Executive Summary - EETC

Arab Republic of Egypt Ministry of Electricity and Energy Egyptian

Electricity Holding Company Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company

Restructuring Wind Power Development Project

To Implement

Qussair – North Hurghada 220/66 KV Substations and its Interconnections

Project

And

Upgrade of Existing 5 Transmission Lines Project

Supplementary Environmental and Social Impact Assessment

Executive Summary

May 2014

Introduction

The Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC), an affiliate Company to the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC), is currently implementing World Bank/IBRD-financed Egypt Wind Energy Development Project (WEDP) which comprise construction and operation of Samallout / Suez Gulf / Jabal El-Zayt 500 kV substations and interconnecting Over Head Transmission Lines (OHTLs) for evacuation of the wind-based generated electricity at the Suez Gulf to the National Unified Power Grid (NUPG). An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) has been prepared for the project and approved by the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) and the World Bank in 2010. After achieving savings of about $ 106 million in implementing the WEDP, EEHC/EETC has requested restructuring of the WEDP to use these saving in implementing two other components that would improve the evacuation of generated energy from the new wind power project as well as other generation plants into the NUPG, namely:

- The Qussair – North Hurghada 220/66 KV Substations and its Interconnections (QNHSI) with estimated cost of about $ 65 million

- The Upgrade of Existing 5 Transmission Lines (UETL) in three EETC regions with estimated cost of about $ 29 million1

The proposed additional components are designated as a Category (B) project under the WB and a Category (B) project under the Egyptian environmental regulations and therefore requires a scoped ESIA. Financing from WB is conditional upon obtaining the environmental clearance from all the Egyptian regulatory authorities and the WB, accordingly this supplementary ESIA has been prepared, to update the original ESIA prepared for the WEDP in 2010, for fulfilling this requirement.

Project Description

Originally the Wind Energy Development Project included construction and operation of a 500 KV OHTL from Smallout in Menia Governorate, to Gabal El Zayt in Red Sea Governorate. The line Route starts at Samallout 500 kV S/ST on a desert land west of the Nile, then goes through agricultural area until the Nile River. After crossing the Nile it goes through desert lands close to El Sheikh Fadl/Ras Ghareb Road till it reaches the Suez Gulf at Gabal El Zayt area. The two additional components of the project (QNHSI and UETL) shall expand the project’s benefits to other areas in different service regions of EETC.

The QNHSI particularly aims at: - Evacuating the power produced from the existing and future wind farms along the

western coast of the Suez Gulf - Meeting the increase of load in Hurghada City and to relieve the loading of the 220/66

1 The remaining savings (of the total of $ 106 millions) would serve as contingency for the two projects

kV Hurghada South substation - Improving the voltage profile in this area - Extending the NUPG to El Qussair City for meeting extended demands in the southern

Red Sea Coast. The QNHSI interventions will comprise:

- Substation 220/66kv , (2x125+2x40) MVA at North Hurghada. The substation will be Gas Insulated Substation (GIS). The substation will include:

o 220kV switchgear 7 GIS Bay (4 Feeder Bays + 2 Transformer Bays + 1 Bus Coupler Bay)

o 66kV switchgear 11 GIS Bay (6 Feeder Bays + 4 Transformer Bays+ 1 Bus Coupler Bay)

o 2×125MVA 220/66/22kV Power Transformers ONAN/ONAF 1/ ONAF 2 o 2×40 MVA 66/22 kV Power Transformers

- Opening the 220Kv OHTL double circuit of Gabel EL Zait / South Hurgada and extending it with length of about (2*2 km) , (in/out) to North Hurgada

- Opening the 66Kv Cable double circuit of Center of Hurghada/Tourist Center and extending it with 66Kv OHTL double circuit with length of about (2*7 km) , (in/out) to North Hurghada

- Substation 220/66kv , 2x75 MVA at El- Qusseir, with the same specifications mentioned above for North Hurghada substation

- 220 double circuit El- Qusseir/ Safaga OHTL with length 80 km

The UETL particularly aims at: - Evacuating the power produced from the existing and Future wind farms along the

western coast of the Suez Gulf as well as other power stations - Increase the transmission capacity of the OHTL without requiring new ROW

The UETL interventions will comprise:

- Replacing the existing 380/88 mm2 ACSR conductors with 238/97 mm2 INVAR conductors for the Tahrir Badr – Menouf OHTL with a total length of 35 km in the Alex and West Delta Region

- Replacing the existing 380/88 mm2 ACSR conductors with 238/97 mm2 INVAR conductors for the Sadat – Bostan OHTL with a total length of 32 km in the Alex and West Delta Region

- Replacing the existing 380/88 mm2 ACSR conductors with 238/97 mm2 INVAR conductors for the Menouf – Basous OHTL with a total length of 45 km in Delta Region

- Replacing the existing 380/88 mm2 ACSR conductors with 238/97 mm2 INVAR conductors for the Manayef – Abo Sultan OHTL with a total length of 40 km in the Canal Region

- Replacing the existing 380/88 mm2 ACSR conductors with 238/97 mm2 INVAR conductors for the Suez2 – Badr OHTL with a total length of 80 km in the Canal Region

The budget for the two proposed components is illustrated in the following table.

