Final EIAR - Aurecon AME Environmental | Environmental Projects

Proposed Wind and Solar (Photovoltaic) Energy Facilities on Kangnas Farm near Springbok in the Northern Cape: Final EIR 145
No alternatives were identified for the proposed main substation.
Solar energy facility
The proposed solar energy facility results in low to medium (+) significance impacts and very
low to high (-) significance impacts on the environment. This assessment has considered the
revision of the layouts in response to the impacts assessed by the various specialists and the
mitigation measures put forward. The potential for the proposed solar energy facility is
considered to be environmentally acceptable, considering the positive impacts.
With regards to the alternatives considered, including the height differences and CPV and PV,
there is no difference in significance of impacts between alternatives. Based on specialist
recommendations, buffers have already been incorporated into the layout revisions to avoid
sensitive features and areas and as such the revised layout is considered to be the preferred
alternative from an environmental perspective.
The EIA considered the potential impacts of both PV (tracking and fixed) and CPV (tracking).
Both technologies were considered to have similar impacts and therefore it is requested that
both technologies options are approved. The choice of technology would depend on a detailed
tender process before the solar project is submitted into the DoE’s procurement process.
Choice of technology would depend on: Technology available to the market at that time, cost of
technology, energy yield of different technologies, local content of technology offered,
warranties and guarantees offered by different technologies.
In order to limit unnecessary EA amendments, and facilitate most affordable and fit for purpose
solar energy to South Africa, it is requested that both PV (tracking and fixed) and CPV (tracking)
technologies are approved.
No alternatives were identified for the proposed main substation.
5.6.2 Compliance with Equator Principles
A brief assessment was undertaken to determine the extent to which the proposed wind and
solar energy facilities comply with the EP. Also taken into consideration were the requirements
noted in the draft EP III document published on 13 August 2012. Based on the information
contained in this report the proposed facilities are most likely Category B projects according to
the International Finance Corporation and comply with the principles (although some aspects to
be confirmed fall outside the scope of the EIA/EMP itself).
5.6.3 Opinion with respect to environmental authorisation
Regulation 32(2) (m) of the EIA Regulations requires that the EAP include an opinion as to
whether the activity should be authorised or not.
The impacts associated with the proposed projects would result in regional impacts (both
biophysical and socio-economic) that would negatively affect the area.
© 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