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| <ref>GTZ 2009: Regional Regulatory Action Plan for the Western Cape – November 2009. Section 4: Process Map. Commissioned by the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning and the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), p. 12</ref><br> | | <ref>GTZ 2009: Regional Regulatory Action Plan for the Western Cape – November 2009. Section 4: Process Map. Commissioned by the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning and the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), p. 12</ref><br> |
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− | === Environmental Impact Assessment - Example from Namibia<br> === | + | === Environmental Impact Assessment - Examples<br> === |
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− | <br> | + | '''Results of EIA for sites near Walvis Bay and Lüderitz Namibia:''' In the course of the study the possible dangers of a wind park to flora and fauna as well as effects due to noise and shadow flicker on nearby human settlements has been looked at. <br>Initially, the sites selected included 2 areas. Based on a site visit and the data evaluation, 2 more areas were investigated. According to the data available it could be concluded that environmental problems can be minimised and are acceptable. All<br>considered sites are several kilometres away from any human settlements, so that noise emissions would not be problematic. The effect of shadow flicker will be calculated, however no problems are expected.<br>As far as the wildlife is concerned, there is a possible danger through wind parks to migratory and resident birds in certain areas as identified in a study undertaken by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET). Therefore, only those 3 of the 4 sites which<br>are situated outside the danger areas were further investigated.<ref>GIZ 2000: Wind Energy Projects in Morocco and Namibia. n.l.</ref><br> |
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− | '''Results of EIA for sites near Lüderitz:''' In the course of the study the possible dangers of a wind park to flora and fauna as well as effects due to noise and shadow flicker on nearby human settlements has been looked at. <br>Initially, the sites selected included 2 areas. Based on a site visit and the data evaluation, 2 more areas were investigated. According to the data available it could be concluded that environmental problems can be minimised and are acceptable. All<br>considered sites are several kilometres away from any human settlements, so that noise emissions would not be problematic. The effect of shadow flicker will be calculated, however no problems are expected.<br>As far as the wildlife is concerned, there is a possible danger through wind parks to migratory and resident birds in certain areas as identified in a study undertaken by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET). Therefore, only those 3 of the 4 sites which<br>are situated outside the danger areas were further investigated.<ref>GIZ 2000: Wind Energy Projects in Morocco and Namibia. n.l.</ref><br>
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− | '''Results of EIA for sites Ashegoda: '''An environmental impact assessment has been carried out by the feasibility study team of<br>EEPCo.<br>No serious impacts besides the permanent loss of agricultural land are to be considered neither for local inhabitants nor for flora and fauna.<br>In detail:<br> | + | '''Results of EIA for sites Ashegoda (Ethiopia): '''An environmental impact assessment has been carried out by the feasibility study.<br>No serious impacts besides the permanent loss of agricultural land are to be considered neither for local inhabitants nor for flora and fauna.<br>In detail:<br> |
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− | *The land foreseen for the erection of the wind park is mainly used for pasture farming and agriculture. Approximately 20 hectares of farm land will be permanently lost for farming while further areas will be not available during the construction phase of the wind park, the loss of grain is estimated to 100 tons. A compensation is to be paid. | + | *The land foreseen for the erection of the wind park is mainly used for pasture farming and agriculture. Approximately 20 hectares of farm land will be permanently lost for farming while further areas will be not available during the construction phase of the wind park, the loss of grain is estimated to 100 tons. A compensation is to be paid. |
− | *During the construction period, care has to be taken that waste disposal and sanitary requirements are properly defined and implemented and precaution arrangements are taken to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. | + | *During the construction period, care has to be taken that waste disposal and sanitary requirements are properly defined and implemented and precaution arrangements are taken to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. |
− | *No serious long-term impact to the local fauna is to be expected, no designated national wild life parks or reserve areas tap the wind park.<br> | + | *No serious long-term impact to the local fauna is to be expected, no designated national wild life parks or reserve areas tap the wind park.<br> |
− | *No serious long-term impact to the local flora is to be expected.<br> | + | *No serious long-term impact to the local flora is to be expected.<br> |
− | *No serious long-term impact on birds is to be expected, no migration routes of birds are known for the area.<br> | + | *No serious long-term impact on birds is to be expected, no migration routes of birds are known for the area.<br> |
| *No sanctuaries, no known historical or cultural sites exist in the proposed wind park area.<ref>GTZ 2006: Feasibility Study for Wind Park Development in Ethiopia and Capacity Building. Ashegoda Wind Park Site. Ethiopia, pp. 48</ref><br> | | *No sanctuaries, no known historical or cultural sites exist in the proposed wind park area.<ref>GTZ 2006: Feasibility Study for Wind Park Development in Ethiopia and Capacity Building. Ashegoda Wind Park Site. Ethiopia, pp. 48</ref><br> |
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| + | <br> '''Results of EIA for sites Mesobo-Harena (Ethiopia) '''An environmental impact assessment has been carried out.<br>No serious impacts besides the permanent loss of agricultural land are to be considered neither<br>for local inhabitants nor for flora and fauna.<br>In detail:<br> |
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− | '''Results of EIA for sites Mesobo-Harena: '''An environmental impact assessment has been carried out.<br>No serious impacts besides the permanent loss of agricultural land are to be considered neither<br>for local inhabitants nor for flora and fauna.<br>In detail:<br>
| + | *The land foreseen for the erection of the wind park is mainly used for pasture farming and agriculture, some areas are used as some kind of stone quarry (digging stones from the ground). Approximately 7 hectares of farm land will be permanently lost for |
− | | + | *farming while further areas will be not available during the construction phase of the wind park; the loss of stones is estimated to 15,000 m3. A compensation is to be paid.<br> |
