1 Patiswa Mnqokoyi Subject: FW: Solar park project Attachments: Solar PV plant developement and property.kmz From: Strauss, JM, Mnr <[email protected]> [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 16 February 2012 02:04 PM To: [email protected]Cc: André Joubert Subject: RE: Solar park project Dear Mfundo (also CC’d to Andre Joubert) Thank you for your quick reaction yesterday as well as your follow up this morning. Allow me to by way of this email again raise the few issues as I have explained to you yesterday. Let me first of all again explain my position in case you need to forward this mail. I am involved with the planning of a solar PV plant(s) close to the Aries MTS in the Northern Cape. For clarification, I have included a Google Earth (GE) .kmz file that shows all of the relevant information. The developers have purchased the farm known as Olywenkolk directly bordering the substation to the east. You can toggle the two paths labelled “Olywenkolk property border” to get an idea of the southern borders of the farm. The portion of the farm right next to the substation is also where the PV plant development is planned. Toggle the polygon labelled “Section A” to see the borders of one of the areas where the plant will be constructed. Now, at this point, you will see that we have left a considerable corridor of about 200 m wide between our western and southern border fence and where Section A starts. I will explain why below. The GE information also shows the “Aries substation border” and the “Eskom property border”. It also shows the 4 existing 400 kV transmission lines running to and from Aries in white. I have not included the 50 kV lines feeding the Sishen-Saldanha railway line, since it is not relevant to us. Do take note of the position of the feeder bay of the line running to Namibia (labelled “Aries-Keetmanshoop 400 kV”). There is mainly two issues that I would like to bring under your attention and/or that I would like to address in some or other way. The first issue is concerned with the route of the planned line between Aries and the new traction substation Nuwehoop (“labelled Aries-Nuwehoop 400 kV” and shown in yellow). As you can see, the current route goes across the southern part of Section A where we would like to develop the plant. We would like to know whether it is possible to reroute the planned line by shifting the line slightly to the south as shown by the two alternatives labelled “First alternative Aries-Nuwehoop 400 kV” and “Second alternative Aries-Nuwehoop 400 kV”. Our preference is that of the first alternative, but this rerouting will then be subject to the permission by the neighbouring land owner I suppose. The second alternative route is however entirely within our borders. This is part of the reason why we left a southern 200 m corridor. The other reason has to do with another developer to our south that is also planning a power plant of substantial size. In discussions with Riaan Smit (Chief network planner – Western Region) we did come to the conclusion that a second line from Hydra via Kronos to Aries may be necessary somewhere in future. It might just be that with all of the planned plants in the Aries region, especially the one to the south that I have just mentioned, no room will be left to bring in another line from the south/south-east. Our 200 m corridor will at least make sure that such an option remains possible. Now, how do we proceed to have the current planned route rerouted? The second issue is related to the planned Solar Park at Upington and the planned two transmission lines running down to Aries. Here the position of the feeder bay of the line running to Namibia is important. As I have mentioned yesterday, Eskom basically has two options. Either you cross at least the line to Namibia (very close to Aries) or you expand the 400 kV busbars to the east, i.e. towards our land, since the line to Namibia is fed by the most eastern
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Patiswa Mnqokoyi
Subject: FW: Solar park projectAttachments: Solar PV plant developement and property.kmz
From: Strauss, JM, Mnr <[email protected]> [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 16 February 2012 02:04 PM To: [email protected] Cc: André Joubert Subject: RE: Solar park project Dear Mfundo (also CC’d to Andre Joubert) Thank you for your quick reaction yesterday as well as your follow up this morning. Allow me to by way of this email again raise the few issues as I have explained to you yesterday. Let me first of all again explain my position in case you need to forward this mail. I am involved with the planning of a solar PV plant(s) close to the Aries MTS in the Northern Cape. For clarification, I have included a Google Earth (GE) .kmz file that shows all of the relevant information. The developers have purchased the farm known as Olywenkolk directly bordering the substation to the east. You can toggle the two paths labelled “Olywenkolk property border” to get an idea of the southern borders of the farm. The portion of the farm right next to the substation is also where the PV plant development is planned. Toggle the polygon labelled “Section A” to see the borders of one of the areas where the plant will be constructed. Now, at this point, you will see that we have left a considerable corridor of about 200 m wide between our western and southern border fence and where Section A starts. I will explain why below. The GE information also shows the “Aries substation border” and the “Eskom property border”. It also shows the 4 existing 400 kV transmission lines running to and from Aries in white. I have not included the 50 kV lines feeding the Sishen-Saldanha railway line, since it is not relevant to us. Do take note of the position of the feeder bay of the line running to Namibia (labelled “Aries-Keetmanshoop 400 kV”). There is mainly two issues that I would like to bring under your attention and/or that I would like to address in some or other way. The first issue is concerned with the route of the planned line between Aries and the new traction substation Nuwehoop (“labelled Aries-Nuwehoop 400 kV” and shown in yellow). As you can see, the current route goes across the southern part of Section A where we would like to develop the plant. We would like to know whether it is possible to reroute the planned line by shifting the line slightly to the south as shown by the two alternatives labelled “First alternative Aries-Nuwehoop 400 kV” and “Second alternative Aries-Nuwehoop 400 kV”. Our preference is that of the first alternative, but this rerouting will then be subject to the permission by the neighbouring land owner I suppose. The second alternative route is however entirely within our borders. This is part of the reason why we left a southern 200 m corridor. The other reason has to do with another developer to our south that is also planning a power plant of substantial size. In discussions with Riaan Smit (Chief network planner – Western Region) we did come to the conclusion that a second line from Hydra via Kronos to Aries may be necessary somewhere in future. It might just be that with all of the planned plants in the Aries region, especially the one to the south that I have just mentioned, no room will be left to bring in another line from the south/south-east. Our 200 m corridor will at least make sure that such an option remains possible. Now, how do we proceed to have the current planned route rerouted? The second issue is related to the planned Solar Park at Upington and the planned two transmission lines running down to Aries. Here the position of the feeder bay of the line running to Namibia is important. As I have mentioned yesterday, Eskom basically has two options. Either you cross at least the line to Namibia (very close to Aries) or you expand the 400 kV busbars to the east, i.e. towards our land, since the line to Namibia is fed by the most eastern
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feeder bay. My opinion is that you will have to expand the busbars in this case. Now, to expand the busbars you have two further options, namely to not shift your security fences to the east that will leave you with a fairly narrow security buffer, or to expand your fences into our land. We have in principle decided to make this possible by leaving the western 200 m corridor. We would however like to discuss this with Eskom as soon as possible to come to some sort of an agreement. My opinion is that you will have to make a decision now already as part of the EIA processes that was started, since it will definitely have an impact on the routing of the lines in the Aries area that will have a direct influence on us, as well as all possible future developments that we might envisage. I will obviously ask these questions as part of the EIA process. I would like to propose that we approach this issue proactively, to ensure that the EIA process is not prolonged unnecessary. Regards Johann Strauss
From: Mfundo Maphanga [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 15 February 2012 12:24 PM To: Strauss, JM, Mnr <[email protected]> Subject: Solar park project FYI Kind Regards Mfundo Maphanga Eskom Group Capital: Land Development Office: 011 800 4892 Cell: 072 104 4213
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Patiswa Mnqokoyi
Subject: FW: XX RE: Solar park project
From: Mfundo Maphanga [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 20 February 2012 09:37 AM To: JM Mnr <[email protected]> Strauss Cc: André Joubert; Itumeleng Moeng Subject: XX RE: Solar park project Hi Johann… Thank you for your email, which I think make a lot of sense from a planning perspective. I will raise the Aries-Neuwehoop issue with the Negotiator and the Environmental Advisor involved to establish if your proposed alternatives are within the EIA study area done for that line, but from the face of it, it does seem as if the “Second Alternative Aries Neuwehoop” is the most viable option as it only affects one property. Regarding the Solar Aries 2x 400kV line you are also providing valuable information which I think our Substation Design Department needs to tackle ASAP. Normally the final substation designs are made available later in the EIA phase. As an affected party I think you also provide very practical options, which is greatly appreciated. I will engage with the rest of the team to discuss these matters and will provide feedback soon. André : Please note these comments as part of your Issues and Response Report (IRR). Kind Regards Mfundo Maphanga Eskom Group Capital: Land Development Office: 011 800 4892 Cell: 072 104 4213
