Initial Environmental and Social Examination
Project Number: 52127-001 January 2019
Sermsang Khushig Khundii Solar Power Project, Mongolia
Prepared by the Tenuun Gerel Company, LLC for the Asian Development Bank.
CURRENCY EQUIVALENTS (as of 28 Jan 2019)
Currency unit – tugrik (MNT)} MNT1.00 = $0.00038 $1.00 = MNT2,634
ABBREVIATIONS
ADB – Asian Development Bank – contractor environmental and social management CESMP plan EIA – environmental impact assessment EMP – environment management plan EMR – environmental monitoring report ESMP – environmental and social management plan ESMS – environment and social management system GHG – greenhouse gas GOM – Government of Mongolia GRM – grievance redress mechanism IEE – initial environmental examination IESE initial environmental and social examination MET – Ministry of Environment and Tourism PV – Photovoltaics REA – rapid environmental assessment TGC – Tenuun Gerel Construction Company LLC SPS – Safeguard Policy Statement (2009) SSP – Sermsang Solar Power Corporation soum – district
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES km - kilometer kg - kilogram ha - hectare kVA - kilovolt-ampere m - meter m3 - cubic meter mg - milligram mg/l - milligrams per liter MW - megawatt t - metric ton
NOTE In this report, "$" refers to United States dollars.
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This initial environmental and social examination is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB's Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in nature. Your attention is directed to the “terms of use” section on ADB’s website.
In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Tenuun Gerel Construction LLC (TGC) of Mongolia is part of an international private sector consortium which will develop the Sermsang Khushig Khundii Solar Power Project (the Project) 40 km southeast of Ulaanbaatar (UB). The Project which is located on open grassland steppe will consist of the following three main components:
(i) a new 48ha, 15MW PV solar power plant of comprised of approximately 51,000 PV solar panels; (ii) a new 13.5 km 110kV transmission line; and (iii) an existing substation expansion to accommodate the new transmission line.
The 110kV transmission line will transfer electrical power from the solar power plant to the existing substation located at the new international airport of UB. The new solar power plant will provide clean, much needed electrical power to the Central Energy System (CES) of Mongolia with zero greenhouse gas emissions pursuant to the 2007 National Renewable Energy Law.
The TGC is the Project owner and part of the private sector consortium comprised of TGC, Sharp Energy Solutions Corporation (Sharp), and Sermsang Power Corporation Public Company, Ltd. (SSP). The consortium will construct and operate the Project.
Assessment Context
The Project is category B for environment and category C for involuntary resettlement and indigenous peoples pursuant to ADB 2009 Safeguard Policy Statement1. A category B project for environment will have potential adverse impacts that are less adverse than those of a category A project, are site- specific, largely reversible, and can be mitigated with an environmental and social management plan (ESMP). A category C project for involuntary resettlement has no involuntary resettlement impacts including no physical or economic displacement. A category C project for indigenous peoples will not have any impact on indigenous peoples.
Pursuant to the Mongolian Law on Environmental Impact Assessment (2012), a General Environmental Impact Assessment (GEIA) of the Project was conducted by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET). The GEIA identified environmental and social management conditions for the Project with which TGC will comply.
Benefits of the Project
The electric power provided by the Project will contribute to the economic development that the government has planned for the new international airport development zone south of Ulaanbaatar. The project will also provide training and employment opportunities for local community in renewal energy development and operation as requested by the governor of the Sergelen soum. Over the 25- year operating period the 15 MW solar power plant will offset an estimated 30,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, and result in a reduction of 23,420 tons of coal consumption and 146,500 tons of water consumption (Feasibility Report 2016).
1 ADB. Safeguard Categories. 4
Potential Impacts
The environmental and social impacts of the three components of the Project are minor and temporary. No resettlement or private land or asset acquisition will occur, and no ethnic minorities are affected by the Project. The environmental impacts are restricted to temporary dust and noise, and disturbance to the grassland steppe from the construction phase which can be prevented or mitigated. No rare or endangered wildlife, critical habitat, or protected areas will be affected by the Project.
At the time of writing the construction of the 15 MW PV solar power plant was underway. Solar panels were being installed and the control building, inverter enclosures, and plant transformer were under construction on the 48ha site. A 2.0 meter barb wire perimeter fence surrounds the entire PV solar plant site to protect herder’s livestock, and the general public. No significant environmental or social impacts were observed during the site visit to the PV solar power plant which is under construction. The only perturbation was the noise generated from the mobile jackhammers as the machines installed the vertical foundation piles for the mounting structures of the solar panels. The construction workers’ camp was notably clean and well organized. The construction of the new 13.5 km, 110kV transmission line and the expansion of the substation at the new international airport station have not begun which will follow construction of the solar power plant.
Potential impacts of the operation of phase of the Project consist of pollution from process and domestic waste produced at the PV solar power plant, and along the alignment of the transmission line from tower maintenance. Worker accidents or injury could occur as a result of the operations and maintenance of the plant and transmission including injury from lightning strikes. Potential injury of the public could also occur if unauthorized access to the facilities occurred.
An environmental and social management plan (ESMP) has been developed for the Project pursuant to the SPS (2009) which focuses on the remaining construction activities of the PV solar power plant, the imminent construction phase of the 110kV transmission line and airport substation expansion, and the operation of the completed Project. The ESMP prescribes impact mitigation and monitoring requirements for remaining construction, and future operation of the three completed components of the Project.
The ESMP supplements and consolidates the Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) management plan and Environment Management System (EMS) for the remaining construction of the PV solar power plant including additional impact mitigation measures that were identified during the environmental and social (E&S) due diligence site visit of the plant under construction. The supplemented HSE management plan and EMS for the remaining construction of solar power plant will be tailored to the imminent construction of the 110kV transmission line and airport substation expansion. The ESMP identifies environment and social safeguard measures for the ESMS templates (e.g., HSE, EMS & SOPs) that will be provided by Sharp and adopted by TGC for the future operation of all three completed Project components. The ESMP also supplements safeguard requirements the non-compliance EMP that TGC prepared to secure construction licensing for the solar power plant.
Risks of Climate Change
A climate change risk assessment (CRA) of the Project was conducted. The initial climate risk screening of the REA and subsequent screening by AWARE software identified changes to permafrost as a high risk of climate change followed by snow & ice loading, and rainfall/flooding. Upon further investigation it was determined that the risk of the destabilizing impact of permafrost reduction
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from climate change on the foundations of the transmission towers is zero because the Project site is not located on permafrost.
AWARE identified the project site has a high exposure to flood events. The review of the flood risk assessment conducted for the project suggested that the project area is not considered to be at high risk to large area flooding. There is potential risk from periodic flash flood events and ongoing erosion of bank of the stormwater gully that is adjacent to the western boundary of the PV solar power plant Flood protection canals were constructed in the facility as a proactive measure against potential flash flood events. Though these risks are deemed to be marginal, rainfed water run-off and erosion in the dried gully should be monitored during the project operation for necessary structural measures, such as building armor stone wall, whenever needed.
The projected increases in winter temperatures and precipitation from climate change could create snow and ice load problems for the Project. Heavy snow accumulation could partially or totally engulf the solar panels thereby reducing PV electricity generation. Snow removal equipment would be needed to regularly clear the bases of the solar panels. Increased freezing rain events could create severe ice loading problems for the high-tension wires of the transmission line. The current design and grade standards for high tension wire including sag tolerances for transmission lines should be reviewed and increased to accommodate the potential increase in ice loading.
Conclusions and Recommendations
The IESE of the Project has determined that the potential impacts of the 48ha, 15MW PV solar power plant, and the 13.5km, 110kV transmission line & airport substation expansion are overwhelmingly positive for the local community and the legislated goal of reducing GHG emissions and climate change with the use of renewal energy sources. The negative impacts of the Project are minor and focus on temporary construction impacts of dust, noise, solid and liquid waste production, increases in construction traffic and risks of accidents, and construction worker injury. These short-term impacts will be prevented or mitigated with the ESMP. The construction of the Project will not significantly affect the local environment or wildlife. Similarly, the impact of the operation of the completed Project is strongly positive. Potential negative social and environmental impacts, which will be prevented and managed with the ESMP and contractor and operator HSE management plan and EMS, are worker and public injury, and pollution from process and operator domestic waste. The construction and operation of the solar power plant will not disrupt or reduce livestock grazing of the itinerant herder population in the area. Indigenous Peoples will not be affected by the Project, and no involuntary resettlement will occur.
The ESMP provides impact mitigation plans, environmental monitoring plans, and specifies the institutional responsibilities and capacity/training needs for the environmental management of the three main Project components. The ESMP will be reviewed and updated by the TGC in conjunction with project consortium members (Sharp), and an accredited environmental firm retained by TGC to conduct environmental sampling and laboratory analyses of monitoring plan of the ESMP.
The IESE concludes that the current description of the Project combined with available information on the affected environments is sufficient to identify the scope of potential environmental impacts of each project component. Providing significant changes do not occur to the design of one or more of the Project components, and that new sensitive environmental or social receptor data are not discovered, the Project will remain Category B for environment and category C for involuntary resettlement and indigenous peoples and will not require further detailed environmental impact assessment (EIA). 6
Recommendations
The following recommendations to TGC are identified for the remaining construction phase of the PV solar power plant, the imminent construction of the 13.5km transmission line & airport substation expansion, and operation of all completed Project components.
1. Implement more effective dust control with regular application of wetting agents, such as water and/or Calcium chloride (CaCl2) on construction roads and over piles of aggregate and excavated material. 2. Invoke risk management and prevention plan for severe environmental events such lightning strikes, and wind and dust storm events. 3. Continue Project information disclosure with distribution of completed IESE/ESMP translated in local language or at least the Executive Summary 4. Finalize GRM for the Project that is presented in ESMP, and with continued public consultation, ensure local herder and soum centre community is aware and understands how to engage and use the GRM. 5. Transmission line should span all salt ponds with no towers constructed in a salt pond. 6. Berms or plastic fencing should be placed between transmission towers under construction that are near the salt ponds on the steppe. 7. Fencing should be placed around transmission tower sites during construction. The ownership and management of the transmission towers will be transferred to the National Power Transmission Grid Company upon the commissioning of the solar power plant. Potential minor security and safety risks will be relayed to the National Power Transmission Grid Company for their information and appropriate action, if necessary. 8. With national E&S consultant support update the IESE and ESMP as needed to meet the final transmission tower design. 9. With ESMP update HSE and EMS for remaining construction of PV solar power plant, and imminent construction of 110kV transmission line and airport substation expansion. 10. Work with Sharp to tailor the HSE, EMS, and SOP templates for the ESMS for the operation of the completed Project. 11. Update HSE and EMS for remaining construction of PV solar power plant, and construction of transmission line and airport substation expansion. 12. With support from a national E&S consultant, train TGC safeguard specialist and all contractor HSE/EMS officers on the implementation of the HSE, EMS, and ESMP.
13. Monitor rainfed water run-off and erosion in the dried gully during project operation for necessary structural measures, such as building armour stone wall, whenever needed.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4 I. INTRODUCTION 11 B. Overview of Project 11 C. Assessment Context 11 D. Structure of Report 12 II. POLICY, LEGAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK 12 A. Environmental Impact Assessment 12 B. Legal Framework for Environmental and Social Protection 13 C. ADB Safeguard Policy 17 III. DESCRIPTION OF SERMSANG KHUSHIG KHUNDII SOLAR POWER PROJECT 18 A. 15 MW Solar Power Plant 22 B. 110kV Transmission Line 28 C. Expansion of Airport Substation 30 D. Land Transfer for Project 30 IV. DESCRIPTION OF AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 31 A. Physical Environment 31 B. Ecological Resources 36 C. Socioeconomic Profile 39 V. PUBLIC CONSULTATION 40 A. Identification of Stakeholders 40 B. General Consultation Procedure 41 C. Results of Herder Family Consultations 43 D. Results of Public Consultation Meeting in Sergelen soum 47 VI. POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATIONS 49 A. Benefits of Project 50 B. Impacts and Mitigations 50 C. Climate Risk Assessment (CRA) 55 VII. ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES 61 VIII. INFORMATION DISCLOSURE AND GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM 61 A. Information Disclosure 61 IX. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN 65 A. Introduction 65 B. Overview of Project 66 C. Institutional Arrangements and Responsibilities 66 D. Summary of Potential Impacts 68 E. Information Disclosure and Public Consultation 69 F. Mitigation Plan 69 G. Monitoring Plan 79 X. INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY & TRAINING NEEDS 85 XI. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 85 APPENDIX A: RAPID ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE PROJECT 88 8
APPENDIX A-2: SCREENING CHECKLIST FOR IMPACTS ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES 93 APPENDIX B: GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT 96 APPENDIX C: STANDARDS RELEVANT TO KUSHIGT SOLAR POWER PROJECT 101 APPENDIX D: RESULTS OF IBAT ANALYSIS OF PROJECT AREA 107 APPENDIX E: LAND TRANSFER CERTIFICATE TO TGC 108 APPENDIX F: PHOTOS OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION MEETINGS 109 APPENDIX G: HEALTH EFFECTS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION EMF 114 APPENDIX H: OUTPUT OF AWARE SOFTWARE 117 APPENDIX I: TABLE OF CONTENTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MONITORING REPORT / ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMPLIANCE AUDIT 119
Figure 1. Location of Kushigt PV solar power project...... 19 Figure 2. Kushigt PV solar power project ...... 19 Figure 3. Westward view of 15 MW solar plant site across steppe...... 20 Figure 4. North view over project site; worker camp (foreground), new airport (background). .... 21 Figure 5. Layout of 48ha PV solar power plant ...... 23 Figure 6. Construction worker camp ...... 26 Figure 7. Foundation piles for solar panel frames being installed ...... 26 Figure 8. Example installed solar panel ...... 27 Figure 9. Excavated footprint of control building of plant ...... 27 Figure 10. Completed barbed perimeter fence (2m) around PV solar power plant ...... 28 Figure 11. Northward view of alignment of transmission line to existing line (background) ...... 29 Figure 12. Intersection point of new transmission line with alignment of existing line...... 29 Figure 13. Airport substation; new transmission line connects from west (right)...... 30 Figure 14. Distribution of five permafrost zones in Mongolia ...... 32 Figure 15. IBAs of central Mongolia ...... 37 Figure 16. Simulated major bird flyways through Mongolia...... 38 Figure 17. Location of herder households consulted on Project...... 45 Figure 18. Runoff gulley along western boundary of solar power plant (background) ...... 58 Figure 19. Trend in annual air temperature in Mongolia...... 58 Figure 20. Trend in annual precipitation in Mongolia ...... 59 Figure 21. Grievance Redress Mechanism ...... 64
Table 1: Environment and Land-use Laws Relevant to Sermsang Khushig Khundii Solar Power Project ...... 13 Table 2: Relevant International Conventions to which Mongolia is Signatory ...... 16 Table 3: Laws, regulations, and standards applicable to solar power development ...... 16 Table 4: Specifications of PV solar panel mounts ...... 24 Table 5: Differences between two inverter types ...... 24 Table 6: Recent average monthly air temperatures (oC) at project area...... 32 Table 7: Recent average monthly rainfall (mm) at project area...... 33 Table 8: Recent average wind speed (m/s) at project site...... 33 Table 9: Sources of air pollution in Zuunmod town ...... 34 Table 10: Air quality in Zuunmod ...... 34 Table 11: Groundwater quality at the construction worker camp ...... 35 9
Table 12: Documented mammals in Sergelen soum ...... 36 Table 13: Land resources of Sergelen Soum ...... 40 Table 14: Guiding Environmental and Social Components ...... 41 Table 15: Guiding questions for consultation at soum centre and herder homesteads...... 42 Table 16: Supplemental questions asked of herder families ...... 43 Table 17: Herder families consulted at their homesteads...... 43 Table 18: Participants of public consultation meeting for Project, 14 August 2018 ...... 48 Table 19: Concerns and issues identified at soum meeting ...... 49 Table 20: Key steps and activities of climate risk assessment* ...... 55 Table 21: Project components potentially sensitive to climate change ...... 56 Table 22: Average climate change projections for 3 GHG emission scenarios ...... 59 Table 23. Summary of potential impacts of project ...... 68 Table 24. Environmental and Social Impact Mitigation Plan ...... 70 Table 25. Environmental Monitoring Plan ...... 80 Table 26. Performance Monitoring Indicators for the Project ...... 83 Table 27. Indicative Costs for ESMP ...... 85
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I. INTRODUCTION
B. Overview of Project
1. The Tenuun Gerel Construction LLC (TGC) will develop the Sermsang Khushig Khundii Solar Power Project (the Project) 40 km southeast of Ulaanbaatar (UB) which will consist of: (i) a new 48ha, 15MW solar power plant of comprised of approximately 51,000 PV solar panels; (ii) a new 13.5 km 110kV transmission line; and (iii) a substation expansion. The transmission line will transfer electrical power from the solar plant to the existing substation located at the new international airport of UB. The new power plant will provide clean, much needed electrical power to the Central Energy System (CES) of Mongolia with zero greenhouse gas emissions pursuant to the 2007 National Renewable Energy Law.
