Environmental Impact Assessment Study for the proposed Concentrated Solar Power Plant (Central Receiver) on the farm Sand Draai 391, Northern Cape – Draft Consultation Environmental Impact Report DEA Ref 14/12/16/3/3/3/204 March 2016 Document Description Client: Solafrica Energy (Pty) Ltd Project Name: Environmental Impact Assessment Study for the proposed Concentrated Solar Power Plant (Central Receiver) on the farm Sand Draai 391, Northern Cape Royal HaskoningDHV Reference Number: T01.JNB.000565 Compiled by: Johan Blignaut Date: February 2016 Location: Woodmead Review and approval: Prashika Reddy Page | i Table of Contents 1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Project Background ............................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Approach to the Environmental Impact Assessment Study ............................................................... 5 1.2.1 Conclusions of the Environmental Scoping Study (ESS) ................................................................... 5 1.2.2 Environmental Impact Assessment Process ...................................................................................... 6 1.2.2.1 Environmental Impact Assessment Report Structure .................................................................. 6 1.2.2.2 Specialist Studies ......................................................................................................................... 9 1.2.2.3 Draft Environmental Management Programme ............................................................................ 9 1.3 Concurrent Licencing Processes ..................................................................................................... 10 1.3.1 Water Use Licence ........................................................................................................................... 10 1.3.2 Zoning .............................................................................................................................................. 11 1.4 Details of the Environmental Assessment Practitioner .................................................................... 11 2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION .......................................................................................... 13 2.1 Site Locality ...................................................................................................................................... 13 2.2 Detailed Design of the CSP Plant using Central Receiver Technology ........................................... 13 2.2.1 Tower/Central Receiver System ...................................................................................................... 16 2.2.2 Heliostat (Solar) Field ....................................................................................................................... 17 2.2.3 Power Block ..................................................................................................................................... 18 2.2.3.1 Pre-heating System .................................................................................................................... 18 2.2.3.2 Steam Generator System ........................................................................................................... 19 2.2.3.3 Steam Turbine Generator ........................................................................................................... 19 2.2.3.4 Air Cooled Condenser ................................................................................................................ 19 2.2.3.5 Generator/Synchronous Motor ................................................................................................... 20 2.2.4 Auxiliary Facilities/Infrastructure ...................................................................................................... 20 2.2.4.1 Water Abstraction System .......................................................................................................... 20 2.2.4.2 Water Storage (Regulation) Ponds ............................................................................................ 23 2.2.4.3 Water Treatment Infrastructure .................................................................................................. 24 2.2.4.4 Access Roads ............................................................................................................................. 25 2.2.4.5 Power Line .................................................................................................................................. 25 2.2.4.6 Waste Generation (Liquid Effluent) ............................................................................................ 26 2.2.4.7 Evaporation Ponds ..................................................................................................................... 27 2.2.4.8 Sanitary Waste ........................................................................................................................... 28 Page | ii 2.2.4.9 Solid Waste Generation.............................................................................................................. 28 2.2.4.10 Storeroom(s), Laydown Area, Construction Camp and Assembly Plant ................................... 29 2.3 Operations ........................................................................................................................................ 30 3 PROJECT ALTERNATIVES ....................................................................................... 31 3.1 Site Alternatives ............................................................................................................................... 31 3.1.1 Site Alternatives identified within the Northern Cape Province for the Establishment of the new CSP Plant 31 3.1.2 Consideration of the Sand Draai Farm for the Development of the new CSP Plant using Central Receiver Technology ................................................................................................................................. 31 3.2 Technology Alternatives ................................................................................................................... 32 3.3 Design/Layout Alternatives .............................................................................................................. 34 3.3.1 Linear Infrastructure Corridors ......................................................................................................... 34 3.3.1.1 Water Supply Pipelines .............................................................................................................. 34 3.3.1.2 Access Roads ............................................................................................................................. 34 3.3.1.3 Power (Transmission) Line ......................................................................................................... 34 3.4 No-Go Alternative ............................................................................................................................. 34 4 PROJECT NEED AND DESIRABILITY ...................................................................... 36 5 LEGISLATION ............................................................................................................ 39 5.1 National Environmental Management Act (No 107 of 1998) ........................................................... 39 5.1.1 EIA Regulations (2014) .................................................................................................................... 39 5.2 National Environmental Management: Waste Act (No 59 of 2008) ................................................. 41 5.3 The National Water Act (No 36 of 1998) .......................................................................................... 42 5.4 National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (No 39 of 2004) ........................................... 42 5.5 Hazardous Substance Act (No 15 of 1973) and Regulations .......................................................... 43 5.6 Other Relevant Acts, Guidelines, Department Policies and Environmental Management Instruments 43 6 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION .......................................................................................... 45 6.1 Consultation with Competent Authorities ......................................................................................... 46 6.2 Consultation with other Relevant Authorities and Key Stakeholders ............................................... 47 6.3 I&AP Database ................................................................................................................................. 47 6.4 Identification of Interested and Affected Parties .............................................................................. 47 6.5 Advertising ........................................................................................................................................ 47 6.6 Issues Trail ....................................................................................................................................... 47 6.7 Review of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Draft Environmental Management Programme .................................................................................................................................................. 51 6.8 Public Meeting 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