Cogeneration Project in Big Bend, Swaziland
Ubombo Sugar Ltd, a member of the Illovo Group, appointed SEF to undertake an Initial Environmental Evaluation in order to assess the impact of a Cogeneration Facility.
Summary
Ubombo Sugar Ltd, a member of the Illovo Group, appointed SEF to undertake an Initial Environmental Evaluation in order to assess the impact of a Cogeneration Facility that would generate enough electricity to meet its needs, while supplying the excess power back into the national grid in Swaziland. The IEE was undertaken in terms of the Environmental Assessment and Audit Regulations, 2000. The study was completed in December 2006.
The factory, located in Big Bend, has the Lebombo Mountain Range as a backdrop that contrasts with the semi-rural-industrial character of the town. The cane harvesting process in this region contributes to the region's air quality problems, since this process involves the slashing and burning of the cane in the field. The cogeneration project would render this undesirable practice obsolete, since there was an opportunity to use the 'waste' from harvesting as fuel in the cogeneration process.
Other positive benefits of the cogeneration project included:
- Generation of cleaner electricity thanks to the upgrade of technology by installing more modern high-pressure boilers at the mill
- Opportunity for local farmers (transportation and harvesting of biomass)
- Increased water-use efficiency
- Minimisation of waste, with other spin-offs such as cost savings
- Electricity provision to the grid, in a region with frequent outages
- Revenue generation
- Technical skills development and transfer
SEF undertook comprehensive specialist studies to ensure that the largely positive benefits of this project where not diminished. For instance, increasing steam efficiency meant that the plant had to use water more efficiently. Maintenance of the coal stockyard entailed improving storm water management and bunding at the stockyard area. This project was an ideal opportunity for SEF to advise the client on cleaner technologies and energy efficient measures.
SEF compiled the Initial Environmental Evaluation, making use of local knowledge of indigenes in the area, while providing the expertise needed to undertake a thorough assessment of the issues within the context of a semi-rural industrial town. A focused stakeholder engagement process as well as a Social Impact Assessment revealed that employees of the Sugar Mill needed to be significantly involved in the project. The client was advised of the need to embark on an awareness campaign about the benefits of the project. The need for staff training for employment beyond the confines of the factory was also identified. The findings of the IEE emphasised the need to report on issues such as water quality and water usage, and improved air quality.
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