Heritage Cases

Eskom obtained an environmental authorization on 09 October 2009 from the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) for the construction of a new 400 kV overhead power line, by-passing the existing Duvha Substation, to form a new Bravo-Vulcan line near Emahlahleni, Mpumalanga. (DEA Reference No. 12/12/20/1097)This by-pass line is planned to be approximately 260m in length. The area investigated for this by-pass line is located in the existing Duvha Substation. (See Figure 1 below). The construction of this proposed 400 kV power line is aimed to ensure sufficient electricity supply to the Diepsloot and Johannesburg North areas, where currently frequent electricity shortages are experienced. Following approval by DEA in 2009, it has been identified that certain tower footings associated with the power lines may impact on watercourse crossings and drainage lines thus requiring Environmental Authorisation in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (Act 107 of 1998). Activities identified in Listing Notice 1 of General Notice Regulations (GN R.) 983 are triggered by the proposed project and thus a Basic Assessment (BA) process is being undertaken. Specialist Ecological (Flora and Fauna), Avifauna, Wetland, Social and Heritage Assessments were undertaken during the Basic Assessment and their reports are attached as Appendices to this BAR. Eskom has appointed Envirolution Consulting as independent environmental assessment practitioners, to undertake the Basic Assessment and Environmental Management Programme (EMPr) processes. The main objective of the Basic Assessment and EMPr is to identify and assess potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed project, and to compile appropriate mitigation measures. A water use license was lodged with the Department of Water and Sanitation and subsequently approved on 25 August 2015, License No.04/B11H/CI/3011 and File No. 27/2/2/B811/6/2 (See Appendix J2). A detailed description of the proposed development is highlighted in Section 1.3 of this report. This Basic Assessment Report (BAR) covers the findings of the site assessment and impacts identified for the tower footings associated with the power lines that may impact on watercourse crossings and drainage lines A 400 kV Duvha bypass overhead power line of approximately 260m in length is located in the Duvha power Station. The purpose of this line is to integrate the new Bravo (Kusile) Power Station into the Eskom grid to supply additional electricity to the Diepsloot and the Johannesburg north area which in turn will contribute to the reliable electricity supply of the country. The study site falls within Quaternary Catchment B11G with several water bodies close to the proposed infrastructure, although they are not natural. The powerline falls within the Olifants Water Mangement area in Quaternary Catchment B11G and drains towards the Olifants River. This site further falls within the DWS Olifants Water Management Area, nr 4. 19 Water Management areas (WMA) were established by, and their boundaries defined in, Government Notice No. 1160 on 1st October 1999. Quaternary Catchment B11G is located in the third water management area known as the Olifants WMA. In this WMA the major rivers include the Elands, Wilge, Steelpoort and Olifants Rivers. As part of the new 400kV Duvha bypass overhead power line there is a footing that is proposed after approximately every 90m therefore a total of 4 tower footings of which all 4 towers are impacting on watercourse crossings and drainage lines.