Professor H. J Annegarn, Ms L Cape SPATIAL ANALYSIS TO PROMOTE RENEWABLES AND IMPROVE EFFICIENCY: IAIA – Montreal Canada 5 April 2017 Ms D Fischer Professor H. J Annegarn, Ms L Cape

CO2 reduction imperative SA carbon intensive economy 77% primary energy from coal 90% for electricity generation 2009, CO2 emissions - 9.1 tonnes/capita- global average 4.5 t/c The National Development Plan – SA to diversify energy choices as a priority Integrated Resource plan 2010 to 2030 - energy mix includes 17.8 GW renewable energy 3 725 MW Renewable Energy commissioned by 2016 and 17.8 GW by 2030 – procured by competitive bidding 2011 Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement Process launched – REI4P First phase – 5 bid windows Bid requirement to have a positive Environmental Authorisation

Success of the REI4P from inception Windows 1 – 4 Investor involvement - 889 renewable energy applications submitted between bid window 1 to 4 Prices reduced by 54% for wind and 76% for solar PV from bid window 1 to 4 Over 23 000 job opportunities created for South African citizens 12 new industrial facilities established in SA R53.4 billion in foreign investment and financing to date December 2016: power purchase agreements signed for 3 922 MW Commissioned - 2 560 MW  June 2016: 7 million tons of CO2 equivalent reductions realised Over 20 years a total of 902 million tons – or the equivalent of four full years of current electricity emissions at 2014/2015 levels R19.2 billion committed towards social economic development initiatives 2016 no further power purchase agreements signed – reduce energy needs, costs of new grid

REI4P – Unintended consequence on EIA numbers Bid window Reporting period Number of new applications Total number of new applications per bid window Number of amendments S&EIR BAR Prior to REFIT & REI4P Prior to 2009 2 N/A Not recorded 1 2009 to 04-11-2011 250 91 341 20 04-11-2011 to 05-03-2012 54 59 113 23 3 05-03-2012 to 18-08-2013 232 72 304 130 4 18-08-2013 to 19-08-2014 96 33 129 114 Sub-total to bid window 4: 634 255 889 287 Post 4 19-08-2014 to 07-07-2015 44 47 77   Total: 678 258 936 364 Department structured to receive 400 applications for EA per annum – bid window 3 almost double EIA done 3 years prior to construction – several amendments required As at March 2017 - 96 appeals received on wind and solar authorisations 8.5% projects receiving environmental authorisations were preferred bidders (90 of 889) Low success rate – time spent reviewing unsuccessful projects

REI4P – Quality of information submitted in EIAs – linking of REI4P to a competitive bidding process reviewed four wind energy applications – against generally accepted impacts of the technology Speculative nature of the EIAs reduced quality and increased amendments and appeals   Case study 1 Case study 2 Case study 3 Case study 4 Average Timing of specialist studies 50% 25% 38% Identification of key impacts associated with wind energy technologies 81% 71% 78.5% Assessment of impacts 72% 55% 63% 65.5% Environmental statement provided 46% 54.5% Identify and propose generally acceptable mitigation measures 27% 43% Site specific mitigation measures are transferred to the EMPR 36% Provide a level of site-specific assessment that exceeds that which could be achieved through a geographical assessment. 57% Overall average

3 SEAs undertaken Objective: best locations for wind/solar/grid based on resource, environmental sensitivity, social and engineering consideration Reduce workload associated with REI4P applications Ensure environmental protection

SEA identified environmental instruments to reduce timeframes and address EIA shortcomings Developed Integrated Environmental Management Instruments Generic EMP for electricity grid infrastructure Pre-screening tool based on GIS layering of environmental and engineering information Assessment protocols linked to environmental sensitivity Gazetting REDZs and power corridors – facilitate spatial planning Pre-screening tool allows for early identification of specialist studies to be undertaken Pre-screening tool identifies impacts for consideration based on environmental sensitivity Protocols linked to site sensitivity identify the level of assessment required Protocol identifies requirement for an environmental statement Generic EMPR identifies mitigation measures for electricity grid infrastructure Statements identify requirement for mitigation

Streamlining allows for post bid authorisations IEM Instruments allows for shortened review timeframes Pre-assessment allows reduced review and authorisation timeframes from 300 to 147 days Appeal 90 days 8 months in total required Shortened review timeframes allows for post bid authorisations - preferred bidder to financial close 11 months SEA Basic Assessment Process – 147 days Pre-application (Optional) SUBMIT APPLICATION AND CONSULTATION DOCUMENT 90 days COMMENTING AND STATE OWNED ENTITY COMMENT PERIOD 30 DAYS Bid Window 1 Bid Window 2 Bid Window 3 Bid Window 4 03-08-2011 Amended 17-11-2011 03-02-2012 03-05-2013 20-05-2014 04-11-2011 05-03-2012 18-08-2013 19-08-2014 11 12 14 Power purchase agreement to be signed SUBMIT BAR FOR REVIEW COMPETENT AUTHORITY REVIEW AND DECISION MAKING 57 days

Conclusion Programmes linking competitive bidding to EIA impacts: Quality Work levels SEA – using GIS and applying pre-screening can Improve spatial planning and implement the avoidance hierarchy Can improve quality of information submitted to the EIA process Can reduce workload Achieve by: Improving environmental information Streamlined processes Ability to defer EIA process by reducing potential for fatal flaws 899 – 90 Spatial planning can promote renewables and improve efficiency