Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment for the Development of Katwe and Kibiro Geothermal Prospects, Uganda
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GEOTHERMAL TRAINING PROGRAMME Reports 2005 Orkustofnun, Grensásvegur 9, Number 3 IS-108 Reykjavík, Iceland PRELIMINARY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF KATWE AND KIBIRO GEOTHERMAL PROSPECTS, UGANDA MSc thesis Department of Geology and Geography, Faculty of Science University of Iceland by Godfrey Bahati Department of Geological Survey and Mines Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development P.O. Box 9, Entebbe UGANDA United Nations University Geothermal Training Programme Reykjavík, Iceland Report 3 Published in October 2005 ISBN 9979-68-171-3 This MSc thesis has also been published in June 2005 by the Department of Geology and Geography, University of Iceland ii INTRODUCTION The Geothermal Training Programme of the United Nations University (UNU) has operated in Iceland since 1979 with six month annual courses for professionals from developing countries. The aim is to assist developing countries with significant geothermal potential to build up groups of specialists that cover most aspects of geothermal exploration and development. During 1979-2004, 318 scientists and engineers from 39 countries have completed the six month courses. They have come from Asia (44%), Africa (26%), Central America (14%), and Central and Eastern Europe (16%). There is a steady flow of requests from all over the world for the six month training and we can only meet a portion of the requests. Most of the trainees are awarded UNU Fellowships financed by the UNU and the Government of Iceland. Candidates for the six month specialized training must have at least a BSc degree and a minimum of one year practical experience in geothermal work in their home countries prior to the training. Many of our trainees have already completed their MSc or PhD degrees when they come to Iceland, but several excellent students who have only BSc degrees have made requests to come again to Iceland for a higher academic degree. In 1999, it was decided to start admitting UNU Fellows to continue their studies and study for MSc degrees in geothermal science or engineering in co-operation with the University of Iceland. An agreement to this effect was signed with the University of Iceland. The six month studies at the UNU Geothermal Training Programme form a part of the graduate programme. It is a pleasure to introduce the eighth UNU Fellow to complete the MSc studies at the University of Iceland under the co-operation agreement. Mr. Godfrey Bahati, BSc in Chemistry, of the Department of Geological Survey and Mines, Minstry of Energy and Mineral Development in Uganda, completed the six month specialized training at the UNU Geothermal Training Programme in October 1993. His research report was entitled “Geochemical studies on waters from the Katwe-Kikorongo, Buranga and Kibiro geothermal areas, Uganda”. After eleven years of geothermal research work in Uganda, he came back to Iceland for MSc studies at the Faculty of Science of the University of Iceland in January 2004. In July 2005, he defended his MSc thesis presented here, entitled “Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment for the development of the Katwe and Kibiro geothermal prospects, Uganda”. His studies in Iceland were financed by a fellowship from the Government of Iceland through the Icelandic International Development Agency (ICEIDA) and the UNU Geothermal Training Programme. We congratulate him on his achievements and wish him all the best for the future. We thank the Faculty of Science of the University of Iceland for the co-operation, and his supervisors for the dedication. Finally, I would like to mention that the graphs and diagrams in Godfrey’s MSc thesis had to be printed in black and white. However, a colour version in a pdf format is available for downloading on our website at page www.os.is/unugtp/yearbook/2005. With warmest wishes from Iceland, Ingvar B. Fridleifsson, director United Nations University Geothermal Training Programme iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This thesis is in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Environmental Science at the University of Iceland. The study was carried out under the supervision of Dr. Halldór Ármannsson and Professor Stefán Arnórsson. The external examiner was Dr. Audur Andrésdóttir. It was sponsored by the Icelandic International Development Agency and the United Nations University. First and foremost I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Icelandic International Development Agency and the United Nations University for sponsoring this study. I would like to thank the staff of the United Nations University Geothermal Training Programme (UNUGTP) lead by Dr. Ingvar Birgir Friðleifsson, director, for their support and guidance during the study. Special thanks to Mr. Lúdvík S. Georgsson and Ms. Gudrún Bjarnadóttir for their outstanding assistance during my stay in Iceland. I also appreciate the good working relationship with the staff of Orkustofnun and the Icelandic GeoSurvey. I am indebted to the teachers at the University of Iceland for sharing a great learning experience and a high level of presentation. I wish to express my appreciation to Dr. Geir Oddsson and Dr. Gudrún Pétursdóttir, the directors of the Institutes of Environment and Fisheries research respectively at the University of Iceland, for their guidance in research and presentation of scientific information. I would like to thank the organizations that have supported the Uganda geothermal exploration programme since its inception in 1993; the UNDP, OPEC, IAEA, WB, ADB and the Governments of Uganda and Iceland, for keeping the programme alive and progressing. My employer, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development of Uganda, is highly acknowledged for granting me a study leave to attend this course. iv ABSTRACT Geothermal investigations have been carried out in both Katwe and Kibiro geothermal prospects in Uganda. Subsurface temperatures, geological structures and flow characteristics of the surface and ground waters in the geothermal systems have been delineated using various analytical methods. Conceptual geothermal models based on results of geochemical, geological, hydrological and geophysical studies have been constructed and are currently being upgraded. The models will then be used as a basis for siting deep geothermal exploration wells. It is, therefore, foreseen that the pre-feasibility study is coming to an end in the two prospects. This will pave the way for a feasibility study that will end with the installation of the first geothermal power plants in the country. The objective of the study was to analyse the current status of the environment in Katwe and Kibiro geothermal prospects and to identify and predict the changes in the environment if the development of geothermal resources is to take place in the two areas. There is a need to incorporate the potential and likely impacts on the environment in the design of the feasibility study as early as possible. The preliminary environmental impact assessment for the development of Katwe and Kibiro geothermal prospects was carried out in line with Uganda’s laws on the environment. The proposed feasibility study was described and its potential environmental impacts of drilling and operation on the environment affected identified. The likely environmental impacts and their significance were analysed and mitigation measures proposed. The results indicate that the Katwe prospect is subjected to more adverse environmental impacts than the Kibiro prospect and its development has a potential for indirect and cumulative impacts as well as impact interactions. The adverse environmental impacts of drilling were found to be temporary and mitigable to the level of insignificance in both Katwe and Kibiro. Preliminary assessment of adverse impacts of operation on the environment has resulted in identifying five critical areas that should be subjected to detailed investigation. These are impacts on biodiversity; water quality and hydrology; air quality; utilities; and public health and safety. Other impacts i.e. on geology; land use; visual and aesthetic quality; population, housing and employment; transportation and traffic; public services; energy; and cultural situation, are not considered to be of critical importance since they have a high mitigation potential. They should, however, be taken further during the detailed environmental impact assessment with specialist input where necessary. In conclusion the environmental impacts of developing the two areas Katwe and Kibiro are predictable and mitigable with appropriate technology and the cooperation of all stakeholders. It is therefore recommended that these impacts be incorporated into the design plans of the feasibility study for the two areas. A detailed environmental impact assessment is recommended as a first step of the feasibility study to provide a better understanding of the potential impacts and mitigation measures that will be continuously upgraded during the study. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background.................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Objectives of the study .................................................................................................. 2 1.3 Study areas ..................................................................................................................... 2 1.3.1 Katwe