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Report prepared by Paleo Field Services, PO Box 38806, Langenhovenpark 9330
Palaeontological Impact Statement concerning
amendment to the layout for 33 turbines at the
Ishwati Emoyeni Wind Energy Facility near
Murraysburg in the Western Cape.
Introduction
Planned establishment of the Ishwati Emoyeni Wind Energy Facility near Murraysburg
in the Western Cape was is proposing a new layout with 33 turbines that have
maximum dimensions of tip height of up to 255m, hub height up to 160m, and rotor
diameter up to 190m, and associated infrastructure (Fig. 1).
Background
A total of 80 turbines were proposed in 2015, but only 65 were approved. The required
Heritage Impact Assessment consisting of an Archaeological specialist study, a desktop
Palaeontological study and a Visual specialist study provided input with an integrated
set of recommendations (Case No: 130611TS10).
The palaeontological desktop study for the 80 turbines advised that:
1. The development will require extensive excavations into potentially vulnerable
fossiliferous sediments of Late Palaeozoic age;
2. Potentially fossiliferous rock units include the Permian sediments of the
Adelaide Subgroup (Teekloof and Balfour Formations) as well as geologically
recent Quaternary valley sediments. Potentially negative impacts of the project
may occur when excavations into the fossil-bearing Adelaide Subgroup strata
are required during the construction phase of the project.
Statement
The amendment is now proposing only 33 turbines to be constructed within a 5km -
radius footprint that is located within the designated Development Envelope (Fig. 2)
Recommendation are summarized in Table 1. The construction of at least 15 of the 33
turbines may impact palaeontologically insignificant dolerites (part of the the Karoo
Igneous Province) (red areas, Fig 3 & grey areas, Fig. 4). Potentially fossil-bearing
Report prepared by Paleo Field Services, PO Box 38806, Langenhovenpark 9330 2
alluvium (geologically recent Quaternary valley sediments) will most likely not be
affected. The rest may affect fossiliferous, sedimentary units of the Adelaide Subgroup
(Formations Teekloof, Pth and Balfour, Pb, Fig 3). Terrestrial vertebrate fossils, are
common in these formations, which are assigned the Tropidostoma and Cistecephalus
Assemblage Zones. Adelaide Subgroup sedimentary strata located within the footprint
are considered to be highly sensitive in terms of palaeontological heritage (Fig 3 & 4).
It is advised that:
As part of (Step 1) of a Phase 1 impact assessment, a professional paleontologist
investigate each turbine position to evaluate the rock type for palaeontological
sensitivity (volcanic vs. sedimentary) in order to to eliminate positions that are not
palaeontologically significant for future exemption.
As part of (Step 2) of a Phase 1 impact assessment, a professional paleontologist
monitor all remaining turbine positions located on Adelaide Subgroup strata, as well as
the proposed internal road footprint during the construction phase when fossils may be
exposed during turbine foundation excavations and other construction activities.
It is also recommended that a professional paleontologist offer a brief training course
in potential fossil identification to the responsible environmental officer for the project,
whereafter the latter must closely monitor all excavations over the duration of the the
construction phase of the project.
Impact Rating
Significance – The initial significance rating for impact on palaeontological heritage
does not change.
Advantage / Disadvantage – Lowering of the number of proposed turbines is
considered advantageous with regards to impact on overall hard standing area.
Cumulative Impacts – The initial cumulative impacts rating does not change. The
proposed Ishwati Emoyeni Wind Energy Facility remains supplementary to three other
wind energy projects, which have received EIA approval within a 50km radius area.
Conclusion
From a palaeontological perspective, excavations into fossil-bearing strata can be
beneficial to research (potentially providing opportunies to unearth rare new fossil
Report prepared by Paleo Field Services, PO Box 38806, Langenhovenpark 9330 3
material that would otherwise never have been discovered), if it is conducted under the
proper circumstances. It is therefore advised that the construction of the turbines can go
ahead, provided that:
1. As part of Step 1 of a Phase 1 impact assessment, a professional palaeontologist
should investigate each turbine position to evaluate the rock type for
palaeontological sensitivity (volcanic vs. sedimentary) in order to to eliminate
positions that are not palaeontologically significant or to point out localities that
may be located within contact metamorphic zones for future exemption.