Item Cost (US $ Millions)

QNHSI North Hurghada GIS substation 17.5 2x2 km 220 KV OHTL connecting North Hurghada substation with Gabal El Zait-South Hurghada OHTL

0.55

2x7 km 66 KV OHTL connecting North Hurghada substation with Hurghada Center – Tourist underground line

1.6

El Qussair GIS substation 14.69 2x90 Km 220 KV OHTL connecting El Qussair substation with Safaga substation

30.02

Total 64.36

UETL Rehabilitation of 232 km of OHTLs through replacing the ASCR with INVAR thermal conductors

28.87

Total 28.87

Legislative and Administrative Framework

The Egyptian laws that area applicable for project activities are: - Law 4/1994 and the Prime Minister’s Decree No. 338 of 1995, which promulgates the

Executive Regulations of Law 4. - Amendment to the Law 4/1994 promulgated by the Prime Minister's Decree No. 1741

of 2005 for modifying some executive regulations of the Decree No. 338 of 1995. - Law 9/2009, which modifies some articles of the Law 4/1994. - Law No. 93 for 1962 regarding the drainage of liquid wastes, particularly sanitary

drainage. - Law of Labor No. 12/2003. - Law No. 38/1967 amended by Law No. 31/1976 on public cleanliness and collection and

disposal of solid waste. - Law No 63/1974 regarding establishments of the electricity sector, the Law 63/1974

identifies the ROW for different transmission and distribution lines, where no buildings to be constructed or trees to be planted in the ROW area. The ROW for high voltage lines (500, 220 and 132 KV) is 25 meters from both sides

- Law 67/2006 Electricity Law for protecting the consumers

There are ten safeguards policies for the World Bank that need to be considered under the Bank’s financed projects. With respect to the present activities two policies are triggered: Environmental Assessment (OP/BP 4.01) and Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12). Further to the safeguard policies, The World Bank Group has issued The Environmental Health and Safety Guidelines in 2008, which contain the performance levels and measures that are normally acceptable to the Group, and that are generally considered to be achievable in new facilities at reasonable costs by existing technology. The Guidelines contain information on cross-cutting environmental, health, and safety issues potentially applicable to all industry sectors. It should be used together with the relevant industry sector guideline(s). Public

Consultation Process has been designed in accordance with World Bank Guidance for the Preparation of a Public Consultation and Disclosure Plan (January 1996).

Description of Baseline Environmental and Social Conditions

QNHSI The North Hurghada substation will be located about 15 km northeast of Hurghada City Center, west of the outer Ring Road. The proposed area for the project is a square 300x300 meters. The site is an empty land that has not been utilized before, with no vegetation cover. The four borders of the area are also empty lands. An underground natural gas pipeline is located tens of meters east of the substation location, then the outer Ring Road that connects Hurghada with Gabal El Zeit to the North and Safaga to the south. On the eastern side of the Ring Road the OHTL connecting Gabal El Zait and South Hurghada is located. The substation will be connected to the nearby 220 KV Gabal El Zait South Hurghada OHTL through a new OHTL interconnection of about 2 km, while the substation will be connected to the 66 kv grid with an OHTL 66 KV transmission line of about 7 km. El Qussair substation will be located about 5 km east of El Qussair City, north of the road connecting El Qussair City with Qeft in Qena Governorate. The proposed area for the project is a rectangle 375x225 meters. The site is an empty land that has not been utilized before, with no vegetation cover. The four borders of the area are also empty lands. The Qussair substation will be connected to the existing Safaga substation located at the western edge of Safaga City with a 220 KV OHTL that will be constructed among the proposed activities. The OHTL will start from the Safaga substation and will go south in a route located west of the coastal road with a distances between 1 to 4 kms. The proposed route of the new line does not pass through any developmental activities or vegetation cover, the nearest settlement to the line route is Umm El Howaytat located about 15 km south of Safaga City, in which the line will pass about 500-1,000 meters west of the village. The total length of the line is about 90 km. The sites of the substations and El Qussair Safaga OHTL are not known to be important birds areas, according to the website of EEAA the nearest important birds areas are Gabal El Zeit and Hurghada Archipelago in the north, and Wadi El Gemal and Qulan islands in the south. UETL The 5 existing OHTLs that will be rehabilitated are located in 7 Governorates (Beheira, Menoufia, Giza, Qaluibia, Suez, Ismailia and Cairo) and 3 service regions, according to EETC classification (West Delta Region, Delta Region, and Canal Region). Annex 3 shows maps of the 5 lines. The Tahrir Badr-Menouf line starts at Tahrir Badr substation, located near Badr Ciry – Beheira Governorate, then goes south, passes west of Badr City, goes southwest until reaching new Kafr Dawood village, goes south until reaching Ezbet El Arab village, then goes east and crosses Nassery Canal and Beheiry Canal north of Khatatba village, then goes northeast and crosses the Nile south of El Akhmas village, then continues northeast until reaching Menouf substation at the eastern suburb of Menouf City. The landuse under the line is agriculture, the stretch from

