PD Naidoo & AssociatesCape Strengthening Programme
ACER (Africa)Gamma-Omega 765kV Transmission Line
PBA International (SA)Draft EIR Report
CHAPTER 1
SUMMARY OF REPORT FINDINGS
TABLE OF CONTENTS: CHAPTER 1
1.introduction and background
2.AIMS OF THIS DOCUMENT
3.Process review
4.THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCESS
5.PROJECT ALTERNATIVES
5.1.The “do nothing” alternative
5.2.Alternative sources of power generation
5.3.Design Alternatives
5.3.1.Below the ground alternative
5.3.2.Structural alternatives
5.3.3.Historical alignments
5.3.4.Alignment alternatives
6.Overview of the study area
6.1.Study area delineation
7.Study approach and methodology
7.1.1.Specialist study approaches
7.1.1.1.Avifauna
7.1.1.2.Ecology
7.1.1.3.Heritage resources
7.1.1.4.Social Impact Assessment
7.1.1.5.Soils
7.1.1.6.Visual Impact Assessment
7.1.1.7.Public Participation Process
7.1.1.8.Analysis of Key Stakeholder consultation
8.ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
8.1.1.Preliminary Environmental Assessments: Sections 1 - 5
9.concluding remarks
APPENDIX 5
C1 Summary of Report Findings ver 1.doc- 1 -
PD Naidoo & AssociatesCape Strengthening Programme
ACER (Africa)Gamma-Omega 765kV Transmission Line
PBA International (SA)Draft EIR Report
1.introduction and background
Increased demand in the Western Cape region for a reliable supply of electricity has necessitated that Eskom Transmission improves the reliability and capacity of the transmission network to the Western Cape. As part of a strategy to achieve this, Eskom has proposed to develop a 765kV transmission line between the proposed Gamma (Victoria West) and Omega substation (Koeberg) sites.
In terms of Schedule 1 of Regulation 1182 of the Environment Conservation Act No 73 of 1989, the proposed development of this Transmission line requires environmental authorization. This environmental authorization needs to be granted by the National Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism as the proposed development has the potential to affect the environment across the border of two provinces (Section 4, Regulation 1183 of the Environment Conservation Act No 73 of 1989) and Eskom Transmission has an existing agreement with this national department in this regard.
The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism requires that an Environmental Impact Assessment be undertaken to inform the environmental authorisation process. PD Naidoo & Associates, in partnership with PBA International (SA), have been appointed by Eskom Transmission to undertake the EIA. ACER (Africa) has been appointed to undertake the Public Involvement Process.
This Draft Environmental Impact Report addresses the proposed development of this approximately 520 km 765 kV Transmission line. The project is in the planning phase and this Environmental Impact Assessment forms an integral part of that process. The objective of this study is to identify the route with the least environmental impact, to identify the key environmental issues, to evaluate the environmental impact and to make the necessary mitigatory recommendations.
2.AIMS OF THIS DOCUMENT
The aim of the Environmental Impact Assessment is to provide the various authorities with sufficient information on the preferred route alignment for the 765kV Transmission line between Gamma and Omega sub stations, to confidently issue a Record of Decision. As such, the intention of this Draft Environmental Impact Report is to provide the Department of Environment Affairs and Tourism, the Western Cape Department of Environment, Culture and Sport and the Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Nature Conservation, Land Reform and Environmental Affairs with a comprehensive report of the activities conducted during the Environmental Impact Assessment, with a particular focus on the results of the Specialist investigations. Also, This Draft Environmental Impact Report documents the process followed to date and has been prepared for public review and comment, and in particular, to assist in debating the relevant results and recommendations in the public domain.
This report has evolved from the Plan of Study for Scoping, Draft Scoping Report, Addendum to the Draft Scoping Report and Plan of Study for the Environmental Impact Assessment, as submitted to the authorities. The main body of this report is supported by ancillary documentation, with particular emphasis on the various specialist reports and on documents issued in the public domain.