2. As part of Step 2 of a Phase 1 impact assessment, a professional palaeontologist
should monitor all remaining turbine positions located on Adelaide Subgroup
strata, including the proposed internal road footprint during the construction
phase, when fossils may be exposed during turbine foundation excavations and
other construction activities.
It is also recommended that a professional palaeontologist offer a brief training course
in potential fossil identification to the responsible environmental officer and staff for
the project, where after the latter must closely monitor all excavations over the duration
of the the construction phase of the project in conjunction with regular monitoring by
the palaeontologist.
References
Amended specialist Integrated HIA Impact Assessment Report: Ishwati Emoyeni Wind
Energy Facility. CSIR 2014.
SAHRA Final Comment Case No: 130611TS10
Report prepared by Paleo Field Services, PO Box 38806, Langenhovenpark 9330 4
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
I, Lloyd Rossouw, declare that I act as an independent specialist consultant. I do not
have or will not have any financial interest in the undertaking of the activity other than
remuneration for work as stipulated in the terms of reference. I have no interest in
secondary or downstream developments as a result of the authorization of this project
and have no conflicting interests in the undertaking of the activity.
19 / 05 / 2021
Report prepared by Paleo Field Services, PO Box 38806, Langenhovenpark 9330 5
Tables and Figures
Table 1. Amendments and PIA recommendations
Component/
Specification
Authorised Proposed
change
Amendment
Recommendations for PIA
Facility area Hardstanding area:
Up to 45 m x 25 m Turbine foundations:
20 m x 20 m and up to
3 m deep
Hardstanding area:
Up to 75 m x 50 m
Turbine foundations:
30 m x 30 m and up to
5 m deep
Phase 1 PIA :
Step 1 rock type evaluation
Step 2 Monitoring during construction
phase
Site access Existing farm access
tracks and
watercourse
crossing will be
upgraded.
Internal roads: 6 - 9
m width during
construction.
Reduced to 4 - 6 m
during operations.
Internal road
length: 45.38km
Internal road
length: 32 km
Phase 1 PIA
Step 1 rock type evaluation
Generation capacity 140 MW generation
147 installed
140 MW generation
Number of turbines Up to a maximum of
65
Up to a maximum of
33
Phase 1 Paleontological IA required for
individual footprints
Step 1 rock type evaluation
Step 2 Monitoring during construction
phase
Turbine generation
capacity
1.8 and 3.3 MW No restriction No amendment required.
Hub height from
ground level
Up to 120 m Up to 160 m No amendment required.
Rotor diameter Up to 130 m Up to 190m No amendment required.
Blade length 65 m Up to 95m No amendment required.
Blade tip height 180 m Up to 255m
Area occupied by
substations
200 x 250 m single
storey substation
compound
No amendment
required.
No amendment required.
Capacity of substation 33/132 kV No amendment
required.
No amendment required.
Temporary
construction
hardstand area per
turbine
45 x 25 m (1,125
m2)
75 x 50 m (3,750
m2)
Phase 1 PIA :
Step 1 rock type evaluation
Step 2 Monitoring during construction
phase
Area occupied by
construction laydown
areas
Temporary
laydown area: Up to
three laydown
areas of 9 000 m²
each (150 m x 60 m)
No amendment
required.
No amendment required.
Report prepared by Paleo Field Services, PO Box 38806, Langenhovenpark 9330 6
Location of
construction camps/
laydown areas
As per layout map
included in the Final
EIA Report.
No amendment
required.
No amendment required.
Area occupied by
buildings
200 x 250 m No amendment
required.
No amendment required.
Internal
powerline/cables
All power lines
linking wind
turbines to each
other and to the
internal substation
must be buried
(Condition 38 of the
EA).
Condition remains
applicable. No
amendment
required.
No amendment required.
Height of fencing 2 – 2.5 m No amendment
required.
No amendment required.
Type of fencing Steel palisade
fencing around
construction camp.
Concrete palisade
around substation.
No amendment
required.
No amendment required.
Transformer 5 x 5m per hard
standing area per
turbine
No amendment
required.
No amendment required.
