Final EIAR - Aurecon AME Environmental | Environmental Projects

Proposed Wind and Solar (Photovoltaic) Energy Facilities on Kangnas Farm near Springbok in the Northern Cape: Draft EIR 69
term and therefore of low to medium (-) significance for the proposed solar energy facility,
without mitigation. With the implementation of mitigation measures and revised design layout
this is anticipated to reduce to low (-) significance. No difference in significance would result
from the proposed wind alternatives.
c) Mitigation measures
The following mitigation measures are recommended:
Mitigation measures for the wind energy facility
• Monitor the local avifauna pre- and post-construction for a one year (12 month) period
with monitoring in each of the four seasons which will help to establish how birds use the
site on an annual basis. Implement appropriate additional mitigation as and when
significant changes are recorded in the number, distribution or breeding behaviour of
any of the priority species listed in the Avifaunal Impact Assessment, or when collision or
electrocution mortalities are recorded for any of the priority species listed in the
assessment. It should be noted that avifaunal monitoring is currently underway and
interim reports will be submitted to DEA as they become available.
• Minimize the disturbance associated with the operation of the facilities, by scheduling
maintenance activities to avoid and/or reduce disturbance in sensitive areas at sensitive
times. This will primarily be informed by the monitoring and any other additional
information that comes to light. Most of it will be related to breeding activities and sites
particularly of priority species. Disturbance caused by maintenance activities will need to
be kept to a minimum where specific turbines fall within sensitive areas.
Mitigation measures for the solar energy facility
The sae mitigation measures as proposed for the proposed wind energy facility should be
implemented. Post-construction Monitoring of the local avifauna for a one year (12 month)
period in accordance with Birdlife South Africa’s guidelines for solar energy facilities. 28
d) Cumulative impacts
Various wind and solar energy applications are proposed for the Northern Cape Province. The
nearest renewable energy developments to the Kangnas developments include (a) Springbok
wind energy facility (about 50-60 MW, 40 turbines, 8 000 ha, just east of Okiep, approximately
38 km away) and (b) Pofadder wind and solar energy facility (Wind 750 MW, > 500 turbines,
and solar 225 MW with a total project area of 17 500 ha, 80 km east of the proposed Kangnas
The Springbok development has not progressed past the EIA phase while the Pofadder wind
energy facility is currently in the EIA process. An additional development is the Kannikwavlakte
wind energy facility (110 MW, 55 turbines, 1 560 ha) located approximately 90 km westnorthwest
of Springbok) which has been approved and the pre-construction bird monitoring
programme has been finalised.
Viewed in isolation these projects may pose a limited threat to the avifauna of the area.
However, in combination with the development of a number of renewable energy facilities in the
28 Email communication between Doug Harebottle (avifaunal specialist) and Simon Clark (Aurecon) dated 21/02/13.
© Aurecon (2012) No unauthorised reproduction, copy
or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made.
P:\Projects\108495 Kangnas WEF & PV EIA's\3 Project Delivery\4 Reports\FEIR\FEIR 210213 Final.doc