ecologists and - Representing company at workshops, conferences, etc. Environmental Scientists, - Taking and active role in business development 20 October 2005 - African Representative for the Golder Global Sustainable Development Technical Community’s Steering Committee Member International Association for Impact Assessment, Linkd Environmental Services – Forest Town South Africa 2005 Project Manager (2009 to 2012)

Member Institute of Waste - Managing of several consulting projects at a total value worth over R50 million. Management of South - Providing leadership, mentoring, environmental project management technical Africa, expertise and quality control for peers, subordinate staff, and subcontractors 26 April 2006 - Principle drafting and coordination of national and international proposals for tenders - Meeting company quotas for billable hours - Ensuring effective quality control of project deliverables to deadline - Maintaining average 20% profitability of projects - Adapting quickly to new projects and can assess project perimeters - Researching information for client reports, proposals and business cases - Using of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to relate complex information to clients - Drafting, editing and overseeing comprehensive and properly contextualised project deliverables, reports and research - Delivering excellent report writing and research, including proper formatting, layout and referencing of reports - Working and encouraging excellence in multidisciplinary and cross-cultural teams - Preparing bi-annual performance evaluations for permanent staff - Assisting with recruitment of new staff for company - Client and stakeholder liaison, and facilitation of strategic planning

Sesikhona Services – Highveld South Africa Director (1999 to 2012) Responsibilities include:

1 Curriculum Vitae MARGARET MONDLANE

- Founding Director at Sesikhona Services, a freelance consulting firm - Responsible for management, operations, marketing, and project work - Securing new work and business ventures - Completed nearly 50 consulting projects and over 100 proposals and quotations in the following types of projects: - National, provincial and local government support - Environmental authorisation and environmental management - Socio-economic assessments and feasibility studies - Waste management - Forestry management

Molosiwa, Bruin and Associates – Fourways South Africa Environmental Scientist and Office Manager (1998 to 1999) - Junior Environmental Scientist consultant promoted to Environmental Scientist - Contributing environmental reports, GIS map making, research, budgeting. - Office Manager responsible for smooth running of administration matters, information technology for office, minimal accounting

PROJECT EXPERIENCE – ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT Arnot Coal Mine Project Management and drafter of the Consolidated Environmental Mpumalanga, South Africa Management Programme (EMPR) for Arnot Coal Mine owned by Exxaro.

Fako Block Kosmos Energy Scouting trip and proposal for a Strategic Environmental Baseline Study for South-West Region, Cameroon the Fako Block oil exploration project. Samancor Middelburg Basic Assessment and Atmospheric Emissions Licence for the proposed Ferrochrome Reductant Drier Mpumalanga, South Africa Environmental Management Project management and drafting of the EMPR addendum for a Rotary Programme Addendum Breaker for New Denmark Colliery. Mpumalanga, South Africa Zambezi Environmental Impact Project assistant for the Zambezi Coal Mine Environmental Impact Assessment Assessment for Rio Tinto Mozambique. Tete, Mozambique

Basic Assessment for Solar Project manager and drafter of the Basic Assessment report for the private Power Plant development of a 1 MW Solar power plant for Lonmin Western Platinum North West Province, South Limited mine. Africa Tete East Environmental Project management and drafting of the Tete East Environmental Characterisation Characterisation for 5 coal exploration concessions for Rio Tinto Tete, Mozambique Mozambique. Environmental Impact Drafting of an EIA for Tarkwa Gold Mine's new CIL Plant Assessment for CIL Plant Ghana Upgrading of road D3110 (from Project and environmental management for the upgrading of road D3110 gravel to tar) (from gravel to tar) from Ga-Seleka to Shongoane in the Waterberg District for Limpopo, South Africa the Roads Agency Limpopo.

2 Curriculum Vitae MARGARET MONDLANE

Repair, reseal and fogspray of Project and environmental management for the Repair, reseal and fogspray road of road D936 from P1/3 to Settlers in the Waterberg District for the Roads Limpopo, South Africa Agency Limpopo. Scoping Report for the Raising Environmental scientist working in conjunction with EnviroXcellence for of Flag Boshielo Dam drafting the Environmental Scoping Report for the Raising of the Flag Limpopo, South Africa Boshielo Dam for Department of Water Affairs and Forestry.

Maintenance of Road and Project and environmental management for the Maintenance of Road and Bridge Bridge 1416 Transverse Beam Repairs P17/3, P181/1, P116/1: R36 from Limpopo, South Africa Tzaneen to the Oaks to Aanlarge (D4430) Erasmas Pass in the Mopani District for the Roads Agency Limpopo. Rietspruit Catchment Project management and environmental specialist for the Rietspruit Situational Analysis Catchment Situational Analysis for Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. Gauteng, South Africa

Aquatic Invasive Alien Project manager and environmental scientist for the Facilitation of Aquatic Operations Incorporation to Invasive Alien Operations Incorporation to the Working for Water Programme the Working for Water from Department of Water Affairs and Forestry: Sub Directorate Water Loss Programme Control. South Africa

Dukuduku State Forest Environmental scientist and administrator for the Dukuduku State Forest Mapping of Alien vegetation Mapping of Alien vegetation and review of secondary industries. and review of secondary industries KwaZulu Natal, South Africa Burgersfort Recycling Centre Environmental scientist and project manager for the Burgersfort Recycling Feasibility Study Centre Feasibility Study for Poverty Alleviation Funding for the Department fo Limpopo, South Africa Environmental Affairs and Tourism

Integration with the Ivory Environmental Scientist and project manager for Integration with the Ivory Route Route Feasibility Study for poverty alleviation funding for the Department of Limpopo, South Africa Environmental Affairs and Tourism. Babirwa Pebble Feasibility Environmental specialist and project manager for the Babirwa Pebble Study Feasibility Study for Poverty Alleviation Funding for the Department of Limpopo, South Africa Environmental Affairs and Tourism Formalisation of Qwa Qwa Environmental scientist and GIS specialist for the formalisation of Qwa Qwa Project for Maluti a Phofung Municipality for Enviroxcellence Services. Free State, South Africa 24 Rivers Community based Environmental scientist and project manager for the 24 rivers community natural resources management based natural resources management project feasibility study for the Limpopo, South Africa Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Contractor Assessment Environmental scientist and facilitator for a Contractor Assessment for the Gauteng North West Working Gauteng North West Working for Water Office for Water Office North West, Gauteng, South Africa Property Developments for Project and environmental management for several property developments Christine Williams for Christine Williams Property Developments in South Africa. Investigation South Africa, South Africa into 'carbon neutral' adaptations to the developments.

3 Curriculum Vitae MARGARET MONDLANE

Maintenance of Road D544 Project and environmental management of the Maintenance of Road D544 Limpopo, South Africa from Polokwane to Mashashane in Capricorn District of Limpopo for the Roads Agency Limpopo. Mining right applications - Completed numerous environmental management plans for various mining environmental management rights applications in the Western Cape, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu Natal for plans private mining companies. South Africa

"Where Continents Meet" Project and environmental management for the "Where Continents Meet" Housing Development luxury housing development near Vyrheid. KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

Environmental Review of Environmental review of environmental applications to fast track old environmental applications to applications under previous National Environmental Management Act, 1998 fast track old applications Regulations made for the North West Province of Department of Agriculture, North West , South Africa Conservation and Environment. South Africa Construction / Upgrading of Project and environmental management for the environmental authorisation Road D4140 of the project: Construction/ Upgrading (Gravel to Bituminous Seal) of Road Limpopo, South Africa D4140 from Malokela to Morulaneng in the Sekhukuhne District. Nanza Consortium low cost Environmental manager for the Nanza Consortium, a professional resource housing developments team, appointed by the Gauteng Department of Housing and Local Gauteng, South Africa Government for developing several low cost housing developments in the province.

Environmental Review of Environmental review of environmental applications to fast track old environmental applications to applications under previous National Environmental Management Act, 1998 fast track old applications Regulations made for the Limpopo Province of Department of Finance, Limpopo, South Africa Economic Affairs, Tourism and Environment. Project included GIS mapping of environmental applications to spatially view their progress. Construction of Road P23/3 Environmental authorisation for the construction of road P23/3 from from Schweize-Reneke to Myra Schweize-Reneke to Myra in North West Province for Rendeals Four North West, South Africa Consulting

PROJECT EXPERIENCE – RESEARCHER Climate Fiscal Mechanisms Researcher for climate fiscal mechanisms for the Large Cities Support for the Large Cities Support Programme for the World Bank. Programme Gauteng, South Africa

Drafting of the National Research support and facilitation of commissions for drafting the National Climate Change Response Climate Change Response White Paper. White Paper Pretoria, South Africa

Greening of COP 17 Technical support for the Greening of COP17 for the GIZ in preparations for KwaZulu Natal, South Africa the Department of Environmental Affairs hosting of COP 17. National Waste Management Contributing drafter of the National Waste Management Strategy 2011 for the Strategy Department of Environmental Affairs. South Africa

4 Curriculum Vitae MARGARET MONDLANE

Review of new potential Review of new potential programmes: erection of fences and collection of litter programmes for Phase 2 of for Phase 2 of the Expanded Public Works Programme. EPWP South Africa

Gauteng EPWP Business Contributing author to the Gauteng Province Expanded Public Works Plan Programme Business Plan 2005. Gauteng, South Africa Mpumalanga Project Service delivery manager for the Mpumalanga Project Consolidate Project Consolidate Management Unit for the Local Economic Development and Good Mpumalanga, South Africa Governance for the Department of Local Government and Housing.

