Part 2 - Eskom
Part 2 - Eskom
Part 2 - Eskom
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCOPING REPORT FOR THE PROPOSED 40MW OPEN CYCLE GAS TURBINE POWER<br />
PLANT IN THE AMERSFOORT AREA, MPUMALANGA<br />
Bohlweki-SSI Environmental<br />
9. POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT – SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT<br />
9.1. Baseline Social Assessment<br />
For the purposes of this Scoping study, the impact variables were categorised in<br />
terms of change processes as described below. A change process can be defined as<br />
change that takes place within the receiving environment as a result of a direct or<br />
indirect intervention. A potential impact follows as a result of the change process.<br />
However, a change process can only result in an impact once it is experienced as<br />
such by an individual/community on a physical and/or cognitive level.<br />
The categories of processes are as follows:<br />
• Geographical Processes: the land use pattern within the (affected) area;<br />
• Demographical Processes: the number and composition of the local<br />
population;<br />
• Empowerment and Institutional Processes: people’s ability to become actively<br />
involved and influence the decision-making process, and also the efficiency<br />
and operation of local authorities and other significant organisations; and<br />
• Socio-Cultural Processes: the way in which humans interact and relate to<br />
each other within the context of their environment, and how this interaction is<br />
guided by value systems.<br />
9.1.1. Geographical Change Processes<br />
The construction and maintenance of the proposed OCGT demonstration plant and<br />
associated infrastructure might lead to a change in the land use within the local area.<br />
The assessment of a land use change process from a social perspective takes into<br />
account how the proposed OCGT plant and associated infrastructure, such as<br />
pipelines, might affect the behaviour/lives of land owners and/or land users.<br />
Figure 9.1 below depicts the landownership within the study area. <strong>Eskom</strong> owns the<br />
majority of the farm Roodekopjes 67 HS, which is the area that has been earmarked<br />
for the proposed OCGT demonstration plant. The Majuba Power Station is also to a<br />
large extent located on this farm (and on the neighbouring Witkoppies 81 HS farm).<br />
Households, together with their livestock, who resided on Roodekopjes have either<br />
already been relocated or are in the process of being relocated. Land use change<br />
has therefore already been taking place on the farm Roodekopjes and other <strong>Eskom</strong><br />
property (Portion 7 of the Farm Palmietspruit 68 HS and Portion 11 of the farm<br />
Rietfontein 66 HS). It is therefore not foreseen that the land use change on these<br />
properties would bear any significant impact on land users as far as these farm<br />
portions are concerned. Land use change would have an effect where associated<br />
infrastructure (e.g. the gas treatment plant and pipelines) would either be located on<br />
or cross privately owned neighbouring land.<br />
At the time of printing Bohlweki-SSI Environmental was notified that the farm Klein<br />
Rietfontein 117HS has also been bought by <strong>Eskom</strong>.<br />
E02.JNB.000308<br />
ESKOM HOLDINGS LIMITED<br />
01<br />
72<br />
08/10/2009