1
INTRODUCTION
ARCUS GIBB (Pty) Ltd (ARCUS GIBB) has been appointed by Eskom Holdings Limited (Eskom) as the Independent EIA Practitioner (EAP) to facilitate the Environmental Assessment (EIA) process and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the necessary environmental authorisation in terms of the National Environmental Management Act: 107 of 19989 (NEMA) as amended and the EIA
Regulations, 2006.
This Final Scoping Report (FSR) forms part of the EIA process that is being undertaken for the proposed construction, operation and decommissioning of a Nuclear Power Station (NPS) and associated infrastructure in either the Eastern, Northern or Western Cape. The sites, which will be investigated during this EIA, were identified based on previous site investigations undertaken during the 1980s. This report presents the findings of the Scoping Phase of the EIA process. This document has been compiled, with due consideration of comments received from Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) during the Project Announcement Phase. Comments obtained during the Scoping Phase were collated into an Issues and Response Report (IRR) (Refer to Appendix G 8).
Detailed investigations and site alternatives will be carried out on the recommended sites for the proposed NPS during the detailed assessment phase of the EIA process.
1.1
Background
In many countries, including South Africa, economic growth and social needs are resulting in substantially greater energy demand, even taking into account continuing and accelerated energy efficiency improvements. Electricity demand is growing faster than overall energy supply. The South African Government is currently targeting a six percent (%) economic growth, which is equivalent to an average increase of four % in electricity demand. Eskom is currently experiencing increasing demand in excess of four %. Thus there is a requirement for more than 40 000 Megawatts (MW) of new electricity generating capacity over the next 20 years in South Africa. This additional generational capacity could emanate from a variety of energy sources, for example coal, liquid fuels, gas turbines, natural gas, uranium (nuclear), hydro and pumped storage schemes, wind and solar energy. Eskom evaluates all energy sources available to South Africa in determining an optimum mix for electricity generation based on the demand.
9 There are three sets of regulations which include: R 385, R 386 and R 387 in Government Gazette 28753 dated 21 April 2006.
Nuclear 1 EIA: Final Scoping Report
The total demand for electricity in South Africa is not constant and varies on a 24 hour basis, with peak demand in the early morning and in the late afternoon / early evening. Similarly, the demand varies on a weekly basis whereby the demand during the working week exceeding that of weekends. In South Africa, the demand in winter exceeds that of summer periods.
To optimally meet the total demand, it is thus necessary to have both “base load electricity generating power stations10” as well as “peaking electricity generating power stations11”, which is achieved by harnessing different energy sources and applying appropriate technologies. The technologies differ markedly in their generation costs, performance and utilisation characteristics, their suitability for the South African environment and their state of commercial development. The choice of generation technology is therefore multi-faceted and complex. However, only a few energy sources are capable of providing sustained power generation required for base load power stations. The primary energy sources that are suitable and available in sufficient quantities in South Africa are coal and uranium. Based on South Africa’s rich resources of uranium, it is logical for Eskom to utilise this energy source to produce power.
The proposed NPS requires a number of authorisations that will / must be obtained from various departments, such as the National Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT), the Department of Minerals and Energy (DME), the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) and various Regulatory Authorities such as the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa. This EIA covers the construction, operation and decommissioning of the proposed NPS and associated infrastructure, for which authorisation will be sought from DEAT. Permits for water use licenses and borrow pits, in the event that these authorisations are required, will be sought from DWAF and DME, respectively.
The National Nuclear Regulator Act, 1999 (Act No. 47 of 1999) (NNRA) provides for the protection of persons, property and the environment against nuclear damage and mandates the NNR to exercise regulatory control related to safety. In terms of Section 20 of the NNRA, no person may site, construct, operate, decontaminate or decommission a nuclear installation, except under the authority of a nuclear installation licence. Section 21 of the Act makes provision for a person wishing to engage in any of these activities, to apply to the Chief Executive Officer of the NNR for such a licence.
The environmental authorisation is the accountability of the National DEAT in consultation with the provincial environmental authorities. An application for authorisation for the NPS was submitted to the DEAT in May 2007 with a letter for the amendment of the application form submitted in July 2008 (Appendix C). In terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) and associated EIA regulations published in April 2006, listed activities require environmental authorisation before they can proceed. For the proposed NPS the listed activities are:
• The construction of facilities or infrastructure, including associated structures or infrastructure, for the generation of electricity where the energy generation is greater than 20 Megawatts and the facility exceeds an area of one hectare; and
10 "Base load electricity generating capacity" refers to power station technology designed specifically to generate electricity continuously for all hours.