North West EPWP Drafter of the North West Province Expanded Public Works Programme Environmental and Culture (EPWP) Environmental and Culture Sector Plan Sector Plan North West, South Africa Re-establishing the Contributing drafter for re-establishing the ecological reserve strategy for the ecological reserve strategy Sab Sands Wildtuin. for the Sand River Catchment Mpumalanga, South Africa

People and Parks Researcher and content management for the People and Parks Programme Programme Conference Conference for the Department of Environmental Affairs. KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

PROJECT EXPERIENCE – PROJECT MANAGEMENT Integrated Waste Management Project Manager for the development of the Joe Morolong Local Municipality Plan Integrated Waste Management Plan (IWMP). Northern Cape, South Africa Woodlots development project Environmental scientist for the Woodlots Development project for Department KwaZulu Natal, South Africa of Water Affairs and Forestry in conjunction with the Working for Water Programme. Trees and gardens in Project manager for 'Drafting of Trees and gardens in homesteads: a review homesteads: a review of the of the livelihoods importance of non-forest trees and their institutional and livelihoods importance of non- policy drivers' for the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. forest trees and their institutional and policy drivers South Africa National Indigenous Forest Project manager for a national indigenous forest inventory. Inventory Inventory conducted by incorporating GIS and satellite imagery to compile a database South Africa and maps of all forests in South Africa down to one hectare in size. Investigation of potential Project manager for the 'Investigation of possible potential forestry forestry programmes for programmes for inclusion in Integrated Development Plans of local inclusion into IDPs government' for the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. South Africa Gauteng Green Strategic Project manager and researcher for the Gauteng Green Strategic Programme Programme for the sustainable water; and waste management and sanitation sections of Gauteng, South Africa the document. Client was the Gauteng City Region Observatory.

5 Curriculum Vitae MARGARET MONDLANE

Rapid Socio-Economic Project manager and environmental scientist for a Rapid Socio-economic Assessment for the Proposed assessment of the Proposed Blyde River Canyon National Park for the World Blyde River Canyon National Conservation Union (IUCN). Park Mpumalanga, South Africa Domestic Waste Collection Project Manager for the Domestic Waste Collection Project in Mafikeng for the Project Department of Environmental Affairs; the project is an Expanded Public Works North West, South Africa Programme (EPWP) initiative. This was a 3 year project providing waste services to over 31,000 households and developed 5 contractors and overall 75 jobs were created. Umvoti Regional Landfill Development of the Umvoti Regional Landfill for the Department of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa Environmental Affairs Social Responsibility Directorate. Developed detailed business plan as per DEA requirements and the landfill will be constructed using labour based methods. Development of exit strategy Project Manager for 'Development of a responsible exit strategy to mitigate to mitigate the negative socio- the negative socio-economic impacts of the withdrawal from conservation in economic impacts the Mpumalanga Lowveld area from the Department of Water Affairs and Mpumalanga, South Africa Forestry. Socio-economic Assessment Project manager for the socio-economic assessment for the Expanded Public for the EPWP Tsolo Project Works Programme (EPWP) Tsolo Project in the Eastern Cape. Eastern Cape, South Africa Tourism Awareness Strategy Project manager for the Tourism Awareness Strategy for Park Station and for Park Station Inner City Johannesburg for the Gauteng Tourism Authority. Gauteng, South Africa Mafikeng Integrated Waste Project manager for developing Integrated Waste Management Plan for Management Plan Mafikeng Municipality for the Department of Environmental Affairs. Drafting North West, South Africa and editing of the IWMP. GIS of project site. Giyani Integrated Waste Project manager for developing Integrated Waste Management Plan for Management Plan Giyani Municipality for the Indalo Yethu programme. Drafting and editing of Limpopo, South Africa the IWMP. GIS of project site

Thulamela Integrated Waste Project manager for developing Integrated Waste Management Plans for Management Plan Thulamela Municipality for the Indalo Yethu programme. Drafting and editing Limpopo, South Africa of the IWMP. GIS of project site. Audit of the Category B Project manager for an audit of the Category B forestry plantations in the forestry plantations in the Limpopo Province. Northern Province Limpopo, South Africa PROJECT EXPERIENCE – GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS Economic Development Researcher and GIS specialist for the rapid study on the Economic Opportunities for the N2 Development Opportunities to be Generated from the development of the N2 highway development toll road. Eastern Cape, South Africa

Rationalisation of the National GIS specialist for the Rationalisation of the National Protected Areas for Protected Areas for South South Africa. Facilitation at CEO Forum on options for rationalisation. Project Africa for Department of Environmental Affairs and the South African National South Africa, South Africa Biodiversity Institute.

6 Curriculum Vitae MARGARET MONDLANE

GIS Mapping for GIS mapping for the Aganang Local Municipality in Limpopo for their Environmental Management Environmental Management Framework. Framework Limpopo, South Africa

North West Expanded Public Project assistant and GIS manager for the EPWP Implementation of the Works Programme North West Province Social Sector plan. North West, South Africa TRAINING Planning for Effective Public Participation International Association for Public Participation, 2014 Sustainable Development on-line training modules Golder Associates Africa Learning Management System, 2014 Project Client Relations Golder Associates Africa, 2013 Dynamics CRM Golder Associates Africa Learning Management System, 2014 Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery on-line training module Golder Associates Africa Learning Management System, 2013 and 2014 Project Client Relations Golder Associates Africa, 2013 Project Management Fundamentals Golder Associates Africa, 2012 Public Private Partnerships Development Bank of Southern Africa, 2011 Project Management Terrapin, 2010 Electricity and Water Regulation Reform University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business, 2010 Cityworks Administration Training for International Distributors Azteca Systems, 2008 Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment for Improved Environmental Decision Making Capacity Building in Biodiversity and Impact Assessment - International Association for Impact Assessment Dutch Government Project, 2006 Community Based Natural Resources Management University of the Western Cape Programme for Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS), 2001 Beginners isiZulu Pretoria College, 2001 Project Management WITS Business School, 2001

7 Curriculum Vitae MARGARET MONDLANE

PUBLICATIONS Conference Mondlane, M. 2006. Impact of Removing Exotic Forests from a New National Park to be Proceedings Established. Presented at the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA). 26th IAIA Annual Conference. Stavanger, Norway.

Mondlane M and Zibi B. 2007. Case Study: Socio-Economic Impact Study for Tsolo, Eastern Cape Province, Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Learnership Project. 12th Seminar for Labour Based Practices. Durban, South Africa.

8 BOKPOORT II SOLAR DEVELOPMENT - DRAFT SCOPING REPORT

APPENDIX C Public Participation Documents Announcing the Draft Scoping Report

January 2015 Report No. 1400951

STAKEHOLDER DATABASE

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCESS FOR THE PROPOSED BOKPOORT II SOLAR POWER DEVELOPMENT ON THE REMAINING EXTENT OF THE FARM BOKPOORT 390 NEAR GROBLERSHOOP, !KHEIS LOCAL MUNICIPALITY, NORTHERN CAPE

Name Company City ., .. Crescendo Trust GROBLERSHOOP ., .. DJN Boerdery Pty Ltd GROBLERSHOOP ., .. Schonegevel Holdings Pty Ltd GROBLERSHOOP ., Johannes Kleinbegin Plase Trust GROBLERSHOOP Abrahams, A. Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) KIMBERLEY Ahmed, Mehmood Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) - Northern KIMBERLEY Cape April, Charl Khara Hais Local Municipality UPINGTON April, Lerato Department of Energy PRETORIA Auret, Hennie Khara Hais Local Municipality UPINGTON Basson, Thomas Khara Hais Local Municipality UPINGTON Beukes, Aubrey Northern Cape Department of Social Services and UPINGTON Population Development Beukes, Lizelle Oranje Vaal Water Use Association DOUGLAS Blom, Hanno Boegoebergdam Resort GROBLERSHOOP Blom, Jakobus Kheis Local Municipality GROBLERSHOOP Bovu, Gundlani Khara Hais Local Municipality UPINGTON Brand, Gawie Orange River Farmers Association UPINGTON Breytenbach, Naas Sentech Limited UPINGTON Brown, Raymond Private GROBLERSHOOP Bruwer, Willie Oranje Vaal Water Use Association DOUGLAS Bulani, Itumeleng L. Northern Cape Department Roads & Public Works KIMBERLEY Buys, Helena Alstop Supermarket GROBLERSHOOP Buys, Kobus LAW Abattoir GROBLERSHOOP Chotelo, Tiny Northern Cape Provincial Government KIMBERLEY Cloete, Elizabeth Khara Hais Local Municipality GROBLERSHOOP Cloete, G. ZF Mgcawu District Municipality UPINGTON Cloete, Sean Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) UPINGTON Compion, Martin Tripple T Consulting Of South Africa Pty Ltd GROBLERSHOOP Craywagen, Herman Orange River Wine Cellars UPINGTON Daly, Neil South African National Roads Agency Limited BELLVILLE (SANRAL) Daniels, Angelo Kheis Local Municipality GROBLERSHOOP de Beer, Catrin Green Kalahari Tourism Office UPINGTON de Beer, Sampie Private LAMBRECHTSDRIF