Tahrir Badr substation until crossing Nassery canal is mainly relatively newly reclaimed land, while the rest of the line is over traditional agriculture land. Menouf-Basous line starts from Menouf substation, then goes southeast adjacent to the Tahrir Badr – Menouf line crosses the Nile, Beheiry Canal and Nassery Canal, when it reaches west of Ezbet El Arab village it separates from Tahrir Badr line and goes southwest parallel to Nassery Canal, then it starts going east near Mansouria City, then it crosses the Nile near West Cairo Power Plant then it reaches Basous substation located in the northern suburb of Basouss City. The landuse under the line is traditional agriculture land from Menouf to the area where it crosses the Beheiry and Nassery Canals then it passes through reclaimed agriculture land, and then crosses the two canals once again to the west, where it becomes traditional agriculture land again. The final stretch north of Basous City approaches the urban area of Greater Cairo. Sadat – Bustan line starts from Sadat Substation south of Sadat City, and it goes northwest parallel to Cairo Alexandria Desert Road until it reaches El Bostan Substation. The landuse under the line in some stretches of the line is in desert land (about 50% of the length) and the rest of the line is in reclaimed agriculture land. Suez 2 – Badr line starts from Suez 2 Substation north of Suez City, and it goes northeast parallel to Cairo Suez Desert Road until it reaches Saqr Quraish Substation south of Cairo Airport. The landuse under the line is totally uninhabited desert land. Abo Sultan– Manayef line starts from Abo Sultan Power Plant, then go west parallel to the road connecting Abo Sultan to Cairo Ismailia Road, then goes north to reach Cairo Ismailia Desert Road then goes east parallel to the road to reach El Manayef substation southeast of Ismailia City. Most of the landuse below the line is uninhabited desert land, except for a short distance after leaving Abo Sultan Power Plant, and another distance before reaching El Manayef Substation which is in reclaimed agriculture land. As a rough estimate, about 20% of the line passes agriculture land. Environmental and Social Sensitivities According to the above description, two main environmental and social sensitivities could be related to the project activities:

1. Possible locations of the new OHTL in the Red Sea near birds migration corridors. Because the Red Sea region is generally important for birds migration, and due to the lack of site-specific ornithological studies for Safaga – El Qussair area, there are uncertainties about whether the area is sensitive for birds migration or not. Therefore the ESMP, detailed later, includes preparing site specific study for birds to cover this issue.

2. Possible temporary damages to crops in the agriculture areas of the 5 existing lines. Accordingly an RPF has been prepared to cover these issues.

The following two figures show the main stretch of El Qussair-Safaga OHTL and Suez2-Badr line, while maps showing the routes of different transmissions lines are in Annexes 2 and 3.

Potential Environmental and Social Impacts

Impacts during Construction Impacts on air The air emissions expected during the construction of the substations and the OHTLs will be the airborne dust resulting from earthworks, in addition to the emissions of different construction machinery. The impact is of low significance, and may only temporary affect users of the Red Sea Coastal Road for few seconds. Impacts on water resources For QNHSI Transmission Lines and substations construction, a temporary movable construction yard (for storage of materials and servicing of machinery) and a temporary office, for accommodating about 10 persons, would be erected at suitable site. The water consumption will be minor, in which the quantitative impacts on water resources are negligible. Also the amounts of generated wastewater will be relatively little amounts which if leaked to the environment, in a worst case scenario, would not cause significant impact. However, the mitigation measures below include collecting wastewater in water proof collection tanks and evacuate it frequently to the nearest wastewater treatment plant. For the UETL construction it is expected that the contractor will use the sanitary facilities in the existing substations, so no extra impacts are envisaged. Impacts on flora and fauna For the QNHSI no impacts with significant environmental effects during the construction. Substations and OHTL projects will be located in almost bare land without vegetation, except for few spots of shrubs and desert trees that are not expected to be from any rare or endangered species. In terms of fauna, the footprint of the project have negligible impact on available fauna habitat. For the UETL, Pulling off the old conductors and replacing the new ones would require fixing the conductor pulling machine the rolling pulley and different accessories under tension towers (for an area of an average of 10x10m), and machines that would support the conductor at suspension towers during the pulling process, and also during fixing the new conductors (for an average area of 5x5m). These areas under the towers would most probably be on cultivated land for about 100 km of the existing OHTLs in Delta and West Delta regions, while in Suez Canal region this would be in desert land. This would cause temporary loss of crops cultivated in these areas. The impacts on fauna are also negligible as indicated above. Socioeconomic impacts and issues related to crop compensation are discussed in the main document and in the RPF Impacts on land Because the QNHSI project site is unused desert land, the impact of the project’s footprint on the landuse could be regarded as negligible. There might be some impacts on the soil at the project site resulting from accidental leaks of wastes or oils used by the construction machinery, however, such spills are expected to be limited especially that the mitigation measures include