11 "Peaking electricity generating capacity" refers to power station technology designed specifically to generate electricity during periods of very high demand for electricity, normally on weekdays between approximately 07:00 and 09:00 and between approximately 18:00 to 21:00
• The construction of facilities or infrastructure, including associated structures or infrastructure, for nuclear reaction including the production, enrichment, processing, reprocessing storage or disposal of nuclear fuels, radioactive products and waste. At the end of 2007, there were 439 nuclear power reactors in operation and 34 additional NPS under construction according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) (www.iaea.org). Worldwide, operational NPS supplied approximately 16 % of the world’s electricity, 85 % of which is concentrated in industrialised countries (www.reachingcriticalwill.org). Nuclear power produces virtually no sulphur dioxide, particulates, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds (VOC) or greenhouse gases (GHG) during normal operation. Nuclear power thus has the potential to make a substantial contribution to sustainable development and a significant contribution to reducing South Africa’s greenhouse gas emissions. The Eskom Board has therefore approved the investigation of up to 20 000 Mega watts (MW) of nuclear capacity over the next 20 years. The initial phase of this investigation will concentrate on one NPS of 4 000 MW, with provision being made for future expansion, as / when / if appropriate.
The proposed NPS will either be constructed in the Eastern, Northern or Western Cape. The proposed sites, which will be investigated during this EIA, were identified based on previous site investigations undertaken during the 1980s. Subsequently, the Nuclear Site Investigation Programme (NSIP), led by a team of independent consultants, investigated sites along the South African coastline based on NPS’ requirement for large quantities of water, utilised for cooling purposes, in conjunction with proximity to potential load growth areas. The NSIP involved four phases of identification and ranking as shown below:
• Phase 1 National Survey to identify and rank candidate regions; • Phase 2 Survey of Regions to identify and rank candidate areas; • Phase 3a Survey of areas to identify and rank locations; and • Phase 3b Site-specific studies at candidate locations.
The NSIP programme involved various screening exercises using overlays of selected criteria to identify suitable regions/areas/locations. A brief introduction to the NSIP is provided in Section 5 and a review of the NSIP is provided in Appendix D. Based on the various social, economic and environmental criteria the following potential sites (Figure 1) were identified:
• Thyspunt (Eastern Cape, located west of Port Elizabeth near Cape St Francis);
• Bantamsklip (Western Cape, located south-east of Pearly Beach);
• Duynefontein within the existing Koeberg Power Station site (Western Cape, located adjacent to the existing Koeberg Power Station, Cape Town);
• Brazil (Northern Cape, located in the Kleinsee/Port Nolloth area); and • Schulpfontein (Northern Cape, located in the Hondeklipbaai/Kleinsee area). Refer to Appendix A for site photographs.
Nuclear 1 EIA: Final Scoping Report
Figure 1: Potential Nuclear Power Station Locations (Eskom, 1994)
The maximum generating capacity that is considered practical for each individual site from an environmental perspective will be evaluated as part of the EIA. The EIA process serves to identify, assess and mitigate potential environmental impacts that may be associated with the proposed NPS.
1.2
Environmental Assessment Process
The EA process as legislated in terms of NEMA is diagrammatically indicated in
Figure 2 and Figure 3. The Northern Cape, Western Cape and Eastern Cape
Provincial Environmental Departments i.e. the Department of Tourism Environment and Conservation (DTEC), Department of Environment Affairs and Development Planning (DEADP) and the Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs (DEDEA), respectively will review the Scoping and EIA Reports and provide comments to the decision making authority, which is the DEAT.
