kruisvallei hydroelectric power generation scheme, … · building energy s.p.a company profile...

KRUISVALLEI HYDROELECTRIC POWER GENERATION SCHEME, FREE STATE PROVINCE

PRE-APPLICATION MEETING WITH DEA: NOTES FOR THE RECORD

Meeting Date: 12 September 2017

Time: 12:00

Venue: Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) – Environment House Boardroom A2-2-14

Attendees (attendance register attached):

NAME ORGANISATION

Muhammad Essop DEA

Sharief Harris Building Energy on behalf of Zevobuzz (the

Applicant)

Tebogo Mapinga Savannah Environmental

Thalita Botha Savannah Environmental

Apologies:

Thabile Sangweni

Both the Applicant and the EAP prepared presentations to cover the following items as listed on

the agenda:

1. Background to the Kruisvallei Hydroelectric Power Generation Scheme Project;

2. Nature and extent of proposed project;

3. Rationale for the proposed project on this site; and

4. Consideration of findings from specialist studies already undertaken for this area.

Please refer to the attached Agenda.

Notes:

The purpose of the meeting was to provide background to the proposed Kruisvallei Hydroelectric

Power Generation Scheme project to the DEA, and enable all parties to fully understand the history

of the project. Furthermore, the purpose of the meeting was to obtain clarity from DEA on the Basic

Assessment (BA) process to be followed for the project.

The Applicant explained the nature, extent and history of the project. Savannah Environmental

outlined the EIA process previously undertaken, the new BA process that will be undertaken for the

project as well as the timeline. Muhammad Essop was requested to provide input on the BA

process and raise any specific requirements and expectations regarding the application. The

following was stated and noted for the record:

» It was explained that there were originally two projects namely the Lower Kruisvallei and the

Middle Kruisvallei Hydroelectric Power Generation project. The projects received Environmental

Authorisation (EA) in terms of the EIA Regulations of 2006 in September 2011. Both projects were

bid as one project in the REIPPPP Programme Round 4 and was awarded Preferred Bidder

status. Through the modelling and analyses undertaken in the final design for the scheme, a

number of changes required were identified. These changes would result in changes to the

currently authorised projects, necessitating the EAs to be supplemented with a new application

for authorisation. In addition to the changes, several activities listed in the EIA Regulations of

2014 as amended on 07 April 2017 will be triggered and require EA.

» It was confirmed that Lower Kruisvallei will have a contracted capacity of 1.81MW while Middle

Kruisvallei will have a contracted capacity of 2.18MW and that the Kruisvallei Hydroelectric

Power Generation Scheme will have a total contracted capacity of 3.99 MW.

» Savannah Environmental proposed that one Basic Assessment process be undertaken to

supplement the existing EAs for both projects. In response to this proposal, DEA advised that the

footprint of a new project cannot be authorised at the same position of an already authorised

footprint. It was furthermore explained by DEA that as the layout is changing for Lower

Kruisvallei, the footprint of the new layout cannot be authorised on top of the footprint of the

currently authorised layout. Therefore, to change the layout for Lower Kruisvallei, the valid EA

must be lapsed first. However, lapsing the valid EA prior to receiving a new EA is not acceptable

to the Applicant.

As a way forward, the following options were explored and discussed:

1. A new Basic Assessment process to be undertaken for additional activities required for

Middle Kruisvallei and a Part 2 amendment to the Lower Kruisvallei EA as the new layout

being proposed was assessed as an alternative in the previous EIA process for Lower

Kruisvallei. As two separate process would be undertaken, two different case officers would

be involved.

2. A new Basic Assessment process is to be undertaken for all infrastructure. This option will also

require that new specialist studies be undertaken. Should this be the viable option, there

would be a risk associated with lapsing the previous EAs without having a new EAs in place.

After a detailed discussion, it was agreed by the DEA, the Applicant and Savannah

Environmental that it would be more beneficial to apply for all the listed activities triggered by

the entire project instead of only applying for additional listed activities not previously applied

for. The DEA agreed that the EAs for Lower Kruisvallei and Middle Kruisvallei will remain valid

during the new Basic Assessment process until a positive EA for the new solution is granted. It

will be the responsibility of the EAP to include such a condition in the report. Proceeding in this

manner will allow monitoring the compliance with the EA and EMP to be simplified.