delivering used oils for authorized recycling companies. Excess spoil resulting from constructing the 4 foundations of each towers would be in forming dykes around tension towers and for towers located in Wadis for flood protection. Impacts on the areas receiving waste materials from construction sites would be minor. For the UETL, the impact on the land occupied by the contractor’s equipment will be temporary, in case of agriculture land, as the land will be replanted in the following agricultural season. While such impact in desert areas would be insignificant. Because the ACSR conductors that will be removed have high recycling value, and EETC usually sell them in scrap tenders.

Impacts on Traffic During the construction of QNHSI, heavy transport will be used to transfer goods, construction materials and supplies to and from the construction sites. The coastal road leading to the substations and the OHTL towers is a well-established road with high levels of service and does not show any bottleneck to the size and frequency of such transports. Thus, no traffic problems are expected on the coastal road taking into consideration the limited number of vehicles that would be utilized by the project. The possible usage of small regional roads by heavy trucks may lead to temporary obstruction of the traffic flow, especially if a convey of several vehicles passed through such road, however, such the occupation of such vehicles to small roads is expected to be for few minutes, therefore the impact is minor. For the UETL, the major part of the trip transporting goods is done through highways and main roads where the project vehicles would not impact their level of service, but accessing different towers would require using small roads where traffic could be affected, however, the impact on such roads is expected to be minor as it would be for only short duration. Occupational health and safety risks The construction works are associated with some potential occupational health and safety risks including:

- Mechanical hazards and moving objects - Sliding and injury risks - Occupational noise exposure - Working at heights - Electric hazards - Eye injuries of dust and small particles - Fire risks near flammable materials

The existing HSE policy applied by EETC is responsive to health and safety risks, the contractor’s adherence to EETC HSE requirements would minimize such risks to the acceptable range. Nosie Normally construction works include noisy activities related to the operation of construction machines, possible hammering and drilling works in addition to the noise generated from construction related trucks. Construction noise is not likely to cause considerable effects on neighboring communities, as the neighboring areas to the two substations and the OHTL are uninhabited.

Aesthetic impacts The construction works would cause limited obstruction of the view, especially for the vehicles passing near the project sites. Such impact, although could not be prevented, is considered to be minor because the neighboring areas to construction sites are uninhabited and the only affected people are passers through the adjacent coastal road. Socioeconomic impacts Transmission line and substation construction would have economic benefits in terms of work opportunities for workers from different regions of the country. In addition to the work opportunities, national contactors, subcontractors and merchants in the area, would benefit from the project. Besides the positive socioeconomic impacts of the project construction, as indicated above, there might be some negative impacts related to causing some disturbances to local people, especially those who live near construction sites such as Umm Howaytat village, shepherds near ONHSI assets and farmers near UETL assets, where there may be some tensions between them and construction staff. Such impacts are expected to be minor and could be avoided through good communication with the local community. For the UETL, temporary occupation of agriculture land will cause damage to crops cultivated during the work. This would trigger OP 4.12 and fair crop compensations should be paid for farmers whom their crops were damaged. The process of compensations is addressed in the RPF prepared as a separate document for this project. Impacts during Operation Impacts on air There are no fuel combustion activities expected during the operation of the substations and OHTLs, however there would be some air emissions from the gas insulation system of the substations. The GIS substations will utilize Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) as an insulating material, and practically few amounts of the gas are emitted as fugitive emissions, which is regarded as minor impact because of its inert nature. The mitigation measures include applying certain management practices in handling SF6. Other than the above SF6 issues, there could be minor dust and vehicles emissions during the maintenance of the OHTLs, but such emissions are expected to be minor and in remote areas ineffective to sensitive receptors. Impacts on water resources The operation of the transmission line will require limited amounts of water for cleaning of the insulators, which is used either in vehicles with mounted hoses and pumps, or through manual cleaning after disconnecting the line. In both cases the impact on water resources could be

regarded as negligible. During the operation of the substations minimal amounts of water is usually used for domestic purposes by the substation staff, and the wastewater generation will few amounts, accordingly the impacts on water resources would be also minimal. The mitigation measures include installing a water proof septic tank, according to the requirements of Decree 334/2002 (The Egyptian Code for Sanitary Fixtures) where the water and septage should be evacuated frequently to the nearest wastewater treatment plant.

