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SPPS INAUGURATION 30 OCTOBER 2009

SOL PLAATJE POWER STATION

SOL PLAATJE DAM

BETHLEHEM

. . . . . . IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT THE MEGAWATTS !!!


INTRODUCTION TO THE BETHLEHEM HYDRO PROJECT


!! Welcome to the Bethlehem Hydro Inauguration Ceremony !!

Bethlehem Hydro is a unique project which has overcome several challenges and has

set a precedent in the development of small hydropower projects in South Africa

Some of the milestones achieved include:

• First commercial hydropower station implemented in South Africa in the last 22 years

• Obtaining the first water use license from the Department of Water Affairs under the

Water Act (No 36 of 1998) for an Independent Power Producer

• Obtaining a generation license from the National Electricity Regulator of South Africa

for operation as a first Independent Power Producer for hydropower

• Power Purchase Agreement with the Dihlabeng Local Municipality

• “Competing” on commercial terms with Eskom

• Kaplan turbines used in South Africa for the first time

• BEE partnership through Women in Oil and Energy South Africa (WOESA)


HISTORY OF BETHLEHEM HYDRO


1999 Project identified by MBB Consulting Engineers following their previous

involvement in the development of the Freidenheim Hydropower Plant (1987)

2000 Preliminary study conducted by Nu Planet in order to determine viability of

potential scheme

2001 Request for grant funding through the Dutch Government (AIJ Pilot Program),

which was developed following the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development

Mechanism

2002 Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Study undertaken by Ninham

Shand (now Aurecon) in association with BWG Hydro & Merz Mclellan.

Two schemes were identified, one along the Ash River and one at Saulspoort

Dam (now Sol Plaatje Dam)

2002 Project was judged viable which started the licensing process (Water Use

License, Generation License, ROD), most of which had to be obtained under

new Regulations (No precedent existed drafted from scratch)

2003 Bethlehem Hydro (Pty) Ltd was created as a special purpose vehicle to

develop the project


HISTORY OF BETHLEHEM HYDRO (..Cont)


2005 Power Purchase Agreement drafted between Bethlehem Hydro and the

Bethlehem Municipality (No precedent existed drafted from scratch)

2005 Water Use License and Generation License granted to Bethlehem Hydro

2005 Aurecon (formerly Ninham Shand) in association with BWG Hydro & Merz

Mclellan appointed to undertake the detailed design of the schemes

2006 Prequalification for the supply of turbines followed by a Tender process,

Contract BH1, awarded to Boving Fouress Limited (India)

2006 Tender for Civil Work, Contract BH2, awarded to Eigenbau (Pty) Ltd

2007 Tender for Transmission Line, Contract BH3, awarded to EDS Electrical

2008 Delivery of Turbines to site

2009 Completion & Commissioning of the Sol Plaatje Plant


Organisations Involved


Responsible for the management of the Ash River

Water Use License, License to Alter an Existing Dam

Generation License

Environmental Impact Assessment

Power Lines & Transformer to the Merino site

Power Purchase Agreement, Local Support, Land Acquisition

Loan for implementation

Funding & Support


Project Organogram


Electrical

SubConsultant

BWG HYDRO

Mechanical

SubConsultant

Contract BH1

Supply of Turbines, Generators

and Auxiliary Equipment

Contract BH2

Civil Works & Erection of

Turbines, Generators & Auxiliary

Equipment

Contract BH3

Transmission Lines


Characteristics of the Sol Plaatje Power Station


Sol Plaatje Dam Full Supply Level 1627.26 masl

Tailwater Level (Varies) 1616.50 masl

Gross Head 10.76 m

Rated Flow 25 m3/s

Maximum Flow 29 m3/s

Rated Generator 2.55 MW

Annual Generation Approx 19 GWhr/Ann

Load Factor (% time the plant runs at rated capacity) 80%

Lowest Founding Level below Tailwater 10 m

Weight of Generator 30 t

Diameter of Turbine 3.14 m

Turbine Type Full Kaplan

Construction Period 27 months

Total Cost (Approximated) R 40 Million


Power Station Details


Dam Level

Tailwater

Level

Turbine

Generator


Power Station Details


Dam

Tail water

Generating

Head


Capacity of the Plant


The plant capacity is equivalent to 3 of these 18 000 ℓ water tankers going though

the turbine every 2 seconds


Construction Progress


Original

Ground Level

Excavation

65% Hard

35% Soft

Approx 16m


Construction Progress (Excavation)


May 2007

July 2007

October 2007


Construction Progress (Power Station)


November

2007Turbine draft

tube

April 2008

July 2008December 2008

April 2009


Benefits of the Project (Sol Plaatje Site)


Labour Relations

Total No. of Staff Employed 60

No. of staff from the Local Municipality 38

% of Local Staff used (including Sub-Contractors) 63%

Estimated No of Man-Days (Local Staff Only) 13 000

Boost to the Local Economy

Estimated Amount Spent on Local Suppliers R 2.5 Million

Estimated Amount Spent on Local Sub-Contractors R 0.4 Million

Other Amounts Spent in Local Economy (Accommodation,

Transport, Food, etc)R 0.3 Million

Occupational Health & Safety

Fatalities on Site None

Injuries leading to Permanent Disability None

Minor Injuries (Sprains, broken arm, etc.) 12


Lessons Learnt


Geology Due to lack of funds at the initial stage of the project, limited

geological and geotechnical investigations were carried out which

caused some delay during construction

Design The actual project varies significantly from what was identified during

the feasibility stage due to design improvements and to maximise the

output

Timing Nearly three years were required for all licenses and agreements

before construction could commence

Cash Flow Cash flow is very important as lack of funds can create major delays

during the construction process

Contractors Having contractors with the right attitude contributed largely to this

success story

Teamwork Without a team effort, this project would not have been a success


The Way Forward


Sol Plaatje 2.55 MW - Completed July / August 2009

Merino 3.4 MW – Completion expected in December 2009, commissioning

expected in early 2010

New Projects 8.5 MW & 3.5 MW - Feasibility Study underway. Commissioning

expected mid 2011

Future Projects? Other prospective sites have been identified and are currently being

pursued

THANK YOU

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