2. The PV solar plant will contribute to electricity produced by eight thermal power plants, two hydro power plants, one wind farm, two diesel powered stations and multiple small capacity renewable energy sources that currently power the energy systems of Mongolia including the PV solar power plant in Darkhan. The Mongolian system also receives periodic back-up supplies from Russia which reached 175MW in 2012.
3. The TGC is the Project owner and part of the private sector consortium comprised of TGC, Sharp Energy Solutions Corporation (Sharp), and Sermsang Power Corporation Public Company, Ltd. (SSP). The consortium will construct and operate the Project. The electrical power generated by the PV solar power plant will feed into the Central Energy System (CES) of Mongolia. MCSI is the contractor engaged to construct the solar power plant through a design, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract with TGC and expand the airport substation to accommodate the new 110 kV transmission line. TGC have an initial design for the 13.5 km 110 kV transmission line but will also engage a separate EPC contractor to finalize the design and construct the transmission line.
C. Assessment Context
4. The Project is category B for environment and category C for involuntary resettlement and Indigenous Peoples pursuant to ADB’s 2009 Safeguard Policy Statement2. A category B project for environment will have potential adverse impacts that are less adverse than those of a category A project, are site-specific, largely reversible, and can be mitigated with an environmental and social management plan (ESMP). A category C project for involuntary resettlement has no involuntary resettlement impacts including no physical or economic displacement. A project is category C for indigenous peoples if the project is not expected to have any impacts on indigenous peoples. The Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA) of the Project is found in Appendix A. The screening list for Indigenous Peoples is found in Appendix A-2
5. Pursuant to the Mongolian Law on Environmental Impact Assessment (2012) the environmental due diligence of the Project was required. The initial General Environmental Impact Assessment (GEIA)3 of the Project was conducted by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET), based on the information, i.e., Feasibility Study (FS), submitted by TGC which identified specific environmental and social safeguard conditions for the Project. The TGC also prepared an EMP (TGC- EMP) which was required to secure the construction permit for the PV solar power plant. The TGC,
2 ADB. 2009. Safeguard Policy Statement. Manila 3 Appendix B 11
however, will use the EMP for reference only because it is not mandatory for TGC to implement the EMP because the GEIA is the formal government directive for the Project.
6. During the site visit and site visit meetings with TGC, it was noted that the current site of the 15MW solar power plant and length and alignment of the proposed 110kV transmission line is different from the project location in the FS and TGC-EMP. It was confirmed that the government requested TGC to move the site of the Project to its current location and that the GEIA decision of the MET, and other permits and approvals granted to TGC by national and local government remain valid. When the Government instructs or imposes the land possessor to reallocate to a different site, the Government will pay compensation based on the validation of assets and business expenses.
7. The environmental and social (E&S) assessment and the corresponding measures in the ESMP consolidate the analyses of information from the documentation on the previous site and E&S assessment conducted on the current site and ongoing construction activities during the site visit on 13 June 2018.
D. Structure of Report
8. An IEE and supporting EMP were initially prepared for the Project pursuant to the SPS (2009) and as dictated by the E&S consultant’s ToR. However, because the IEE and EMP include potential social impacts, i.e., involuntary resettlement (IR and Indigenous Peoples (IP) the names of the safeguard documents were subsequently changed to IESE and ESMP, respectively. Thus, the IESE/ESMP provided herein follow the outline of an IEE/EMP provided in Annex 1 of Appendix 1 of the SPS (2009) with additional text for the inclusion of potential social impacts. An explanation of land management and transfer to the project owner - TGC is also included.
II. POLICY, LEGAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK
A. Environmental Impact Assessment
9. Environmental impact assessment in Mongolia is guided by the Law on Environmental Impact Assessment (2012) which is administered by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET). The EIA protocol for all project interventions is two tiered defined initially by a general EIA (GEIA) - initial screening, followed by either a full detailed EIA (DEIA) or an Environmental Management Plan (EMP). The initial GEIA is normally conducted by the MET which identifies the required level of further impact assessment of a project. For major projects the GEIA prescribes the follow-up requirement a DEIA, whereas for minor impact projects, the GEIA can prescribe only an environmental management plan (EMP) be prepared for the project.
10. The initial step in the EIA process is the submission by the project owner of an application to the MET or provincial/municipality environment department for a GEIA to be conducted on the proposed project. The initial application is comprised of the following main information components: i) detailed baseline description of the affected environment; ii) detailed description of the proposed project including drawings; and iii) technical and economic justification for the project. As introduced above, the possible outcomes of the GEIA are:
(i) project may be implemented without conducting a detailed environmental impact assessment (DEIA) or an EMP but with specific conditions (as is the case with the Project); (ii) project may be implemented without conducting a detailed environmental impact 12
assessment (DEIA), but with specific conditions and/or impact mitigation measures specified in an EMP; (iii) project requires a full DEIA; or (iv) project rejected on grounds of non-conformity with relevant legislation, or the adverse impact of the equipment and technology on the environment are too great, or absence of the project in the land management.
11. Pursuant to the EIA Law (2012), a GEIA was prepared for the Project which tabled conditions of social and environmental safeguards. The application to the MET for the GEIA were prepared by a licensed EIA firm on behalf of the TGC. While the GEIA is a required safeguard document for the government, the brief assessment was helpful because it provided valuable local context and general environmental and social information for the E&S assessment required by SPS (2009). .
B. Legal Framework for Environmental and Social Protection
12. The Government of Mongolia has established specific laws and environmental standards for the protection of the environment, resources, and protected areas, and for pollution management. The environmental legal framework for Project is summarized in Table 1. The environmental and technical standards directly relevant to the Project have been compiled and listed in Appendix C. Mongolian environmental quality standards are applied as required by SPS (2009). Where an international standard is more stringent (such as EHS Guidelines4) then the more stringent standard is applied as required by SPS (2009). The GEIA for a nationally or donor funded project that is conducted by the MET followed by either the preparation of DEIA or EMP by a licensed Mongolian EIA Institute is the single comprehensive domestic requirement. The environmental due diligence conducted by donor agencies are not required to be reviewed and endorsed by the government.
Table 1: Environment and Land-use Laws Relevant to Sermsang Khushig Khundii Solar Power Project
Relevant Responsible Chapter Ministry / Agency Ministry of 1. Law on Environmental Protection Environment and Tourism (MET) Rights and obligation of citizen/private sector with regard to environmental 4 protection Immunity of natural resources 6 Protection of environment from pollution 21 Rights and obligations of entities and organizations 31 Compensation for damage to environment 49, 57 2. Law on Environmental Impact Assessment MET Detailed EIA 8 Environmental Management Plan (EMP) 9 Obligations of program and project proponents 14 Rights and obligations of the licensed EIA entity 15 Financing institutions shall refrain from supporting project with adverse 17 environmental and public health impacts Public consultation process in EIA 18 Compensation for damages from non-compliance with EIA and EMP 20
4 World Bank Group. Environmental, Health, and Safety General Guidelines. http://www.ifc.org/ehsguidelines 13
Relevant Responsible Chapter Ministry / Agency Ministry of Urban Development and 3. Law on the Development Policy Planning Construction (MCUD) Convene public consultation with the project communities on the scope and 19 impacts of policies, strategies and programs. 4. Law on Water MET Protection of water resources 22 Protection of water resources from pollution: Dismiss water use rights of entities in case of excessive discharge of waste water or non-compliance with applicable 24 standards The Government shall establish fees for water pollution and depletion of water 25 resources Conditions for termination of the water use contracts 29 Obligations of water users 30 Water use fees and tariffs 31 5. Law on Fees for Water Pollution MET Determination and registration of water polluters 4 Subject for water pollution fees 5 Exemptions and discounts from water pollution fees 8 6. Law on Land MET and MCUD Transfer of the land title 39 The land leaser shall release land on the expiration of land possession certificate 41 The public land owner shall pay compensation for premature termination of the 43 land lease agreement Use of land for special and public purposes 46 Use of third party land for temporary and transit uses 48 The requirements for proper use of land 50 Public health requirements for land use 51 Compensation for land damage 61 7. Law on Land Privatization MCUD Rights and obligations of the land owner 27 Termination of the land ownership rights 31 Re-possession of the land right by the state 32 Conditions for the servitude 33 Confiscation of the land 35 Conditions for resettlement 37 8. Law on Land Fees MCUD Determination of the Land Use Fee payers 3 The Subjects to Land Fees 4 Exemptions from land fees 8 Liabilities of land fee payers 12 9. Law on Soil Protection and Preventing Desertification MET Soils protection measures 6 Compensation for damages to soil 9 10. Law on Air MET Rights and obligations of individuals and organizations 9 Air quality data 12 Principles and measures to reduce air pollution 13 Critical zone to improve air quality 15 List of prohibited activities in the critical zone 16 14
Relevant Responsible Chapter Ministry / Agency Air emissions 20 Technical requirements for construction works to protect air quality 21 11. Law on Construction MCUD Permits for construction 7 Technical requirements for design, construction materials and civil works 11,12, 13 Requirements for construction sites 16 Servitude in accordance with civil code and other applicable legislations 17 The client for construction projects shall not be entitled to modify the original 37 design without prior consent of the author 12. Law on Wildlife MET Protect wildlife 6 Compensation for damage to wildlife 37 13. Law on Plant Protection MET Obligations of individuals and organizations on plant protection 13 Plant quarantine 14 Ministry of 14. Law on Protection of Cultural Heritage Education, Culture and Science (MECS) Registration and database on cultural heritage 21 Any activities related to mining, agriculture and construction of infrastructure are 38 prohibited in historical sites. Ministry Labor and Social Welfare 15. Law on Work and Health Safety (MLSW) and Ministry of Health (MH) Work safety requirements for construction and production sites 7 Safety requirements for work equipment and tools 9 Fire safety requirements 13 Obligations of the employers with regard to work safety and public health 28 Response to industrial disaster and employment injuries 29 State compliance inspections 33 National Emergency 16. Law on Fire Safety Management Agency (NEMA) Rights and obligations of individuals on fire safety 16 General requirements for fire safety 19 Technical requirements for fire control equipment 23 17. Law on Waste 2016 MET General rights and obligations of citizen and entities with regard to solid waste 9 Disposal of solid wastes 11 Collection and transportation of solid wastes 12 18. Law on Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals MET Basic requirements for handling of toxic and hazardous chemicals 13 Risk assessment 17 19. Law on Hygiene MH Sanitary requirements to environment 4 Sanitary requirements to urban planning and construction 5 Sanitary requirement to work place 6
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13. Mongolia is signatory to international environmental treaties and conventions which provide a comprehensive legal framework related to environmental management. Table 2 outlines the conventions relevant to the Sermsang Khushig Khundii Solar Project.
Table 2: Relevant International Conventions to which Mongolia is Signatory
Responsible Ministry or International Convention / Protocol Joined Agency 1993 (r) MET United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 1999 (a) MET Kyoto Protocol 1993 (r) MET Convention on Biological Diversity
1996 (a) MET Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer 1996 (a) MET Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna & Flora (CITES) (a) accession; (r) ratification.
14. The national technical directives governing the construction and operation of solar power plants, transmission lines, and substations are listed in Table 3, which specifies relevant chapters of the two key laws.
Table 3: Laws, regulations, and standards applicable to solar power development
Laws Relevant • Mongolian Law on Energy, Jan 01-2001 chapters
Rights and obligation of Central government 6 Rights and obligation of Aimag, capital, sum and duureg 7 Energy regulation committee 8 Rights of the Energy regulation committee 9 Aimag, capital’s energy regulation committee 11 Issuing special license for the operation 12 Special license for the production of heat and electricity 13 Special license for the heat and electricity distribution 16 Tariff setting principles 26 Tariff and contract rates 27 Energy supplier’s agreement 28 Rights and obligation of energy supplier 29 Rights and obligation of energy user 30 Buffer zone of powerline 33 • Mongolian Law on Renewable Energy, Jul 11-2007
Special license for the building renewable energy source 6 Special license for the production of renewable energy 7
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Obtaining special license 9 Power purchase agreement 10 Tariff and rates of renewable energy 11 Regulations (fully applicable) • UNbD. 3.05.06-85_Norm and Rules of the construction work on electrical facility. • EHD-2-20-01-2013_ Norm and Rules of the construction work on electrical facility. • EHD-1-12-04-2013_ Norm and Rules of health and safety for the construction work on electrical facility. • BNbD 43-101-03_Norm and Rules of the construction and design work on electrical facility. • BNbD 11-01-98_Norm and Rules of the design development, concurrence and approval
Standards (fully applicable) • MNS 6518: 2015_Requirements for the construction of 04-22kV powerline. • MNS 6519: 2015_General requirements for the construction of 04-23kV powerline. • MNS 6520: 2015_Requirements for the construction of 04-22kV distribution substation. • MNS 6521: 2015_Requirements for the construction of 04-35kV+ distribution substation. • MNS 6522: 2015_Requirements for the construction of 04-22kV powerline. • MNS 4809: 1999_Crystalline Silicon solar cells • MNS EN 12976-1: 2012_Thermal solar systems and components. Factory made systems. General requirements.
C. ADB Safeguard Policy
15. The ADB Safeguard Policy Statement (ADB 2009) along with the supporting Operations Manual (2013) clarifies the rationale, scope and content of an environmental and social assessment which is supported by the comprehensive EHS Guidelines for development projects. The EHS Guidelines provide general and industry-specific Good International Industry Practice (GIIP) guidelines. Projects are initially screened to determine the level of assessment that is required according to the following three environmental and social categories (A, B, or C). The category of a project is determined by the category of the most sensitive component with respect to the impact of the project.
16. As introduced above, category A for Environment is assigned to projects that normally cause significant or major environmental impacts that are irreversible, diverse or unprecedented such as hydroelectric dams (an Environmental Impact Assessment is required). Category B projects have potential adverse impacts that are less adverse than those of category A, are site-specific, largely reversible, and for which mitigation measures can be designed more readily than for category A projects (an Initial Environmental Examination is required). Category C projects are likely to have minimal or no negative environmental impacts. An environmental assessment for Category C projects is not required but environmental implications need to be reviewed.
