Renewable energy company Scatec has undertaken a massive quiver tree planting and replanting operation at its Kenhardt site, in the Northern Cape.

The replanting started after the company was awarded the solar project under the Renewable Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme. The site is currently under construction and, once it reaches completion, will have a total solar capacity of 540 MW, battery storage capacity of 225 MW or 1 140 MWh, and provide 150 MW of dispatchable renewable power under a 20-year power purchase agreement.

The quiver tree grows slowly and is habitat specific and found in areas with extreme weather conditions. Climate change has made things more difficult for quiver trees and they are struggling to grow as abundantly as in the past.

With quiver trees being on the national flora red list, Scatec’s main objective was to execute an operation to preserve the quiver trees on site, and ensure an increase of the plant species in the local habitat.

“After conducting an environmental-impact assessment, we realised that the Kenhardt site is rich in biodiversity. We had to ensure that we take every precaution to minimise any environmental impact,” said Scatec South Africa environmental and social manager HP van Heerden.

Scatec, therefore, had to ensure that it preserves the branching succulent plants in the Kenhardt area.

“Our environmental licence in the area gave us a very clear mandate to protect these trees while we work. Replanting these trees was never going to be an easy process. Scatec partnered with a specialist team that helped them navigate the process,” says Scatec sub-Saharan Africa executive VP Jan Fourie.

Further, for every tree that was relocated, an additional ten quiver trees were planted. However, quiver trees are not easy to find. A nursery that stocked these special trees was in the Western Cape, and the Scatec team had to apply for a permit to transport the quiver trees over the provincial border.

To date, the quiver trees are growing into beautiful and succulent trees.

“The pictures do not do them justice. One just must see them in real life. When you are next in the Kenhardt area, be sure to drive by the Scatec site to witness the beauty and appreciate the effort that the team put into replanting the quiver trees to conserve them,” Fourie said.