3.Process review
The application of the legislated EIA process has to be interpreted and applied for specific studies. It also needs to be reviewed and accepted by the relevant environmental authorities at key milestones during the study.
4.THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCESS
This study was conducted at a number of levels. A comprehensive public involvement process was implemented as part of this study. Interested and Affected Parties were identified and involved various levels during the Scoping and Assessment phases. The approach and methodology for this study is set out in Chapters 2 and 4. As part of this process, this draft Environmental Impact Report is being released into the public domain for review and comment.
The study has not progressed according to the original time frames due to the various circumstances set out in this document. Figure 1 illustrates the timeline followed during this study:
Figure 1Project Time Line
Dates / Authority and IAP Communication / Team and Specialist InvolvementSep 99 / Appointment of PD Naidoo and Associates, PBA International and ACER to undertake Environmental investigation for all components of Cape Strengthening Program
Dec 99 / Mtg with DEAT 18th Nov 99
Distribution of Documentation to IAPs
Sep 99 - Dec 99 / Development of teams background understanding
Jan 00 / Mtg with National and Provincial Environmental Authorities 28th Jan 00 / Site visit with specialists and Eskom. 24th to 28th Jan 00
Strategic workshop with key IAPs 28th Jan 00
Feb 00 - Mar 00 / Open day (houses) + one on one discussions 21st Feb to 3rd March 00 / PROJECT PUT ON HOLD MAR 00
Nov 00 / Bridging documentation sent to IAPs
June 01 / RECOMMENCEMENT OF THE EIA FOR THE 765kV TRANSMISSION LINE
19TH June 01 / Mtg with DEAT to discuss continuation of study
June 01 / Letters send to IAPs to notify them of the re-commencement of the EIA
Submission of the revised plan of study of scoping for 765kV transmission line
July 01 / Distribution of the draft scoping report and summary report of comment 16th July 01
July 01 - Aug 01 / Discussions with Farmers Unions and identification of potentially affected landowners / Comments period 16th July to 24th Aug 01
Aug 01 / Environmental Forum workshops 13th to 17th Aug 01
Sep 01 / Submission of scoping report to national and provincial environmental authorities / Finalisation of scoping report 2nd Sep 01
Response anticipated from environmental authorities on scoping report 30th Sep 01
Oct 01 / Prepare plan of study for EIA and submit 5th Oct 01
Sep 01 - Dec 01 / Specialist investigations
Integration workshop 29 & 30 Nov
Specialist report submissions Dec 01
Jan 02 – Feb 02 / Review of EIA process with DEA&T / Integration of specialist studies
Mar 02 / Prepare Draft EIR
Issue of Draft EIR in public domain – 20 Mar 02
Mar – Apr 02 / Comment period for draft EIR
Closure of comments period 19 April 02
April 02 / Finalise EIR
Submit EIA report 30 April 02
5.PROJECT ALTERNATIVES
5.1.The “do nothing” alternative
Under these circumstances there would obviously be no changes to the environment along the proposed route. However, the reliability of electricity supplies to the Western Cape would remain a significant concern unless other sources of power generation and transmission are provided. With increasing economic activity and demand for electricity in the Western Cape, the regional impact of electricity failures would be significant and increasingly severe.
5.2.Alternative sources of power generation
Public concerns regarding the parallel power generation initiatives such as the proposed Kudu Gas Fired Power Station and the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor are acknowledged. However, power generation initiatives are to be separated from transmission initiatives, and these are not considered as part of the scope of this study. The rationale behind this approach is set out in the main document.
Part of this rationale is that this Environmental Impact Assessment forms part of a planning process such that environmental considerations and public input is given to the route selection. At this stage of the planning process there is no certainty on the future of these generation alternatives, and with the planning timeline required for a project of this magnitude (the line may need to be operational by 2008) the planning stages already need to be underway. However, it is recognised that a further environmental review will need to be undertaken closer to the intended construction time.