17. A project is classified as category A for involuntary resettlement if it is likely to have significant involuntary resettlement impacts. A resettlement plan including assessment of social impacts is required. A category B project includes involuntary resettlement impacts that are not deemed significant but which also require a resettlement plan and an assessment of social impacts. A category C project has no involuntary resettlement impacts, and no further action is required. The involuntary resettlement category of a project is determined by the category of its most sensitive component in terms of involuntary resettlement impacts. The involuntary resettlement impacts of an ADB-supported project are considered significant if 200 or more persons will experience major
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impacts, which are defined as (i) being physically displaced from housing, or (ii) losing 10% or more of their productive assets (income generating).
18. For Indigenous Peoples a project is classified as category A if it is likely to have significant impacts on Indigenous Peoples. An Indigenous Peoples plan (IPP) including assessment of social impacts is required. A category B project is likely to have limited impacts on Indigenous Peoples, but an IPP including assessment of social impacts is still required. A project is classified as category C if it is not expected to have any impacts on indigenous peoples, and no further action is required. The significance of impacts of an ADB-supported project on Indigenous Peoples is determined by assessing (i) the magnitude of impact in terms of (a) customary rights of use and access to land and natural resources; (b) socioeconomic status; (c) cultural and communal integrity; (d) health, education, livelihood, and social security status; and (e) the recognition of indigenous knowledge; and (ii) the level of vulnerability of the affected Indigenous Peoples community. The level of detail and comprehensiveness of the IPP are commensurate with the significance of potential impacts on Indigenous Peoples.
19. The SPS (2009) requires a stakeholder consultation strategy that embodies the principles of meaningful engagement, transparency, participation, and inclusiveness to ensure that project and marginalized groups such as women and the poor are given equal opportunities to participate in the design of the project. To support stakeholder engagement a grievance redress mechanism (GRM) is required for the Project. The GRM ensures that issues or concerns of potentially project persons will be heard easily by the authorities.
III. DESCRIPTION OF SERMSANG KHUSHIG KHUNDII SOLAR POWER PROJECT
20. The Sermsang Khushig Khundii Solar Power Project (the Project) is located approximately 40 km south of Ulaanbaatar in Sergelen soum (district) in the Tuv aimag (province) just south of the aimag capital of Zuunmod (Figure 1). The Project consists of the following three major components (Figure 2) which are listed below in the order the components will be constructed.
(i) new 48ha,15 MW solar power plant; (ii) new 13.5 km, 110kV transmission line starting from plant transformer; and (iii) expansion of existing substation in the new international airport to accommodate new 110kV transmission line.
21. The description of Sermsang Khushig Khundii PV solar plant was taken from the 2015 Feasibility Study5 and includes recent changes to the PV solar plant site and length of transmission line based on updated information from TGC during the due diligence/site visit. An initial description of the 110kV transmission line was provided by TGC. The detailed design of the line will wait until the EPC for the transmission line is identified by TGC which is expected by the end of August. The Project is situated at the border of the Development Protection Area that was set aside by the Government for the development of the new international airport and future support facilities. A section of the transmission line alignment and the existing substation for expansion are within the Development Protection Area (Figure 2).
5 BE Energy Consulting LLC (2015). Feasibility Study of Kushigt Photovoltaic Power Plant. 18
Figure 1: Location of Sermsang Khushig Khundii PV solar power project
Figure 2: Sermsang Khushig Khundii PV solar power project 19
22. A westward view across the steppe of the PV solar power plant is shown in Figure 3. Figure 4 shows a northward view of the plant with construction camp in foreground, new international airport in background, and PV solar panels being constructed in midground.
Figure 3: Westward view of 15 MW solar plant site across steppe
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Figure 4: North view over project site; worker camp (foreground), new airport (background). 21
A. 15 MW Solar Power Plant
23. The solar power plant will occupy 48ha and will be comprised of a field of 51,372 PV solar panels, 8 DC-AC inverters, a small transformer substation, and a control building. The layout of the solar power plant is shown in Figure 5.
1. Photovoltaic modules
24. The power plants will use Crystalline technology for the PV solar panels defined briefly below6.
• Polycrystalline • Monocrystalline
The Monocrystalline module uses a pillar-shaped single crystal that is pulled out from a basin of molten silicon which makes the crystal structure of mono-crystalline technology homogenous. The Polycrystalline module consist of many silicon crystals between which so-called grain boundaries are located. This design results in the patchy look of the polycrystalline cells.
6 A. Sevilla, 2018. Due diligence report on Khushigt Solar Power Project 22
Figure 5: Layout of 48ha PV solar power plant
Provided by TGC June 13/18
25. Each of the 320-watt crystalline solar panels will be installed at an angle of 45⁰ in mounting structures made of aluminum and steel with 2-meter deep pile foundations. The mounting structures are designed to withstand snow depth of 50 centimeters, snow pressure of 20N/m2 per 1 cm snow depth, seismic coefficient of 1.0 and windspeed of 30m/s.
26. The PV modules will be mounted on fixed metallic structures having adequate strength and appropriate design to withstand the load of the modules and high wind velocities. The support structure shall be hot dip galvanized steel or aluminum (Table 4).
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Table 4: Specifications of PV solar panel mounts
Hot dip galvanized steel with a minimum Structure material galvanization thickness of 120 microns or aluminum alloy Bolts, nuts, fasteners, metal clips Stainless steel SS 304 With removable concrete ballast made of pre- fabricated PCC assuring enough ground clearance Mounting design to prevent damage of the module through water, animals and other environmental factors The structure will be designed for simple mechanical on-site installation without requirement Installation of welding or complex machinery at the installation site Minimum distance between roof edge and 0.6 m mounting structure Solar modules must be accessible from the top Access for cleaning and maintenance for cleaning and from the bottom for access to the module junction box North-south orientation with a fixed tilt angle for Panel tilt angle 45 degrees south facing 2. Control building & transformer substation
27. The single-storey control building inside plant is 24m x 14 m and will house a small open office, bathroom, and SCADA control system. The plant transformer substation located at the western perimeter of the plant will be 81m x 51m and will step-up the inverted AC power for transmission to the airport substation.
3. Inverters7
28. The inverters transform the DC current produced by the solar panels into AC current in order to feed in the electrical power to the CES grid. There are two main inverter types which will be compared. Differences between a central and string inverter are summarized in Table 5. Table 5: Differences between two inverter types
Parameters Central inverters String inverters System costs Lower Higher Design / installation effort Inverter: low Inverter: high DC part: high DC part: low AC part: low AC part: high Annual yield Slightly lower Slightly higher Operating / maintenance costs Slightly higher Slightly lower Cooling/heating possibility Higher Lower Climate influence protection Higher Lower
7 Adapted from Footnote #6 24
29. The central inverters which are placed in buildings are better protected against weather conditions than string inverters, which are mounted on the mounting structure and thus directly exposed to environmental conditions. Central inverters, however, require much connecting cable, thus, increasing costs.
30. A construction camp outfitted with traditional ger houses has been built just south of the power plant site (Figures 2 and 4).
31. The general order of construction of the PV solar plant is as follows:
(i) Fencing of perimeters of worker camp and PV solar plant footprints (ii) Delivery of ger housing and construction worker camp facilities; (iii) Construction of camp including drilling of domestic well; (iv) Delivery of solar panels, aluminum frames & support piles; (v) Driving of piles, attachment of frames, & attachment of solar panels; (vi) Installation of inverters, and construction of control building & transformer substation. (vii) Commissioning of solar power plant; and (viii) Closure of worker camp and restoration of site.
32. Construction of the PV solar power plant commenced on 28 May 2018 beginning with the installation of the foundation piles for the solar panels. During the site visit in 13 June 2018 the construction workers’ camp was established, panel foundation piles were being installed with an example solar panel installed, and the footprint for the control building for the solar power plant excavated (Figure 6 – 9). The installation of solar panels, inverters, transformer and cabling works in the solar power plant site are expected to be completed by 30 October 2018. By the end of July the complete 2-m perimeter fence for the PV solar plant was installed (Figure 10). The trial run of the plant is scheduled to start in November 2018 after the completion of the transmission line and expansion of the existing substation. The Project is expected to be commissioned by 1 December 2018.
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Figure 6: Construction worker camp
Ger housing for workers right, bathrooms/showers left foreground, and dining hall/office left background
Figure 7: Foundation piles for solar panel frames being installed
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Figure 8: Example installed solar panel
Figure 9: Excavated footprint of control building of plant
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Figure 10: Completed barbed perimeter fence (2m) around PV solar power plant
B. 110kV Transmission Line
33. The 13.5 km 110kV transmission line will leave the solar power plant transformer substation at the western perimeter of the plant to extend approximately 7.0km northward across the grassland steppe to join and parallel the alignment of the existing east-west 110kV transmission line for another 6.5km before connecting to the substation at the new international airport. (Figure 2). The transmission line will consist of 62 towers with approximately 30 towers along the north-south section and 32 towers along final section to airport substation. The largest reinforced concrete transmission tower foundations will be 3.24m2 X 3m deep. The general order of construction of the transmission line is as follows:
(i) Delivery of tower sections and foundation materials to each tower site; (ii) Excavation and construction of concrete tower foundation; (iii) Erection of transmission tower; (iv) Stringing of high tension electrical cable with helicopter support; (v) Connection of transmission line to solar power plant substation then airport substation.
34. There were no ongoing activities related to transmission line construction during the site visit in 13 June 2018. Figures 11 - 13 show the northward alignment of the new transmission line, and the intersection point of transmission line with the existing east-west transmission line between Ulaanbaatar and substation at new international airport. The transmission line will span the salt ponds (Table 2) without placement of transmission towers in the ponds. TGC expects to engage the EPC contractor to complete the detailed design of the transmission line by 31 August 2018. Construction of transmission line is expected to be completed by 30 October 2018.
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Figure 11: Northward view of alignment of transmission line to existing line (background)
Figure 12: Intersection point of new transmission line with alignment of existing line.
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C. Expansion of Airport Substation
35. New busbars will be installed in the existing airport substation to accommodate the incoming new 110kV transmission line. The existing substation is currently part of the existing network of the Central Energy System of Mongolia. The substation is operated by the National Power Transmission Grid Company. The expansion of the substation will occur in parallel with the construction of the transmission line and is expected to be completed by 30 October 2018.
Figure 13: Airport substation; new transmission line connects from west (right).
D. Land Transfer for Project
36. The Tenuun Gerel Construction (TGC) Company which is the Project owner entered into a certified, long-term land possession agreement which is valid for up to 15 years. The agreement established on February 2, 2017 is between TGC and the Sergelen soum, which is based on the soum Governor’s decision of December 1, 2016 to implement the general land management plan approved by the soum council. The land transfer certificate granting TGC the land for 48ha solar power plant is provided in Appendix E. The land allocated for the 13.5 km transmission line is regulated by a license issued by the Ministry of Energy to the TGC. Therefore, the TGC has obtained permits from the Civil Aviation Authority (the legal possessor of land for special purpose) and the soum Governor for use of land under the transmission line. Later, the transmission line will be transferred to the Government for their possession and protection in accordance with the Law on Energy. The land for the airport substation forms part of the government’s development of the new international airport. The agreement specifies the rights and obligation of the parties and the one of key requirements of the land possessor is compliance with environmental legislation including EIA conditions. The TGC-acquired land is public pasture and the TGC is legally not required to pay compensation to herders for use of the land for the Solar Power Plant. Instead TGC pays land use fees directly to the soum administration of 3,200,000 MNT per annum 30
basis. In turn, the TGC is eligible for compensation for trespassing or damages to the property by third party in accordance with the Civil Code of Mongolia and Land Possession Agreement (Article 3.3) with the soum.
37. As a result of the itinerant lifestyle of herders, the transfer of the 48ha of pasture land for use by the 48 ha PV solar plant will not cause a loss of income for herders from economic or physical displacement. The herders will have access to the pasture underneath the transmission line during the construction and operation of the transmission line (see below).
IV. DESCRIPTION OF AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT
A. Physical Environment
1. Topography and Geography
38. The 48ha project site is situated on the low-sloped southern hill of Ikh Baraat mountain in the northern part of Khushig valley. The project site which is situated on vast barren steppe grasslands, is located 6 km south of the new international airport and 11.5 km west of the nearest town. Administratively the project site is the part of Sergelen soum (district) which is the one of administrative units of Tuv aimag (province).
39. The 13.75 km 110kV transmission line (TL) from the solar power plant extends north along the western boundary of the state development reserve area to join the corridor of the existing TL that connects the new airport with Ulaanbaatar. The new and existing TLs connect to the substation at the new airport. The low-slope grassland terrain underneath the new TL extends down to the flat terrain of the existing TL and airport. The elevation of the solar power plant and TL ranges from 1,200 – 1,350 msl.
2. Geology
40. The geological structure underlying the project site represents the overall formation of the Khentii mountain region. The rocks originating these mountains are massive of sedimentary and metamorphic accumulated in about 285-350 million years ago and the granites are originated by the end of Jurassic era in about 130 million years ago. There are colluviums and loose sediments of quaternary era in mountain sides and ravines. The sediments compose of gravels, boulders, pebbles and with light grey, sandy grey, loamy soil fillings.
3. Permafrost
41. Mongolia belongs to the South Transition Zone of global permafrost. The zone is characterized by relatively thin and scattered permafrost distribution. Within Mongolia permafrost is further divided into five sub-zones as follows (Figure 14): (i) Subzone 1: Continuous; (ii) Subzone 2: Non-continuous (iii) Subzone 3. Scattered distribution (iv) Subzone 4. Rare occurrence (v) Subzone 5. Seasonal frost.
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The project site and TL (Figure 2) are located in the seasonal frost subzone. This means that the ground at the site is subjected to annual freeze-thaw cycles according to ambient air temperature and is not influenced by permafrost.
Figure 14: Distribution of five permafrost zones in Mongolia
Source: Geo Information Database, MET, 2015: http://www.eic.mn/geodata/geomoose.html
4. Climate
42. The project area of the PV solar power plant, 13.5km transmission line, and substation of international airport is located (Figure 2) in the 4th bag (precinct) of Sergelen soum in southern Tuv aimag. The project area lies in the Temperate Zone and experiences a severe continental climate of long winters and short summers. The coldest temperature was registered in 1954 with -54oC and the hottest in 2005 with +39.5oC at the project site. The monthly average air temperature ranging from -21.0oC in January to +17.7oC in July with an annual average air temperature of -0.58oC according to climatic data of the last 10 years. The cold days with freezing temperature continue for 130 days between November and March (Table 6).
Table 6: Recent average monthly air temperatures (oC) at project area.