Prepared by:

Thalita Botha

[email protected]

28/02/2018

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1www.buildingenergy.it

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Kruisvallei Hydro ProjectZevobuzz (Pty) LtdDepartment of Environmental AffairsPre-application Meeting PresentationSeptember 2017


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PURPOSE OF THE MEETING

Provide an opportunity for the Applicant to explain the project;

Enable all parties to fully understand the background and history to the project (DEAref no: 12/12/20/1876 and 12/12/201875);

Enable the EAP to define the planned Basic Assessment process; and

Provide DEA with an opportunity to provide input.

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www.buildingenergy.it

3

MW of plants in operations/construction144

MW largest single PV project completed ( Kathu – South Africa )81

Offices Worldwide in Milan | Cape Town | Washington | Belgrade5

MW (PV, Wind, Hydro, Biomass) pipeline in 20 countries worldwide2,600+

MW of project COD* estimated within 2016-2019700

Awarded the “2012 EMEA Best Sustainability Deal, Project Finance Awards”

and the Best Company for Leadership in Clean Energy

GWh annual global production250

*COD = Commercial Operation Date

Mln/€ Project financing commitment in the last 3 years, including most of the Near NTP projects1,100+

1. Introduction to the Applicant

Building Energy: a Global Independent Renewable Power Producer

SOLID GROWTH AND DELIVERY ON OUR COMMITMENTS

MW total plants completed worldwide240

Building Energy S.p.a Company Profile

Zevobuzz (Pty) Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Building Energy S.p.a an Italian IPP


4

Up to 2015

GLOBAL/Frontrunner

PERFORMING

TECHNOLOGY AGNOSTIC

RELIABLE

PROFITABLE

64 PROJECTS IN 20 COUNTRIES

HIGH VALUABLE PPA WITH SOUND OFF TAKERS

RELIABLE ENGINEERING: POWER PLANT’S PERFORMANCE ABOVE EXP.

AMAZING SUCCESS RATE: PROJECTS AWARDED/BID PRESENTED

MANUFACTURINGR&D DEVELOPMENT E&D OPERATION ASSET TRADING

►Site Development

►System Design

►Permitting

►Grid Connection

►PPA Negotiation

►Owner Engineering

►Design

►Construction

►Operation &Maintenanceof the plant

►Power Production

►Asset Trading

►Rotating Asset

►Advisory

GLOBAL INTEGRATED INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCER

DEVELOPMENT FEE EPC FEE PPA / FIT

MAINTENANCE FEE

SALE OF ASSETINTEGRATED

From 2016

Up to 2015

From 2016

Globally Integrated IPP

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• The Kruisvallei Hydro project currently comprises two low head small hydropower schemes,Middle Kruisvallei and Lower Kruisvallei respectively, both located on the Ash River on a portionthe Farm Kruisvallei 190 and a portion of Farm Middelvallei 130;

• The projects make use of the water releases from the Lesotho Highlands Water Project whichdischarges into the Ash River by means of a tunnel whose outfall is located at some 4 kmupstream.

• The Middle Kruisvallei project is located at the existing infrastructure Weir 26 (according to theDepartment of Water and Sanitation (DWS) classification);

• The Lower Kruisvallei project is located around the existing bridge downstream of Weir 34;• The coordinates of the Middle Kruisvallei intake site is:

• Latitude: 28°24’20’’ S• Longitude: 28°21’57’’ E

• The coordinates of the Lower Kruisvallei intake site is:• Latitude: 28°22’46.40"S• Longitude: 28°21'50.60"E

• The Project has been awarded Preferred Bidder under Round 4 of the DoE’s REIPPPP;• The Project will connect to the existing Eskom Node substation +-16km from Middle Kruisvallei• The Project will connect at a voltage of 22kV

2. Background to the Kruisvallei Hydro Project


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Locality Map

2. Background to the Kruisvallei Hydro Project

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1. Lower Kruisvallei:

Original EA

I. EA received 05 September 2011II. DEA Reference: 12/12/20/1876III. 2.1 MWIV. Construction of a weir in the river at level 1683.5mV. Construction of a short canal with a total length of (135m) and headrace

