Draft policy on hydropower up for discussion

On 15 July 2016, the Minister of Water and Sanitation published the Draft Policy on Sustainable Hydropower Generation for comment (GN 436 in GG 40140 of 15 July 2016), writes Tendai Bonga, candidate attorney at Cullinans & Associates, in an analysis on the Legalbrief Environmental site. ‘The draft policy augments the Green Energy Infrastructure Project which aims to deliver 6.9 Gigawatts through independent power producers by 31 March 2019. Hydropower is identified as one of the sustainable renewable energy technologies which will be invoked to obtain this goal,’ he notes. ‘The draft policy indicates the Department of Water and Sanitation’s (DWS) policy position on the establishment and development of hydropower projects on the department’s existing infrastructure, as well as within the Republic’s water resources. Importantly, the draft policy provides guidance on the integration of hydropower authorisation and licensing processes,’ states Bonga. ‘DWS, the Department of Energy (DoE) as well as the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA), will collaborate and streamline their respective authorisation requirements for existing and proposed hydropower facilities,’ he explains. ‘The draft policy also places emphasis on the promotion of hydropower investment and partnerships, compliance with DWS dam safety standards and requirements and dam construction and operation plans, as well use and promotion of appropriate sustainable technology. Hydropower projects conducted on DWS infrastructure and other water resources will be subject to the internationally accepted Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol, in order to assess project sustainability at the planning, preparation, implementation and operation phases,’ notes Bonga. ‘It is inevitable that hydro power facilitates may negatively impact biodiversity however this aspect is not canvassed in the draft policy,’ he warns. ‘It may be beneficial to identify the potential effects of hydropower development on biodiversity and integrate conservation tools and methods, into hydropower planning and development,’ he posits. ‘The draft policy is available for public comment until 17 September 2016 and hydropower producers are encouraged to submit comments on the feasibility of the proposed policy,’ concludes Bonga.