Year Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual Mean 2008 -22.7 -17.8 -3.5 3.6 6.2 15.1 18.2 16.5 9.4 0.4 -8.0 -18.4 -0.1 2009 -19.4 -17.2 -8.6 5.3 10.4 14.5 17.1 14.6 8.3 -0.7 -13.9 -20.2 -0.8 2010 -22.8 -20.9 -13.1 -3.9 10.0 17.4 19.5 13.7 10.9 0.5 -9.1 -18.8 -1.4 2011 -24.0 -15.1 -10.3 2.6 6.7 15.8 15.8 17.1 7.1 2.6 -10.8 -20.8 -1.1
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Year Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual Mean 2012 -24.6 -20.8 -9.5 1.4 9.8 13.4 16.2 14.1 10.0 -1.5 -13.5 -23.1 -2.3 2013 -19.8 -20.5 -7.2 -1.2 10.2 14.1 16.3 14.3 8.1 -0.1 -9.0 -16.0 -0.9 2014 -17.7 -19.1 -5.7 5.9 7.1 14.0 16.4 14.9 8.7 1.7 -9.6 -17.5 -0.1 2015 -15.5 -13.9 -7.8 2.6 7.4 15.4 18.4 17.3 9.3 1.8 -12.1 -15.4 0.6 2016 -24.3 -16.3 -5.6 2.2 8.0 14.5 19.9 16.7 9.7 -2.8 -13.4 -14.2 -0.5 2017 -18.7 -13.6 -5.5 4.0 11.7 18.0 19.7 14.3 8.5 0.1 -12.7 -16.7 0.8 Source: Meteorological Monitoring Station in Zuunmod, 2018
43. Average rainfall in the project area ranged between 222-308 mm in accordance with the last 10 years monitoring data from the nearest meteorological station and 85% of the precipitation falls from beginning (May) of spring to end of fall (October), with nearly 70% of it falling in the summer months between June and August (Table 7). The snow stays during the winter on the average at 1.8 centimeters deep.
Table 7: Recent average monthly rainfall (mm) at project area.
Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual 2008 1.2 0.5 7.3 5.8 15.9 81.8 49.1 59.5 7.8 18.1 1.1 5.9 254.0 2009 0.2 6.0 1.0 1.8 31.0 49.7 73.7 64.0 14.0 13.4 3.5 3.0 261.3 2010 0.7 4.6 15.2 1.8 28.0 32.2 36.2 73.2 15.0 9.4 9.7 0.2 226.2 2011 0.9 8.8 0.0 14.7 27.8 81.5 55.5 27.1 9.0 28.3 12.9 1.9 268.4 2012 0.0 0.5 1.5 5.9 8.1 80.5 112.2 56.9 12.2 7.8 14.5 8.3 308.4 2013 0.3 2.2 5.0 11.9 21.4 44.9 55.5 65.4 7.4 16.0 7.9 1.6 239.5 2014 0.4 3.4 1.2 7.9 56.1 48.2 67.1 22.7 11.5 1.2 0.8 2.3 222.8 2015 0.7 0.5 17.8 18.7 17.8 13.5 115.9 43.6 22.9 6.6 8.5 3.4 269.9 2016 1.0 1.0 18.9 2.7 17.8 56.8 70.6 49.1 38.2 10.1 18.0 0.7 284.9 2017 0.2 0.2 0.3 3.0 7.9 35.5 27.8 145.5 26.7 8.1 11.8 1.9 268.9 Source: Meteorological Monitoring Station in Zuunmod, 2018
44. The dominant wind direction in the project site is northwest. Based on the monitoring records of 2008-2017, the average monthly wind speed is from 1.9 m/sec (in January) to 4.1 m/sec (in May). The months of April, May and June are considered as the windiest period in the project site (Table 8).
Table 8: Recent average wind speed (m/s) at project site.
Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Average 2008 1.2 1.4 2.3 3.8 4.6 3.7 3.2 3.2 3.3 3.1 3.1 3.0 3.0 2009 2.4 2.9 3.2 3.3 4.3 4.5 3.2 3.0 2.9 2.6 2.3 3.3 3.2 2010 1.8 1.6 1.9 2.3 2.5 2.1 2.1 3.0 2.9 2.6 2.3 3.3 2.4 2011 1.6 1.4 3.1 4.1 4.5 3.1 3.2 2.9 2.8 2.5 1.9 1.3 2.7 2012 1.6 2.9 2.8 4.8 4.4 3.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.8 2.0 2.0 2.9 2013 1.4 2.4 3.6 3.5 4.2 3.4 2.6 1.7 2.9 1.8 1.5 0.9 2.5
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Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Average 2014 1.0 1.0 1.4 2.0 2.7 1.8 1.8 2.0 2.7 2.9 2.6 2.8 2.1 2015 2.0 2.8 3.2 4.0 4.2 3.7 3.5 3.3 3.1 3.8 1.7 2.1 3.1 2016 3.0 3.0 3.6 4.6 4.2 3.2 3.0 3.2 2.7 3.1 3.1 2.0 3.2 2017 3.0 3.0 3.8 5.1 5.4 4.9 3.7 3.8 4.5 3.1 3.4 3.8 4.0 Source: Meteorological Monitoring Station in Zuunmod, 2018
45. Annual sunshine at the project is estimated at 2,730 hours with daily mean of 7.67 hours with average 8.5-9.5 hours during the summer season and 5-6.5 hours during the winter days.
5. Air Quality
46. The project site is located in 6 km south from the nearest and minor source of air pollution which is Zuunmod town, the capital of Tuv aimag. The sources of air pollution in the town include (i) vehicle emissions; (ii) emissions from boilers; (iii) emissions from burning coal and firewood in household heating stoves; (iv) dry land, eroded soil and unpaved roads; and (vi) solid waste disposal sites (Table 9). Air quality in Zuunmod is summarized in Table 8. Air quality in the project area is essentially pristine, and only influenced slightly by smoke from coal/wood burning stoves and maximum boiler use in Zuunmod during the winter.
Table 9: Sources of air pollution in Zuunmod town
Source Number Household stoves 2421 Vehicles 1056 Hear only boilers (HOB) 9 Source: Environmental Monitoring and Meteorological Center, Tuv
47. Air quality in the project area meets the national standard and is influenced by the seasons (Table 10). In winter, sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen dioxide NO2 concentrations levels are slightly higher due to the burning of wood and coal in the homesteads. There are no data for ambient dust indicators for human health (i.e., PM10 and PM2.5) for the project area. Dust data for the nearest location is urban Ulaanbaatar which would not be representative of ambient dust levels in the project area. The level of air pollution is expected to increase in the area with operation of the new international airport and associated development in the area.
Table 10: Air quality in Zuunmod
MNS 4585: Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Average 2017 2007 NO2 (mg/m3) 24-hr 0.020 0.017 0.014 0.013 0.013 0.018 0.017 0.025 0.022 0.025 0.02 0.018 0.019 0.04 CO (mg/m3) 24-hr 0.022 0.019 0.012 0.007 0.006 0.005 0.011 0.005 0.006 0.014 0.012 0.014 0.011 0.02
6. Groundwater
48. The quality of groundwater for domestic use at the project worker camp site on April 11, 2018 at 19 meters deep is listed in Table 11. The quality of tested water meets the national 34
standard (MNS 900: 2005) represents the groundwater quality in neighboring areas.
Table 11: Groundwater quality at the construction worker camp
No. 1 MNS 0900-2005 Lab № 4968 Environment. Health protection. Safety. Drinking water. Sampling point Hygienically requirements, assessment of the quality and safety Measuring unit mg/l mg-eq/l (mg/l) Na+ + K+ 6.7 0.29 200.0
+ NH4 0.47 0.02 1.5 Ca2+ 45.00 2.25 100.0 Mg2+ 25.6 2.1 30.0 Total cations 78.0 4.66 Cr- 16.3 0.46 350.0
2- SO4 8.0 0.16 500.0
2- NO2 0.0 0.0 1.0
- NO3 15.9 0.24 50.0
2- CO3 <1.5 0.0
- HCO3 231.0 3.80 Total anions 270.3 4.66 Total ions 348.3 9.32 pH 6.98 6.5-8.5
H2SiO3 7.39 TSS 219.0 1000.0 mg/l Hardness 4.35 7.0 mg-Eq/l Zn <0.001
7. Surface water
49. The project site is located in the Tuul River basin and approximately 40 km from the river as it flows through Ulaanbaatar. The river is approximately 700 kilometers long with a catchment of approximately 49,840 km3. The Tuul river is a major tributary of the Selenge River which empties into Lake Baikal in southern Russia. The Tuul River Basin covers only 3.2 percent of Mongolia’s territory, but is home to more than half of the country’s population
8. Soil Quality
50. The topsoil in the project site is light and brown with pebbles at up to 0.3 meters deep and sandy and light soil is found at 0.3-1.9 meter deep. The frost depth of soil is 5.3 meters and the soil moisture content is averaged at 20% at drilling sites during geotechnical surveys undertake in March, 2018. 35
B. Ecological Resources
1. Wildlife
51. Representing the typical steppe region in Mongolia, the project site is suitable for mammals grazing and the dominant species are gazelle, Siberian marmot and ground squirrel and tolai hare. The most common rodent in the region is the steppe vole (microtus brandtii) locally known as the major symptom of pasture degradation. The ADB E&S team noticed numerous burrowing rodents on the PV solar plant site which are assumed to be the steppe vole. Table 12 presents the number of mammals registered between 1999-2015 by the provincial wildlife surveys.
Table 12: Documented mammals in Sergelen soum
Scientific Name of English Name of Mammal 1999-2015 Mammal Species Species Census Ovis ammon Argali or Mountain Sheep 15 Procapra gutturosa* Mongolian Gazelle 11,017 Otocolobus manul Pallas's Cat 286 Canus lupus Grey Wolf 46 Vulpes vulpes Red Fox 51 Vulpes corsac Corsac Fox 52 Meles meles Euroasian Badger 476 Marmota sibirica* Siberian Marmot 1,392 Citellus undulatus Long-tailed Ground Squirrel 10,000 Lepus tolai Tolai Hare 5,000 Mustela nivalis Least Weasel 100 Mustela eversmanni Siberian Weasel 100 *Least Concern Status, Clark and Javzansurin, 2006. Mongolian Red List of Mammals
52. The Siberian marmot is distributed widely from western to eastern Mongolia. The marmot population in Tuv province has decreased from 65,600 individuals in 1999 to 1,292 in 2015 resulting from poaching for commercial purposes given the proximity to market in Ulaanbaatar. Hunting of the marmot has been banned. Similarly, the Mongolian gazelle is distributed throughout central to eastern border of Mongolia, and also has hunting restriction imposed.
2. Birds
53. There are 476 species of birds documented in Mongolia belonging to 60 families and 19 orders of which 81 species are resident birds, and 395 species are migratory birds 8 . Approximately 310 migratory species breed in Mongolia, 10 species overwinter from Siberia, and 9 species are summer residents. The main bird habitats in Mongolia comprise grassland steppe, semi-desert and desert, mountain steppe, high mountains, forested mountains, wetlands and riparian are• as. Birds characteristic of grassland steppe, such as Tuv province, include Upland Buzzard Buteo hemilasius, Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalen• sis, Saker Falcon Falco cherrug, Mongolian Lark Mela• nicorypha mongolica, Crested Lark Galerida cristata, Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis, Demoiselle Crane An• thropoides vitgo, Mongolian Plover Charadrius mongo•
8 Ganbold et al., 2017. Globally Threatened Birds in Mongolia. A Review. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity. 36
lus, Great Bustard Otis tan/a, Northern Wbeatear Oenan• the oenanthe, Isabelline Wbeatear Oenanthe isabellina, Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens and Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris9. The Saker Falcon and Great Bustard are considered vulnerable species10
54. Figure 15 shows the location of important bird areas (IBA) which indicates the absence of an IBA in the project area. However, most valuable IBAs near the project site are MN055 and MN056 which are north of Ulaanbaatar11.
Figure 15: IBAs of central Mongolia
Source: Birdlife 2007. Important Bird Areas of Mongolia
a. Avian flyways
55. The major Asia flyway migratory routes for birds are located west and east of the project site (Figure 16). The model simulated migration routes shown in Figure 4 widen the actual migration routes documented for swan geese and bar-headed geese which are the two dominant species that move in/out of Mongolia. The observed actual routes of the two species of geese are much farther east and west of Ulaanbaatar, respectively12.
56. The absence of bird migration routes in the project site is expected given the presence of the new international airport. Selection criteria for the airport site, inter alia, would have included presence of birds. During the site visit no birds were noticed at the project site.
9 Birdlife et al. 2007. Important Bird Sites in Mongolia. 10 Mongolian red Book for Birds. 2011. 11 Footnote 7 12 Mundkur T., 2008. Wild Bird Migration and Influenza Study Wetlands International, 2008. 37
Figure 16: Simulated major bird flyways through Mongolia.
Source: Palm et al. 2015. Mapping migratory flyways in Asia with Dynamic Brownian Bridge Movement Models. Movement Ecology 3:3.
3. Ecological protected areas
57. The nearest ecological protected area is the Bogd Mountain is located in 8 kilometers north from the project site. The Bogd Mountain is strictly protected area with a peak of 2,256 meters that overlooks the project area from the north. The area extends 32 kilometers east to west and 16 kilometers north to south. The landscape of Bogd Khan includes dense coniferous forest, bare rock, and open grassland with wildflower meadows. The Bogd Mountain was declared a protected site by the local Mongolian government of the Qing Dynasty in 1778 and is the oldest legally protected natural area in the world.
4. Rare or Endangered Species
58. There are no known rare or endangered wildlife in the project area. The sensitive wildlife species potentially in the region are identified above which consist of the vulnerable Saker Falcon and Great Bustard, and the Siberian marmot and Mongolian gazelle which hold the status of least concern which is less sensitive than endangered.
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5. Physical Cultural Resources
59. The largest single cultural resource is Mandshiiriin Monastery located in the south slope in the Bogd Mountain and 9 km from the project site
C. Socioeconomic Profile
a. Demographics and Economy
60. The 48ha project site is located in the territory of Sergelen soum (district) under administration of Tuv aimag (province). The soum has an estimated population of 2,037 representing 780 households, at an average household size of approximately 2.6 persons. The 61.7% of the population are resided in rural areas or considered as herding household and the remaining 48.3% are resided in the soum center.
61. The total number of employed persons in the soum is 873 (female 336 and male 537) and most of them (584) are self-employed (mainly herders and farmers) and 278 persons are employed by public organizations and private companies. There are 18 (7 female and 11 male) unemployed persons reside in the soum accounting 3.9% of the economic active population. In total 59 persons are not employed because of disability.13 The poverty measurements surveys in the soum for herding households undertaken in 2016, indicate that 126 or 34.8% herding households live under poverty threshold out of the total 362 herding households14. No data or information exist that indicate that ethnic minorities live in the Project area. No indigenous peoples (IP) were identified during the public consultations conducted on the Project (see below).
62. The gross domestic product (GDP) of the soum is estimated at 10.2 billion MNT or 4.2 million USD contributed by agriculture production and service industries. There are major ongoing and completed industrial and mining projects with the national scope including: the new international airport, cement factory with annual capacity of 100 million tones and wind power plant etc.
63. By the latest census (2017), the total livestock number is 168,832 composed of 86,929 sheep, 50,862 goats, 21,045 horses, 9,957 cattle and 39 camels. The crop production area in the soum consists of 222 ha (hectares) for fodder crops, 160 ha for cereals, 44.2 ha for potatoes and 18.36 ha for vegetables.
64. The soum is well connected to Ulaanbaatar and other economic centers with the major road and railway network to the south region of Mongolia. The soum center is connected to the central power grid with the 110/35/10kV substation constructed in 1969. The water in the village Vs supplied by 5 deep wells and reservoir with 30 cubic meters capacity. The local hospital, school and kindergarten are heated by small scale health only boilers.
