An increase in the electrical power supply to Ceres in the Western Cape is vital for the economic survival and growth of this area, but the only viable transmission corridor presented engineering challenges and threats to a highly sensitive environment; however, working closely with their client, leading scientists SRK Consulting found a way through.
According to Matthew Law, principal environmental economist and management consultant in SRK's Cape Town office, Existing powerline in the Gydo Pass, the firm's environmental impact assessment (EIA) had established that the natural and cultural environment in the Michell's Pass valley, the corridor selected by the client after a feasibility analysis, was incredibly sensitive.
"The powerline project required about 7 km of access roads and over 60 new pylons for the 17 km of double-circuit 66/132 kV powerline," said Law. "The challenge was that a large portion of the valley is formally protected due to its environmental importance, and there are numerous terrestrial and freshwater Critical Biodiversity Areas, including pristine wetlands and seeps, as well as threatened vegetation types."
Acknowledged: Construction World
