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 97
land. The ridges and high spots are not suitable for agriculture, grazing or forestry due to rocky
soils and rough topography. These areas are confined and are not suitable for arable
agriculture, but still remain suitable for grazing.
By taking all the site characteristics (climate, geology, land use, slope and soils) into account,
the agricultural potential for the majority of the study area is classified as being extremely low for
crop production while moderately low for grazing. This poor agricultural potential rating is
primarily due to highly restrictive climatic characteristics and soil related limitations. The site is
not classified as high potential nor is it a unique dry land agricultural resource (see Figure 4.17
for Agricultural potential map for the site).
h) Impact assessment
The proposed projects primary impacts on agricultural activities would involve the footprints of a
wind energy facility, a solar energy facility, a main substation and associated infrastructure. Only
a portion (less than 1 %) of the site would be affected.
Wind Energy Facility potential impacts
The entire site is dominated by grazing land and is considered non-sensitive when assessed
within the context of the activities associated with the proposed wind energy facilities.
Consequently, the impact of the proposed development on the study area’s agricultural potential
would be extremely low. The hardstandings, turbines and associated infrastructure such as
roads and substations footprint of typical wind energy facility generally covers approximately 1%
of the impacted area, which is considered to be insignificant. The remaining land would continue
to be used for grazing.
There are no centre pivots, irrigation schemes or active agricultural fields which would be
influenced by the proposed wind turbine layout. Consequently the overall impact of the wind
energy facility on soil resources would be of local extent, very low magnitude and long term and
therefore of very low (-) significance, and no mitigation measures are recommended for the
revised final layout. No difference in significance would result from the proposed wind
alternatives.
Solar Energy Facility potential impacts
The proposed PV/CPV solar energy facility’s primary impact on agricultural activities would
involve the construction of the solar fields and associated infrastructure.
Unless grazing is permitted within the solar site, the proposed solar project would effectively
eliminate the lands agricultural potential, for as long as the development persists (worst case
scenario). However, the proposed solar project and associated infrastructure would only
influence a small portion of the total farm area (approximately 800 ha). The remaining land
would continue to function as it did prior to the development (approximately 7 647 ha or 87 % of
the Farm Areb). Farm Areb has low agricultural value and is replaceable. Consequently, the
overall impact of the proposed solar energy facility on the site’s agricultural potential and
production would be low, due to the site’s low inherent agricultural potential and value. Thus the
potential impact on soil resources would be of local extent, very low magnitude and long term
and therefore of very low (-) significance, without mitigation. No difference in significance would
result from the proposed solar alternatives.
© Aurecon (2012) No unauthorised reproduction, copy
or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made.
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