1 INTRODUCTION AND WELCOMING 2 EXPLANATION OF EIA

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OSHAKATI PUBLIC MEETING
Town Council Office (Council Chambers), Oshakati
23rd of May 2014, 11h00
1 I N T R OD U CT I ON A N D WE L C OMI N G
Mr Sheldon Husselmann thanked everyone who attended the meeting and introduced
the project team.
2 E X P LA N A TI ON O F E I A P R OC E S S
Mr Husselmann briefly outlined the purpose of the meeting and then continued to
explain the Environmental Assessment (EA) process. He highlighted the role of the
Enviro Dynamics (the appointed environmental consultants for the assessment of
proposed project) according to the Environmental Management act (7 of 2007).
3 P R E S E N TA TI ON O F P R OP OS E D P R OJE CTS
Mr Husselmann then handed the floor over to Mr Hanekom who presented the project
description. This description included among other matters the rationale for the project,
a description of the various project components, and an outline of the expected cost
and timeframe for the construction and implementation of the proposed project.
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4 I MP A CTS I D E N TI FI E D
The floor was then handed back to Mr Husselmann who briefly outlined all the positive
and negative environmental impacts associated with the proposed project:
Positive:

Small number of jobs created during construction (temporary) and operation
(permanent);

Diversification of economic activities within Oshakati; and

Provision of electricity to the local grid.
Negative:

Impact on scarce water resources;

Loss of land for residential development – conflicting land uses; and

Visual impact on receptors in adjacent residential areas.
5 D I S CU S S I ON
After Mr Hanekom’s presentation the floor was opened for questions and comments.
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COMMENTATOR
Mr O. Shilunga
COMMENT
RESPONDENT
RESPONSE
The oxidation ponds located north of the proposed solar
plant site has reached its capacity and there are plans
to expand and upgrade it. The proposed solar plant
may have implications for these plans.
Mr S. Husselmann
Noted.
How will the water from the oxidation ponds be used for
this project?
Mr L. Hanekom
OPE weighed up the costs of buying water
from the Town Council, verses constructing
OPE’s own water purification plant and the
purification plant seems like a viable option.
Lawn will be planted under the panels in
order to cool the area under the panels.
OPE is considering using semi-purified water
to water the lawn and reverse-osmosis
water to clean the panels, because the
water used to clean the panels should have
no dissolved solid in the water.
I am concerned that the solar panels might have a
visual impact on people living in the areas adjacent to
the solar plant. Perhaps a visual barrier, like a row of
trees could be planted to block the view of nearby
residents. I have heard some people say that there are
some health impacts associated with solar power plants.
Mr S. Husselmann
Noted.
Mr L. Hanekom
The area is very flat, I doubt that the solar
plant will pose a significant visual impact.
Mr M. Shikongo
Will the glare from the panels negatively impact
peoples’ eyes?
Mr L. Hanekom
No. The solar panels are designed to absorb
sunlight and not reflect it.
Mr N. Sheefeni
Have you considered the impact of potential flooding
on the solar plant?
Mr L. Hanekom
Yes. OPE will need to construct an
embankment to the east of the site in order
to channel water away from the site.
Mr F. Kambozu
Will this solar plant be providing electricity beyond the
power grid of Oshakati?
Mr L. Hanekom
The electricity will be used primarily for local
consumption. Some days, if enough power
is generated OPE might be in the position to
sell to NamPower.
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COMMENTATOR
Mr K. Kapolo
Mr N. Sheefeni
Mr K. Kapolo
Mr O. Shilunga
COMMENT
RESPONDENT
RESPONSE
What measures will OPE put in place to encourage
power savings from the side of the consumer?
Mr L. Hanekom
OPE is in the business of selling electricity. It
is probably more the responsibility of the
Town Council to encourage local residents
to save electricity.
Why was Site 2 not selected for the construction of the
solar plant?
Mr L. Hanekom
One of the main reasons for not choosing
Site 2 was to avoid resettling people.
When is this project likely to be implemented?
Mr L. Hanekom
If all goes according to plan, then the solar
plant could be operational as early as April
2015.
What is the estimated cost of this project?
Mr L. Hanekom
Approximately N$210 million.
Has OPE considered upgrading the current NamPower
substation as an alternative to constructing this solar
power plant?
Mr L. Hanekom
In the long-run this project will mean a
savings for OPE and potential the residents
of Oshakati as well. Upgrading the
NamPower substation is not a simple task.
OPE will need to request that NamPower
upgrades their substation and there is no
guarantee how long it will take for the
substation to be upgraded if approval if
received.
I am concerned about the removal of trees as a result
of site clearance for this project.
Mr S. Husselmann
Noted.
Will there be any by-products from this project?
Mr L. Hanekom
No.
Will this solar site be able to store electricity?
Mr L. Hanekom
No. OPE considered the storage options for
the plant in the form of batteries, but
decided not to go ahead with this, because
it would double the project cost.
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6 C ON C LU D I N G R E MA R K S
Once all present had an opportunity to ask their questions and raise their concerns, Mr
Husselmann explained what the next steps were for the remainder of the EA process.
These include; the drafting of the Scoping Report, the circulation of the draft Scoping
Report for review by registered Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs), the final
submission of the Scoping Report for Environmental Clearance consideration and the
notification of registered I&APs of their final opportunity to submit comments regarding
the Scoping Report directly to the Directorate of Environmental Affairs.
Mr Husselmann thanked everyone for attending and adjourned the meeting
7 A T TE N D A N CE R E GI S T E R
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