Project No. 1400951 1 STAKEHOLDER DATABASE

Name Company City de Klerk, Edward Kheis Local Municipality GROBLERSHOOP De Witt, Pieter Private GROBLERSHOOP Johannes Dibede, Nongo Airports Company of South Africa - Upington Airport UPINGTON Diergaardt, Andries Kheis Local Municipality GROBLERSHOOP du Plessis, Annetjie SKA South Africa - Carnavon Office Northern Cape CARNAVON du Plessis, Jeremy Khara Hais Local Municipality UPINGTON du Plessis, Pieter Karstens Farm KANONEILAND Du Preez, Marthinus Private GROBLERSHOOP Els, Stephanus Daniel Private GROBLERSHOOP Engelbrecht, Japie Orange River Farmers Union: Agri SA UPINGTON Erasmus, Suzanne Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa KIMBERLEY (WESSA) Esterhuysen, J. JH Esterhuysen Familie Trust LAMBRECHTSDRIF Ferrys, Cynthia Department of Education PABALLELO Fourie, Marike Opwag Groblershoop Pty Ltd GROBLERSHOOP Fourie, Nico Department Roads and Public Works KIMBERLEY Fourie, Wilco Private GROBLERSHOOP Fourie, Willem Kobus Orange River Farmers Association UPINGTON Gaorelwe, O T Department Environment and Nature Conservation KIMBERLEY Geldenhuys, Conrad Khara Hais Local Municipality UPINGTON Gerber, Gary Private GROBLERSHOOP Goussard, A. JCG Water Treatment UPINGTON Groeners, Erna Department Environment and Nature Conservation KIMBERLEY Groenewald, Frank Private GROBLERSHOOP Jalis Gxasheka, Andile National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) PRETORIA Hasty, Robert Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa BEACONSFIELD (WESSA) Holm, Dieter Solar Energy Society of SA (SESSA) HARTBEESPOORT Honiball, Chris Private GROBLERSHOOP Jansen, Sarina Kheis Local Municipality GROBLERSHOOP Job, Lizzy Kheis Local Municipality GROBLERSHOOP Johnson, Shaun Sustainable Futures ZA RONDEBOSCH Jonkens Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison KIMBERLEY Jordaan, Elizabeth Private GROBLERSHOOP Petronella Joseph, J P I Kheis Local Municipality GROBLERSHOOP Joubert, Hoffie Oranje Cooperative Limited UPINGTON Juries, Ivan Khara Hais Local Municipality KALKSLOOT

Project No. 1400951 2 STAKEHOLDER DATABASE

Name Company City Khakhane, David Witsand Nature Reserve POSTMASBURG Koloi, Dimakatso Khara Hais Local Municipality UPINGTON Koopman, H. Groblershoop Community Health Centre GROBLERSHOOP Kotze, P M ZF Mgcawu Local Municipality UPINGTON Kotze, Peter Murray Private GROBLERSHOOP Kotze, Pieter Boegoeberg Water Users Association GROBLERSHOOP Lombard, Jean Boegoeberg Water Use Association GROBLERSHOOP Louw, Andy Standard Bank ROSEBANK Louw, Barend Wildekeur Farm UPINGTON Louw, Hendrik Northern Cape Department of Development and KIMBERLEY Tourism Madlongilwana, Department of Education PABALLELO Ndumie Madlongolwana, M. Department of Education PABALLELO Mahlangu, Lazarus National Department of Energy PRETORIA Mahotas, Vania Department of Energy PRETORIA Makatong, Klassie ZF Mgcawu District Municipality UPINGTON Makhathini, Simphiwe Department of Public Enterprises HATFIELD Malan, Dirk Kalahari Water KEIMOES Manong, M South African Heritage Resource Agency KIMBERLEY Maraaia-Martin, Mora Northern Cape Provincial Government KIMBERLEY Marais, Fanie Boegoeberg Water Users Association GROBLERSHOOP Marais, Hennie Air Traffic and Navigational Services KEMPTON PARK Marais, Peter Air Traffic and Navigational Services KEMPTON PARK Marengo, Adila Eskom – Renewable Energy Independent Power JOHANNESBURG Producers Maritz, Johan Private GROBLERSHOOP Mashudu, Kgaphola Department of Water and Sanitation UPINGTON Mathupi, Matilda !Kheis Local Municipality GROBLERSHOOP Mfusi, Vernon Khara Hais Local Municipality UPINGTON Mjila, Zelna ZF Mgcawu District Municipality UPINGTON Mogodi, I Department of Co-operative Governance, Human KIMBERLEY Settlement and Traditional Affairs Mohlala, Bridget Department of Economic Development PRETORIA Mohotas, Vania National Department of Energy PRETORIA Moleko, Dineo Department of Environmental Affairs KIMBERLEY Mooketsi Department of Social Development KIMBERLEY Moolman, Lucias South African National Parks UPINGTON Morkel, Abraham Louwvale-Weg Opkomende Boere Vereniging UPINGTON

Project No. 1400951 3 STAKEHOLDER DATABASE

Name Company City Mothelefi, Omkarabetfe Northern Cape Department of Arts and Culture KIMBERLEY Mouton, Christa South African National Roads Agency Limited UPINGTON (SANRAL) Mouton, Johan Agrimark UPINGTON Myburgh, Henning Agri Northern Cape KIMBERLEY Ndimande, Zola Solarzone (Pty) Ltd STRAND Nel, Ansie Arrie se Put Guest House AUGRABIES Ngobeni, Maduna National Department of Energy PRETORIA Ngxinga, Daloxolo Khara Hais Local Municipality UPINGTON Nkomonde, Noxy ACWA Power Africa Holdings (Pty) Ltd SANDTON Nlengana, Mike African Farmers Association of South Africa (AFASA) UPINGTON Nortje, Dirk Private GROBLERSHOOP Nowalaza, Johannes Department of Education KIMBERLEY Ntoba, Elias ZF Mgcawu District Municipality UPINGTON Palm, Ruth Department of Roads and Public Works KIMBERLEY Papenfus, Norman Transnet Ltd BLOEMFONTEIN Phete, Andre Department of Cooperative Governance Human UPINGTON Settlement and Traditional Affairs Pienaar, Alet Department of Social Development KIMBERLEY Pretorius, Koos South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) HALFWAY HOUSE Rapatsa, Denise ZF Mgcawu District Municipality UPINGTON Reitz, Jan Daniel Private GROBLERSHOOP Karnspek Rupping, Frikkie ZF Mcgawu District Municipality UPINGTON Sali, Norma Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) PRETORIA Schaffer, Jason Nano Energy JOHANNESBURG Scheepers, Teresa Kheis Local Municipality GROBLERSHOOP September, Melissa Trausere UPINGTON Shushu, Norman Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural KIMBERLEY Development Sikhitha, K. Economic Development Department PRETORIA Smit, Christo Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural UPINGTON Development Smith, Andre Sotrou Vervaardigers CC GROBLERSHOOP Smith, Melvyn Department of Sport, Arts and Culture KIMBERLEY Smith, Steven South African National Parks (SANPARKS) AUGRABIES Snyders, L J Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS): KIMBERLEY Regional Office Snyman, Pieter SKA South Africa Northern Cape CARNAVON Snyman, Ronnie Eskom Holdings Ltd GROBLERSHOOP