65. The soum social service facilities include: school for primary and secondary education with capacity of 370 students and 20 dormitory beds, kindergarten for 120 per-school children and hospital with 7 beds. The soum has only 18 registered unemployed persons resided in the village
13 Source: Employment Survey by the Provincial Statistical Office, 2015 14 Poverty threshold for herding households is established as 22 heads livestock per household member. 39
66. The entire territory of the soum covers the total land area of 68.5 ha and more than 91% of land area is public and used for livestock pasture (Table 13). Other forms of land are allocated to entities and individuals under the long-term lease agreements of up to 15 years. The local council discusses and approves the annual land management plans in accordance with relevant legislation as presented by the local Governor
Table 13: Land resources of Sergelen Soum
Land Use Acres in ha % Agriculture use (livestock and crops) 36,446.75 91.8 Forest resources area 4,975.80 1.27 Water resources area 309 0.08 State reserve area 18,201.8 4.71 Urban and settlement area 5,172.76 1.25 Land allocated to infrastructure 3,448.9 0.89 Total 68.555 100 Source: Soum Administration
b. Land use
67. The new 48ha PV solar plant and 13.5km transmission line in Sergelen soum will be constructed on pasture land. Pasture land, which is public land and the dominant land type in the soum, is used freely by local herders, and herders from neighboring areas without restrictions, permits or fees. The seasonal use of the pasture land is highly dependent upon weather conditions and the availability of water sources for livestock. Herders can also graze their livestock on other types of land including land allocated to individuals and entities with land possession certificates. Thus, the transfer of the 48ha of pasture land for use by the 48 ha PV solar plant will not result in loss of income from economic or physical displacement. The herders will have access to the pasture underneath the completed transmission line.
V. PUBLIC CONSULTATION
68. The stakeholder consultation strategy implemented for the Project embodied the principles of meaningful engagement, transparency, participation, and inclusiveness to ensure that all project and any marginalized groups were given equal opportunities to participate in the design of the project, in accordance with the requirements ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement (2009).
69. Stakeholder consultations were conducted with a two-prong approach consisting of: (i) individual consultations with herder families at their homesteads on the steppe near the Project site (Figure 5); and (ii) formal consultation meeting in the Sergelen soum centre with residents, business owners, and municipal workers. The approach to the stakeholder consultations for environmental concerns or issues met the requirements of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET). Photos of consultations at the two venue types are found in Appendix F.
A. Identification of Stakeholders
70. Stakeholders were identified and engaged in a participatory manner with assistance from the Governor of Sergelen soum. At an initial meeting on June 13th at the Governor’s office the ADB E&S safeguard team introduced the Project to the Governor. The Governor was aware of the Project and identified his views and wishes of the Project based on his discussions with soum
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council members. The governor requested that the Project train local residents for work in the renewal energy sector including the PV solar power plant. The governor would like scholarships established for this purpose. The governor agreed to assist with convening a formal consultation meeting with soum residents at the soum centre, and also identified all the herder families in the area that needed to be consulted individually on the Project. The stakeholders involved in the public consultations for the Project included:
(i) Residents of the soum centre; (ii) Representatives of soum council; (iii) Business owners of soum; (iv) Herder families on living out on the steppe; (v) Representative of Tenuun Gerel Construction (TGC); and (vi) National E&S consultant to Project.
71. At the consultation meeting at the Soum centre effort was taken to have an equal number of females and males attend the meeting.
B. General Consultation Procedure
72. The consultation meeting at the soum centre, and the consultations with individual herder families out on the steppe followed the same general procedures. For both venue types the consultations followed the following steps.
(i) Meeting at soum centre opened by Governor, meeting at herder homestead opened by the national E&S consultant to Project. (ii) Purpose and objectives of consultation meeting introduced by national E&S consultant to Project (iii) Project introduced by TGC at soum centre meeting, and by the national E&S consultant at herder homestead with Project maps and drawings. (iv) Discussion of stakeholder concerns or issues led by national E&S consultant to Project with discussion guide. (v) Concerns, views and issues of participants recorded by national E&S consultant to Project.
1. Discussion guide
73. To help orient soum centre stakeholders and herder families to potential environmental or social issues and concerns of the Project a list of example environmental and social components was introduced to the participants (Table 14). The participants were encouraged to identify and add their own social or environmental components to the discussions.
Table 14: Guiding Environmental and Social Components
Environment Social • drinking water quality and availability • public safety • surface water quality and quantity (e.g., • public movement and access rivers, creeks) • groundwater quality and quantity • air quality (e.g., dust) • noise levels
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• climate • physical cultural resources or values (e.g., • land and soil quality monasteries, cemeteries, monuments) • trees, other vegetation, • livelihood and employment • terrestrial resources e.g., minerals, soil • income • terrestrial and aquatic animals, e.g., fish, • household assets birds, small mammals • community property and values (e.g., • ecological protected areas (e.g., national schools, community centres medical parks, wildlife sanctuaries), clinics) • land uses (e.g., agriculture, fisheries, forestry, navigation, aquaculture, commercial, other)
74. Five open-ended questions and information requests were posed to guide discussions of all stakeholders (Table 15). Due to the different living environment, itinerant lifestyle, and the focus on the family unit, supplemental questions were developed for the herder families consulted at their homesteads on the steppe (Table 16).
Table 15: Guiding questions for consultation at soum centre and herder homesteads
1. What will be the benefits of the entire Project?
Please list benefits of entire Project.
2. Do you have any environmental or social concerns with the PV Solar Plant, 110 kV Transmission Line, or expanded airport Substation?
Please list environmental or social concerns of the major components of the Project in addition to those mentioned by TGC or national E&S consultant to the project.
3. Do you any have environmental or social concerns with the construction activities of PV Solar Plant, 110 kV Transmission Line, or expanded airport Substation?
Please list environmental concerns of construction phase activities in addition to those mentioned by TGC or national E&S consultant to the project.
4. Do you have environmental or social concerns with the completed operation phase of the entire project?
Please list environmental or social concerns of the operation of completed Project in addition to those mentioned by TGC or national E&S consultant to the project.
5. Do you think the design or operation of entire Project should be changed to prevent negative environmental or social impacts?
Please list changes to Project that you think will prevent or reduce negative environmental or social impacts in addition to those mentioned by TGC or national E&S consultant to the project.
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6. Is there a grievance redress mechanism (GRM) in place for the public to express their issues or concerns with development projects to the Sergelen soum, or Tuv Aimag? If a GRM is in place does it work satisfactorily? If a GRM is not in place how are grievances expressed to the district or provincial authorities?
Table 16: Supplemental questions asked of herder families
1. Do you know about the Solar Power Project (SSP) and 110 kV transmission line in your area? If yes, please specify the source for information.
2. What is the main environmental problem in your area (land and pasture degradation, soil contamination, air pollution, water resources depletion, dust storms, loss of biodiversity etc.)?
3. Does project have any impact on your access to seasonal pasture? If yes, please describe:
4. In your opinion what are positive and adverse impacts of the project both in environmental and social aspects?
5. How do you perceive the main environmental concerns during construction including transmission line and operation of the SPP?
6. Do you know where to contact and how to file complaints during construction and operations of the SSP?
7. Any other comments relative to the project.
C. Results of Herder Family Consultations
75. The individual consultations with 30 herder families were conducted from 29 June 29 to 3 July 2018 within a 5km radius of Project site (Figure 17). The consulted families were from the 4th bag of Sergelen soum and consisted of 21 male (70%) and 9 female (30%) with an average age was 49.6 (Table 17). The 30 herder families consulted represent approximately 30% of the total herder population in the 5km radius of project site.
Table 17: Herder families consulted at their homesteads.
No Household Age Sex Household Size and Length of Homestead Leader Composition Residency location (yrs) 1 Dagiimaa. G 33 F 4 (husband, 2 children) 20 47/35/3N, 106/42/40/E 2 Natsagnyam 41 M 5 (wife, 3 children) 30 47/38/2N, 106/49/43E 3 Jargalsaikhan 32 M 3 (wife, 1 child) 30 47/38/14N, 106/48/34E 4 Tsetsegee. L 63 F 6 (son, daughter-in- 30 47/38/8N, law, grandkids) 106/46/56E 43
No Household Age Sex Household Size and Length of Homestead Leader Composition Residency location (yrs) 5 Natsagdorj. T 44 M 5 (wife, 3 children) 10 (other soum) 47/38/43N, 106/46/42E 6 Odgerel. D 40 M 3 (wife, 1 child) 1 47/39/7N, 106/45/2E 7 Tserenpurev. M 35 M 5 (wife, 3 children) 15 47/39/22N, 106/44/14E 8 Amarbat. B 48 M 5 (wife, 3 children) 10 (other soum) 47/39/42, 106/42/00E 9 Otgonbayar. G 44 M 4 (wife, 2 children) 30 47/33/99N, 106/41/42E 10 Choijiljav. D 25 F 3 (wife, 1 child) 5 (other soum) 47/36/40N, 106/49/42E 11 Tsetsegee. B 50 F 4 (son, daughter-in- 5 (other soum) 47/36/42N, law) 106/49/19E 12 Tsetsegdelger. A 61 M 4 (wife, 2 children) 15 47/35/1N, 106/46/38E 13 Nergui. M 64 F 3 1 (other soum) 47/35/26N, 106/48/6E 14 Chultemsuren. Ch 70 M 2 (wife) 2 (other soum) 47/37/8N, 106/46/13E 15 Giinaa. S 77 M 10 (wife, children, son- 70 47/34/22N, in-law, daughter-in- 106/44/19E law, grandkids) 16 Byambajargal. J 47 M 6 (wife, 4 children) 4 (other soum) 47/37/50N, 106/44/20E 17 Teshigsuren. Z 58 M 3 (wife, child) 16 47/38/30N, 106/57/35E 18 Lagshimi 35 F 4 (husband, 2 children) 12 47/40/45N, 106/42/16E 19 Gombodorj. B 72 M 3 (wife, child) 1 (other soum) 47/40/15N, 106/42/53E 20 Odbaatar. O 25 M 3 (wife, child) 2 (other soum) 47/37/10N, 106/48/34E 21 Sandagdorj. D 44 M 4 (wife, 2 children) 1 (other soum) 47/36/6N, 106/43/19E 22 Battulga. Ts 65 M 2 (wife) 15 47/35/59N, 106/44/58E 23 Munkhtsolmon. D 30 F 4 (husband, 2 children) 6 (other soum) 47/36/4N, 106/46/1E 24 Altankhundaga 51 M 2 (wife) 8 47/34/37N, 106/45/27E 25 Khishigsuren. D 56 F 3 (husband, daughter) 7 ((other soum) 47/36/14N, 106/48/43E 26 Arslanbaatar. J 54 M 3 (Wife, child) 4 47/37/14N, 106/50/16E 27 Tsogjargal. B 65 M 3 (Wife, child) 30 47/36/26N, 106/51/22E 28 Enkhbileg. Z 46 M 2 (Wife) 12 47/36/37N, 106/43/51E 29 Garid. N 65 M 2 (Wife) 25 47/37/49N, 106/43/37E
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No Household Age Sex Household Size and Length of Homestead Leader Composition Residency location (yrs) 30 Ariuntuya. Ts 49 F 2 (Husband) 23 47/35/60N, 106/43/59E
1. Herder Context
76. Most of the approximately 100 herder households live temporarily within the 5km radius of the Project site between March and October to graze their livestock and to stay close to the water sources of ponds or small streams such as the salt ponds just north of the PV solar plant site (Figure 2). For the remaining months of the year the herders move back to their winter camps scattered in the hills up to 50 km from the Project site. The herders do not possess formal title or a certificate to access the public pasture, and there is no restriction on their use of the open pasture. Twelve households (40%) out of the 30 consulted originated from neighboring soums for summer grazing and the remaining 18 households (60%) are registered with Sergelen soum. The current steppe residents form a strong and traditional herding community with influx of incoming households from other soums with the average length of their summer residence being 14.5 years.
Figure 17: Location of herder households consulted on Project.
77. All households consulted knew about the construction and installation of the PV solar power plant but most did not know of the proposed transmission line. They learned of the Project from seeing ongoing construction activities and transportation of equipment to the PV solar power
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site when they returned from their winter grounds last spring. Prior to the consultations no formal information on the Project had being disseminated to the local herder population. The national E&S consultant to Project opened the discussions with each household with a complete review of the Project scope, location, activities, and timeline to give all herders a complete understanding of the Project.
2. Views and issues of herder families
78. Pasture degradation is the primary environmental concern of the majority (80%) of the consulted households followed secondarily by availability of drinking water sources. The herders do not think that the Project is causing pasture degradation or is reducing the availability of drinking water. These issues are re-stated here for context because they are the current major environmental issues of the herder population. The third issue identified frequently was the dust that has been created from the construction of the new airport express highway to Ulaanbaatar which is runs parallel to the existing transmission line to the new airport (Figure 2).
79. The main causes for pasture degradation in the Project area identified by the herders are: (i) Overgrazing associated with influx of migrant herders from the neighboring soums; (ii) Pasture damage caused by rodents; and (iii) Pasture use restriction imposed by the state reserve development area allocated to the new international airport just north of Project site (Figure 2).
80. The national E&S consultant reviewed potential environmental impacts of the Project with the herder families. Based on their experience with the ongoing construction of the PV solar power plant, the herder families consulted do not foresee significant pasture degradation caused by the construction of the PV solar plant and construction of the transmission line. Approximately 5 to 16% of the families indicated that the Project might have a “minor impact” on the pasture caused by the tires of the heavy trucks that are transporting equipment along the temporary grassland roads to the PV solar plant site and to the transmission tower locations. The remaining 84% of the herders perceive that the Project is not having any impact on the current condition of the pasture.
81. In response to the request for a list of specific potential environmental and social issues or problems during the construction and operation of the PV solar power plant and transmission line, most (93.3%) of respondents indicated they do not foresee any social or environmental issues arising from both Project components. Contrastingly, two respondents identified potential restrictions to pasture and water access when the transmission line towers are constructed. The perceived restrictions to pasture and water access stemmed from the belief that heavy truck traffic to/from the alignment of the transmission line would prevent access along entire transmission alignment throughout construction phase. The individuals were assured by the E&S consultant that access to pasture would not be restricted other than at the immediate tower sites, and as necessary for personal safety from vehicle movements.
82. With respect to the power transmission line and substation expansion the consulted households listed the following important potential issues by (number of votes):
(i) Electric safety during construction and operation of transmission line and substation to protect residents and livestock from electrical shocks and to mitigate risks for lightning (8); (ii) Potential contamination of the surface water (salt pond, tributaries), and salt deposit for livestock during the construction (6); 46
(iii) Blockage of existing access to water points and seasonal pasture for livestock during the construction of transmission line and substation expansion (4); (iv) Improper rehabilitation or refilling of excavated area during the construction may lead to fatal accidents for livestock (3); and (v) Dust and noise from truck traffic and heavy equipment operation during construction (2);
3. Conclusion
83. The consultations of the herder families lead to the following conclusions for the PV solar power plant, transmission line and substation expansion:
(i) Both the current construction and future operation of the PV solar power plant and transmission line will not create significant environmental and public health impacts; (ii) Important to communicate with the local herding households on the electrical safety procedures during contraction and operations of the transmission line and sub- station. (iii) It is essential to incorporate public opinion during the construction of the transmission line particularly to heavy truck and equipment route to ensure that the current salt pond and tributaries are not affected, herders and livestock will easily move between the watering points and seasonal pasture. (iv) Isolate the construction sites from the livestock grazing to prevent from accidents and communicate with the project herders on the construction schedule of transmission line (v) Implement on site construction management plan for transmission line adhering to the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) of the project. (vi) The project herders appreciated the Project as environmentally friendly without air pollution, noise and dust. (vii) The neighboring herding households will much appreciate if the Project will allow access to the potable water from the deep well dug for the worker camp.
4. Incorporation in environmental and social management Plan (ESMP)
84. The issues and concerns of the herder families of the PV solar power plant, transmission line, and airport substation expansion will be addressed in ESMP.
