230801001811 - THE APPLICATION TO RENEW THE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE FOR THE ANGOLA-NAMIBIA TRANSMISSION INTERCONNECTION PROJECT, OMUSATI REGION

The ECC is for the Angola-Namibia Transmission Interconnection Project. Under the Environmental Management Act (Act 7 of 2007) section 27 the activity described as “construction of facilities for the transmission and supply of electricity” requires an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) as it is a listed activity. On 22 September 2020 NamPower was issued the Environmental Clearance Certificate for the Angola-Namibia (ANNA) 400kv transmission interconnection project. Aurecon South Africa (Pty) Ltd was consulted to conduct the Social and Environmental Impact Assessments for the project both in Namibia and in Angola. They also submitted the application on behalf of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP). The ECC will expire on 22 September 2023. NamPower would therefore like to apply for the renewal of the ECC in order to comply to the Management Act (Act 7 of 2007) and its regulations. Although the ECC was issued in 2020, the project has not kicked off yet. There was an update done on some Feasibility Assessment deliverables. These updates were completed in the second quarter of 2022 and first quarter of 2023. The project sponsors (NamPower and RNT) still need to raise funding for the project implementation. A Joint Implementation Agreement (JIA) has been developed and will be signed by the two utilities which stipulate how the project will be rolled out, also highlight the commitment and responsibilities of each party.