5.3.Design Alternatives
5.3.1.Below the ground alternative
The 765kV line is the largest in terms of capacity, having three times the capacity of the 400kV lines currently used on this route. The servitude width is 80m as opposed to the 55m for the 400kV line, and the height difference is of the order of 10m. As with 400kV Transmission lines, there is always a visual impact, some areas being more sensitive than others. The option of taking the Transmission lines underground will address this impact, but there are other issues that need to be considered:
The cost of underground lines is approximately 20 times more expensive than the equivalent overhead lines.
Servitude requirements are far more onerous.
The servitude would effectively be sterilised for many land uses, including most agricultural applications.
5.3.2.Structural alternatives
Two design alternatives have been proposed for this project, the Cross-Rope suspension type and the Guyed Suspension type. These are illustrated in Figure 2and Figure 3. It is important to note that the topography will largely dictate the type of tower that will be used. From this perspective, it should be noted that through more difficult terrain and when the route changes direction at a 3 degree angle, there will be need to use self-supporting towers as illustrated in Figure 4.
Figure 2: Cross Rope suspension type
Figure 3: Guyed suspension type.
Figure 4: Self-supporting tower
5.3.3.Historical alignments
In the late 1980s and early 1990s preliminary planning was undertaken to assess the options for new routes to the Western Cape. These gave attention to primary concerns of cost, terrain and access, looking at a very broad study area but attention was also given to environmental aspects such as topography (particularly slope), ecology, landuse, etc. These investigations concluded that it is feasible to construct a 765kV Transmission line along the northern routes, the additional distance and possible additional infrastructure required will add significant cost to the project. Hence, in the next stage of the planning process attention would be given to Eskom Transmission’s preferred route via the Ceres and Tulbagh areas. These routes are further discussed in the main report and illustrated in Map 1.
Routes to the south still involved mountainous terrain, but were also more densely inhabited and more attention was given to the northern alternatives. Routes to the north, via Clanwilliam and Piketburg, are potentially more open and with a more even terrain the technical design requirements on the Transmission line would be easier. However, such a route would be significantly longer (approximately 170km) with corresponding additional costs, but also the likelihood that an extra sub-station would also be required as a result (this not being the need on the shorter more direct routes). This would increase costs by a further estimated R500 million.
These investigations concluded that it is feasible to construct a 765kV Transmission line along the northern routes, the additional distance and possible additional infrastructure required will add significant cost to the project (more than double) and would increase the environmental impacts. Hence, in the next stage of the planning process attention would be given to Eskom Transmission’s preferred route via the Ceres and Tulbagh areas.
5.3.4.Alignment alternatives
Based on the above information, various route alignments were identified during the Scoping phase. Some were eliminated after discussions with Interested and Affected Parties and specialist investigations. Of particular importance, is the study area through the Ceres, Tulbagh areas has many topographic and social constraints. In an attempt to find the best possible route, various alternatives where studied and subsequently eliminated by the study team during Scoping and the assessment phase. Map 2a depicts all the alternatives investigated for this EIA.
6.Overview of the study area
Figure 5provides an overview of the study area. This map will be presented at regular intervals throughout the report for ease of reference. The map also provides a broad overview of all the Public Involvement Programme Activities that occurred during the Scoping Phase which are further detailed in Chapter 5. The subsequent events have been captured in Maps 4a, 4b4c in the main body and appendices of this report.
Figure 5: Study area map
6.1.Study area delineation
Due to the extended linear nature of the study area, it was thought practical to delineate the study area into five sections. This delineation was primarily based on similar terrain morphology and the socio-demographic makeup along the study corridor. For ease of reference, these five sections are separately presented in this report, however, there is an inevitable interdependence between the sections and the EIA has assessed the alignment as a whole. Table 1and Map 3 provide an overview of these sections. This Table is also used throughout the report for ease of reference. The entire study area is detailed further on 1:250 000 maps provided in an appended envelope.