Project No. 1400951 4 STAKEHOLDER DATABASE

Name Company City Solomon, Luke Department of Social Development UPINGTON Stander, J P Airports Company of South Africa - Upington Airport UPINGTON Strauss, Theunis Kotze Private GROBLERSHOOP Strohl, Lizell South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) HALFWAY HOUSE Struwig, Pieter Eskom GROBLERSHOOP Thebe, Emmanuel Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS): Area UPINGTON Office Theron, Melanie Orange River Farmers Association UPINGTON Tieties, Alfred ZF Mgcawu District Municipality UPINGTON Timothy, Andrew South African Heritage Resource Agency (SAHRA) KIMBERLEY Towell, Joline Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) GROBLERSHOOP Van der Merwe, Susan Private GROBLERSHOOP Maria van Eck, W. Private GROBLERSHOOP van Jaarsveldt, Private GROBLERSHOOP Johannes Nicolaas Lourens van Niekerk, Albert Private UPINGTON Nicolaas Van Niekerk, Cornelius Private GROBLERSHOOP Francois van Rensburg, Johan Agri SA KIMBERLEY van Schalkwyk, Piet Olievenhoutsdrift Farm UPINGTON van Staden, Gift ZF Mgcawu District Municipality UPINGTON van Wyk, Ferdie Khara Hais Local Municipality UPINGTON van Wyk, Vanessa Khara Hais Local Municipality UPINGTON van Zyl, Deon Lutz & Van Zyl Land Surveyors UPINGTON van Zyl, Jan J Lutz & Van Zyl Land Surveyors UPINGTON van Zyl, Jannie Jakkalsdans Farm GROBLERSHOOP van Zyl, Kobus ZF Mgcawu District Municipality UPINGTON van Zyl, Pieter Private GROBLERSHOOP van Zyl, Stefan Boegoeberg Water Use Association GROBLERSHOOP Vlok, Ampie Private UPINGTON Vries, Paul Kheis Local Municipality GROBLERSHOOP Wyngaardt, Justine Eskom Holdings SOC Limited - Land Development CAPE TOWN Yaphi, Anga Department of Environment and Nature UPINGTON Conservation

Project No. 1400951 5

28 January 2015 Project No. 1400951

DEA Reference numbers: PV1 14/12/16/3/3/2/802 PV4 14/12/16/3/3/2/805 PV2 14/12/16/3/3/2/803 CSP Trough 1 / Tower 1 14/12/16/3/3/2/800 PV3 14/12/16/3/3/2/804 CSP Trough 2 / Tower 2 14/12/16/3/3/2/801

 Availability of Draft Scoping Reports (DSR) for comment  Invitation to an Open House

Dear Stakeholder, 1.0 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND ACWA Power Africa Holdings (Pty) Ltd (ACWA) proposes to establish a solar development (Bokpoort II) on the north- eastern portion of the Remaining Extent (RE) of the Farm Bokpoort 390, 20 km northwest of the town of Groblershoop within the !Kheis Local Municipality in the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality, Northern Cape Province.

In 2011, the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) issued an authorisation for the development of a 75 MW CSP parabolic trough development on the south western portion of the RE of the Farm Bokpoort 390 and construction commenced in July 2013. The proposed Bokpoort II development is located in an area that was assessed during the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) process for the Bokpoort I development. The Bokpoort I EIA’s sensitivity zoning map indicates that the project footprint for the Bokpoort II solar development is in an environmentally preferred and acceptable development area. ACWA has indicated that the development will be funded both locally and internationally and hence the EIA would need to comply with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards (2012) as well as the Equator Principles. The solar development will feed power into the national Eskom grid.

The applicant is an Independent Power Producer (IPP) who intends to bid in the Department of Energy’s (DoE) Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPP), and hence has divided the environmental authorisations for the proposed development into six (6) separate applications (see reference numbers above) according to the Department of Energy’s (DoE’s) MW unit requirements.

Golder Associates Africa (Pty) Ltd (Golder) has been appointed by ACWA as the independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) to conduct the Environmental Impact Assessment process for the proposed development. 2.0 LOCATION OF THE PROPOSED PROJECTS The proposed project area is located on the north-eastern portion of the RE of the Farm Bokpoort 390, 20 km northwest of the town of Groblershoop within the !Kheis Local Municipality in the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality, Northern Cape Province (see attached map). It is assumed that a 20km water pipeline will follow the existing water pipeline servitude being used for the Bokpoort I development, which extends across the farms Sand Draai portions 0 and 5. 3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ACWA is proposing to bid for two different solar technologies on the site, with the second technology comprising two alternatives. Only one approved solar technology type, or a combination of the two, will be built. The applicant is proposing to bid for four 75 Mega Watt (MW) Photovoltaic (PV) solar power plant technology applications, and either two 100 MW Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) parabolic troughs or two 100 MW CSP towers. This is further outlined below:

Golder Associates Africa (Pty) Ltd. Building 1, Golder House, Magwa Crescent West, Maxwell Office Park, cnr. Allandale Road and Maxwell Drive, Waterfall City, Midrand, 1685 P.O. Box 6001, Halfway House, 1685 Tel: [+27] (11) 254 4800 Fax: [+27] (0) 86 582 1561 www.golder.com Golder Associates: Operations in Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, North America and South America

Reg. No. 2002/007104/07 Directors: SA Eckstein, RGM Heath, SC Naidoo, GYW Ngoma Golder, Golder Associates and the GA globe design are trademarks of Golder Associates Corporation.

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 Four (4): 75 MW solar energy facility PV facilities, and  Two (2): 100 MW CSP Developments either CSP Parabolic Trough or CSP Tower. The combined power generation capacity of the entire Bokpoort II solar development will be 500 MW (PV: 300 MW and CSP Trough or Tower: 200 MW).

More detail on the proposed technologies and associated infrastructure can be found in the Draft Scoping Report (DSR).

Figure 1: Example of a Photo Voltaic Solar Power Facility.

Figure 2: Example of a Concentrated Solar Power Parabolic Trough Facility

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Figure 3: Example of a Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) Tower 4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION PROCESS ACWA will be undertaking several listed activities applicable to the proposed project that requires environmental authorisation via the EIA process in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA), as amended and the NEMA EIA Regulations GN R 982, 983, 984 and 985. The competent authority that will make the decision on whether or not to approve the undertaking of the NEMA listed activities is the National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA).

It must also be noted that the EIA is being conducted in line with international standards, such as the Equator Principles (EP) and the requirements of the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

The following listed activities have been applied for under NEMA (more detail on these can be found in the DSR):

Table 1: NEMA 2014 Listed Activities triggered Government Notice Regulation (GN R): Listed Activity number 983 (Basic Assessment) 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 19, 25, 28 and 56. 984 (EIA) 1, 5, 7, 11 and 15. 985 (EIA in specific geographical areas) 4, 12, 14 and 18.

The Environmental Impact Assessment process will follow one combined public participation process for the proposed Bokpoort II solar power developments. Stakeholders will receive ample opportunity to obtain information about the project, to raise issues and concerns, and to offer suggestions for enhanced project benefits. The technical specialists will evaluate relevant issues and suggestions contributed by stakeholders, during the EIA processes. Draft Scoping Report (DSR) available for public review In accordance with the NEMA Regulations, as amended, the purpose of a DSR is to provide stakeholders with information about the proposed project and the opportunity to contribute issues of concern. The issues raised by stakeholders and those issues identified by the environmental technical specialists will be used to confirm and define the Terms of Reference for the specialist studies that will be conducted during the Impact Assessment Phase of the EIA.

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The Draft Scoping Report will be available for public review and comment for comment for a period of thirty (30) days from Wednesday, 28 January 2015 to Friday, 27 February 2015.

The reports will be available on the following website: www.golder.com/public. In addition, copies of the draft report will be available at the Open House (see below) and at the following public places:

Public place Locality Contact person Telephone

!Kheis Local Municipal Clinic Groblershoop Aletta Strauss 054 833 0231 !Kheis Public Library Groblershoop Matilda Mathupi 054 833 9500 Golder Associates Africa Midrand Sasha Slogrove-Saayman 011 254 4966

Stakeholders may comment on the Draft Scoping Report in any of the following ways:  By completing the reply sheet enclosed with this letter;  By writing a letter or providing additional written submissions;  By email, fax or telephone to the Public Participation Office; and  By attending the Open House on Wednesday, 18 February 2015 (see below). Invitation to an Open House Golder has pleasure in inviting interested and affected parties to attend an Open House as follows: Date: Wednesday, 18 February 2015 Time: Any time between the hours of 12:00 to 18:00 Venue: Orange River Wine Cellars, Groblershoop

The objectives of the Open House will be to share the contents of the projects’ Draft Scoping Report, for interested and affected parties (I&APs) to contribute questions and concerns, and to meet the developer and EIA Project Team members. I&APs who wish to attend the Open House are requested to complete the enclosed Registration and Comment Sheet and return it to the Public Participation Office. 4.1 Environmental specialist studies for the EIA and EMP A detailed site selection and sensitivity analysis was conducted for the Bokpoort I EIA and it was indicated that the project area for the Bokpoort II development is in a preferred and acceptable developable area. A comprehensive Environmental Management Programme (EMP) will be developed and implemented to mitigate and minimise any potential impacts during the construction and operational phases. The EIA process will investigate the impacts summarised in Table 2.

Table 2: Potential Environmental Impact to be investigated in the EIA phase Environmental Element Potential Environmental Impact Air quality will be impacted minimally by vehicle emissions and dust on the main access road and at the project site during construction. The impact will be reduced Air Quality during the operational phase. There will be combustion gases emitted by the auxiliary power generation system during operation.

