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Phase 1: Pre-feasibility Phase:
After obtaining the approval of the neighbouring countries, Botswana and
Angola, who share the Okavango River with Namibia, NamPower embarked
upon a pre-feasibility study to determine the technical and financial
viability of different site alternatives for the Popa Falls Hydropower
project. Simultaneously, a preliminary environmental impact assessment
study was performed to determine any issue of concern of the project
that might impact on the environment.
NamPower commissioned some of the best knowledgeable people available
locally and internationally to study the project pre-feasibility.
As part of this phase of the study those issues were also identified,
both technically and environmentally, that warrant further and in depth
investigation in a full Environmental Impact Assessment, should NamPower
decide to pursue the development of the project further.
The pre-feasibility study also involved a process of public
participation during which Public Hearing Meetings were held in Namibia
and Botswana to gather all the concerns of affected stakeholders on site
and downstream of the project. Interested parties also had the
opportunity to raise their comments on the website of NamPower and the
Southern African Institute of Environmental Assessments (SAIEA).
NamPower furthermore instructed the technical and environmental team to
take into account some of the major environmental impacts foreseen
upfront so that mitigating measures could be incorporated in the
technical designs. On completion, two independent reviewers, appointed
by the Southern African Institute of Environmental Assessments, reviewed
the pre-feasibility report. Their findings are incorporated in the
report that will be released today and submitted to the Ministry of
Environment and Tourism for consideration.
The pre-feasibility study report was also submitted to the Permanent
Okavango River Basin Water Commission (OKACOM) who took note of the
completion of the pre-feasibility study and agreed that NamPower in
Namibia could proceed with the proposed feasibility study for the
Project and for OKACOM to participate in the study as was done
previously.
OKACOM comprises governmental representation from Angola, Botswana and
Namibia, and has the responsibility to oversee the management, including
developments within the Okavango Basin.
As part of the ongoing process of public participation it was also
decided to invite any further comments that may arise from the findings
of the study.
A period of one month will be allowed to all interested and affected
parties to comment thereto. For this purpose the complete report has
been published on the NamPower website at:
Popa Falls - Reports
Hard copies of the study are available at the following places:
-
Windhoek Library
-
NamPower library at
the NamPower Centre.
-
Offices of the Rundu
Town Council
-
Frans Dimbare Youth
Centre at Popa Falls
On completion of this
process the outcome of the study, together with comments thereto will be
presented to the NamPower Board of Directors to decide whether the
project will be taken into the feasibility phase |
