Popa still in limbo — NamPower cautious about hydro power project

IT could take at least another two years before a decision is taken on whether or not a hydro power station will be built at the Popa Falls on the Okavango River.

Power utility NamPower yesterday officially released its preliminary environmental impact report and technical studies for public scrutiny, bringing to an end the first phase of the project that has so far cost the company N$4,5 million. But the company has been very cautious about giving any indications of how serious it is with pursuing the project as an option to help meet the country’s power needs.The design of the hydro power plant is expected to generate between 20-25 megawatts of power.Yesterday, Chief Technical Advisor Reiner Jagau made it clear that the company had not made any decisions regarding the future of the project at this stage.With the reports handed to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism for scrutiny, NamPower awaits its comments by mid-August.”NamPower will not proceed if the environmental impact cannot be mitigated,” Jagau told the media in Windhoek.The gravest concern highlighted in the studies is the transport of sediment downstream if a weir was to be constructed.The fear exists that it could harm the ecology of the Okavango Delta.Excessive inundation of the islands in the weir basin could also destroy unique and rare fauna and flora, the studies note.The public has also once again been invited to submit their concerns on the findings of the preliminary studies by next month.At present the terms of reference for full-scale studies are being drafted by environmental specialists.Jagau said the project was a very sensitive one, especially in light of the negative publicity it had already received.For this reason, Jagau said a lot of detailed studies still needed to be done, especially technical designs.Of the three sites analysed in detail, the studies found site 5, located 7,3 kilometres upstream of Popa Falls at the foot of some of the rapids, as the preferred site at this stage for meeting technical and social criteria as well from a financial and environmental point of view.The technical study notes that, although not without its disadvantages, it is the site with the most potential in respect of power generation.Five sites were initially identified for the possible location of the station but sites one and three were abandoned during the first screening phase.The technical report notes that an acceptable means has to be found to ensure that sediment is not trapped in the basin.It is recommended that additional sediment sampling is done over a period of a year during the next phase of the project.The report proposes pumping sediment through the weir as a preferred option over sluicing, with the latter expected to carry significant ecological risks.The pre-feasibility studies also advise further investigation into the environmental impacts, saying that the mitigation measures and costs could only be estimated at this stage.Further detailed investigations are also needed to fully determine the extent to which islands would be inundated.”The loss of island habitats and riverine forest is regarded as highly significant due to the substantial loss of unique habitat,” the preliminary environmental impact assessment says.Until it can be shown that sediment supply will not be interrupted, that water quality will not be affected and until the impacts of water loss and abstraction from the river can be effectively mitigated, the report says, the adverse impact of the development on Botswana should be regarded as “potentially high”.Should the NamPower board decide to proceed into the next phase estimated to last at least 18 months, it could cost the company between N$10 and N$15 million.But the company has been very cautious about giving any indications of how serious it is with pursuing the project as an option to help meet the country’s power needs.The design of the hydro power plant is expected to generate between 20-25 megawatts of power.Yesterday, Chief Technical Advisor Reiner Jagau made it clear that the company had not made any decisions regarding the future of the project at this stage.With the reports handed to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism for scrutiny, NamPower awaits its comments by mid-August.”NamPower will not proceed if the environmental impact cannot be mitigated,” Jagau told the media in Windhoek.The gravest concern highlighted in the studies is the transport of sediment downstream if a weir was to be constructed.The fear exists that it could harm the ecology of the Okavango Delta.Excessive inundation of the islands in the weir basin could also destroy unique and rare fauna and flora, the studies note.The public has also once again been invited to submit their concerns on the findings of the preliminary studies by next month.At present the terms of reference for full-scale studies are being drafted by environmental specialists.Jagau said the project was a very sensitive one, especially in light of the negative publicity it had already received.For this reason, Jagau said a lot of detailed studies still needed to be done, especially technical designs.Of the three sites analysed in detail, the studies found site 5, located 7,3 kilometres upstream of Popa Falls at the foot of some of the rapids, as the preferred site at this stage for meeting technical and social criteria as well from a financial and environmental point of view.The technical study notes that, although not without its disadvantages, it is the site with the most potential in respect of power generation.Five sites were initially identified for the possible location of the station but sites one and three were abandoned during the first screening phase.The technical report notes that an acceptable means has to be found to ensure that sediment is not trapped in the basin.It is recommended that additional sediment sampling is done over a period of a year during the next phase of the project.The report proposes pumping sediment through the weir as a preferred option over sluicing, with the latter expected to carry significant ecological risks.The pre-feasibility studies also advise further investigation into the environmental impacts, saying that the mitigation measures and costs could only be estimated at this stage.Further detailed investigations are also needed to fully determine the extent to which islands would be inundated.”The loss of island habitats and riverine forest is regarded as highly significant due to the substantial loss of unique habitat,” the preliminary environmental impact assessment says.Until it can be shown that sediment supply will not be interrupted, that water quality will not be affected and until the impacts of water loss and abstraction from the river can be effectively mitigated, the report says, the adverse impact of the development on Botswana should be regarded as “potentially high”.Should the NamPower board decide to proceed into the next phase estimated to last at least 18 months, it could cost the company between N$10 and N$15 million.