Impacts on flora and fauna There is a collision risk, of birds, with power lines and towers, especially during poor visibility conditions and where birds are flying at low altitude. There is also the risk of birds' electrocution if the bird is trapped between two lines or between a line and a tower. These risks are higher to larger birds which have low maneuverability. Generally, the OHTL extending from Safaga to El Qussair is far away from birds migration paths, and because the 220 KV line is relatively at a lower altitude the impacts on migrating birds are expected to be inapplicable. However, there remain to be uncertainties, especially regarding the short 220 KV OHTL connecting North Hurghada Substation, and the 66 KV OHTL connecting the substation with Hurghada Tourist Center. In order to overcome these uncertainties, the mitigation measures indicate that a special ornithological study should be carried out for the new OHTLs before construction works, and if any of the line stretches were suspected to pose risk for migrating birds, birds diverters should be installed on the OHTLs at stretches of risk.

For the UETL, no excess impacts, over the original rates prior to rehabilitation, are expected on birds during the operation of the OHTLs. Although no bird fatalities were noticed by EETC under the existing lines, as advised to the ESIA team during the preparation of this report, it would be required to monitor birds’ collisions with OHTLs at the project areas to take necessary measures if a certain location is proven to be problematic. Other than risks to birds, the substation and OHTLs will not cause risks to flora and fauna as the area has no, or rare, vegetation cover which will be avoided during the construction of towers.

Impacts on land There will be some sort of solid waste during the operation and maintenance of substations and OHTLs, which would mainly consist of scrap items of replaced or damaged appliances or parts. Usually such items, especially replaced conductors, have high recycling value therefore these items usually is sent by the maintenance team to the scrap stores in each region. Accordingly no impacts on land are expected from scrap items on the sites of the substations and in the ROW of OHTLs. Limited amounts of oils are usually used in substations, even fewer amounts are used in GIS substations. Oils that do not comply with the target chemical/physical standards are not used, and are collected in EETC workshops of the region for recovery/reuse after treatment. Such oil is usually collected from some appliances once per year or once in two years. The practice in other

Egyptian Substations show that this works without problems. Other hazardous wastes, such as old batteries would be also collected at the region workshops of EETC and sold for recycling. Such process will be also documented in the ESMP. Small amounts of domestic waste will be generated at substations, such waste will be collected in bags and bins, and disposed of in the designated disposal sites and the process will be documented in the ESMP. Other than waste disposal, during the maintenance of OHTLs there might be some temporary utilization of limited areas land under towers, however, because new towers will be established in unused bare land this impact will not be significant. Impacts on Traffic The operational phase of the substations will only involve slight use of the existing roads for the access of personnel and equipment. This is expected to be for few number of vehicles every day that will not impact traffic flow in any of the existing roads.

During the operation of OHTLs, cleaning vehicles would access towers usually through small roads, but again, due to the very low population density of the project area and traffic volume passing such roads no impacts are expected on the current level of service of such roads.

Noise The regular operation of the transformers in the substation may cause limited continuous noise, but for low intensity. It is investigated that such noise will be attenuated within few meters after the transformers, and will not cause any impacts on ambient noise levels at the borders of the substations. The operation of some OHTLs also causes limited noise under the line, such noise are expected to totally attenuate at the borders of the ROW. It is worth noting that if the ornithological study recommended installing bird diverters at certain stretches of the line, noise levels under these stretches will be elevated in order to divert birds. However, even with these elevated noise levels, no sensitive receptors could be impacted because the OHTLs are located in uninhabited areas.

Occupational health and safety risks

Although the electromagnetic fields (EMF) intensity is expected to increase, after energizing the new lines and increasing the capacity existing lines, the direct impacts of such increase is considered minor, as no scientific evidence that a certain threshold of EMF has health impacts on humans or animals.

Aesthetic impacts The placing of OHTLs will have a permanent impact on the extended view in different project

areas, this impact will affect the passers near the line. Although such impact could not be mitigated, its significance is quite minor as most of the OHTLs will be located in isolated areas.