Validity extension A validity extension
was granted in 2017
to the 02 July 2023
Validity extension
request for 2 years
from 02 July 2023
02 July 2025
Details of Specialist, Declaration and Undertaking Under Oath
Page 1 of 3
DETAILS OF THE SPECIALIST, DECLARATION OF INTEREST AND UNDERTAKING UNDER OATH
(For official use only)
File Reference Number:
NEAS Reference Number: DEA/EIA/
Date Received:
Application for authorisation in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, Act No. 107 of 1998, as amended and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, 2014, as amended (the Regulations)
PROJECT TITLE
Proposed Amendment for the Ishwati Emoyeni Wind Energy Facility
Kindly note the following: 1. This form must always be used for applications that must be subjected to Basic Assessment or Scoping &
Environmental Impact Reporting where this Department is the Competent Authority.
2. This form is current as of 01 September 2018. It is the responsibility of the Applicant / Environmental Assessment
Practitioner (EAP) to ascertain whether subsequent versions of the form have been published or produced by the
Competent Authority. The latest available Departmental templates are available at
https://www.environment.gov.za/documents/forms.
3. A copy of this form containing original signatures must be appended to all Draft and Final Reports submitted to the
department for consideration.
4. All documentation delivered to the physical address contained in this form must be delivered during the official
Departmental Officer Hours which is visible on the Departmental gate.
5. All EIA related documents (includes application forms, reports or any EIA related submissions) that are faxed;
emailed; delivered to Security or placed in the Departmental Tender Box will not be accepted, only hardcopy
submissions are accepted.
Departmental Details
Postal address: Department of Environmental Affairs Attention: Chief Director: Integrated Environmental Authorisations Private Bag X447 Pretoria 0001 Physical address: Department of Environmental Affairs Attention: Chief Director: Integrated Environmental Authorisations Environment House 473 Steve Biko Road Arcadia Queries must be directed to the Directorate: Coordination, Strategic Planning and Support at: Email: [email protected]
Details of Specialist, Declaration and Undertaking Under Oath
Page 2 of 3
1. SPECIALIST INFORMATION
Specialist Company Name: Paleo Field Services
B-BBEE Contribution level (indicate 1 to 8 or non-compliant)
Percentage Procurement recognition
Specialist name: Dr Lloyd Rossouw
Specialist Qualifications: BA Hons, MSc, PhD
Professional affiliation/registration:
PSSA ASAPA
Physical address: 12 Piet du Plooy Street, Langenhovenpark, Bloemfontein
Postal address: PO Box 38806
Postal code: 9330 Cell: 0842505992
Telephone: 0842505992 Fax:
E-mail: [email protected]
2. DECLARATION BY THE SPECIALIST
I, ____Lloyd Rossouw______________________________, declare that –
• I act as the independent specialist in this application;
• I will perform the work relating to the application in an objective manner, even if this results in views and findings
that are not favourable to the applicant;
• I declare that there are no circumstances that may compromise my objectivity in performing such work;
• I have expertise in conducting the specialist report relevant to this application, including knowledge of the Act,
Regulations and any guidelines that have relevance to the proposed activity;
• I will comply with the Act, Regulations and all other applicable legislation;
• I have no, and will not engage in, conflicting interests in the undertaking of the activity;
• I undertake to disclose to the applicant and the competent authority all material information in my possession that
reasonably has or may have the potential of influencing - any decision to be taken with respect to the application by
the competent authority; and - the objectivity of any report, plan or document to be prepared by myself for
submission to the competent authority;
• all the particulars furnished by me in this form are true and correct; and
• I realise that a false declaration is an offence in terms of regulation 48 and is punishable in terms of section 24F of
the Act.
Signature of the Specialist
Paleo Field Services
Name of Company:
Details of Specialist, Declaration and Undertaking Under Oath
Page 3 of 3
19 / 05 / 2021
Date
3. UNDERTAKING UNDER OATH/ AFFIRMATION
I, __________________________________, swear under oath / affirm that all the information submitted or to be
submitted for the purposes of this application is true and correct.
Signature of the Specialist
Paleo Field Services
Name of Company
19 / 05 / 2021
Date
Signature of the Commissioner of Oaths
Date