230511001463 - APPLICATION FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE FOR THE PROPOSED TREKPOORT SOLAR ENERGY PARK ON FARM TREKPOORT NO 96, KEETMANSHOOP DISTRICT, //KARAS REGION.

1. THE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE IS FOR: o Activity 1(a) – Energy Generation, Transmission and Storage Activities The construction of facilities for the generation of electricity (solar Power) o Activity 1(b) - Energy Generation, Transmission and Storage Activities The construction of facilities for the transmission and supply of electricity (Overhead Transmission Lines) o Activity 5.1(c) – Land Use and Development Activities Agricultural use to industrial like use 2. DETAILS OF THE ACTIVITY(S) COVERED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE: 2.1. TITLE OF ACTIVITY Trekpoort Solar PV Plant 2.2. LOCATION OF ACTIVITY The Farm Trekpoort No. 96 is situated approximately 24 km northwest of the town of Rosh Pinah, located within the south western parts of //Karas Region. The planned Trekpoort Solar Energy Park is envisaged on a 200 ha portion of the commercial Farm Trekpoort No. 96. The 200 ha set aside for this Project is located to the south-western parts of the mentioned Farm. 2.3 NATURE OF ACTIVITY The proposed activity entails the construction and operation of a photovoltaic solar power plant to the extent of 200 ha, with supporting infrastructure (i.e. O&M Building, site sub-station and 66kV OHTL). The electricity will be conveyed along a ±6km 66kV (wooden structure) overhead powerline to the Obib Substation’s existing and available intake. The aim of the Project is to supply renewable electricity to the Southern African Power Pool and the local market. This development is in line with the latest trend to make use of renewable energy rather than fossil fuels to reduce the impact on global Climate Change. 2.4 SCALE AND SCOPE OF THE ACTIVITY The proposed Project will consist of a 200ha Photovoltaic Solar Power Facility, referred to as the Trekpoort Solar PV Plant and ±6Km 66kV overhead transmission powerline. The PV Plant consists of PV panels mounted on either a fixed or tracking substructure for anchorage which are driven / rammed into the ground. The PV Panels are grouped in a ‘table’ consisting of panels depending on the substructure selected, and would be installed on a single axis tracking system. The electricity generated by the PV arrangement will be fed into the existing electricity supply network via a ±6Km 66kV OHTL to the existing Obib Substation. It is envisaged that the activities involved in the development of the Trekpoort Solar PV Plant will include, but may not be limited to the following: (a) Obtaining all necessary licenses, consents and permits required to construct, operate and maintain the power plant for the duration of the PPA; (b) Concluding long-term Land Lease Agreement with the owner of the agricultural land; (c) Design, engineering, procurement, transportation to site, erection, construction, installation, quality assurance, testing (on and off-site), commissioning and acceptance testing of the project for all auxiliary and ancillary plant, services, and works and rehabilitation of associated sites; (d) Design and construction of all infrastructure required for the connection of the Solar PV Plant to NamPower’s Obib Substation; (e) Full and complete operation and maintenance of the project from Commercial Operation Date until the end of plant design life, which is an estimated 25 years; and (f) Rehabilitation of the site after plant design life. The proposed Project’s surface will not be cleared entirely as with other solar farms, for purpose of preventing erosion and conserving the local vegetation and habitat. Holes will be dug or drilled only to plant the steel poles that will hold the solar panels. A building for operations and maintenance will be erected which will consist of a storeroom, office and ablution with sewage system. Water for daily use by personnel will be sourced from the existing borehole at Farm Trekpoort No. 96. The project area will be surrounded by a 2 m high electricity fence. A lightning protection system will be installed to protect equipment on-site. The expected construction personnel are 120, while during the operational phase 10 people are responsible daily operations and about 60 people would be seasonal. The activities undertaken by the PV solar power facility are for power generation, which comprises of the following components: • Direct conversion of the sun`s rays into electricity via photovoltaic technology; • Electricity management infrastructure and systems; • Direct employment and appointment of contractors; and • Supporting infrastructure and services.

Prpject status VERIFIED

For further information contact:

Ministry of Environment and Tourism

Department of Environmental Affairs

(+264 -61) 284 2701 (T)

(+264-61) 240 339 (F)

http://www.met.gov.na