MAINSTREAM RENEWABLE POWER Construction of a CSP and CPV/ PV Plant in, Kimberley, Northern Cape Province of South Africa Draft Environmental Impact Report - Ref #12/12/20/2024 Issue Date: 2 June 2011 Revision No.: 1 Project No.: 10273 Date: 2 June 2011 Construction of a CSP and CPV/ PV Plant in, Kimberley, Northern Document Title: Cape Province of South Africa: Draft Environmental Impact Report Author: Faith Kalibbala; Lucy Chimoyi Revision Number: 1 Checked by: Liesl Koch, Kelly Tucker Approved: Liesl Koch, Kelly Tucker Signature: For: SiVEST Environmental Division COPYRIGHT IS VESTED IN SiVEST IN TERMS OF THE COPYRIGHT ACT (ACT 98 OF 1978) AND NO USE OR REPRODUCTION OR DUPLICATION THEREOF MAY OCCUR WITHOUT THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE AUTHOR MAINSTREAM RENEWABLE POWER prepared by: SiVEST Environmental Draft Environmental Impact Report Revision No. 1 3 June 2011 Page 1 Y:\10000\10273 CSP Solar EIA\Reports\EIA phase\EIR\Kimberley Site\Kimberley Draft EIR rev 1 - 01 June 11 LK.docx KEY PROJECT INFORMATION FARM DESCRIPTION 21 DIGIT SURVEYOR GENERAL CODE Portion 5 of the Farm De Hoop No 65 C03700000000006500005 Portion 10 of the Farm De Hoop No 65 C03700000000006500010 Portion 11 of the Farm De Hoop No 65 C03700000000006500011 Remainder of Farm 193 C03700000000019300000 Remainder of the Farm Droogfontein No 62 C03700000000006200000 Portion 1 of the Farm Droogfontein No 62 C03700000000006200001 Remainder of Farm 196 C03700000000019600000 TITLE DEEDS: Attached as Appendix 1 PHOTOGRAPHS OF SITE: General Characteristics of the study area MAINSTREAM RENEWABLE POWER prepared by: SiVEST Environmental Draft Environmental Impact Report Revision No. 1 3 June 2011 Page 2 Y:\10000\10273 CSP Solar EIA\Reports\EIA phase\EIR\Kimberley Site\Kimberley Draft EIR rev 1 - 01 June 11 LK.docx General Characteristics of the study area SENSITIVE VISUAL RECEPTORS: Name Receptor Type Primary Orientation Zone of visual Impact Dronfield self drive Recreational Partially toward Moderate distance routes activity proposed site N12 highway National route Partially toward Short distance proposed site Riverton road Secondary road Partially toward Short distance proposed site TYPE OF TECHNOLOGY: Concentrated Solar Power and Photovoltaic or Concentrated Photovoltaic Power Plant STRUCTURE HEIGHT: 8-10m SURFACE AREA TO BE COVERED: 8km2. STRUCTURE ORIENTATION: Structure will be oriented in a northeast/northwest orientation LAYDOWN AREA DIMENSIONS: 100m X 100m during construction. GENERATION CAPACITY: 50MW (CPV) and 150MW (CSP) MAINSTREAM RENEWABLE POWER prepared by: SiVEST Environmental Draft Environmental Impact Report Revision No. 1 3 June 2011 Page 3 Y:\10000\10273 CSP Solar EIA\Reports\EIA phase\EIR\Kimberley Site\Kimberley Draft EIR rev 1 - 01 June 11 LK.docx MAINSTREAM RENEWABLE CONSTRUCTION OF A CSP AND CPV/ PV PLANT DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT Executive Summary Mainstream Renewable power intends to construct one Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and one Concentrated Photovoltaic/Photovoltaic Plant in the Kimberley area of the Northern Province. The objective of the project is to generate electricity to feed into the National Grid by installing solar power plants (and associated substations). The proposed plants are regarded as a listed activity in terms of the new Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations (2006) released on the 18th of June, 2010 and promulgated on the 2nd of August, 2010, and thus require an Environmental Impact Assessment to be undertaken. SiVEST Environmental Division has been appointed as independent consultants to undertake the EIA on Eskom‟s behalf. The proposed project involves the construction of a 50 MW PV/CPV and 150 MW CSP plant. Due to the licensing process that needs to be undertaken by Mainstream, it is likely that the project will be phased with the construction of the PV occurring first followed by the CSP project, however, should a license be granted both plants will be constructed simultaneously. The construction of a CSP plant requires the use of large amounts of water. In order to reduce this impact on the environment, the project proposes the use of waste water from the Homevale Municipal Waste Water Treatment Works as opposed to using fresh water from a borehole or river. The proposed project is required to improve electricity supply to the Eskom Grid and to assist in achieving the Government‟s mandate for the establishment of renewable energy generation facilities. The proposed project involves the construction of a CSP and PV/CPV plant. Layout alternatives have been investigated and these relate to the location of the associated infrastructure on the site. These are illustrated below: MAINSTREAM RENEWABLE POWER prepared by: SiVEST Environmental Draft Environmental