(73m)VI. Powerhouse (27m) and the tailrace (35m)

2.1 Nature and Extent of Proposed Project



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2. Middle Kruisvallei:

Original EA

i. DEA Reference 12/12/20/1875ii. Received 26 September 2011iii. Raising of the Provincial Road Bridge (No. 738) by 4miv. Construction of a short canal with a total length of (450m) and headrace

(235m)v. A Powerhouse of 45m and tailrace of 160m




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Significant changes:

Lower Kruisvallei:Movement of inlet point to be behind existing DWS weir 34Extra +- 300m of headrace canal sectionPowerhouse and outlet remain at same point to currently authorised solutionReduction of power from 2.1MW to 1.81MWNo construction of new weir needed no flooding area createdAddition of Power Generation ActivityAddition of infilling and excavating material from a watercourse Activity

Middle Kruisvallei:Solution remains the same as currently authorised2.18MWAddition of Power Generation ActivityAddition of infilling and excavating material from a watercourse Activity


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The energy output is purely based on the “historical flow” over the last 11 years (2005 to 2015) and sincethe flow of the Ash River is 100% regulated through the man made structures developed under the LesothoHighlands Water Project, it was assumed that the tendency remains fairly the same, moreso taking intoconsideration that the Treaty between Lesotho and South Africa requires a set annual volume of water tobe delivered annually.

The availability of existing structures, weir 26 and weir 34, on this site make it ideal for the implementationof small scale run-of-river hydro projects.

2.2 Rationale for the Proposed Project on this Site

Scenario Description Max

Flow

(m3/s)

Net Head at

Max flow

(m3/s)

Power

(MW)

Annual Energy

(GWh/yr)

IA Middle Kruisvallei without rubber

dam

37 6.82 2.18 13.22

IIA Lower Kruisvallei intake at weir 34 37 5.68 1.81 11.25

IIB Lower Kruisvallei intake at bridge 37 7.08 2.26 13.85

IA + IIA Middle Kruisvallei without rubber

dam and Lower Kruisvallei intake at

weir 34 (individually)

37 3.99 24.47

IA + IIB Middle Kruisvallei without rubber

dam and Lower Kruisvallei intake at

bridge

37 4.44 27.07


143. Basic Assessment Process and associated timeline

Two separate EIA processes were undertaken

• Proposed Development of a Hydroelectric Power Scheme (Lower Kruisvallei) DEA

Ref.: 12/12/20/1876 – Authorised on 05/09/2011.

• Proposed Development of a Hydroelectric Power Scheme (Middle Kruisvallei) DEA

Ref.: 12/12/20/1875 – Authorised on 26/09/2011.

Previous EIA Process:

Amendments – Lower Kruisvallei:

Update characteristics of the power plant – 30/04/2013

Validity extension – 24/06/2014

Update contact details and validity extension – 16/05/2016

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153. Basic Assessment Process and associated timeline

Amendments to Middle Kruisvallei:

Validity extension – 24/06/2014

Update contact details and validity extension – 18/05/2016

New BA Process:

One BA process will be undertaken to supplement previous EAs.

Trigger of new listed activities in EIA Regulations of 2014, as amended on 07 April 2017:

GNR 327 Activity 1 (ii)

GNR 327 Activity 12 (i)(ii)(a)

GNR 327 Activity 19

GNR 327 Activity 28 (ii)

GNR 324 Activity 12 (b)(iv)

Independent environmental studies must be undertaken in accordance with the EIA Regulations

of 2014.