Construction phase activities are likely to temporarily increase noise levels due to vehicle movements, equipment and employees. During the operational phase of the Bokpoort II solar development, the predicted noise sources will be the cooling fans at Noise the power block, the pumps, the power generating unit, and the movement of the Heliostats of the CSP Tower that will track the sun. The cooling fans are anticipated to be the loudest noise source with noise levels ranging between 52.5 dBA at 1 000m from the plant to 32.6 dBA at 5 000m from the site.

The total project footprint of the solar development will be finalised during the EIA Topography and land use process. The land use will change from Agriculture to Special Purpose (Solar Farm).

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Environmental Element Potential Environmental Impact The site will be cleared of all vegetation during the construction phase and top soil will be subjected to wind erosion, possibly resulting in displacement. Equipment such as tanks, steam generator and pumps may leak and pollute the soil resource, however Soil and land capability appropriate mitigation measures will be implemented. The transformers and vehicles may also pollute the soil through oil leakage. Panel breakages could result in foreign materials being deposited on the soil.

The impact of the water abstraction point at the Orange River will be investigated in the EIA report. The amount of water required for the solar development is still to be determined. The impact caused by the use of surface water for the operation of the Surface water facility, is anticipated to be low. The abstraction pump will use a liquid fuel for power and could have a chance spill during operation. There may be a slight increase in siltation near the water abstraction pump. There is a chance of hydrocarbon pollution caused by vehicles during construction and by machinery leakages.

Groundwater There are no expected groundwater impacts. Plant species in the project area are sensitive due to the low rainfall and poor soils. There will be a negative impact on the vegetation due to clearance of land. The vegetation habitat will be negatively impacted causing impacts on the faunal elements Terrestrial ecology of the receiving environment. Avi-fauna may be negatively impacted as a result of collisions with pylons and the reflectivity of the CSP Tower. A 3 m high fence will be constructed around the solar facility, which could obstruct the movement of some fauna species.

The potential aquatic ecological impacts are anticipated to be low. The water pipeline Aquatic ecology will use an existing, already disturbed servitude line. The water abstraction pump will have a small localised impact on aquatic fauna due to noise and abstraction of water.

A Phase 1 Heritage Assessment will be done during the EIA to further investigate Middle Stone Age flakes discovered previously on the farm Bokpoort 390. These sites Cultural and heritage resources may be disturbed during the construction of the proposed infrastructure. In addition, unmarked graves and/or archaeological artefacts could be unearthed during construction.

The news of employment opportunities may result in an influx of workers to the area, thereby impacting existing community networks and perceptions of safety and crime levels. The number of jobs to be created by the development is to be determined and Socio-economic environment can be viewed as a positive impact. The electricity fed into the Eskom grid through the operation of the solar development, will have a positive impact on meeting the nation’s energy demands.

A visual impact assessment is proposed, as the installation of the solar development will change the aesthetics of the project area. Construction activities, dust mobilisation and construction vehicles traversing the proposed site, as well as the Visual presence of new infrastructure will transform the landscape. Given the relative flatness of the project site, the solar facility will be visually prominent from a considerable distance.

The influx of workers for the construction period and personnel during the operational Tourism phase may have a low adverse impact on tourism. The solar development in itself may attract tourists once operational.

Other potential impacts could include the glint and glare from the heliostats and electromagnetic interference emanating from the CSP tower power plant that could interfere with overflying aircraft. An application will be made to the South African Civil Aviation Authority, who will assess the severity of this impact.

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5.0 WAY FORWARD To register as an I&AP on the proposed Bokpoort II solar development, please complete the attached Comment and Registration sheet and return it to the Public Participation Office by Friday, 27 February 2015, or contact Sasha Slogrove Saayman at: (011) 254 4966, fax (086) 582 1516 or email: [email protected] or contact Tony Seef at: (011) 313 1158, fax (086) 582 1516 or email: [email protected].

After the public review period on the Draft Scoping Report has closed, the report will be updated and submitted to the relevant competent authority, the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) for approval to proceed with the Impact Assessment Phase of each of the EIA processes. We look forward to your further participation in the EIA process. Should you have any questions, need more information or wish to comment, please contact Sasha Slogrove Saayman or Tony Seef at the Public Participation Office at: (011) 254 4966/ (011) 313 1158, fax (086) 582 1516 or email: [email protected] or [email protected].

Yours sincerely

GOLDER ASSOCIATES AFRICA (PTY) LTD.

Sasha Slogrove-Saayman Margaret Mondlane Public Participation Practitioner EIA Project Manager

SSS/EDP/sss

Attachments: Locality map, Comment and Registration sheet

d:\documents by name\sasha\1400951-bokpoort\1400951 - draft bokpoort bil_v6_final.docx

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Figure 4 Locality Map for the proposed Bokpoort II solar power development

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Environmental Impact Assessment Process for the proposed Bokpoort II Solar Power Development on the Remaining Extent of the Farm Bokpoort 390 near Groblershoop, !Kheis Local Municipality, Northern Cape

Registration and Comment Sheet January 2015 – February 2015

Your comments are an important contribution into this permitting process. We would like to interact directly with you and encourage you to register as a stakeholder so that we can keep you updated as this project moves forward and respond to any questions or concerns that you may wish to raise. PERSONAL DETAILS

Organisation / Name Surname Title Department (If applicable)

CONTACT INFORMATION Preferred Cell Number Land Line Contact Number Fax Number Language Office

Home

Email address Postal Address Postal code

LANDOWNERS

If your property falls within the boundary of the proposed development area, please supply your registered farm name and erf/portion number WOULD YOU LIKE TO REGISTER AS AN INTERESTED AND AFFECTED PARTY? Please register me as an interested and affected party (I&AP) for this project so YES NO that I may receive further information and notifications as the project develops Preferred Method of Communication Mail E-mail Fax (Mark with an X) Alternate Method of Communication Mail E-mail Fax (Mark with an X) OPEN HOUSE - 12:00 – 18:00 I would like to attend the Open House on Wednesday, 18 February 2015 at the Orange YES NO River Wine Cellars, Groblershoop (please circle the appropriate block)

In terms of GNR 982 (EIA Regulations) I disclose below any direct business, financial, personal or other interest that I Date may have in the approval or refusal of the application:

Signature

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COMMENT(S) You are welcome to use more pages should you so wish. I have the following comments to make regarding this project and/or the public consultation process:

Please register the following people as Interested and Affected Persons for this EIA process:

NAME CONCTACT DETAILS

PLEASE RETURN THE REGISTRATION AND COMMENT SHEET TO: Golder Associates Africa PUBLIC PARTICIPATION OFFICE Sasha Slogrove-Saayman / Tony Seef P.O. Box 6001, Halfway House, 1685 Tel: +27(011) 254 4966 / 4959, Fax:+27(0)86 582 1561 E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected] Website : http://www.golder.com THANK YOU

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OMGEWINGSINVLOEDSBEPALING VIR DIE VOORGESTELDE BOKPOORT II SONKRAG ONTWIKKELING OP DIE RESTANT VAN DIE PLAAS BOKPOORT 390 NABY GROBLERSHOOP, !KHEIS PLAASLIKE MUNISIPALITEIT, NOORDKAAP PROVINSIE

Departement van Omgewingssake verwysingsnommers: PV1 14/12/16/3/3/2/802 PV4 14/12/16/3/3/2/805 PV2 14/12/16/3/3/2/803 GS Trog 1 / Toring 1 14/12/16/3/3/2/800 PV3 14/12/16/3/3/2/804 GS Trog 2 / Toring 2 14/12/16/3/3/2/801

 Beskikbaarheid van die Konsep Bestekopnameverslag vir kommentaar  Uitnodiging na ‘n Ope Huis

Beste belanghebbende, 1.0 AGTERGROND ACWA Power Africa Holdings (Edms) Bpk beplan om ‘n sonkragaanleg (Bokpoort II) op die noord-oostelike gedeelte van die restant van die plaas Bokpoort 390, 20km noord-wes van Groblershoop, in die !Kheis plaaslike munisipale gebied, ZF Mgcawu Munisipale Distrik, Noord-Kaap Provinsie, te ontwikkel. Die ontwikkeling sal aansluit by die 75 MW GS paraboliese trogontwikkeling op die suid-westelike gedeelte van die plaas Bokpoort 390. Die Departement van Omgewingsake het in 2011 magtiging verleen vir die ontwikkeling van ‘n 75 MW GS paraboliese trog ontwikkeling op die suid-westelike gedeelte van die restant van die plaas Bokpoort 390 en konstruksie het in Julie 2013 ‘n aanvang geneem. Bokpoort II se voorgestelde sonkragontwikkeling is geleë op die terrein wat reeds gedurende 2013 ‘n Omgewingsinvloedbepalingsproses (OIB) ondergaan het. Volgens die sensitiwiteits soneringskaart in die OIB verslag van Bokpoort I, is die ligging vir die Bokpoort II sonkragontwikkeling aanvaarbaar en ideaal vir die tipe onwikkeling. ACWA het aangedui dat die ontwikkeling beide plaaslike en internasionale befondsing sal benodig en om die rede moet die OIB voldoen aan die vereistes van die International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards (2012) en ook aan die vereistes van die Equator Principles. Die sonkragontwikkeling sal krag lewer aan die nasionale Eskom netwerk.