Impact Report Revision No. 1 3 June 2011 Page 4 Y:\10000\10273 CSP Solar EIA\Reports\EIA phase\EIR\Kimberley Site\Kimberley Draft EIR rev 1 - 01 June 11 LK.docx Figure i: Site layout alternatives Kimberly falls within the bioregion described by Mucina et al., 2006 as the Eastern Kalahari Bushveld Bioregion within the Savanna Biome. Three vegetation types are present within the study area: . Kimberley Thornveld . Highveld Salt Pans . Highveld Alluvial Vegetation Several specialist studies were conducted for the EIR Phase as stipulated in the Plan of Study for the EIA, which was accepted by the DEA. These included: . Biodiversity (including fauna, flora and avi-fauna) Assessment . Surface Water Impact Assessment . Groundwater Study . Noise Impact Assessment . Tourism Assessment MAINSTREAM RENEWABLE POWER prepared by: SiVEST Environmental Draft Environmental Impact Report Revision No. 1 3 June 2011 Page 5 Y:\10000\10273 CSP Solar EIA\Reports\EIA phase\EIR\Kimberley Site\Kimberley Draft EIR rev 1 - 01 June 11 LK.docx . Visual Impact Assessment . Heritage Assessment . Socio-economic Impact Assessment . Waste Management Plan . Compliance with Equator Principles Table i: Summary of findings Environmental Parameter Summary of major findings Recommendations Biodiversity Impact No fatal flaws are present on Strict mitigation measures Assessment the site however some must be in place and must be potentially sensitive areas are implemented. Monitoring is present namely the pans and required thornveld areas. These areas exhibit sensitivities in terms of species present (Bullfrogs present, White backed vultures present) and ecological functionality. Actual footprint not an issue Birds are the faunal grouping which could be affected the worst by the proposed development. Surface Water Impact Pan is to be regarded as areas In consideration of the Assessment of high sensitivity and should potential impacts that may be avoided. affect the functional aspects of the surface water resources, a buffer zone of 50 metres has been applied to the pan. The mitigation measures stipulated in terms of the above- mentioned impacts have been elaborated on. It is critical that these are followed in order to minimize impacts on the surface water resources found on the proposed study area. Groundwater Impact The proposed development Stringent implementation of Assessment has not been identified as a mitigation measures. major risk to groundwater MAINSTREAM RENEWABLE POWER prepared by: SiVEST Environmental Draft Environmental Impact Report Revision No. 1 3 June 2011 Page 6 Y:\10000\10273 CSP Solar EIA\Reports\EIA phase\EIR\Kimberley Site\Kimberley Draft EIR rev 1 - 01 June 11 LK.docx however minor risks associated with hydrocarbons are present which require management. Noise Impact Assessment The proposed development is Infrastructure should be not likely to affect the current placed away from the secure noise environment. care centre. Visual Impact Assessment It was established that the Mitigation measures proposed development will suggested in the visual study have a high visual impact on must be implemented to motorists travelling along the reduce potential visual Riverton road and a medium impacts. visual impact on motorists travelling along the N12 highway and visitors using the self drive game routes within the Dronfield Nature Reserve. The proposed solar energy facility will have a negative low visual impact during construction and a negative medium visual impact during operation, with very few mitigation measures available Heritage Impact Assessment Several heritage features have Strict implementation of been identified on the site. mitigation and management Those that fall within the measures. Consultation with footprint will require SAHRA through a heritage documentation and removal by specialist for the duration of a qualified heritage specialist construction. prior to construction. Several Palaeontology features have been identified on the site Tourism Impact Assessment Concentrated on sensitive Mitigation measures tourism areas (N12/ the suggested in the tourism study diamond route, Riverton road, must be implemented to and Dronfield Nature Reserve) reduce potential impact on close to the proposed site. tourism. CSP Alternative 2 exhibits no major visually sensitive tourist receptors and is distant from a MAINSTREAM RENEWABLE POWER prepared by: SiVEST Environmental Draft Environmental Impact Report Revision No. 1 3 June 2011 Page 7 Y:\10000\10273 CSP Solar EIA\Reports\EIA phase\EIR\Kimberley Site\Kimberley Draft EIR rev 1 - 01 June 11 LK.docx major tourist route (N12) and a major tourist destination (Dronfield Nature Reserve). It is anticipated that tourists travelling along N12 and those within the Nature Reserve will not view the proposed power plant in this area. Therefore