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Patiswa Mnqokoyi
Subject: FW: XX RE: Solar park project
From: Mfundo Maphanga [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 21 February 2012 09:23 AM To: JM Mnr <[email protected]> Strauss Cc: Itumeleng Moeng; André Joubert Subject: XX RE: Solar park project Hi Johann… Please note the I have forwarded your comments to the substation design department, they had not started with the designs as yet, however in light of your enquiry they have promised to start with the preliminary designs which will determine if an extension of Aries SS is required or not and the extent thereof. I will notify you as soon as these designs become available. The matter regarding the Aries Neuwehoop line cutting across your property has also been forwarded to the relevant persons who worked on the EIA for that line, they are also looking into the matter, I will follow up with them within this week and should be able to give feedback to you soon. Should you have any other queries regarding the Aries Neuwehoop line you can contact the following persons directly:
• Vuledzani Thanyani –Eskom Senior Environmental Advisor o Phone: 011 800 5601 o Email: [email protected]
• Pieter Steenkamp- Eskom Senior Advisor-Negotiations o Phone: 011 800 5818 o Email: [email protected]
Kind Regards Mfundo Maphanga Eskom Group Capital: Land Development Office: 011 800 4892 Cell: 072 104 4213
From: JM Mnr <[email protected]> Strauss [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 20 February 2012 10:53 AM To: Mfundo Maphanga Cc: Itumeleng Moeng; [email protected] Subject: RE: Solar park project Dear Mfundo Thanks for the reply. I am looking forward to engage further with Eskom. Regards Johann Strauss
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From: Mfundo Maphanga [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 20 February 2012 09:37 AM To: Strauss, JM, Mnr <[email protected]> Cc: [email protected]; Itumeleng Moeng Subject: RE: Solar park project Hi Johann… Thank you for your email, which I think make a lot of sense from a planning perspective. I will raise the Aries-Neuwehoop issue with the Negotiator and the Environmental Advisor involved to establish if your proposed alternatives are within the EIA study area done for that line, but from the face of it, it does seem as if the “Second Alternative Aries Neuwehoop” is the most viable option as it only affects one property. Regarding the Solar Aries 2x 400kV line you are also providing valuable information which I think our Substation Design Department needs to tackle ASAP. Normally the final substation designs are made available later in the EIA phase. As an affected party I think you also provide very practical options, which is greatly appreciated. I will engage with the rest of the team to discuss these matters and will provide feedback soon. André : Please note these comments as part of your Issues and Response Report (IRR). Kind Regards Mfundo Maphanga Eskom Group Capital: Land Development Office: 011 800 4892 Cell: 072 104 4213
Environmental Impact Assessment andWater Use License Application for a proposedintegration of the Concentrating Solar Park
(CSP) into the Eskom network, Northern CapeDEA Rei No 12112120/2606 to 12112120/2610 NEAS REF: DEAlEIAl0000767/774/7781785/786/2011
COMMENT SHEET ON THE DRAFT SCOPING REPORTS
Available for public review from 30 January to 9 March 2012
From: Theo Spengler [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 16 February 2012 12:29 PM To: André Joubert Subject: Re: Vergadering van die 6de Februarie Hallo Andre. Ek hoop dit gaan goed by julle. Ek wil net graag die gedagtes van die boere probeer saamvat sodat jy alles op skrif het indien julle dalk iets gemis het op die vergaderings. Met die aanvanklike beplannig van ‘n oorhoofse kraglyn oor ons gebied moet die volgende in berekening gebring word. Paaie. Omdat al ons paaie grondpaaie is en al reeds in ‘n swak toestand is, sal die swaar verkeer wat die bou van ‘n kraglyn meebring tot gevolg hê dat ons paaie heeltemal onrybaar word. Ons toegangsroetes is noodsaaklik vir die vervoer van ons produkte van en na die plase en gewone vragmotors word gebruik om dit te vervoer. Toegang tot die plase. Dit is algemene kennis dat veediefstal SA boere miljoene rande se skade berokken. Hoe minder toegangsroetes, tot ‘n plaas hoe minder is die kans dat diere gesteel kan word. Dit is wel so dat Eskom die hekke sluit van die paaie oor die plase, maar enige hek kan oopgemaak word. Ons leef in ‘n relatief veilige gebied omdat hier nie baie bedryfwighede is nie. ‘n Kraglyn gaan meebring dathier meer beweging van mense is en kan die veiligheid van die mense in die gebied benadeel. Plantegroei. Die kalahari se plantegroei is baie sensitief vir beweging en die aanbring van strukture. Van die gebiede waaroor die lyn beplan