− | *The land foreseen for the erection of the wind park is mainly used for pasture farming and agriculture, some areas are used as some kind of stone quarry (digging stones from the ground). Approximately 7 hectares of farm land will be permanently lost for | + | *During the construction period, care has to be taken that waste disposal and sanitary requirements are properly defined and implemented and precaution arrangements are taken to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. |
− | *farming while further areas will be not available during the construction phase of the wind park; the loss of stones is estimated to 15,000 m3. A compensation is to be paid.<br> | + | *No serious long-term impact to the local fauna is to be expected, no designated national wild life parks or reserve areas tap the wind park. |
− | *During the construction period, care has to be taken that waste disposal and sanitary requirements are properly defined and implemented and precaution arrangements are taken to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. | + | *No serious long-term impact to the local flora is to be expected. |
− | *No serious long-term impact to the local fauna is to be expected, no designated national wild life parks or reserve areas tap the wind park. | + | *No serious long-term impact on birds is to be expected, no migration routes of birds are known for the area. |
− | *No serious long-term impact to the local flora is to be expected. | + | |
− | *No serious long-term impact on birds is to be expected, no migration routes of birds are known for the area. | + | |
| *No sanctuaries, no known historical or cultural sites exist in the proposed wind park area<ref>GTZ 2006: Feasibility Study for Wind Park Development in Ethiopia and Capacity Building, Mesobo-Harena Wind Park Site. Ethiopia. pp. 51</ref>.<br> | | *No sanctuaries, no known historical or cultural sites exist in the proposed wind park area<ref>GTZ 2006: Feasibility Study for Wind Park Development in Ethiopia and Capacity Building, Mesobo-Harena Wind Park Site. Ethiopia. pp. 51</ref>.<br> |
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A simple schematic of the EIA process is shown in the diagram below. From the diagram it can be seen that there are effectively two types of EIA – one in which the project requires only a ‘basic assessment’ for consideration by the competent authority; and the other more comprehensive process in which the project proponent first prepares a scoping report, outlining the required scope
of environmental analysis, for consideration by the competent authority. After the authority is satisfied with the scoping report the project proponent then proceeds to the full environmental impact report.
There are a number of potential project activities arising from a renewable energy project that could are included in the basic assessment listed activities. These include the following activites:
The construction of facilities or infrastructure, including associated structures or infrastructure, for:
The construction of masts of any material or type and of any height, including those used for telecommunication broadcasting and radio transmission, but excluding –
(a) masts of 15 metres and lower exclusively used
(i) by radio amateurs; or
(ii) for lighting purposes
(b) flag poles; and
c) lightning conductor poles
The above examples are not exhaustive and there are certainly other activities in the government notices which developers should consider to determine whether an EIA is required. In consideration of activities requiring EIAs developers should also note that it is not only the project itself that may require an EIA but also any upgrades that may be required to infrastructure, or associated infrastructure.[2]
Some activities need a thorough assessment process. These are activities that due to their nature and/or extent are likely to have significant impacts that cannot easily be predicted:
The construction of facilities or infrastructure, including associated structures or infrastructure, for:
The above examples are not exhaustive and there are certainly other activities in the government notices which developers should consider to determine whether an EIA is required.
What is clear is that any renewable energy generation facility greater than 10 MW will require basic assessment and those greater than 20 MW will require a full scoping report and EIR. Many projects under 10 MW will also require at least a basic assessment due to other activities associated with their construction or operation.
The following table is taken from the "Regional Regulatory Action Plan for the Western Cape" commissioned by the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning and the GIZ:
Steps
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Description
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Time frame (example Western Cape, RSA)
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Intent to apply
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Where a regional Strategic Environmental Assessment is in place, the developer should ensure that the project is consistent with the framework established by the SEA. Developer provides indication to the competent authority (CA) of their intent to apply for an environmental authorization
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Developer to submit 14 days before first application form submitted
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Basic Assessment
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The basic assessment must include: 1. Activity information 2. Description of receiving environment 3. Public Participation process 4. Impact assessment
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The competent authority has 14 days to acknowledge receipt of report
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Scoping
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The Scoping Report covers the main environmental impacts, the depth of analysis needed & the terms of reference for the full assessment. This stage applies to projects which may have impacts that cannot be predicted.
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The competent authority has 30 days to either accept, reject or request amendment to Scoping Report
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Environmental Impact Assessment
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Full EIA is prepared in accordance with the Scoping Report. The EIA lays out: 1. Possible impacts of the activity/ies 2. Actions that can be taken to lessen these
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The competent authority has 60 days tolook at both these reports
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Environmental Management Plan (EMP)
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The EIA has to include a full EMP for consideration by the competent authority. The EMP aims to highlight: 1. Unnecessary negative impacts of the project for prevention 2. Promotion of the positive impacts
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Environmental Authorisation / Record of Decision (RoD)
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The RoD includes: 1. Conditions for the authorisation 2. Ways in which the protection of human health and the environment can be ensured
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The competent authority presents decision on authorisation within 45 days (includes conditions as well as relevant appeal information)
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