The impact of substations although with less footprint than OHTLs, but is more visual from existing roads. Such impacts, although could not be mitigated, are considered minor, and usually people could tolerate such impacts in return of the benefits of reliable electricity supply. Socioeconomic impacts There are many socioeconomic benefits that could be achieved through supplying reliable electric energy for the communities of the Red Sea Governorate and the other UETL regions, especially that the project will help evacuating wind energy and reduce depending on expensive subsidized fossil fuel. Also the operation and maintenance of the project will provide a number of employment opportunities that could be offered for the local community.

Analysis of Alternatives

No project alternative The proposed new interventions (QNHSI and UETL) will benefit savings achieved in the WEDP and will enhance its developmental objectives through enhancing the transmission capacity in the areas near the wind power plants as well as other areas of the countries. The no project alternative would not allow such benefits to be achieved, especially that the interventions could be implemented using the achieved savings.

From the environmental and social perspective, there is no reason to stop the new interventions of the project as the environmental and social impacts are limited and could be mitigated with the measures recommended in the ESMP. Routing alternatives of QNHSI Two alternatives were studied during the selection of the route of El Qussair – Safaga OHTL, the first is to go parallel to the coastal road, and the second is to further west in the mountains. The second alternative was already selected for land availability / land use aspects, but also from the environmental and social perspective the second alternative is preferred due to the following advantages:

- It will cause less visual impacts and nuisance for the users of the coastal road - Less potential for interfering with future tourism or urban development - Less potential for interfering with any bird routes (if exist)

New lines for UETL or replacing existing conductors

The existing 5 lines under the UETL component have been constructed since the late sixties / early seventies of the 20th Century, and the capacity of the lines have significantly been reduced and the sags have significantly increased. Accordingly, EETC planned to increase the capacity of these lines as a priority to improve the service capacity in the corresponding regions.

Increasing the lines’ capacity could be carried out through constructing a parallel ACSR line, or through replacing the existing conductors with the more capacity INVAR conductors. From the environmental and social perspective the second alternative is preferred due to the following advantages:

- It will not require new ROW and consequent land acquisition issues - It will have less impacts during the construction phase3 - This alternative has less risks of birds collision/electrocution

ESMP

The Environmental and Social Management Plant (ESMP) includes mitigation measures, monitoring programs where appropriate, and reporting requirements. All the mitigation, monitoring and reporting measures proposed will be adopted by the EETC and contractors/subcontractors assigned to build or operate any part of the project. Generally the allocations of different tasks to implement and supervise different Since many of the mitigation measures presented are considered as essential, and integrated component of the construction and operation works, it is not possible to separate the specific costs of their implementation from the overall construction and operation costs. The following tables illustrates mitigation and monitoring measures to be taken during construction and operation phases.

Environmental and Social management Matrix for during construction phase

Potential Impact Proposed Mitigation Measures Institutional

Responsibility for Implementation

Responsibility

of direct supervision

Means of supervision

Estimated Cost (US $)

Impacts on air (for QNHSI, no mitigation required for UETL)

Spraying loose soil during earthworks Contractor EETC Project Supervisor

Observation and evaluation of the emitted dust

Project cost

Impacts on water resources (for QNHSI, no mitigation required for UETL)

Construction camps should be provided with water proof sewage tank that is evacuated frequently to sewage facilities

Contractor EETC Project Supervisor

Observation of adequacy of sewage evacuation and any leaks

Project cost

Impacts on flora and fauna (for QNHSI, no mitigation required for UETL)

Avoid to the extent possible removing natural vegetation during construction works


Field observation Project cost

Impacts on land for QNHSI and UETL

Waste oils to be delivered to an authorized company


Reviewing waste contracts and manifests

Project cost2

2 This item should be clear in the tender document so as the contractor accounts for such costs



Responsibility




Domestic solid wastes to be collected in adequate bins and disposed on authorized disposal site


Site supervision and occasional visits to disposal site

Project cost

Recyclable construction waste should be reused by the contractor in another site or sold to recyclables dealers


Site supervision and review of documentation

Project cost

Use excess spoil from constructing towers foundations in earthworks under tension towers and towers in Wadis to the extent possible


Site supervision and review of documentation

Project cost

Impacts on traffic for QNHSI and UETL

Organize passing heavy vehicles on small roads during low traffic periods


Site supervision Project cost

Noise impacts for QNHSI and UETL

Contractor should minimize noise emissions through turning off unused engines, select equipment with lower noise levels and use silencers for noisy equipment





Responsibility




Occupational health and safety risks for QNHSI and UETL

Take adequate health and safety measures and instruct site staff for using adequate PPE



Provide sanitary facilities to construction staff in compliance with the requirements of labor law



Occupational health and safety risks for QNHSI only

Document protection works against flash floods



Socioeconomic impacts for QNHSI and UTEL

The contractor should be encouraged to use local workers in construction sites


Review of workers lists

Project cost

Establish communication with local community to make them aware about construction activities and take their concerns into consideration