Die applikant is ‘n Onafhanklike Kragvoorsiener (OK) wat beoog om te tender vir die Departement van Energiesake se Hernubare Energie Onafhanklike Kragvoorsienersprogram en het derhalwe, volgens die bepalings van die Departement van Energiesake se MW eenheidsvereistes, die omgewingsmagtigings verdeel in ses (6) alleenstaande aansoeke (verw. aansoeknommers hierbo).

Golder Associates Africa (Edms) Beperk (Golder) is deur ACWA as die Omgewingsbepalingspraktisyn aangestel om die magtigingsproses vir die voorgestelde ontwikkeling te hanteer.

. 2.0 LIGGING VAN DIE VOORGESTELDE PROJEKTE Die voorgestelde projekarea is geleë in die noord-oostelike gedeelte van die restant van die plaas Bokpoort 390, 20km noord-wes van Groblershoop in die !Kheis plaaslike munisipaliteit wat deel vorm van die ZF Mgcawu distriksmunisipaliteit, Noordkaap Provinsie (sien aangehegte kaart). Die aanname bestaan tans dat die 20 km waterpyplyn dieselfde bestaande waterpyplynserwituut, wat vir die Bokpoort I ontwikkeling gebruik word, en wat strek oor die plase Sanddraai gedeeltes 0 en 5, sal volg.

Reg. No. 2002/007104/07 Directors: SA Eckstein, RGM Heath, SC Naidoo, GYW Ngoma Golder, Golder Associates and the GA globe design are trademarks of Golder Associates Corporation.

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3.0 BESKRYWING VAN DIE PROJEK ACWA sal twee verskillende sonkrag tegnologiese prosesse op die terrein oorweeg. Die tweede tegnologiese proses bestaan uit twee alternatiewe. Slegs een goedgekeurde sonkrag proses, of ‘n samestelling van die twee, sal uiteindelik opgerig word. Die aansoeker gaan tender vir vier 75 Mega Watt (MW) fotovoltaïese (FV) sonkragaanleg fasiliteite en twee 100 MW Gekonsentreerde Sonkrag (GS) paraboliese fasiliteite of twee 100 MW Gekonsentreerde Sonkrag torings. Dit is hieronder uiteengesit: . Vier (4): 75 Mega Watt (MW) fotovoltaïese (FV) sonkragaanleg fasiliteite, en . Twee (2): 100 MW Gekonsentreerde Sonkrag (GS) paraboliese fasiliteite of twee 100 MW Gekonsentreerde Sonkrag torings.

Die totale kragopwekkingspotensiaal van die Bokpoort II sonkragaanleg sal 500 MW wees. (FV: 300 MW en GS paraboliese fasiliteite of GS Toring: 200 MW).

Meer inligting aangaande die voorgestelde tegnologieë en gepaardgaande infrakstruktuur kan in die Konsep Bestekopnameverslag gevind word.

Figuur 1: Voorbeeld van ‘n fotovoltaïese (FV) sonkragaanleg .

Figuur 2: Voorbeeld van ‘n Gekonsentreerde Sonkrag Paraboliese Trog fasiliteit.

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Figuur 3: Voorbeeld van ‘n Gekonsentreerde Sonkrag (GS) Toring met omliggende sonkragpanele 4.0 DIE OMGEWINGSINVLOEDSBEPALINGSPROSES ACWA beplan om etlike gelyste aktiwiteite, wat omgewingsmagtiging vereis, van toepassing op die beoogde projek, te onderneem deur middel van die OIB proses soos bepaal deur die Nasionale Omgewingsbestuurswet (NEMA) 1998, (Wet 107 van 1998), soos aangepas, asook die Nasionale Omgewingsbestuurswetregulasies GN R 982, 983, 984 en 985. Die besluitnemingsowerheid wat ‘n besluit moet neem insake die NEMA gelyste aktiwiteite is die Nasionale Department van Omgewingssake (DOS).

Soos voorheen aangedui word die OIB ook gedoen om te voldoen aan die vereistes van die International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards (2012) en ook aan die vereistes van die Equator Principles.

Daar word aansoek gedoen vir die onderstaande gelyste aktiwiteite soos bepaal deur die NEMA (‘n volledige beskrywing van elke aktiwiteit is beskikbaar in die Konsep Bestekopnameverslag):

Tabel 1: NEMA 2014 Gelyste Aktiwiteite Regeringskennisgewing (GN R): Nommer van die gelyste aktiwiteit 983 (Grondvlakondersoek) 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 19, 25, 28 and 56. 984 (OIB) 1, 5, 7, 11 and 15. 985 (OIB in bepaalde geografiese area) 4, 12, 14 and 18.

Die Omgewingsinvloedsbepalingsproses vir die beoogde Bokpoort II sonkragontwikkeling sal ‘n enkele openbare deelname proses volg. Belanghebbendes sal genoegsaam geleentheid gegee word om inligting oor die beoogde projek in te win en om kwessies en kwellinge te opper. Die tegniese spesialiste sal kwessis wat van toepassing is, evalueer gedurende die OIB proses. Konsep Bestekopnameverslag nou beskikbaar vir openbare kommentaar Soos vereis deur die NEMA Regulasies, soos aangepas, is die doel van ‘n Bestekopnameverslag om belanghebbendes te voorsien van genoegsame inligting oor die beoogde projek en ‘n geleentheid te bied om kwessies of kwellings by te dra tot die proses. Die kwessies wat uit die proses voortvloei sal deur die omgewingskundiges gebruik word om die bestek van die studies te bepaal wat dan gedurende die Omgewingsinvloedsbepalingsfase gedoen sal word.

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UITNODIGING OM KOMMENTAAR TE LEWER

Belanghebbendes word uitgenooi om te registreer en aan die OIB proses deel te neem deur:

. kommentaar te lewer op die Konsep Bestekopnameverslag . kwessies te identifiseer en voorstelle vir verbeterde voordele te lewer.

Die Konsep Bestekopnameverslag sal beskikbaar wees vir openbare besigtiging en kommentaar vanaf Woensdag, 28 Januarie 2015 tot Vrydag, 27 Februarie 2015. Die verslag sal beskikbaar wees by die volgende openbare plekke asook op die webtuiste: www.golder.com/public

Naam van openbare plek Kontakpersoon Adres Kontaknommer

!Kheis Plaaslike Munisipaliteit Aletta Strauss 212 Maritz Straat, Groblershoop 054 833 0231 Kliniek !Kheis Openbare Biblioteek Matilda Mathupi 97 Orange Street, Groblerhoop 054 833 9500 Building 1, Golder House, Golder Associates Africa Sasha Slogrove-Saayman 01 254 4966 Maxwell Office Park, Midrand

Belanghebbendes kan op die volgende maniere kommentaar lewer:  Deur die aangehegte Registrasie en Kommentaarblad te voltooi;  Deur ‘n brief of addisionele geskrewe kommentare in te dien:  Per epos, faks of telefonies aan die Openbare Deelnamekantoor; en  Deur die Ope Huis op Woensdag, 18 Februarie 2015 by te woon (sien onder). UITNODIGING NA ‘N OPE HUIS

Belanghebbendes word uitgenooi om ‘n Ope Huis by te woon, wat sal plaasvind op:

Datum: Woensdag, 18 Februarie 2015

Tyd: Enige tyd tussen 12:00 en 18:00.

Plek: Oranje Rivier Wynkelder, Groblershoop

Die doelstellings van die Ope Huis is om die inhoud van die Bestekopnameverslag aan belanghebbendes voor te lê sodat hulle kwessies en kwellinge kan opper en ook om ‘n geleentheid te bied om die ontwikikelaar en die OIB span te ontmoet. Belanghebbendes wat die Ope Huis wil bywoon word versoek om die aangehegte Registrasie en Kommentaarblad in te vul en aan die Openbare Deelnamekantoor terug te stuur. 4.1 Beoogde spesialisstudies vir die Omgewingsinvloedsbepaling ‘n Omvattende liggingsvoorkeur en sensitiwiteitsondersoek is vir die Bokpoort I OIB gedoen en die bevinding was dat die projekgebied vir die Bokpoort II ontwikkeling by voorkeur ideaal is vir die tipe ontwikkeling. ‘n Omvattende Omgewingsbestuurprogram (OBP) sal ontwikkel en in werking gestel word ten einde die potensiele invloed gedurende die konstruksie en operasionele fases te beperk. Die invloede wat gedurende die Omgewingsinvloedbepalingproses bestudeer gaan word is hieronder opgesom. (Tabel 2).