word het witgatbome wat ‘n baie skaars boomsoort is. Indien die boom onder die lyn staan sal dit afgesaag moet word wat ‘n groot skade vir die boer sal wees. Die sandveld is ook baie geneig om kaal te word rondom ‘n struktuur. Baie van die plase op die beplande roete het alreeds die pyplyn van die kalahari oos waterskema wat oor die plase gaan. Om dus nog ‘n pad oor die plaas af te staan is baie gevra. ‘n Pad oor die sandduine maak baie groot kaal gebiede wat moelik is om te rehabiliteer. Brandgevaar. Die versamelvoels maak baie groot neste van gras in enige struktuur wat regop staan. Omdat ons gebied baie weerlig kry slaan die weerlig baie keer die neste aan die brand en dit steek die veld onder aan die brand wat tot groot skade ly. Dit kan ‘n groot invloed hê op die koste van brandversekering. Waardevermindering. Die gebied het ‘n baie hoe grondwaarde deels as gevolg van die feit dat hier min ontwikkeling is. Vir die vestiging van wildplase is dit die ideale plek omdat daar geen teken van industriele ontwikkeling is nie. ‘n Groot kraglyn oor ‘n plaas sal verseker die waarde van daardie grond verlaag. Ons as boere is nie omwillig ons toegewings te maak in die land se belang nie, maar in die geval is daar ‘n werkbare alternatief, daarom is ons aanbeveling as volg: Die kraglyn kan langs die N14 gebou word, daar is reeds ‘n struktuur deur die plase, dus sal dit nie so ‘n invloed op die boerderye hê soos waar geen strukture is nie. Daar is alreeds ‘n kraglyn wat langs die pad loop vanaf Upingon vir omtrent 30km, asook vanaf Kathu tot naby Olifantshoek is reeds ‘n
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hoogspannigslyn waarby die lyn kan aansluit. Dit kan tog ‘n groot besparing vir evkom meebring omdat daar reeds servatute bestaan. Dit is min of meer ons gedagtes om die projek, ons hoop dat die besluitnemers nugter oor die saak sal besin. Dankie en mooi dag. Rooiwal boerevereniging. Olifantshoek, From: André Jouber Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 2:48 PM To: Theo Spengler Subject: Vergadering van die 6de Februarie Middag Theo Kyk of hierdie kaart meer duidelikheid gaan gee. Kom terug na my as jy nog ietsie soek. Groete André Joubert Zitholele Consulting (Pty) Ltd Thandanani Park, Matuka Close, Halfway Gardens, Midrand, South Africa Tel: +27 11 207 2077 Fax: +27 86 676 9950 Cell: 079 505 3763 Email: [email protected] From: Theo Spengler [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 01 February 2012 02:21 PM To: André Joubert Subject: Re: Vergadering van die 6de Februarie Sal julle vir ons ‘n kaart kan gee met die plaasname op sodat ons kan sien waar die lyn beplan word. Dit is moeilik om kommentaar te lewer as ons nie die presiese ligging het nie, want hier is heelwat boere wat wild boerdery het. From: André Joubert Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 2:15 PM To: Theo Spengler Subject: Vergadering van die 6de Februarie Goeiemiddag Theo Jammer. Dankie,, ja ek het dit gekry. Ons sien julle dan in Olifantshoek om 14:00/ Groete tot dan. André Joubert Zitholele Consulting (Pty) Ltd Thandanani Park, Matuka Close, Halfway Gardens, Midrand, South Africa Tel: +27 11 207 2077 Fax: +27 86 676 9950 Cell: 079 505 3763 Email: [email protected]
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From: Theo Spengler [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 01 February 2012 02:14 PM To: André Joubert Subject: Re: Vergadering van die 6de Februarie Hallo Andre Ons wil net weet of jy die vorige mail gekry het, ons sal die vergadering op Olifantshoek bywoon. Dankie Theo From: André Joubert Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2012 5:19 PM To: Theo Spengler Cc: Konrad Krüger Subject: RE: Vergadering van die 6de Februarie Middag Theo Ons het ongelukkig reeds die vergadering in Olifantshoek geadverteer en daar mag dalk probleme kom van belanghebbendes wat oos of noordoos van Olifantshoek woon. Wat ons voorstel is om ‘n bykomende vergadering vir julle op 6 Februarie om 18:00 in Malley se boereverenigingsaal te hou. Dit gee ons dan genoeg tyd om ons Olifantshoekvergadering af te handel en na Malley toe te ry. Wat ek dan van jou gaan vra is om jou lede oor so n vergadering in te lig. Laat weet wat jy hiervan dink. Ek is more eers so teen 14:00 weer op kantoor en sal dan op jou epos reageer. Groete André Joubert Zitholele Consulting (Pty) Ltd Thandanani Park, Matuka Close, Halfway Gardens, Midrand, South Africa Tel: +27 11 207 2077 Fax: +27 86 676 9950 Cell: 079 505 3763 Email: [email protected] From: Theo Spengler [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 26 January 2012 02:09 PM To: André Joubert Subject: Vergadering van die 6de Februarie Hallo Andre. Ek wil graag met jou kontak maak ivm die vergadering op Olifantshoek. Die meeste van die belanghebbendes woon in die boerdery gebied wes van Olifantshoek. Ons wil vra of julle die vergadering kan skuif na die boerevereniging saal op Malley. Dit is 42 km vanaf Olifantshoek en baie meer sentraal vir ons lede om by te woon. Ek het die selnr probeer bel, maar dit werk nie. Sal u asb so gou as mootlik terugvoering gee sodat ek die lede kan kennis gee. My telefoon nr. is 0739000120.