KRUISVALLEI HYDROELECTRIC POWER GENERATION SCHEME, FREE STATE PROVINCE

WILGE WATER QUALITY FORUM MEETING: NOTES FOR THE RECORD

Meeting Date: 20 February 2018

Time: 10:00

Venue: Phumelela Municipal Office (Warden)

Zevobuzz (Pty) Ltd on behalf of Building Energy (Pty) Ltd proposes the installation of a hydroelectric

power generation scheme in the Ash River in the Free State Province. Savannah Environmental has

been appointed as the independent environmental consultants responsible for undertaking the

Basic Assessment (BA) process, Water Use License Application (WULA) and General Authorisation

(GA) (in collaboration with Tlou Consulting (Pty) Ltd) for the project. The scheme comprises the Lower

Kruisvallei (LK) scheme and the Middle Kruisvallei (MK) scheme. The project is located on the farm

Kruisvallei 190 and farm Middelvallei 130. The proposed project will involve the construction of two

Power Houses, one each at Lower Kruisvallei (LK) and Middle Kruisvallei (MK), resulting in a total

generating capacity of 4.7MW. Electricity generated by the project will feed into and supplement

the national electricity grid. The proposed project will include the construction of a new 22kV

overhead power line ~16km in length to connect the project to the existing Node Substation.

The purpose of the presentation at the Wilge Water Quality Forum was to provide an overview of the

Kruisvallei Hydroelectric Power Generation Scheme and the approach to compile the Water Use

License Application (WULA) and the General Authorisation (GA) to be undertaken for the project.

The presentation also provided an opportunity for DWS and meeting attendees to provide input and

recommendations on the WULA and GA process.

Adhishri Singh of Tlou Consulting prepared a presentation to cover the following items:

1. Background and Overview of the Project;

2. Description and Current State of the Ash River;

3. Potential impacts to the Ash River;

4. Potential impacts due to the proposed power line; and

5. Way forward.

Please refer to the attached Presentation.

Notes:

» The Forum was informed that a pre-application meeting was held with DWS were a General

Authorisation (GA) for the construction of the Plant and Powerlines was recommended, while

a WULA for operation of the Plant was advised. The DWS members of the Forum, however,

indicated that an integrated WULA will be required as they would need one document for

construction and management of the Plant. It was also indicated that Eskom will be required

to apply for the license for the external powerline.

» Concern was raised as to whether the volume of water in the river will be affected during

construction and whether this would affect the downstream Merino hydropower scheme and

the Vaal Dam. It was explained that the amount of water to be abstracted for construction

would be very small, in the region of 150kl/month and that coffer dams will be used to divert

flow during construction so flow down the river would not be interrupted.

» It was queried as to whether the same river would be used to transfer water during Phase II of

the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) and whether the Kruisvallei Hydroelectric Power

Generation Scheme would make use of this additional flow. It was indicated that the Phase

II of the LHWP will release water through the Ash River. The Kruisvallei Scheme can absorb up

to 37m3/s and any more than that would not be diverted from the river.

» The material to be used for the diversion canal was queried as there were concerns related

to erosion. It was indicated that either cement or boulder rip rap would be used, but this had

not been confirmed as yet.

» Queries were raised as to the type of bathroom facilities that would be used. It was indicated

that use would be made of a closed conservancy tank. The DWS requested that a design of

the facilities be provided. A section 21(g) water use application would need to be made.

As a way forward, it was agreed that the following will be compiled for the Kruisvallei Hydroelectic

Power Generation Scheme:

1. Water Use Licence Application (WULA) for the construction and operation phase of the

Scheme, which includes the internal power line.

2. That Eskom would need to apply for the authorisation of the external power line.

Prepared by:

Adhishri Singh

[email protected]

3/6/2018

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3/6/2018

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• Located on Farm Middelvallei130 and Farm Kruisvallei 190 inthe Dihlabeng LocalMunicipality and the greaterThabo Mofutsanyane DistrictMunicipality.

• Approx. 13km north west ofClarens.

• Situated in catchment C83A inthe Upper Vaal Catchment.

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The high flows (32m3/s at the time of thesite visit) transferred through this Riverhas resulted in:• bed and bank scour resulting in a

substantially wider and incisedchannel than under natural conditions.

• Boulder rapids and weirs have beenconstructed in the river channel,presumably to mitigategeomorphological impacts anddevelop backup reaches that are lessprone to scour and provide localerosion protection of the river’s bedsand banks.

• These artificial weirs have unnaturallyinundated upstream areas as well asimpeding fish passage.

Continued transport of high flow volumesthrough the Ash River and the expectedadditional transfers that are anticipateddue to Phase II of the LHWP, will probablysee further modification of the river bedand banks.