Tabel 2: Potensiele Omgewingsinvloede wat gedurende die OIB fase bestudeer gaan word Omgewingselement Potensiële omgewingsinvloed Die lugkwaliteit sal tot ‘n mindere mate beinvloed word deur motoruitlaatgasse, die stof op die toegangspad en by die projekgebied gedurende konstruksie. Dié invloed Lugkwaliteit sal gedurende die operationele fase verminder. Verbrandingsgasse sal gedurende die operationele fase deur die aanvullende elektrisiteitsopwekkingssisteem vrygelaat word.

Die geraasvlakke sal tydelik opgestoot word as gevolg van aktiwiteite gedurende die Geraas konstruksiefase, hoofsaaklik as gevolg van die toename in voertuigverkeer, die geraas van toerusting en werknemers. Gedurende die operasionele fase word

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Omgewingselement Potensiële omgewingsinvloed voorsien dat geraas by die verkoelers van die kragsentrale, die pompe, die kragopwekkingseenheid en die beweging van die Heliostaat van die Gekonsentreede Sonkrag toring, sal plaasvind. Daar word voorsien dat die verkoelers die meeste sal raas met geraasvlakke tussen 52.5 dBA op 1 000m vanaf die ontwikkeling tot 32.6 dBA op 5 000m.

Die oppervlakte van die sonkragontwikkelingsprojek sal gedurende die OIB proses Topografie en sonering van gefinaliseer word. Die sonering van die gebied sal van Landbou na Spesiale Gebruik grond (Sonplaas) verander word. Al die plantegroei sal gedurende konstruksie vanaf die perseel verwyder word en gevolglik sal die bo-grond aan wind-erosie blootgestel word, wat sal veroorsaak dat grond verplaas word. Toerusting soos tenks, stoom opwekkers en pompe kan dalk Grondbesoedeling lek en die grond besoedel, alhoewel toepaslike vermydingsmaatreëls ingestel sal word. Die transformators en voertuie mag dalk ook die grond besoedel agv olielekkasies. Sou van die sonpanele breek, mag vreemde chemiese stowwe ook in die grond beland.

Die invloed van die waterpunt by die Oranje Rivier sal ook ondersoek word in die OIB verslag. Die hoeveelheid water wat vir die ontwikkeling nodig is, moet nog bepaal word. Die invloed van die operasionele projek op oppervlakwater is na verwagting Oppervlakwater laag. Die waterpomp sal ‘n vloeibare brandstof gebruik en daar mag dalk ‘n lekkasie plaasvind tydens gebruik. Daar mag ook ‘n geringe toename in siltasie wees naby die waterpomp in die rivier. Moontlik kan oliebesoedeling ook deur voertuie en masjinerie veroorsaak word tydens konstruksie.

Grondwater Geen invloede op groundwater word voorsien nie. Plantspesies in die area is reeds van sensitiewe aard as gevolg van die lae reënval en arm grond. Die skoonmaak van die area sal ‘n negatiewe invloed hê op die plantegroei in die area. Die gebrek aan plantegroei sal op sy beurt ‘n invloed hê op Landgebonde ekologie die dierelewe in die area. Voëls kan ook negatief geraak word deur die moontlikheid dat hulle in torings en pale kan vasvlieg as gevolg van die weerkaatsing van die GS toring. Terselfdertyd sal die 3m hoë heining rondom die perseel die beweging van sommige dierspesies verhinder.

Die moontlike invloed op waterspesies word as laag beskou. Die waterpyplyn sal Watergebonde ekologie geleë wees in ‘n bestaande waterpyplynserwituut. Die waterpomp sal ‘n klein plaaslike invloed hê op vislewe as gevolg van geraas en die inneem van water.

‘n Fase 1 kultuurhistoriese en erfenis-bepaling sal gedurende die OIB gedoen word om die Middelsteentydperk klippies wat voorheen op die plaas Bokpoort 390 gevind Kulturele en erfenisstudies is, te evalueer. Hierdie areas van kultuurhistoriese belang mag dalk gedurende konstruksie versteur word. Grafte en argeologiese artefakte kan ook moontlik gedurende konstruksie uitgegrawe word.

Die tyding dat werksgeleenthede beskikbaar is, mag tot gevolg hê dat talle werkers na die area stroom, wat ‘n invloed sal hê op die bestaande gemeenskapsnetwerke en Maatskaplik-ekonomiese die beskouings oor veiligheid en misdaadvlakke. Daarenteen sal die elektrisiteit wat invloede aan die Eskomnetwerk beskikbaar gestel word deur die sonkragprojek, weer ‘n positiewe invloed hê op die land se kragbehoeftes.

‘n Visuele invloedsbepaling word voorgestel, aangesien die oprigting van die sonkrag projek die estetika van die area sal beinvloed. Konstruksie-akitwiteite, stof en die Visuele invloede verkeer van konstruksievoertuie, sowel as die teenwoordigheid van nuwe infrastruktuur sal die landskap laat anders lyk. Gegewe die relatiewe plat aarde in die projekgebied, sal die sonkragfasiliteit van ver af gesien kan word.

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Omgewingselement Potensiële omgewingsinvloed Die instroming van werkers tydens die konstruksiefase en die permanente personeel wat die projek sal bedryf, mag ‘n lae negatiewe invloed hê op toerisme in die area. Toerisme Daarenteen kan die sonkragontwikkeling op sigself toeriste lok wanneer dit eers in werking is.

Ander potensiële invloede wat steurings vir laagvliegende vliegtuie kan veroorsaak, is die weerkaatsing van die heliostate asook elektromagnetiese steuringe wat deur die GS toring veroorsaak word. Aansoek sal gedoen word by die Suid Afrikaanse Burgerlugvaartowerheid, wat so ‘n invloed sal ondersoek. 5.0 VOLGENDE STAPPE Om as ‘n Belanghebbende te registreer, voltooi asseblief die aangehegte Registrasie en Kommentaarblad en stuur dit aan die Openbare Deelname kantoor teen Vrydag, 27 Februarie 2015, of kontak Sasha Slogrove-Saayman by: (011) 254 4966, faks (086) 582 1516 of e-pos: [email protected] of Tony Seef by: (011) 313 1158, faks (086) 582 1516 of e-pos: [email protected]. Na afloop van die openbare besigtigingstydperk vir die Konsep Bestekopnameverslag, sal die verslag nagesien en opgedateer word en aan die betrokke owerheid, die Departement van Omgewingsake voorgelê word vir goedkeuring om met die Omgewingsinvloedsbepalingsfase voort te gaan.

Ons sien uit na u betrokkenheid by die OIB proses. Indien u enige vrae het, meer inligting verlang of graag kommentaar wil lewer, kontak asseblief vir Sasha Slogrove Saayman of Tony Seef by die Openbare Deelname Kantoor by: (011) 254 4966/ (011) 313 1158, faks (086) 582 1516 of e-pos: [email protected] of [email protected].

Vriendelike groete,

GOLDER ASSOCIATES AFRICA (PTY) LTD.

Sasha Slogrove-Saayman Margaret Mondlane Openbare Deelname Praktisyn OIB Projekbestuurder

SSS/EDP/sss

Aanhangsels: Liggingskaart, Registrasie en Kommentaarblad

d:\my documents\bokpoort\1400951 - draft bokpoort bil_v6 afrikaans (3).docx

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Figuur 4 Liggingskaart vir die voorgestelde Bokpoort II sonkragaanleg

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OMGEWINGSINVLOEDSBEPALING VIR DIE VOORGESTELDE BOKPOORT II SONKRAG ONTWIKKELING OP DIE RESTANT VAN DIE PLAAS BOKPOORT 390 NABY GROBLERSHOOP, !KHEIS PLAASLIKE MUNISIPALITEIT, NOORDKAAP PROVINSIE Registrasie en Kommentaarblad Januarie 2015 – Februarie 2015

U kommentaar is ‘n belangrike bydrae tot die magtigingsproses. Ons wil graag met u kontak maak en u aanmoedig om as ‘n Belanghebbende te registreer sodat ons u op die hoogte kan hou van die projekvordering en kan antwoord op enige vrae of kwessies wat u graag wou opper.

PERSOONLIKE BESONDERHEDE

Organisasie / Naam Van Titel Departement (Indien van toepassing)

KONTAKBESONDERHEDE

Selnommer Landlyn en kontaknommer Faksnommer Taalvoorkeur

Kantoor

Huis

E-posadres Posadres Poskode

GRONDEIENAARS

Indien u eiendom binne die grense van die van die voorgestelde ontwikkeling val, dui asseblief u plaas se geregistreerde naam asook die erf/gedeelte nommer.

WIL U GRAAG AS ‘N BELANGHEBBENDE REGISTREER?