D. Results of Public Consultation Meeting in Sergelen soum
85. The consultation meeting was held at Mother Rock Historical Site in the Sergelen soum during the local community fair on 14 August 2018. A total of 19 soum residents (Table 18) participated which consisted of 11 males and 8 females with an average age of 40.5. Herders accounted for 74% of the participants. Appendix F provides photographs of the public meeting.
86. The consultation meeting was opened by the Director of the TGC with a visual presentation on the scope and schedule of the project. The national E&S consultant further clarified the purpose of the consultation meeting with emphasis on the importance of public participation and consultation during the construction and operations of the project.
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Table 18: Participants of public consultation meeting for Project, 14 August 2018
Signature № Name Age Sex Occupation provided 1 Gankhuu. 29 M Herder Yes 2 Munkherdene 27 M Governor’s Office Staff Yes 3 Mukhsuvd 32 F Herder Yes 4 Erdenetulga 29 M Herder Yes 5 Soronzonbold 32 M Herder Yes 6 Khishisuren. 42 F Self Employed Yes 7 Batdorj 39 M Herder Yes 8 Lkhagvasuren. 59 F Herder Yes 9 Delgertstsegeg 38 F Herder Yes 10 Orgikhbayar 41 M Herder Yes 11 Choisuren 66 M Retired Yes 12 Khulan 23 F Governor’s Office Staff Yes 13 Zandankhuu 28 M Herder Yes 14 Dulamsuren 38 F Herder Yes 15 Tuvshinjargal 43 F Herder Yes 16 Purevdorj 36 M Herder Yes 17 Ulaankhuu 55 M Self Employed Driver Yes 18 Davaajav 60 M Self Employed Driver Yes 19 Khorolmaa 55 F Herder signed
87. In response to the questions from the participants on the social benefits of the project, the TGC confirmed the following benefits of the Project to the local community as follows:
(i) Employment opportunities for male and female residents: the TGC encouraged the contractors to employ local work force during the construction of PV solar power plant and transmission line. To facilitate use of local workforce, the TGC established communication with the local labor officer at Governor’s office in the soum and anyone interested can contact the local labor office for employment opportunities. During the operation phase, the TGC will employ local residents for operators and support staff positions.
(ii) Social responsibility of the TGC: The Project is keen to support and sponsor important initiatives to address the pressing social issues in the soum. The TGC will be working closely with the soum administration on these issues.
During the peak construction season the Project generates business and income for local herding communities, particularly for women, from the purchase of food items (milk, meat and vegetables) by the construction workers. Milk and dairy products are usually made by women household members.
(iii) Scholarship opportunity: The TGC offers scholarships to local students in pursuing a study in the renewable energy in the local universities. Further details on application procedures and the scope of scholarship will be communicated to the soum officials.
88. Table 19 summarizes the environmental or social concerns and issues of the project identified during the public consultation meeting in Sergelen soum centre.
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Table 19: Concerns and issues identified at soum meeting
Issue or Concern Response of TGC Response of E&S Consultant How to minimize dust and The project involves the minimum The TGC will comply with the noise from excavations? excavation works except construction requirements for dust control as set out of the control office. The project is in ESMP, i.e., regular application of located far from human settlement wetting agents on roads, and wetting & areas and up to date no complaints covering piles of excavated soil. All were received in relation to heavy equipment will be maintained in construction of the PV solar power proper working condition and not plant. operated between 20:00 and 06:00. Does the project impose The PV solar plant covers only 48 ha As prescribed in ESMP, outside the restriction on the access of land and vegetation of this area is fenced 48ha PV solar plant grazing of to pasture? not suitable for pasture dominated by livestock will occur freely along the low productive shrubs. The area is alignment of the 13.5 km transmission fenced, and the surrounding area is line with the only necessary restriction available for pasture throughout the being at the bases of the transmission year. towers. Heavy vehicles traffic may To avoid land degradation, the TGC The TGC will need to strictly comply with degrade land and create transported solar panels and other the Project ESMP during construction of dust in the affected area. construction materials in April when power transmission line. If any snow was still on ground. During the complaints, residents will register their construction of power transmission concerns through grievance redress line, heavy trucks will move only on mechanism (GRM). The GRM prepared designated routes identified by road in IESE for the Project was introduced to signs. Road signs will also specify the meeting speed limits. TGC will rehabilitate the grassland area damaged during construction phase. Finally, participants Fully accepted by the TGC at meeting. requested that the TGC continue to maintain good credentials and working relationship with the local soum Government and residents.
VI. POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATIONS
89. The assessment of potential impacts of the three main components of the Project: (i) 15 MW PV solar power plant; (ii) 110kV transmission line; and (iii) airport substation expansion, is structured by the three development phases defined by: (i) pre-construction; (ii) construction; and (iii) post-construction operation to distinguish the important impact periods of project implementation, and to prevent redundancy in the assessment and reporting. This assessment structure is carried forward and used to structure the environmental and social management plan (ESMP) prepared for the Project.
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A. Benefits of Project
90. By providing a local electricity supply, the Project will contribute to economic development that the government has planned for the new international airport development zone (Figure 2). The project will also provide training and employment opportunities for local community in renewal energy development and operation as requested by the governor of the Sergelen soum. Over the 25 year operating period the 15 MW solar power plant will offset an estimated 30,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, and a reduction of 23,420 tons of coal consumption and 146,500 thousand tons of water consumption15.
B. Impacts and Mitigations
1. Pre-construction Phase
91. The impacts of the pre-construction phase of energy development projects is normally potential resettlement and compensation for land acquisition. However, as indicated by the results of the consultations with individual local herders, the Soum governor, and the consultations conducted in the Soum centre, no land or asset acquisition was required for the PV solar power plant and the 13.5km 110kV transmission line. The airport substation is inside the airport property.
2. Construction Phase
92. The construction of the 48ha PV solar power plant was underway during the site visit on June 13/18. The worker camp was operational, and all solar panels and foundation piles and mounting frames were stockpiled on site (Figures 3-4). During the visit the E&S safeguard team observed the vertical piles for the solar panel foundations being installed with mobile jackhammers, solar panels being mounted on frames attached to the piles, and the control building foundation being excavated (Figures 7-9). Construction of the 110kV transmission line had not started. Subsequent to the site visit a 2m barb wire perimeter fence was constructed around the entire PV solar plant (Figure 10).
93. The main construction impact of the Project is temporary dust and noise created from truck traffic, and equipment operation. During the site visit truck movement to/from the plant site did not occur, however, the dust created by the vehicles transporting the team to/from the site confirmed that temporary dust will be created from further vehicle traffic to the PV solar plant site, and from future truck traffic to the locations where the towers of the transmission line will be erected. No dust was generated from the installation of the foundation piles with the mobile jackhammers, while solar panels and frames were being installed, or as the foundation for the control building was being excavated. Dust can be generated from the excavation of the foundations for the transmission towers, and from uncovered, standing piles excavate, sand or gravel. No standing piles of soil or gravel were noticed on the solar power plant site.
94. The only significant noise generated at the PV solar power plant site came from the mobile jackhammers as the machines pounded the foundation piles for the solar panel frames 1m into the ground. The noise generated from the excavator as it dug the footings for the control building was relatively minor. While no truck traffic occurred during site visit, noise from truck traffic to/from the solar plant site and the tower sites of the transmission line will occur. Fortunately, the noise generated by the mobile jackhammers attenuates quickly across the vast open steppe. The
15 Footnote #4. 50
anticipated use of a helicopter to string the high-tension wire to the transmission towers will also generate significant noise which also should attenuate quickly across the steppe.
95. Construction truck traffic to/from the solar power plant site and the transmission tower sites will cause temporary minor damage to the grassland, and potentially the seasonal salt ponds which extend underneath the alignment (Figure 2). As indicated in Chapter III, there are no known sensitive wildlife in the area and the nearest protected is Bogdkhan Mountain north of the new airport. The temporary impact on wildlife is restricted to the numerous burrowing rodents (voles) that live just below the ground surface.
96. The worker camp was notably clean and well organized. Workers stored personal belongings and slept in spacious and well-kept traditional ger houses. A separate building with large washrooms and showers were provided as well as a large, clean dining hall. Sufficient and well managed pit latrines are available for workers and camp staff for domestic and kitchen liquid waste. After construction phase is completed pit latrines will be extensively limed, backfilled, and site rehabilitated. A fire extinguishing equipment station was provided at the worker camp. The perimeter of the worker camp is also fenced.
97. A permit was obtained for a well to be dug for domestic water use at the camp, and the groundwater quality analyses subsequently confirmed the well could be used potable water (Table 11). Aside from the domestic water needs of the workers, food preparation, and periodic cleaning of equipment, there is no additional need for construction process water. Thus, groundwater consumption will be minimal during construction phase, and also during the operational phase of the PV solar plant.
98. There are no apparent solid waste management issues with the functioning worker camp of the PV solar power plant which suggests that no waste management issues will occur with the worker population of the transmission line and substation expansion. Solid waste is collected regularly from the kitchen/dining hall and living and common areas of the workers and camp staff and stored in bins at designated areas for later and transport to the soum-approved landfill on contractual basis with the local municipal service company.
99. With the complete perimeter fence in place, there will be no impact or risk of injury to the herder community. And herder access to the grassland steppe outside the PV solar plant site will not be disrupted. Herders will only lose access to the footprint areas of the transmission tower foundations.
100. At the time of the site visit no community consultation on the Project had been conducted, and a formal grievance redress mechanism (GRM) had yet to be established as confirmed by the soum governor. No formal complaints related to the construction activities completed to date on the Project have been submitted by the community. Only the few issues identified during the herder consultations, and during the public consultation meeting held at the soum have been identified.
101. The airport substation expansion will occur inside the existing substation footprint and will not affect the natural environment or local community. Similar to the construction of the PV solar power plant and transmission line, only the workers are at risk of injury associated with the construction works.
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a. Mitigation measures
102. Construction management measures to prevent or mitigate the impacts of the above common civil works activities of the Project components are itemized below. Because at the time of writing the PV solar power plant was well underway, the mitigation measures presented here are focused primarily on the future construction of the transmission line with some additional mitigation measures prescribed for the completion of PV solar power plant construction. The mitigation measures are detailed in the Project ESMP.
• Open excavations along the 50m alignment for transmission tower foundations will be fenced and covered wherever herders may cross. • A cultural chance find management sub-plan will be in place in the ESMP for cultural artifacts and property. • Regular use of wetting agents such as water or CaCl2 will be employed at tower sites, and along all construction roads, and access points to the plant or transmission line. • All construction vehicles and gas-powered equipment will be maintained in proper working order to minimize emissions, and not operated at night if possible, to minimize noise. • Enforced speed limits will be posted for construction vehicles. Ideally dedicated lanes or temporary roads are created for construction vehicles. • Where possible construction vehicles will use different roads or dedicated lanes of roads shared by the public. Removal of all agricultural cropping must be minimized. • Berms and plastic fencing will be placed around tower foundations to prevent wind erosion in agricultural and homestead areas. • All standing piles of aggregate or excavate must be covered and wetted regularly to prevent wind erosion. • At the completion of each tower installation all remaining excavated soil must be removed and the site revegetated with local species of grasses. • As indicated in Project description transmission line will span the salt ponds without placement of any towers in the ponds. Berms and plastic fencing will be placed around tower bases that are close to the salt ponds to prevent sedimentation of salt ponds from erosion caused by tower base construction. • Local workers will be used as much as possible to prevent or minimize influx of migrant workers, and incidence of social disease and community unrest. • The existing worker camp of PV solar power plant has adequate domestic waste collection facilities and sufficient toilet and shower facilities. • To minimize the risk of public and worker injury appropriate GoM regulations on Occupational, Safety, and Community Health must be applied, or the IFC/World Bank Environment, Health, and Safety Guidelines (2007) for Power Distribution that govern the safe and orderly operation of civil works should be followed. • Aggregates (e.g., sand, gravel) that are transported by truck should be covered. • Bulk fuel will be stored away from worker living quarters and public areas, and stored on covered concrete pads. Fuel storage areas and tanks must be clearly marked, protected and lighted. Contractors will be required to have an emergency plan to handle fuel and oil spillage. • Restricted grazing to be indicated by signage should only occur at the sites of transmission tower construction. Herders should be encouraged to continue grazing their livestock along rest of alignment of transmission line.
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b. Specific impacts and mitigation
i. Batch concrete plants
103. Temporary on-site batch plants for concrete that may be used for the construction of the transmission tower bases potentially act as point sources of environmental and aesthetic pollution for the affected sites and project community. The issues arise from potential wind and water erosion (dust & sedimentation) from stockpiles of the raw materials of sands and other aggregates, chronic noise and possible public safety risks from batch processing and heavy truck traffic to/from the plants. Improper handling and storage of raw materials can also cause soil and surface water pollution from the curing chemicals in cement.
104. Best practice methods must be conducted to manage the creation, operation, and decommissioning of temporary batch plants. The EPC contractor of the transmission line under supervision of TGC must follow international guidelines stipulated by the World Bank (IFC) EHS Guidelines for 1) Cement & Lime Manufacturing, 2) Construction Material Extraction; and 3) Retail Petroleum Networks. The recent USEPA (2014) Code of practice Concrete batch processing can also be consulted.
c. Improvements to construction of PV solar plant
i. Dust control
105. As a response comments made by the herders consulted on the Project, the TGC should start applying wetting agents (e.g., water, CaCl2) to the roads, and over open aggregate piles for the duration of the construction of the PV solar power plant. And, as indicated above, throughout the construction of the transmission line.
ii. Risk management planning
A third area for improvement or at least review is lightning strike prevention, and existing plans for major storm events such as wind and/or dust storms, and earthquakes as identified in the EMP the TGC commissioned for the PV solar power plant.
d. Contractor EMS and HSE
106. TGC’s EPC contract with MCSI includes implementation of a separate Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) management plan and an Environment Management System (EMS) for the construction of the PV solar power plant that were developed for the plant in conjunction with Sharp. The HSE management plan and EMS are brief and focus on worker safety, fire management, and waste and chemical hazard management. There is an HSE officer at the plant assigned to oversee the HSE & EMS.
107. The ESMP (below) prepared for the Project expands and consolidates the measures in these existing directives with prescribed additional environmental and social safeguard measures (e.g., above improvements to ongoing construction mitigation) for remaining construction of solar power plant, and the imminent construction of transmission line and airport substation expansion. The HSE and EMS, however, are not replaced, rather remain standing as environmental and social safeguard due diligence documents.
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3. Operation phase
108. The potential impact of the completed and operational PV solar power plant, 110kV transmission line, and expanded substation is essentially restricted to worker and public safety. Worker safety stems from accidents from routine operation of the facilities including potential firefighting. Public harm stems from the potential of people gaining access to the power plant or substation or climbing tower foundations. The management of process and domestic waste from the facilities could lead to pollution issues. The increase in local traffic caused by facilities maintenance will not be significant. Perceptions of prohibited use of pasture land along corridor of completed transmission line could occur.
a. Mitigation
109. Domestic waste and broken solar panels and other waste electrical equipment from the solar power plant must be contained, collected, and disposed at a Sergelen Soum or Tuv aimag approved disposal site(s). Similarly, waste electrical equipment from the transmission towers and expanded substation must be managed and disposed following local regulations. The existing 2m barbed wire perimeter fence of the PV solar power plant must be maintained. Potential security and safety risks were identified from unauthorized access of transmission towers. However, these are considered minor. The ownership and management of the transmission towers will be transferred to the National Power Transmission Grid Company upon the commissioning of the solar power plant. Potential minor security and safety risks will be relayed to the National Power Transmission Grid Company for their information and appropriate action, if necessary. However, no restrictions (e.g., signage) should be placed on herders from grazing their livestock along the alignment of the transmission line. Open project information disclosure to the community, and community engagement as needed will continue. The GRM that was introduced to the public consultations and established for the Project will be continued during the operation of the project facilities.