Table 1: Study area delineation
Section 1 / ‘The Swartland’ / The Omega site through to GoudaSection 2 / ‘The Mountain Region’ / Includes the Tulbagh, Agter-Witsenberg and Ceres valleys
Section 3 / ‘The Ceres Karoo’ / The flat lands immediately east of the Mountain Region
Section 4 / ‘Moordenaars Karoo’ / The Komsberg area between Sutherland and Laingsburg
Section 5 / ‘The Great Karoo’ / Includes the Droërivier sub-station (Beaufort West), the Victoria capacitor station and the Gamma site near Victoria West
7.Study approach and methodology
From site visits and discussions with I&AP’s along the route during these phases, and using the broad criteria listed below, several alternatives were identified during Scoping and further evaluated during the assessment phase and described in this Draft EIR.
Although these sections differ demographically, certain impacts and mitigation measures of the construction, operation and decommissioning of the proposed 765kV Transmission line will be generic and others will be specific to the area.
A range of methodologies was adopted to develop an understanding of the study area. Initial field visits were undertaken in November 2000, January 2001, August and November 2002. Similarly, collection of data was undertaken at various stages during this period. Both primary and secondary research was undertaken. The secondary research included:
A desktop review of information and literature relevant to the region.
Analysis of photographs and 1:50 000 maps of the region.
Primary research involved the collection of both qualitative and quantitative information on site or telephonically and constituted:
Site visits.
Helicopter flight over Section 1.
Interviews with key stakeholders to gain an understanding of the receiving social environment.
Telephonic liaison with key informants and stakeholders (including Agricultural and Farmers’ Associations/Unions, Municipal Managers, farmers and tourism personnel) to gain an understanding of the issues associated with the proposed development.
Casual observations and interactions on site.
Environmental Review Forum Meetings.
The information gathered from the above research was consolidated to identify issues for assessment in the EIA. However, various specialists adopted a common approach and methodology appropriate to their specific study, for the entire route. Chapters 6 to 10 contain further information on the detailed studies for each specialist area
7.1.1.Specialist study approaches
7.1.1.1.Avifauna
The Avifauna study focused primarily on the three different ways in which the line may impacts on birds: collision (during operation of the line), disturbance of habitat (during construction) and electrocution (though incidence is relatively low on lines larger than 275kV). Perhaps the greater concern of the three is the concern of bird collisions. Recent research has revealed that collisions are far more significant than first thought. Additionally, the duration of the impact is long-term (the lifespan of the transmission line), and mitigation measures (bird flappers, etc.) are still to provide effective for all species.
An issue not always given a high importance relative to other bird impacts is the potential impacts of birds on the transmission lines and, more particularly, power supply. Faecal streamers from birds perched on the tower structures above the conductors can result in an air gap breakdown that can cause power dips in the supply network. Such power dips can cause serious production problems in industrial centres such as Cape Town. Mitigation measures have, however, proved effective in minimising this impact. The proposed use of the cross-rope suspension pylon is much less ‘perch-friendly’, and on strain towers at bends in the transmission line route, ‘bird guards’ can be used on the structures above the conductors.
7.1.1.2.Ecology
The study focused the various biophysical impacts that may result from the construction, operation and decommissioning of the Transmission line.
Transmission lines, once established are not considered to be of any structural hindrance to terrestrial vertebrates. Power-lines do, however, impact on the natural environment in a number of ways. This is most severe during the construction phase when plots have to be cleared for the erection of pylons, and access roads to these plots have to be constructed.
With respect to the ecological aspects of the assessment during the initial route selection, potential routes were sought which avoided sensitive areas such as wetlands, rock outcrops, sensitive and/or protected areas and red flag areas.
The ecological assessment is made on the understanding that the actual positions of the pylon footprints have yet to be determined and the assumption that the construction and decommissioning phases of the project are likely to have similar impacts.