IT is official - British American Tobacco’s cigarette manufacturingfacility in Distillery Street, Paarl, could be transformed into a solar module factory.
Thin Film Solar Technologies SA (Pty) Ltd intends to manufacture thin film solar photovoltaic modules on Erf 11205, Distillery Street.
The erf in question forms part of a larger complex that is presently used as a cigarette manufacturing facility operated by British American Tobacco.
The primary activity proposed is the manufacture of thin film solar photovoltaic modules through the layering of a semiconductor film between two sheets of glass in a high technology environment.
The production process will include the treatment of wastewater before disposal into the municipal system as well as the generation of negligible quantities of hazardous waste, which will be temporarily stored on site before it is appropriately disposed of.
A new access road onto site from Distillery Street will be constructed to allow access to the premises.
A Draft Basic Assessment Report (BAR) has been compiled to provide a description of the proposed project, identify and assess potential positive and negative environmental (both social and biophysical) impacts and suggest relevant recommendations in order to mitigate potential impacts associated with the proposed project.
Copies of the Draft BAR can be reviewed at the Paarl Public Library, Meul Street in Paarl and on Ninham Shand’s website www.ninhamshand.co.za.
A response form has been included. Comments should reach Ninham Shand by fax or post, by no later than 14 March 2008.
All comments received and issues raised will be included in the Final Basic Assess- ment Report, which will be submitted to D:EA&DP for their consideration and decision.
Should you have any queries, contact Tinka Shapiro or Michael Mangnall of Ninham Shand on 021-481-2400, fax 021-424-5588 or enviro@shands.co.za.
