3.

0 Site and Project Description

3.1 Site Description

The site identified for the proposed project can be justified by the following main points:

• Relatively flat landscape requiring less earthwork,

• Favourable energy production according to available meteorological data,
• Site is close to the CEB 70 kV substation and hence, power produced can be easily
exported to the national grid.

Moreover, the site has good road connections in order to ensure safe access and
egress during the construction and operation phases.

3.2 Land for Transmission Line

The path for a 66kV transmission line of about 1,5 km, from the site of the proposed
photovoltaic farm to the FUEL CEB substation is owned by Alteo Limited which has
agreed to grant a way-leave for the purpose of the above mentioned transmission
line, for a period of 20 years (see Annex 6). A site location plan and routing of
connection lines is attached in Annex 7.

3.3 Zoning of site

The site lies within the district of Flacq. It is found on agricultural lands for which a
land conversion permit has been applied for. The promoters require an EIA license
from the Ministry of Environment, Sustainable Development, Disaster and Beach
Management to proceed with the application for a Building and Land Use permit and
then the construction of the PV Solar Farm.

3.4 Key features of the site

• The site falls under a dry climatic zone of Mauritius with 6 to 7.3 hours of
sunshine daily,
• The project location is easily accessible as there are existing access roads,
• Entire area is shadow free,
• Land has been previously used for sugarcane cultivation; hence, the land has
a natural drainage of rain water.
3.5 Former and Actual site land usage
The geographic location of the site is found in Eastern region. The site forms part of
agricultural lands, the majority of which is under sugar cane cultivation. At this stage,
the sugarcane has been harvested. In order to assess the agricultural suitability and
resourcefulness of the site where the solar farm will be located, the “Land Resources
and Agricultural Suitability Map of Mauritius, FAO/MSIRI” has been analysed (See
Figure 3.3). Queen Victoria is found in the land unit mapping symbol, 3.1. The
landform of the area is almost flat or gently undulating with deep friable soils. The
slopes are mostly less than 8%.

The very fact that the site has supported sugar cane cultivation for years is proof that
it is a naturally well drained site. Further, there is ample evidence that River Coignard
will naturally carry away all surface run-offs in case of heavy rain. Hence NO specific
drainage system will be needed as the PV panels will be mounted in such a way that
the undulations in the terrain are not modified.

3.6 Hydrology of the Site

The site is found in the Aquifer IV region (See Figure 3.6), which is also the aquifer
of Nouvelle Decouverte, Plaines des Roches, Trou d‟Eau Douce. It is to be noted
that the hydrology of the area has no bearing on the proposed project as there will
be NO foundation or other civil works below a depth of 1m from the soil surface.