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 87
4 788 MWWhen considered with regards to climate change and given the spirit of the Kyoto
Protocol, the impact is deemed to be of regional extent, very low magnitude and long term and
therefore of low (+) significance for both the proposed wind and solar energy facilities, without
mitigation.
c) Mitigation measures
No mitigation measures are recommended.
d) Cumulative impacts
Many wind and solar energy facilities are proposed throughout the Northern Cape and South
Africa. Although not all those proposed will be constructed, a large number will be operating in
the next few years. Given the number of wind and solar energy facilities proposed across the
country, the potential cumulative impacts of the proposed projects on the potential reduction in
future greenhouse gas emissions is considered to be of regional extent, low magnitude and long
term, and therefore of medium (+) significance.
4.3.3 Impact on local and regional economy
The Northern Cape region of Southern Africa has been identified as producing levels of sunlight
which is ideal for solar energy plants as well as sufficient wind for wind farms. In light of the
current energy crisis and the pressure on the country to increase its share of renewable energy
the opportunities for private renewable energy producers to supply Eskom power grid with
energy is becoming more financially feasible. In light of the proposed wind and solar energy
facilities a Socio-Economic Impact Assessment was undertaken by Urban-Econ (included in
Annexure L). Background information was gathered through a literature review. A site visit was
conducted from 27-29 June 2012. Modelling was undertaken to determine the economic
impacts of the proposed development using Input-Output modelling. The economic findings and
recommendations of the Socio-Economic Impact Assessment are discussed below.
a) Description of the environment
The Nama Khoi Local Municipality (LM) covers a geographical area of 14 921 km 2 which is
approximately 12 % of Namakwa District Municipality. The municipality has a population density
of 3.9 people per km 2 and a household density of 1.1 households per km 2 in 2012. This indicates
that the communities are very dispersed. The total population equates to approximately 1.1
million and a total of 277 551 households within the Nama Khoi municipal area. The town of
Springbok has the largest population. The majority of households are housed in a permanent
house or brick structure. This is a positive indicator in terms of the development levels and
quality of life in the area.
The majority of the adult population in Nama Khoi LM have some education but did not obtain
their Grade 12. This means that the majority of the adult population have a low skill level and
would either need job employment in low-skill sectors, or better education opportunities in order
to improve the skills level of the area, and therefore their income levels. The majority (48.6 %) of
© 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