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The Scoping phase of the EIA Process identified the potential positive and negative
environmental (biophysical and social) impacts associated with the proposed establishment of
a CSP plant and associated infrastructure in the Siyanda District. A number of issues for
consideration were identified by the environmental team and/or raised by I&APs during the
PPP. This section serves to outline the approach utilised to evaluate the alternative sites and
select a preferred site for the establishment of the proposed CSP plant and associated
infrastructure.
The potential environmental impacts of the CSP plant and associated infrastructure were
considered in the nomination of a preferred site for the construction of the CSP plant, as well
as in determining which further studies would be required in the EIA phase.
The Scoping phase evaluated two alternative sites for the proposed Solafrica CSP project:
• Site 1: Farm Olyvenhouts Drift (west of Upington), and
• Site 2: Farm Bokpoort 390 (north west of Groblershoop).
In order to establish the best environmentally and technically practicable site to evaluate in
the EIA phase, site specific evaluations were undertaken for each of the alternative sites. The
process involved a range of physical, biological, social and technical criteria.
5.1.1.1 Site Evaluation – Field Studies
The two alternative sites were inspected by the specialists in order to:
• Investigate the study area;
• Gather baseline environmental (biophysical and social) information for the sites;
• Assess the status quo conditions, and
• Identify any potential environmental impacts.
5.1.1.2 Specialist Studies
The choice of specialist studies undertaken during the environmental assessment process
was influenced by the need to cover all aspects of the environment namely: physical,
biological and social. Table 16 outlines the variables or issues that were investigated by 11
specialist studies utilised in determining the preferred site for the CSP plant deployment.