APPLICATION (R. 27)
Figure 2: EIA Process as prescribed by the NEMA EIA Regulations
AUTHORITY RESPONSE TO SCOPING PHASE (R. 31)
• Submit on application form
Accept Scoping Report and Plan of Study for EIA
Reject Scoping Report / Plan of Study for EIA ( 31R ) Request amendments (R 31)
EIA PROCESS (R. 32)
• • •
Prepare EIA Report
Public review of the final report da Specialist Studies (R 33)
ys} {30
SUBMIT EIA REPORT AND DRAFT EMP
•
• EIA ReportDraft EMP
AYS
AYS
AYS
GRANT / REFUSE AUTHORISATION (R. 36)
30 D
60 D
45 D
SUBMIT FINAL SCOPING REPORT (R. 30)
• • •
Scoping Report Plan of Study for EIA
All correspondence with I&APs and meeting • Declaration of interest by pplication fee EAP • A ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT (R. 13(2)) • • • Check application
Acknowledge receipt in writing within 14 days Reject the application
DRAFT SCOPING REPORT (R. 28 and
• • •
PPP
Draft Scoping Report (R. 29)
Public comment on Draft Scoping Report (R 29(g) and {30 days}
{30 days} 14 DAYS
Accept
AUTHORITY RESPONSE TO EIA PHASE (R. 35)
Reject EIA Report Request amendments
Specialist review
Accept EIA Report DECISION (R. 36)
10 DAYS Accept
45 DAYS
Nuclear 1 EIA: Final Scoping Report
ANSWERING STATEMENT TO NEW INFORMATION • R. 65 (2)(b) - if applicable ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT (R. 66(1)) • PROCESSING OF APPEAL (R. 66) Issue direction i.t.o R. 43(7) of NEMA
Appoint appeal panel i.t.o R. 43(5) of NEMA
DECISION (R. 68) • Notify appellant and each respondent 10 DAYS
NOTICE OF INTENT TO APPEAL (R. 62) NOTIFICATION OF DECISION
• • •
If applicant appeals, inform all other I&APsand If appellant is someone other than applicant,
30 DAYS APPEAL PANEL (R. 67) Optional 30 DAYS 30 DAYS 10 DAYS RESPONDING STATEMENTS (R. 62) • • •
Statement by appellant that R. 63 has been compliedwith
• •
Appeal fee
SUBMIT APPEAL (R. 64) Grounds forappeal
Supporting documentation
inform the applicant
organs of state Notice on official form
1.3
Details of the Applicant
Eskom Holdings Limited (Eskom) is a vertically integrated state-owned corporate entity that generates, transmits and distributes electricity in South Africa and beyond its borders. Eskom generates approximately 95 % of the electricity used in South Africa.
The details of Eskom’s Project Manager for this project are in Table 2 below.
Table 2: Details of the Applicant
Name of Applicant
Eskom Holdings Limited (Eskom)
Contact Person Ms Deidre Herbst Environmental Manager Generation Division
Postal address P.O. Box 1091, Johannesburg
Postal code 2000
1.4
Details of the Environmental Assessment Practitioners (EAP)
As per the requirements of the NEMA and the EIA Regulations, 2006 the following information is pertinent with regards to the EAP that has conducted this Scoping Study for the proposed development.
ARCUS GIBB is an integrated group of highly trained scientists, project managers and engineers providing cost-effective solutions and specialist services in a wide range of disciplines. The multi-disciplinary consulting, management and design approach allows for the development of projects in a holistic way, as this is believed to be the best environment to fully meet the needs of our clients.
ARCUS GIBB offer multi-disciplinary consulting, management and design services, which provides our clients with solutions to complex issues that face all sectors of the conservation, tourism, agriculture, commerce and industry today. These services are provided at a variety of levels and offer solutions to unique and technically challenging problems.
Specific to environmental management and protection, ARCUS GIBB has a team of specialists comprising environmental scientists, environmental engineers, geologists and geohydrologists that form the national Environmental Team. These specialists have broad experience of working on a range of environmental projects within the public and private sector. The Environmental Services Division has a formidable track record and exemplary reputation in southern Africa. The Division comprises 34 highly qualified and experienced technical staff with over 400 years of combined consulting experience.
The national Environmental Team is based throughout South Africa. The Team has been purposely set up to mobilise and co-ordinate any given range of environmental services wherever these may be geographically required.
Nuclear 1 EIA: Final Scoping Report
The details of the Project Leaders for this specific project are listed in Table 3 below.