Review of communication methods

Project cost

Other Socioeconomic impacts for QNHSI

The contractor should pay adequate crop compensations for crops damaged during the rehabilitation of the OHTL according to the rules and procedures identified in the RPF

Contractor PIU Review of compensations lists

As indicated in the RPF

Environmental and Social monitoring Matrix for during construction phase

Potential Impact Monitoring

Indicator Monitoring

Location Monitoring

Methods Monitoring Frequency

Monitoring Responsibility

Estimated Cost ($)

Impacts on water resources (for QNHSI)

Amount of wastewater adequately collected and disposed

Construction camps

Calculating number of sewage tankers and capacity of each tanker

Recording to be done with each evacuation of the tanks, reporting to be done quarterly

Contractor Project cost

Impacts on land for QNHSI and UETL

Amount of used oil delivered to authorized company

Construction sites

Number of delivered containers times the capacity of each

Recording to be done with each shipment of waste, reporting to be done quarterly


Amounts of waste reused/recycled

Construction sites

Rough estimate of the weight of materials collected for reuse/recycle

Recording to be done with each shipment of waste, reporting to be done quarterly




Location Monitoring



Estimated Cost ($)

Amount of spoil reused

Construction sites

Rough estimate of the volume of spoil transferred for reuse under other towers

Recording number of shipments and truck capacity in each shipment


Other Impacts on land for UETL

Amounts of ACSR conductors sold for recycling

Scrap stores of the regions

Wight of conductors sold to be recorded from recycling tenders reports

Recording to be done with each shipment of ACSR conductors, reporting to be done quarterly

Scrap Stores Managers and the PIU

Project cost


Ambient noise levels

Substations construction sites

Measurements of noise meters during different times of a working day

Twice annually EETC HSE HSE budget of EETC


Number and type of accidents

Construction sites

Recording number of accidents and its type and severity

Recording to be done with each incident, reporting to be done quarterly




Location Monitoring



Estimated Cost ($)

Socioeconomic impacts for QNHSI

Number of local works against total number of workers

Construction sites

Counting workers from Red Sea Governorate and total workers

Quarterly Contractor Project cost

Socioeconomic impacts for UETL

Area of damaged agriculture land, correspondent crops and paid compensations

Tower sites

Observation of the area dimensions, crops and recording to compensation

Recording to be done with each incident, reporting to be done quarterly


Environmental and Social management Matrix for during operation phase



Responsibility




Impacts on air (for QNHSI no mitigation measures are required for UETL)

Keep an inventory of SF6 used in different appliances and replace/repair leaking appliances

Substation operator and EETC maintenance department

PIU

Review of inventory and maintenance reports

Project cost



Responsibility




Recover SF6 during maintenance/repair or appliances in cylinders and return it back afterwards

Substation operator and EETC maintenance department

PIU

Review of inventory and maintenance reports

Project cost

Impacts on water resources (for QNHSI no mitigation measures are required for UETL)

Substations camps should be provided with water proof septic tank that is evacuated frequently to sewage facilities. The operator is encouraged to separate greywater and use it in irrigation

Substation operator

PIU

Site visits and review of monitoring reports

Project cost

Impacts on flora and fauna for QNHSI only

Prepare an ornithological study for the OHTLs before construction

Ornithological expert

PIU Prepare ToRs and review the study

20,000

In case the above study shown certain risk stretches birds’ diverters should be installed

Contractor Supervisor from EETC Projects Department

Field observation Allow 50,0003

Impacts on flora and fauna for QNHSI and UETL

In case monitoring activities shown birds fatalities the above measure should be implemented

Assigned contractor

Supervisor from EETC Projects Department

Field observation Included in the above figure

3 Assuming half of the OHTLs length would require installing birds diverters



Responsibility




Impacts on land (for QNHSI no mitigation measures are required for UETL)

Collect waste oil and send it to the workshops to be recovered, documenting amounts and handling procedures

Regional workshop manager / substation operator

PIU / substation operator

Review manifests and reports from the workshop

Project cost

Keep track of scrap being sent to scrap warehouse and sold for recycling

Regional scrap warehouse manager / substation operator

PIU / substation operator

Review manifests and reports from the scrap warehouse

Project cost

Any hazardous waste generated in substation to be collected and sent to the regional workshop for adequate handling

Substation operator

PIU Review manifest Project cost

Adequately collect and dispose domestic solid waste in authorized locations

Substation operator

PIU Occasional site visits

Project cost


Introduce maintenance/repair measures for equipment with higher noise levels than the normal

Substation operator

PIU Occasional site visits

Project cost



Responsibility





Take adequate health and safety measures, place adequate warning signs, provide safety training to staff instruct site staff for using adequate PPE