110. The completed 15 MW PV solar power plant and 13.5km, 110kV transmission line will be operated according to current laws and regulations set down by the government (i.e., Tables 1 & 3) for electric power. These directives govern the complete operation and safety of these power generation and transmission facilities.
b. Environment and Social Management System
111. To continue the HSE and EMS from the construction phase of the Project, Sharp will provide TGC with templates for HSE & EMS, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) as part of the future Environment and Social Management System (ESMS) for the operation of the completed Project. With guidance from Sharp, TGC will tailor the HSE, EMS, and SOP templates to the operation of the completed PV solar power plant, 110kV transmission line, and expanded airport substation. For the Khushigt solar power plant, Sharp will start by modifying as necessary the EMS and HSE they developed for the 10MW Darkhan solar power plant north of Ulaanbaatar. In addition to worker safety and waste management, a major activity of the EMS for the Darkhan power plant is annual restorative tree and shrub planting on plant property.
112. Similar to the HSE and EMS for the construction phase of the Project, the ESMP introduced below consolidates, and provides a more comprehensive set of safeguard measures for the operation of the PV solar power plant, transmission line, and expanded substation with which to supplement the EMS, HSE, SOPs, and other directives of the Sharp-TGC ESMS.
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4. Electromagnetic fields (EMF)
113. The risk of negative health effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) from power transmission lines such as the 110kV transmission line of the Project is not well founded. The negative health effects of EMF have not been established by the international medical community which has been reviewed by the World Health Organization (Appendix G).
5. Induced and Cumulative Impacts
114. There are no potential induced or cumulative negative impacts of the Project.
6. Associated Facilities
115. The existing but non-commissioned substation at the new international airport to which the 110kV transmission line will be connected will become an associated facility of the Project. Normally an environmental compliance audit (ECA) of an associated facility is conducted to ascertain that the operation of the facility meets national operating regulations and standards, and that there are no environmental issues associated with the facility. However, the airport substation does not require an ECA because the substation is not operational, and was subject to an MET- approved government DEIA as per the Mongolian Law on Environmental Impact Assessment.
C. Climate Risk Assessment (CRA)
116. The assessment of the risk of climate change to the Project; specifically (i) the 15 MW, 48ha PV solar power plant; and (ii) the 13.5km 110kV transmission line adapted the procedures of a Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (CRVA) outlined by the ADB Climate Proofing Guideline for Transport Infrastructure (2012), and as updated by the Climate Proofing Guideline for the Water Sector (2016). Note, ADB recently replaced CRVA with CRA. The assessment generally followed the 5 main steps of the CRVA (Table 20) as prescribed by the recent ADB climate proofing guidelines for different sectors, (e.g.,16):
Table 20: Key steps and activities of climate risk assessment*
Major Phase Key activities • initial climate risk assessment of REA i) Screening for Climate Risk • more detailed risk assessment with AWARE • climate/weather sensitive subproject components ii) Climate Risk Assessment [& Vulnerability] • physical & socioeconomic drivers of vulnerability • climate change scenarios & impact • engineering resilience measures & marginal costs iii) Adaptation & Resilience • “soft” institutional & management measures • institutional responsibilities for implementation iv) Implementation Arrangements
• indicators of climate change & performance of v) Management and Monitoring resilience measures • adaptive O&M requirements *Adapted from ADB 201617
16 ADB 2016. Guidelines for Climate Proofing Investments in the Water Sector, Figure 2, pg 14. 17 ADB, 2012-16. Climate Change Proofing for Transport Infrastructure and Water Sector investments 55
117. Strictly defined, the core of the climate risk assessment (CRA) is delimited by steps (ii) and (iii) in Table 1, however, for completeness the CRA presented here addresses all 5 steps. Steps (iv) and (v) for the Project are based on the Project owner consortium relationships and responsibilities to the Project, energy sector, and government. To prevent redundancy the CRA of the Project draws on information and analyses prepared for recently completed CRAs of other infrastructure projects in the same project area, i.e., 18,19,20
1. Screening of Climate Risk
118. The Project was initially screened for climate change risk as part of the initial Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA) of the Project. With the five concluding questions of the REA on location and design, maintenance, and performance of the Project, the Project was screened as being Medium risk for climate change due primarily to the perceived sensitivity to changes to permafrost. The Project components that are considered sensitive to climate change are identified in Table 21.
Table 21: Project components potentially sensitive to climate change
Sensitive Project Component Climate/weather variable 15 MW PV solar power plant: • snow load (i) solar panels • changes to permafrost (ii) solar panel foundations • seasonal flooding from adjacent creek- gulley (Figure 2) 13.5km 110kV transmission line: • changes to permafrost (i) tower foundations • ice load from freezing rain (ii) 110kV high tension electrical lines
119. The AWARE climate risk software in use by the ADB as a climate screening tool was applied to each subproject. The AWARE software identified a climate risk level of High for the Project. The climate change high risk topic areas for the Project identified by AWARE are permafrost, rainfall/flooding, and snow loading which are evaluated further below The AWARE screening report is found in Appendix H.
a. Permafrost – High Risk
120. The high risk of the Project to changes to permafrost from climate change is not warranted. Most of Mongolia is in the southern permafrost zone of the northern hemisphere (Figure 13) which is why the Project was automatically flagged as potentially at risk from permafrost change from climate change, and rated high risk by AWARE. However, the Project site is located in the “seasonal frost zone” which is south of the “rare occurrence zone” of permafrost (Figure 13). This means that there is no permafrost at the Project site that could shrink with climate change and possibly compromise the integrity and stability of the 3m deep concrete foundations of the transmission towers. The depth of seasonal ground frost is dictated by winter temperatures which is factored into tower design. Further, there is no risk of the reinforced concrete tower foundations
18 ADB, 2018. Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment of the Ulaanbaatar Affordable Housing and Urban Renewal Project 19 ADB, 2016. Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment of the Combined Heat and Power Plant #5, Ulaanbaatar. 20 ADB, 2017. Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment of Regional Improvement of Border Services Project.
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being subjected to the commonly corrosive thawed saturated permafrost soil such as peat21. Thus, the risk of permafrost to the Project is more accurately zero.
b. Snow loading – High Risk
121. The high risk assigned by AWARE to snow loading reflects the severe winters that occur in Mongolia. Changes to the severity of winter precipitation appears to be occurring in Mongolia with climate change. The heavy winter snow load (dzud) usually follows a summer drought which together can result in mass livestock die-offs. The last major dzud occurred in 2016 which killed over 1,000,000 livestock. The location and occurrence of a dzud are difficult to predict.
122. Increases in snow load could affect the function of the solar panels of the PV solar plant. The solar panels are installed at an angle (45⁰) that is too steep for snow to accumulate on panel surfaces, and the panels act as black bodies to sunlight causing panels to become warm which melts snow. However, the depth of accumulated snow on the ground could exceed the height of the lower edge of the panels causing the deep snow to shadow the panels. This would require physical removal of snow away from base of panels to maintain full panel exposure to the sun. The risk of snow loading is more accurately Low.
i. Ice load from freezing rain – Medium risk
123. Not highlighted by AWARE but important to the 13.5km transmission is potential excessive ice build-up on the high-tension power lines from freezing rain. A change in the frequency and severity of freezing rain from climate change is difficult to predict. However, if winter precipitation increases then the frequency and possibly the severity of freezing rain events should also increase. The grade of high tension cable and tolerance to increased sag between transmission towers from freezing rain needs to be factored into the design of the transmission line. The risk of ice load from freezing rain is set at low-medium.
c. Rainfall/flooding – Medium Risk
124. Ulaanbaatar and surrounding areas experience flash floods due to the steep gulley terrain, the dryness and inability of the soil to absorb large amounts of rain quickly, and to the increasing severity of rainfall events. While the project area is not considered to be at high risk to large area flooding based on recent and historic trends in rainfall, the PV solar power plant could be subjected to periodic flooding and continued land erosion from the stormwater gulley that has formed along the western boundary of the plant site (Figures 2 and 18). Figure 18 shows how the last major stormwater runoff event from the hills south of the plant has eroded the gulley bank toward the PV solar power plant. The flood risk assessment22 confirmed that the geotechnical analysis conducted for the project considered the permeability of the soil layer in the project site for possible intense rainfall and erosion rate were also observed. The analysis concluded that the nature of the soil layer in the project site allows for instant percolation even in the event of intense rainfall and the observed rate of erosion is around 10 centimeters per year. The future risk of flooding, and resultant erosion of western boundary of the solar power plant is considered low- medium.
21 Footnote #14 22 Footnote 7. 57
Figure 18: Runoff gulley along western boundary of solar power plant (background)
2. Climate Change in Mongolia
125. Mean annual air temperature has increased in Mongolia since the 40s compared to the long-term 1940-2012 normal (Figure 19). The trend in annual precipitation has changed over the same time period but shows a general (Figure 20). The timeseries analyses presented in Figures 19 and 20 was conducted by the previous Ministry of Nature, Environment and Tourism of Mongolia, now the MET in 2014. The MNET analyses of climate change adopted and extended the original analyses conducted by Batima et al (2005).
Figure 19: Trend in annual air temperature in Mongolia.
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From footnote #14, originally from MNET, (2014) based on Batima et al. (2005)
Figure 20. Trend in annual precipitation in Mongolia
From footnote #14, originally from MNET, (2014) based on Batima et al. (2005).
a. Climate change scenarios
126. Downscaled regional climate change scenarios from the 10 global circulation models (GCM) used for the Climate Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) using 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emission scenarios or Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) are summarized in Table 22. The RCP4.5 emission scenario represents the optimistic scenario where global GHG emissions stabilize before the end of the century, whereas RCP8.5 assumes the “business as usual” case for emissions going forward.
Table 22: Average climate change projections for 3 GHG emission scenarios
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From footnote #19, ADB, 2018. CRVA of Affordable Housing Urban Renewal Project (AHURP)
127. Focusing on the medium RCP4.5 emission scenario, Table 22 indicates projected increases in average seasonal air temperature are similar ranging from 3.5-3.7oC by 2100. The projected change in average precipitation increases for all three seasons, but the increase in winter precipitation is much greater than spring and particularly summer.
3. Impact assessment and resilience to climate change
a. Air temperature
i. permafrost
128. The projected increases in seasonal air temperatures for the Ulaanbaatar area do not pose a risk to the operation the PV solar power plant and the 110kV transmission line and substation expansion. They also do not create a risk to the structural integrity and performance of the different physical components of the infrastructures. The review of permafrost distribution in relation to the entire Project site confirms that loss of permafrost from a future warmer climate is not a risk to the foundations of the transmission towers.
129. During the site visit the engineers of the Project indicated that the presence or absence of permafrost at the site was investigated and factored into the foundation designs. This was confirmed by the international solar power specialist to the Project. The engineers also clarified that the designs of all infrastructure and buildings in Mongolia that require substantive foundations must consider permafrost. Thus, the resilience measure for the design of the 3m deep, reinforced concrete foundations of the 110kV transmission line towers is accounting for changes to seasonal frost depth, not the presence, and potential future melting of permafrost.
b. Precipitation
i. snow load
130. The projected relatively large increases in winter precipitation suggests that snow load could become a manageable issue for the solar panel field. The potential build-up of snow above the bottom of the solar panels should be considered. Such snow load events may be rare, but nonetheless could occur. As a resilience measure to increased snow load, provision of equipment
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at the PV solar power plant to remove snow away from the base of the solar panels should be considered.
ii. Ice load
131. The projected increase in winter precipitation combined with projected increases in winter air temperatures also points to a potential increase in the frequency and severity of freezing rain and ice load on the high-tension wires of the transmission towers. As a resilience measure for increased ice load, TGC and consortium should consider a grade of high-tension wire for the transmission line that adds a margin of tolerance to ice load and sag that is greater than the current industry standard.
iii. flooding and erosion
132. The projected increases in winter precipitation (snow), and spring and summer precipitation suggests that heavy spring melt runoff, and flashy runoff during summer will increase through the gully adjacent to the western boundary of the PV solar power plant. An increase in the severity and frequency of runoff through the gully could further erode the banks of the gulley closer to the plant (Figure 17). However, the flood risk assessment suggests that the nature of the soil layer in the project site, consisting sandy soil up to one meter below the surface and sandy soil with 50% pebble density below the sandy soil, allows for percolation even with an increase in around 15% of summer time precipitation in the near future climate change scenario up to 2035.23 Flood protection canals were constructed in the facility as a proactive measure against potential flash flood events. It is recommended to monitor rainfed water run-off and erosion in the dried gully during project operation for necessary structural measures, such as building armour stone wall, whenever needed
VII. ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES
133. The only significant alternatives to the design of the Project with respect to potential environment of social impacts were;
(i) moving the location of the PV solar power plant farther south of the international airport just outside the boundary of the government reserve land for the airport development (Figure 2); and (ii) (ii) the change in the size of the footprint of the plant from 40 ha to 48 ha.
134. The relocation of the plant farther south put the plant farther away from the salt ponds which results in better access to the ponds by the herders. The change in the footprint of the plant is not significant to the environment, or herders and local community.
VIII. INFORMATION DISCLOSURE AND GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM
A. Information Disclosure
135. Informal household-level consultations were conducted on from 29 June - 3 July 2018 with individual local herding families of Sergelen soum near the project site to provide each family information on the scope of project including layout of the solar power plant and associated power
23 Footnote #7 61
transmission line, and to identify their perceptions on potential environmental and social impacts of the Project. Similarly, a separate formal public consultation meeting was held in the Soum centre on 14 August 2018 to provide information on the Project to a more diverse group (e.g., residents, business owners, municipal workers), and to obtain input on perceived social and environmental impacts of the Project. Information disclosure and community input to Project will continue through the construction and operation phases of the Project.
136. The IESE will be easily available to all residents and stakeholders contacted during project preparation, in written and verbal forms, and in local language. At a minimum the Executive Summary of the IESE will be translated to Mongolian and distributed to all interested residents. The IESE will be available on the project owner web site, at their respective head and field offices, and at the soum Governor office.
137. Similarly, all project reporting with specific reference to stakeholder consultation minutes, environmental monitoring, and reports on ESMP implementation released by the project owner will be available at the same offices and web sites. The IESE will also be available on the ADB web site. During implementation, an after completion of the project all environmental and ESMP reporting submitted by the project owner will also be available to public
B. Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM)
138. A Project-specific grievance redress mechanism (GRM) has been established for the Project to receive, evaluate, and facilitate the resolution of local resident’s concerns, complaints, and grievances about the social and environmental performance at the level of the project. During the site visit and at the time of writing there was no formal community grievance redress mechanism (GRM) in place or documented for the Project, thus the GRM presented here is new not an update to an existing GRM. Prior to the individual herder interviews and formal public consultation in Sergelen soum no formal grievance or issue with the Project had been identified by the community. The GRM will aim to provide a time-bound and transparent mechanism to voice and resolve social and environmental concerns linked to the Project.
139. The Project owner (TGC) will adopt and finalize the GRM provided herein to subsequently maintain a Project GRM to receive and facilitate resolution of any social or environment-related concerns or grievances about the project. The GRM will address project people’s issues promptly, using an understandable and transparent process that is gender responsive, culturally appropriate, and readily accessible to all stakeholders at no cost and without retribution. The GRM does not impede access to the national legal system.
140. The GRM was introduced during community consultations and will be publicly available to stakeholders throughout the project. In the event of a grievance issue, up to three stages will be implemented, as follows (Figure 21).