Table 3: Details of the Project Leaders Environmental
Consultant
ARCUS GIBB (Pty) Ltd
Contact Person Ms Jaana-Maria Ball / Mr Timothy Liversage
Postal address P.O. Box 2700, Rivonia
Postal code 2128
Ms J-M Ball’s Professional affiliation(s)
International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA)
South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP)
South African Association of Botanists (SAAB)
South African Institute of Ecologists and Environmental Scientists (SAIEES)
Expertise of Ms J-M Ball to carry out the Scoping Process
Ms Jaana-Maria Ball12 - MSc (Botany); MBA; PrSciNat; is a
Professional Environmental Scientist, Ecologist and Botanist. She is a Director of ARCUS GIBB with 13 years experience in the environmental field, having been the Project Manager or Director of many high profile projects in Southern Africa. Jaana is currently the Discipline Leader of ARCUS GIBB’s Environmental Services Discipline. She specialises in strategic and operational planning as well as the management of complex Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs), EIA, EMPs, co-ordination and execution of public involvement processes, Integrated Development Planning (IDP), environmental auditing and the management of large, multi-disciplinary project teams.
Expertise of Mr T Liversage to carry out the Scoping Process
Mr Timothy Liversage – Masters in Environmental and Development, Diploma in Environmental Law, BA (Hons) (Economic History). He is a Senior Environmental Scientist with eight years experience. His key experience includes project management of various large and small-scale EIA processes, legislative policy development and strategic planning and implementation. His experience in Integrated Environmental Management includes: EIAs, EMPs, Environmental Compliance and Monitoring, State of the Environment Reporting and Open Space Systems, Environmental Management Systems and Public Consultation Processes. He is currently the Assistant Project Manager for the conventional nuclear power station in the Western Cape.
1.5
Way Forward
The public and I&APs are encouraged to review this report. I&AP comments and issues will be assessed and included in a revised Issues and Response Report (IRR) (and thereafter re-circulated) prior to submission of the Final Scoping Report (FSR) to
12 Ms Jaana Ball’s certification with regards to legislation of the National Scientifice and Proffesional Act is available on request.
the DEAT (the lead environmental authority) and the provincial departments namely, DTEC; DEA&DP and DEDEA for comments and consideration. It is anticipated that the provincial environmental authorities would provide comment to DEAT on the adequacy of the Draft and Final Scoping Reports and regarding the way forward on the EIA process. DEAT’s decision on the Scoping Study and FSR will be communicated to all registered I&APs).
Copies of the FSR will be lodged in the public libraries/venues for public information as indicated in Table 4.
Table 4: Availability of Public Information
Area Venue Street Address
EASTERN CAPE
Humansdorp Humansdorp Public Library 9 Vureau Street
Humansdorp Ukhanyiso Public Library Nanto Street, Humansdorp Jeffery’s Bay Jeffrey’s Bay Public Library 33 Da Gama Road
Jeffery’s Bay Jeffrey’s Bay Business Forum Sandown Buildings, Jeffrey Street Jeffery’s Bay Jeffrey’s Bay Tourism Office De Gama Road, Shell Museum
Complex, Jeffrey’s Bay Kareedouw Kareedouw Public Library 5 Keet Street
Oyster Bay Oesterbaai Eiendome 6 Tornyn Street, Oyste Bay
Plettenberg Bay Plettenberg Bay Public Library Building No 29, Spar Centre, Marine Drive
St Francis Bay St Francis Bay Public Library No 1 Assissi Drive, St Francis Bay St Francis Bay St Francis Bay Tourism Centre 1 Lyme Road South, St Francis Bay Kruisfontein Kruisfontein Public Library Cucido Street, Kruisfontein
NORTHERN CAPE
Kamieskroon Succulent Karoo Knowledge Centre
Charlotte Street, Kamieskroon
Kleinsee Houthoop Shed Houthoop Guest Farm, Komaggas
Road
Komaggas Komaggas Advise Office Van den Heever Street Port Nolloth Richtersveld Public Library Main Road, Port Nolloth Springbok Springbok Public Library Makua Street
WESTERN CAPE
Cape Town ARCUS GIBB (Cape Town Offices)
14 Kloof Street, Cape Town Atlantis Atlantis Public Library Civic Centre, Grosvenor Avenue Baardskeerdersbos Baardskeerdersbos Winkel 22km from Gaansbaai on the Elim
Road
Beaufort West Beaufort West Public Library 15 Church Street
Bredasdorp Bredasdorp Public Library Church Street, Bredasdorp Cape Town Cape Town Central Library City Hall, 2nd Floor, Darling Street
Bredasdorp Cape Agulhas Tourism Bureau, Bredasdorp