Substation operator

PIU – EETC HSE Department

Observe signs, available PPE and review training certificates

Project cost

Accidents should be documented, analyzed and safety measures reviewed accordingly

Substation operator

PIU – EETC HSE Department

Review accidents reports

Project cost

Analyze EMF monitoring data if required to improve the safety

EETC HSE Department

PIU Review monitoring reports

Project cost

Environmental and Social monitoring Matrix for during operation phase



Location Monitoring



Estimated Cost ($)

Impacts on air for QNHSI Amount of SF6 gas used for topping insulation

The two substations

Record gas pressure of SF6 cylinders before and after adding

Record taking during SF6 topping, reporting to be quarterly

Operator of substations

Project costs



Location Monitoring



Estimated Cost ($)

Amount of SF6 recovered during maintenance of appliances

The two substations

Record gas pressure of SF6 cylinders before and after adding and any additional amount added to the recovered amount

Record taking during SF6 topping, reporting to be quarterly


Project costs

Impacts on water resources for QNHSI

Amount of wastewater adequately collected and disposed

substations

Calculating number of sewage tankers and capacity of each tanker

Recording to be done with each evacuation of the tanks, reporting to be done quarterly


Project cost

Impacts on flora and fauna for QNHSI and UETL

Number and type of bird fatalities

Beneath OHTLs

Observe bird fatalities, document location and take photos

During regular maintenance and to be reported quarterly

EETC Maintenance Engineer

Project cost

Impacts on land for QNHSI

Amount of waste oil being generated from the substation appliances

Substations or regional workshop

Count number of containers and the capacity of each container

During maintenance and to be reported in the following quarter

EETC Maintenance Engineer

Project cost



Location Monitoring



Estimated Cost ($)

Amount and type of scrap items sold for recycling

EETC regional warehouse manager

Count number and type of items brought from the two substations and sold for recycling

During recyclables bid and to be reported in the following quarter

EETC Regional Warehouse Manager

Project cost

Amount and type of hazardous waste collected in the substation

Substations

Record amount and type of collected hazardous waste

Document once hazardous waste in collected and to be reported in the following quarter

Substation operator

Project cost


Ambient noise levels

Substations and below OHTLs

Measurements of noise meters

Once annually for substations and selected towers of the OHTL on rotational basis

EETC HSE 5,000

Occupational health and safety and UETL

Number and types of accidents

Substations and OHTLs ROW

Description of accidents reasons

Once an accident occurs and to be reported quarterly

EETC HSE HSE budget of EETC



Location Monitoring



Estimated Cost ($)

EMF intensity (Tesla and v/m)

Around transformers in substations and in ROW

EMF meter

Quarterly for substations and annually for towers on rotational basis

EETC Maintenance

5,000

Institutional Strengthening and Reporting

The PIU of the WEDP (the Samallout / Suez Gulf / Gabal El Zayt 500 KV line and substations) will take over the supervision and reporting on the ESMP of the QNHSI and UETL. The original training planned for the PIU, indicated in the original ESIA, will be sufficient for developing enough capacities, and no additional training is required. It would be required to assign PIU staff in each of the regions to carry out environmental and social tasks of the ESMP.

The PIU should prepare quarterly reports on mitigation measures that have been implemented, indicators that have been monitored, training and capacity building provided and any remarks about the environmental and social performance of the project during the quarter.

The budget for the ESMP is in the following Table.

Item Budget (US $) Ornithological study for the OHTLs of the QNHSI

20,000

Allowance for possible installation of birds diverters

50,000

Procurement of monitoring equipment (noise meter and EMF meter)

10,000

Total 80,000

Consultation

In order to conduct consultation in the process of updating the ESIA and the RPF, EETC has carried out a number of field activities with the aim of engaging with stakeholders. For the component of the rehabilitation of the existing OHTL, EETC has been consulting sample of the farmers and agriculture associations along the targeted existing OHTL. Inviting and collecting the farmers have been done in coordination with the agriculture associations and the interviews were mostly conducted in small discussion groups. For the 2 substations and their interconnections, EETC cooperated with the Red Sear Governorate and affiliate local units to announce for and host one public consultation in Safaga City. Diverse group of stakeholders were involved in the consultation. EETC has prepared Arabic material including brief on the projects and has distributed to the participants of the various consultation events. The content of this brief has been also verbally explained to farmers who participated in the consultation for the rehabilitation of the OHTL. The findings of the consultations were integrated in the ESIA in one dedicated chapter and along the other ESIA chapters as relevant. Views and concerns of farmers and other stakeholders for issues related to temporarily change in land use as part of the OHTL rehabilitation and the associated compensation were also incorporate in the RPF.

Executive Summary - EETC

Documents

Transcript of Executive Summary - EETC