Ek wil graag as ‘n belanghebbende party vir hierdie projek registreer sodat ek JA NEE verdere inligting oor die projek kan ontvang. Kommunikasievoorkeur Pos E-pos Faks (Dui met X aan) Alternatiewe manier van kommunikasie Pos E-pos Faks (Dui met X aan) OPE HUIS VERGADERING - 12:00 – 18:00 Ek wil graag die Ope Huis vergadering op Woensdag, 18 Februarie 2015 by die Orange JA NEE River Wine Cellars, Groblershoop, bywoon. (Omkring asseblief die aangewese blokkie)

In terme van GNR 982 (OIB Regulasies) maak ek enige betrokkenheid wat ek by enige direkte besigheid het; hetsy finansieel, persoonlik of enige ander belange wat ek sou hê by Datum die goedkeuring of weiering van die aansoek, hieronder aan u bekend.

Handtekening

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KOMMENTAAR U is welkom om bladsye by te voeg, sou dit nodig wees. Ek wil graag kommentaar lewer op die projek / openbare deelname proses:

Registreer asseblief die volgende persone as Belanghebbendes vir hierdie OIB proses:

NAAM KONTAKBESONDERHEDE

STUUR ASSEBLIEF U REGISTRASIE EN KOMMENTAARBLAD AAN: Golder Associates Africa OPENBARE DEELNAME KANTOOR Sasha Slogrove-Saayman / Tony Seef Posbus 6001, Halfway House, 1685 Tel: +27(011) 254 4966 / 4959, Faks:+27(0)86 582 1561 E-pos: [email protected] / [email protected] Webtuiste : http://www.golder.com BAIE DANKIE

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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) PROCESSFOR THE PROPOSED BOKPOORT II SOLAR POWER DEVELOPMENT ON THE REMAINING EXTENT OF THE FARM BOKPOORT 390 NEAR GROBLERSHOOP, !KHEIS LOCAL MUNICIPALITY, NORTHERN CAPE

DRAFT SCOPING REPORT AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT INVITATION TO REGISTER AS AN I&AP AND TO ATTEND AN OPEN HOUSE

DEA Reference numbers:

PV1 14/12/16/3/3/2/802 PV2 14/12/16/3/3/2/803 PV3 14/12/16/3/3/2/804 PV4 14/12/16/3/3/2/805 CSP Trough 1 / Tower 1 14/12/16/3/3/2/800 CSP Trough 2 / Tower 2 14/12/16/3/3/2/801

ACWA Power Africa Holdings (Pty) Ltd (ACWA) proposes to establish a solar facility (Bokpoort II) on the north- eastern portion of the Remaining Extent (RE) of the Farm Bokpoort 390, located 20 km northwest of Groblershoop town within the !Kheis Local Municipality in the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality, Northern Cape Province. The following projects are being proposed: • 4x 75 MW Photovoltaic (PV) facilities • 2x 100 MW CSP Parabolic Tower/ Trough facilities The combined power generation capacity of the entire Bokpoort II solar development will be 500 MW (PV: 300 MW and CSP Trough or Tower: 200 MW). In 2011, the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) issued an authorisation for a 75 MW CSP parabolic trough development on the south western portion of the Remaining Extent (RE) of the Farm Bokpoort 390 and construction commenced in July 2013. The proposed Bokpoort II is located in an area that was assessed during the EIA process for the Bokpoort I. The Bokpoort I EIA’s sensitivity zoning map, indicates that the project footprint for the Bokpoort II solar development is in an environmentally preferred and acceptable developable area. Golder Associates Africa (Pty) Ltd (Golder) has been appointed by ACWA as the Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) to undertake the Environmental Impact Assessment process for the proposed development, as determined by the National Environmental Management Act (Act 107 of 1998) NEMA). PUBLIC COMMENT INVITED Stakeholders are invited to register as Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) and to participate in the EIA process by: • Giving comments regarding the Draft Scoping Report; • Identifying issues of concern and suggestions for enhanced benefits.

The Draft Scoping Report will be available for public review and comment from Wednesday, 28 January 2015 to Friday, 27 February 2015. The report will be available at the public places listed below and also on the following website: www.golder.com/public. Name of Public Place Contact Person Address Contact Number

!Kheis Local Municipal Clinic Aletta Strauss 212 Maritz Street, 054 833 0231 Groblershoop !Kheis Public Library Matilda Mathupi 97 Orange Street, 054 833 9500 Groblershoop Golder Associates Africa Sasha Slogrove- Building 1, Golder 011 254 4966 Saayman House, Maxwell Office Park, Midrand

INVITATION TO OPEN HOUSE Stakeholders are also invited to attend an Open House that will be held on: Date: Wednesday, 18 February 2015 Time: 12:00pm until 6:00 pm Venue: Orange River Wine Cellars, Groblershoop

To register as an I&AP and/or obtain more information please contact:

Sasha Slogrove-Saayman / Tony Seef Public Participation Office: Golder Associates Africa (Pty) Ltd. PO Box 6001, Halfway House, 1685 Tel: (011) 254 4966 / (011) 313 1158; Fax: 086 582 1561 E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected] OMGEWINGSINVLOEDBEPALING EN OMGEWINGSBESTUURPLAN VIR DIE VOORGESTELDE BOKPOORT II SONKRAG ONTWIKKELING OP DIE OORBLYWENDE GEDEELTE VAN DIE PLAAS BOKPOORT 390 NABY GROBLERSHOOP, !KHEIS PLAASLIKE MUNISIPALITEIT, NOORD KAAP

KONSEP BESTEKOPNAMEVERSLAG IS BESIKBAAR VIR KOMMENTAAR Uitnodiging om as ‘n belanghebbende te registreer en ‘n inligtingsvergadering by te woon DOS Verwysing nommers:

PV1 14/12/16/3/3/2/802 PV2 14/12/16/3/3/2/803 PV3 14/12/16/3/3/2/804 PV4 14/12/16/3/3/2/805 CSP Trough 1 / Tower 1 14/12/16/3/3/2/800 CSP Trough 2 / Tower 2 14/12/16/3/3/2/801

ACWA Power Africa Holdings (Edms) Bpk beplan om ‘n sonkragaanleg (Bokpoort II) op die noord- oostelike gedeelte van die oorblywende deel van die plaas Bokpoort 390, 20km noord-wes van Groblershoop, in die !Kheis plaaslike munisipale gebied, ZF Mgcawu Munisipale Distrik, Noord-Kaap Provinsie, te ontwikkel. Die ontwikkeling sal aansluit by die 75 MW CSP paraboliese trogontwikkeling op die suid-westelike gedeelte van die plaas Bokpoort 390.

ACWA oorweeg tans twee verskillende tegnologiese prosesse vir die opwekking van sonkrag op die terrein. Slegs een proses, of ‘n samestelling van die twee, sal uiteindelik opgerig word.

Die totale kragopwekkingspotensiaal van die Bokpoort II sonkragaanleg sal 500 MW wees. Soos bepaal deur die Nasionale Omgewingsbestuurswet (Wet 107 of 1998) (NEMA), is Golder Associates Africa (Edms) Beperk (Golder) deur ACWA as die Omgewingsbepalingspraktisyn aangestel om die magtigingsproses vir die voorgestelde ontwikkeling te hanteer.

UITNODIGING OM KOMMENTAAR TE LEWER Belanghebbendes word uitgenooi om te registreer en aan die OIB proses deel te neem deur: . kommentaar te lewer op die Konsep Bestekopnameverslag . kwessies te identifiseer en voorstelle vir verbeterde voordele te lewer. Die Konsep Bestekopnameverslag sal beskikbaar wees vir openbare besigtiging en kommentaar vanaf Woensdag, 28 Januarie 2015 tot Vrydag, 27 Februarie 2015. Die verslag sal beskikbaar wees by die volgende openbare plekke asook op die webtuiste: www.golder.com/public

Naam van openbare Kontakpersoon Adres Kontaknommer plek !Kheis Plaaslike 212 Maritz Straat, Aletta Strauss 054 833 0231 Munisipaliteit Kliniek Groblershoop !Kheis Openbare 97 Orange Straat, Matilda Mathupi 054 833 9500 Biblioteek Groblershoop Building 1, Golder House, Golder Associates Sasha Slogrove- Maxwell Office Park, 01 254 4966 Africa Saayman Midrand

UITNODIGING NA ‘N OPENBARE INLIGTINGSVERGADERING Belanghebbendes word uitgenooi om ‘n inligtingsvergadering by te woon, op: Datum: Woensdag, 18 Februarie 2015 Tyd: 12:00 vm tot 6:00 nm Plek: Oranje Rivier Wynkelders, Groblershoop

Om te registreer as 'n belanghebbende en meer inligting te bekom, kontak asseblief: Sasha Slogrove-Saayman / Tony Seef Kantoor vir Openbare Deelname Golder Associates Africa (Edms) Bpk Posbus 6001, Halfway House, 1685 Tel: (011) 254 4966/ (011) 313 1158; Fax: 086 582 1561 Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Golder Associates Africa (Pty) Ltd. P.O. Box 6001 Halfway House, 1685 Building 1, Golder House, Magwa Crescent West Maxwell Office Park, cnr. Allandale Road and Maxwell Drive Waterfall City Midrand, 1685 South Africa T: [+27] (11) 254 4800