51 Long Street, Bredasdorp Clanwilliam Clanwilliam Public Library Main Street, Calnwilliam Elim Elim Library Depot 3 Waterkant Street, Elim
Gansbaai Gansbaai Public Library Main Road, Municipal Buildings Hermanus Hermanus Public Library Civic Centre, Magnolia Street Koeberg Koeberg Public Library Merchant Walk, Duynefontein Laingsburg Laingsburg Public Library Van Riebeck Street
Malmesbury Malmesbury Public Library Voortrekker Road
Nuclear 1 EIA: Final Scoping Report
Area Venue Street Address
Milnerton Milnerton Public Library Pienaar Road Grabouw Palmiet Pumped Storage
Scheme, Visitors Centre
Rockview Dam Road, off N2 South, Grabouw
Piketberg Piketberg Public Library 13 Church Street Vredenburg Vredenburg Public Library 12 Main Street
Bredasdorp Welverdiend Public Library Ou Meule Street, Bredasdorp Atlantis Wesfleur Library, Atlantis Wesfleur Centre, Atlantis Wolvengat Jenny’s Handelaar Main Road, Wolvengat
GAUTENG
Bryanston Bryanston Public Library Cnr New & Pyne Streets, Bryanston Rosebank Rosebank Public Library 8 Keyes Avenue, Rosebank
Blackheath Blackheath Public Library Heathway Centre, Blackheath
Johannesburg Johannesburg Public Library Dr Beyers Naude Square, Cnr Market & Fraser Streets
The report will also be made available on the following website: www.eskom.co.za/eia under ‘Nuclear 1’.
1.6
Structure of this Report
This report consists of ten sections, the contents of which are outlined in Table 5 below. It should be noted that the Plan of Study for EIA is included as Section 0 of this report and will form part of the submission to the relevant environmental Authorities as described in Section 1.2. The terms of reference for each of the specialist studies to be undertaken for the EIA Report have been included in the Plan of Study for the EIA.
Table 5: Structure of this Report
Section Content
Executive Summary
Provides an overview of the findings of the Scoping Phase.
Section 1 Introduction
Provides background to the proposed project and the terms of reference for the EIA. The section also describes the structure of the document and outlines the way forward for the remainder of the Scoping phase of the EIA process.
Section 2 Legal Framework
This section summarises the relevant legislation, policy and guidelines that are applicable to the project.
Section 3 Study Approach and Methodology
Provides an overview of the study approach and methodology for the Scoping Study. The objectives of the study, the Scoping and Public Consultation Process and the way forward for the remainder of the EIA process are described.
Section 4 Description of the Proposed Activity
Provides a detailed description of the various components of the proposed project.
Section 5 Summary of Nuclear Site Investigation Programme (NSIP)
This section provides an overview of the process that Eskom undertook to determine feasible site alternatives.
Nuclear 1 EIA: Final Scoping Report
Eskom Holdings Limited 1-11 Issue 1.0 / January 2008
Section 6 The Environments Associated with the Proposed Alternative Sites
Provides a description of the key characteristics of the biophysical, socio-economic and cultural-historical environment of each of the five alternative sites.
Section 7 Potential Environmental Impacts
Provides a general overview of the potential impacts that the construction and operation of the proposed project would have on the affected environment.
Section 8 Project Alternatives
Provides an analysis of various alternatives to the proposed project, including the “No-Go” alternative, and indicates which alternatives are proposed for assessment in the Impact Assessment Phase of the EIA.
Section 9 Public Participation Process
Provides the key elements of the Public Participation Process to date, i.e. activities undertaken prior to the compilation of this Final Scoping Report. In addition, this section will also highlight the remainder of the PPP process for the EIA.
Section 10 Plan of Study for EIA
This section outlines the remainder of the EIA process and describes the Terms of Reference for the specialists, who would undertake specialist studies. Presents the proposed Terms of Reference for specialist studies that would be undertaken during the next phase of the EIA. It provides general Terms of Reference that all specialist studies will be required to address and provides specific Terms of Reference for each individual study.
Section 11 Conclusions and Recommendations
Provides conclusions to the study and recommends a way forward, based on the findings of the Scoping Study.
Section 12 References
Appendices Appendices, in three parts, include copies of consultation with Authorities,
Specialist Reports, Legal Framework and the Public Participation Documentation.