The extreme alteration of thegeomorphological structure of theinstream and riparian environmenthas affected the presence and typeof biota that would be found undernatural conditions.

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Most severe instream impacts

• Flow changes• Bed modification• Channel modification• Inundation

Most severe riparian impacts

• Flow modification• Bank erosion• Channel modification• Inundation

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Component EC

Riparian Vegetation E

Macroinvertebrates D

Fish F

Instream E

PES Category E

EIS Low

REC D

Ele ctr ici ty

Po le

O ver h

ead

Elec t r

ici ty

Line

Ove

rhead

Electr ic it y

Line

Over

head

El e

ctri c it

y

Line

Tr ack

Tr ack

Tr ack

Track

Track

T rack

Track

Tr ack

Track

Tr ack

Tr ack

A shR iver

A shR ive r

AshRi ver

Ash

Ri ver

A shR iver

As hR iver

Ash

Ri ver

A shR ive r

A shRi ver

AshR iver

A sh

R ive r

G ener ato r

Pum p

Pipe li n

e

Pipe

line

Pipelin e

Pipelin e

Pip

elin

e

Br idg e

Servi tude Area

Servi tude Area

Servi tude Area

Serv itude Ar ea

S ervitude Area

Servitude Area

The Farm Kruis Vallei N o.1865

T heF ar mK ruisV allei No. 1865

R emainder of the farmS tefanium No. 747

Remainder of the farmS tefanium No. 747

Y:6

2400

X :3 14 32 00

X:3 14 33 00

X: 31 43 20 0

Y:

6220

0

Y:6

2300

Y:

6200

0

Y:

6220

0

X : 31 43 60 0X: 31 43 60 0

0

20

40

60

80

10 0

120

140

160

180

200

220

240

260

280

300

320

340

360

380

400

420

440

460

480

500

520

540

547

MIDDLE KRUISVALLEIHYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANT South Africa

28°24'14.46"S 28°21'51.27"E 1:100000

DOCUMENT NAME

DOCUMENT NUMBER

PROJECT: DATE

SCALE

CLIENT

DESIGNER

DESCRIPTION AND NOTE

REV DATE DESCRIPTION ApprCkPrep

REVIEW

SHEET

A2+

FORMAT

23rd December 201501

Proposed Middle Kruisvallei Hydropower Plant

MK will utilise the existing DWS weir 26 which willeffectively act as a diversion weir and will divert thewater from the Ash River into the headrace canal.MK canal is approx 450m in length (including theheadrace, tailrace and powerhouse)

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Lower Kruisvallei HPP

LK will utilise the existingDWS weir 34 which willeffectively act as a diversionweir and will divert the waterfrom the Ash River into theheadrace canal.LK canal is approx 590m inlength (incl. the intake,headrace, powerhouse andtailrace)

Proposed mitigation is to release the determined compensation or EWRflow between the intake and outfall points. This was determined as 13millionm3/a, based on present day flow of 785million m3/a to maintain therecommended Ecological Category D.

This will result in an improvement in ecological condition in this short stretchof river.

3/6/2018

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Mitigation measures have been recommended to provide for erosion and siltcontrol during construction and the stabilisation of the banks prior andduring operation of the Plant.

Regular monitoring of turbidity is recommended for the life of the Plant.

Investigations currently underway to estimate the drop in water levelupstream of the intake canals and corresponding impact to wetlands.

Although these wetlands are artificial in nature, caused by the backupconditions of the existing DWS weirs, this has created a habitat forecological functioning in a system otherwise critically modified.

3/6/2018

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• Internal Routebetween LKand MK.

• External routefrom MK toNodeSubstation.

The transmission line will cross over recognised (and delineated) watercourses, which include riparian

zones and wetlands. These have been grouped for ease of risk assessment as follows.

Group 1 Watercourses: Crossings of

delineated wetlands or streams where the

installation of upright supports within

wetlands or streams will not be necessary

because crossing distances are small (less

than 100m) and spanning the delineated

watercourse is suggested and promoted as

mitigation, and where the crossing is not

that of the Ash RiverGroup 2 Watercourses: Crossing

of delineated wetlands where

spanning as above will not be

possible because distance is too

great (>100m) or where

redirection is proposed within

the watercourse.

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