(i) Stage 1 (maximum 7 days): If a concern arises during remaining construction of the PV solar plant or during construction of the transmission line, the affected person may raise the issue with the contractor. All stakeholders including local residents and the contractors will be aware of the GRM and will be requested to immediately report any incidents to the Project owner. If the issue is resolved directly between the affected person and contractor, no follow-up is required. But the log/record shall be saved in the GRM logbook at the Project owner.
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(ii) Stage 2 (maximum 15 days): If the issue is not resolved, the affected person can submit an oral or written complaint to the bag or soum officials. The soum and the Project owner will reply within two weeks and keep a written record of the whole process.
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Figure 21. Grievance Redress Mechanism
Affected person
Field Level Contractor, the Project owner Yes (TGC) designated focal Within 7 days person (environment and st Grievance redress 1 level social issue), bag or soum and record keeping Grievance representatives
Yes The Soum Office nd Within 15 days 2 level Designated person of the Grievance redress Grievance soum and the Project owner and record keeping designated focal person
(environment and social issue), & ADB contact.
The Aimag Level Yes rd The Project owner designated 3 level Within 15 days Grievance focal person (environment and Grievance redress social issue), aimag inspection and record keeping
staff, soum representatives
(iii) Stage 3 (maximum 15 days): If the issue is still not resolved, the project owner will, if agreed by the affected person, arrange a meeting with the soum officials and relevant community representatives to identify a solution. If the issue still cannot be resolved it will be referred to the relevant higher-level authorities including the specialized inspection agency in the aimag. The project owner may report the process to ADB at any of Stages 1–3, but will do so immediately if Stage 3 is reached.
141. Herding community - wide public awareness campaigns will ensure that awareness on grievance redress procedures is generated through the campaign. The Project owner and their designated focal person (environment and social issue) will conduct community -wide awareness campaigns to ensure that all herding households within 5km of the Project are made aware of grievance redress procedures and entitlements and will work with the contractor to help ensure that their grievances are addressed.
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142. Weather-protected complaint boxes will be placed at all construction sites, existing social service buildings, and at soum offices as a formal location for people to submit written comments/issues during construction phase. Information at all boxes will be updated contact names for the project owner, local contractor. Also included at each box will be simple forms and pencils to facilitate the communication process.
143. Careful documentation of the name of the complainant, date of receipt of the complaint, address/contact details of the person, location of the problem area, and how the problem was resolved will be undertaken. The project owner’s staff (who will responsible for environment and social issue) will have the overall responsibility for timely grievance redresses on environmental and social safeguards issues.
1. Record keeping.
144. Records of all grievances received, including contact details of complainant, date the complaint was received, nature of grievance, agreed corrective actions and the date actions were effected, and the final outcome will be kept by the Project owner. The number of grievances recorded and resolved, and the outcomes will be displayed/disclosed in the Project owner’s office, at soum Governor’s office, and on the Project owner’s website, as well as reported in monitoring reports submitted to ADB on an annual basis.
2. Periodic review and documentation of lessons learned.
145. The Project owner’s officer (responsible for environment and social) will periodically review the functioning of the GRM during construction and record information on the effectiveness of the mechanism, especially on the project’s ability to prevent and address grievances.
IX. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN
A. Introduction
146. The environmental and social management plan (ESMP) for the Sermsang Khushig Khundii Solar Power Project (the Project) has been prepared. The ESMP will guide completion of the construction of the 15MW PV solar power plant, the imminent construction of the 110kV transmission line & airport substation expansion, and the operation of all three completed Project components to ensure that unnecessary environmental and social impacts identified in the IESE do not occur, and to measure and document any unexpected impacts of the Project.
147. The ESMP supplements and consolidates the Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) management plan and Environment Management System (EMS) being implemented by the EPC contractor (MCSI) who is constructing the 15MW PV solar power plant and will also supplement the HSE and EMS for the construction of the 110kV transmission line and airport substation expansion. For the transmission line and substation expansion TGC-Sharp will include the ESMP in the contractor tender documents for contractors to develop their contractor ESMPs (CESMP) for their construction package bid documents. The ESMP also provides a comprehensive set of safeguard measures for the future ESMS (e.g., HSE, EMS, SOPS) that TGC-Sharp will tailor for the operation of the completed PV solar power plant, transmission line, and expanded airport substation.
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TGC Environmental Management Plan
148. To secure required construction licensing for the PV solar power plant, TGC was required to commission the development of an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the construction and operation of the power plant. The EMP prepared by TGC, however, was not a requirement of the government GEIA (Appendix B), does not need to be implemented, and will be used by TGC as a reference document only. Thus, the EPC contract with MCSI for the construction of the PV solar power plant does not include the TGC-EMP.
149. Notwithstanding the non-requirement to implement the TGC-EMP, the ESMP nonetheless consolidates and supplements where necessary the safeguard measures in the TGC-EMP to effectively provide TGC with a complete EMP reference document. The TGC-EMP also stands alone with external ESMP support.
B. Overview of Project
150. The Project consists of the following three main components (Chapter III):
(i) New 48ha, 15MW PV solar power plant; (ii) New 13.5km, 110kV transmission line; and (iii) Extension of existing airport substation to receive new transmission line
C. Institutional Arrangements and Responsibilities
151. The management framework responsible for the implementation of the environmental and social management plan (ESMP) for the Project is summarized as follows. The TGC which is the Project owner together with the private sector consortium comprised of TGC, Sharp Energy Solutions Corporation (Sharp), and Sermsang Power Corporation Public Company, Ltd. (SSP). The consortium will be responsible for the implementation of the ESMP during: (i) remaining construction of the PV solar power plant; (ii) remaining pre-construction activities of transmission line and substation expansion; (iii) construction phase of transmission line and substation expansion; and (iv) and the operation of the completed three Project components.
152. TGC, which was established in 2010, has 13 staff responsible for management, technical, accounting and environmental and H&S aspects of the company and the construction and operation of the solar power plant. TGC designated one of its staff to oversee the implementation of all environmental, health, safety and social management requirements of the remaining construction of the solar PV power plant, the imminent construction phase of the transmission line-substation expansion, and TGC’s operation of all completed Project components.
153. To construct the 15MW PV solar power plant, TGC entered into a design, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract with MCSI (contractor). Under the EPC contract, the contractor is responsible for obtaining all permits, licenses and approvals required by the applicable laws; and in ensuring that adequacy, stability, safety of all works and environmental protection of the project site during construction. The EPC contract also includes responsibility to implement the Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) management plan and Environment Management System (EMS) specified in EPC contract. These plans guide the contractor in managing potential construction hazards such as fires and accidents, and waste management during construction of the power plant. The EPC contractor for the power plant has a dedicated HSE officer and worker camp coordinator to carry out environmental, health and safety management in the construction site and workers’ camp. 66
154. While not required by the government, MCSI will be sent the TGC-EMP for reference. Under the supervision of the TGC staff in-charge of environmental and social safeguards, the HSE officer overseeing remaining construction of the solar power plant will assume the responsibilities of the TGC-SS set out by the ESMP for the remaining construction of the solar power plant. With input from the HSE officer, the MCSI will provide weekly and monthly reports to TGC on the status of deliverables under the EPC contract, including safety and environment status during construction.
155. The future contract(s) for the construction of the transmission line and the airport substation expansion will include similar requirements for implementation of the ESMP as expressed in the contractor ESMPs (CESMP).
156. The TGC staff in-charge of environmental and social safeguards in conjunction with the contractor HSE officers will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-today implementation of the E&S measures in the ESMP. TGC’s SS will report to senior TGC management to resolve any E&S or compliance issues with the ESMP which may be deferred to ADB if necessary. The contractor will implement their CESMP in conjunction with the HSE management plans and measures in the EPC contract. A similar arrangement will be adopted with the contractor who builds the 110kV transmission line and airport substation expansion. That contractor should similarly assign dedicated staff for HSE management and coordination with and reporting to TGC.
157. The TGC staff in-charge of environmental and social safeguards in coordination with the contractor HSE officers are responsible to implement the ESMP during the remaining construction of PV solar power plant, remaining pre-construction activities of transmission line, and the construction of entire transmission line. The TGC staff in-charge of environmental and social safeguards is also responsible for timely and complete disclosure of Project information to stakeholders, and the effective implementation of the GRM. For the operation of completed Project the mandate of the TGC staff in-charge of environmental and social safeguards and HSE/EMS will shift to the solar power plant’s HSE staff under the supervision of the solar power plant’s General Manager. The TGC staff in-charge of environmental and social safeguards will continue to oversee the implementation of all environmental, health, safety and social management requirements in coordination with the solar power plant’s General Manager and HSE staff.
158. In addition to overseeing the HSE and EMS, the TGC staff in-charge of environmental and social safeguards with support from the contractor HSE officer are responsible for:
(i) Undertaking and managing day-to-day activities of the Project ESMP. (ii) Ensure ESMP requirements are appended to the contractor’s environmental and social management plan (CESMP) of the ongoing construction of PV solar power plant. (iii) Ensure that measures in the ESMP are implemented in the ongoing construction of the solar power plant (iv) Ensure ESMP is incorporated into the transmission line contractor design/bid documents, and ensure procurement of environmentally responsible contractor(s); (v) Procure and manage the licensed environmental and social monitoring firm required for implementation of environmental sampling and laboratory analyses of monitoring plan of ESMP. (vi) Facilitate all environmental and social sampling that is prescribed by monitoring plan of ESMP. 67
(vii) Address any environmental or social issue with the Project. (viii) Confirm and manage implementation of GRM for entire Project; (ix) Conduct consultation meetings with local stakeholders as required, informing them of imminent construction works, and updating stakeholders on latest Project development activities, GRM, etc. (x) Support any training of contractors on implementation of ESMP conducted by a national E&S specialist; and (xi) The SS is responsible for regular reporting on ESMP implementation including items from MCSI (construction phase) and Sharp (operation phase) HSE & EMS, and any issues to TGC executive management (xii) From daily/weekly and monthly summary reports on the implementation of the ESMP which includes the MCSI HSE & EMS prepared by the EPC contractor E&S safeguard officer, and monthly reports on environmental sampling and analysis of monitoring plan of ESMP prepared by the environmental firm, the TGC/SS prepares brief monthly and then a consolidated final environmental monitoring report (EMR) at the end of construction phase [anticipated 30 November 2018] of the Project to be submitted to the ADB.
159. With support from Sharp, the solar power plant’s General Manager and the assigned permanent HSE staff is responsible for tailoring and implementing the ESMS templates provided by Sharp for the operation of the completed Project components. The ESMS must be used in conjunction with the provisions set out by the ESMP for the operation phase of the Project.
160. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is responsible for reviewing relevant documents for Project clearance purposes such as the EMR, and for conducting periodic review missions to review, amongst other things, the environmental aspects of the Project.
D. Summary of Potential Impacts
161. The potential impacts of the Project are summarized in Table 23. These short-term impacts will be managed and mitigated with Mitigation Plan provided below.
Table 23. Summary of potential impacts of project
Pre-construction Phase
• No involuntary resettlement or private land acquisition was required • No indigenous peoples were affected • No significant land clearing was required • No restriction of access to livestock grazing lands or water sources was required Construction Phase • Dust from construction vehicle traffic, and potentially from excavation for the buildings/structures to be constructed in the solar power plant site and for the transmission tower foundations, and uncovered piles of excavate and aggregate • Noise from equipment operation in particular foundation pile jackhammers, and helicopter stringing high tension wire • Temporary damage to grassland from truck traffic • Improperly managed and disposed construction waste Operation Phase 68
• Risk of injury to operators of solar power plant and maintenance workers of transmission line • Risk of injury to public that illegally gains access to solar power plant or climbs transmission line towers • Risk from fires and hazards • Risk of continued erosion of existing stormwater gulley into PV solar plant property
E. Information Disclosure and Public Consultation
162. The stakeholder consultation and information disclosure process of the Project developed for the IESE will continue through the construction and operation phases of the Project. The next step will be to disclose the draft IESE to the project stakeholders to obtain their review and comment. Interaction of stakeholders with the Project will continue informally at the construction sites and at the Soum centre, and more formally if necessary, via the GRM.
F. Mitigation Plan
163. The impact mitigation measures of the ESMP are presented in a comprehensive mitigation plan for Project in Table 24. Similar to the IESE, the mitigation plan is structured by the three development phases defined by pre-construction; construction; and post construction operational phases. However, because at the time of writing the construction of the PV solar power plant was well underway, the mitigation plan focuses on updates to pre-construction mitigation measures for the 110kV transmission line. The mitigation plan also includes additional (corrective) mitigation measures for remaining construction work on the solar power plant which were determined from the E&S due diligence, and which apply also to the future construction of the transmission line. The mitigation plan addresses the environmental issues and concerns raised at the stakeholder consultation meetings.
164. The mitigation plan combines construction phase impacts that are common to the PV solar power plant and transmission line/substation expansion, for which, single mitigation measures are prescribed. In this way common mitigation measures are not duplicated. However, impacts and required mitigations that are specific to the solar plant or transmission line are identified. And common mitigations that are particularly important for a potential impact are emphasized where needed. The mitigation plan identifies potential impacts, required mitigations, responsible parties, location, timing, and indicative costs.
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Table 24. Environmental and Social Impact Mitigation Plan
Potential Estimated Responsibility Project Environmental Proposed Mitigation Activity Cost24 SupervisioImplementatio Activity Impacts Measures Location Timing Reporting (USD) n n Corrective Actions for Ongoing Construction
Invoke Prevention or 1. Wetting agents (e.g., H2O Access Daily/week Weekly/mo No TGC/SS Contractor improved reduced dust CaCl2) need to be applied roads to ly as need nthly marginal bid dust control production PV solar throughout cost documents during plant and constructio constructio alignmen n phase n t of TL Risk Project 2. Establish risk PV solar Once, Weekly/mo No TGC / TGC/SS manageme prepared for management plan with power immediatel nthly as marginal Project nt plan in incidence of contractors and Project plant, y needed cost consortiu place lightning owners for remaining 110kV m strikes, high construction phase of transmis wind, dust Project, and for operation sion line, storms, and phase of completed airport earthquake project (see below) substatio n
Remaining Pre-Construction of 13.5km, 110 kV Transmission Line
3. Re-contact herder families and update them on construction schedule and activities for transmission Updated Transmis line, and inform them Before disclosure No sion line No verbally or by signage constructio Monthly of Project community alignmen marginal TGC/SS TGS/SS along alignment of TL that n is to herder impacts t cost grazing of their livestock is initiated community . allowed. 4. Initiate Information Disclosure and Grievance Mechanism of IESE 5. Review final location of transmission tower locations with respect to salt ponds. 6. Review measures that will Before ensure no erosion and constructio sedimentation of salt n initiated Update ponds ESMP as 7. Confirm construction solid necessary waste disposal site(s) with Transmis See Positive Once with for final MET sion line Monitorin environmental updated TGC/SS TGS/SS alignment 8. Submit updated ESMP alignmen g Plan impacts ESMP of including any new t below transmissio potential impacts to ADB n line for review. 9. Finalize individual mitigation management sub-plans for use in CESMPs: a) Soil erosion; b) Noise and dust; c) Construction solid and wastewater management
24 Costs will need to be updated. 70
Potential Estimated Responsibility Project Environmental Proposed Mitigation Activity Cost24 SupervisioImplementatio Activity Impacts Measures Location Timing Reporting (USD) n n & disposal; d) Construction traffic management; e) Worker and public safety; f) Site restoration & re- vegetation; g) Construction materials acquisition, transport, & storage; h) Fire Management Plan, and i) Cultural chance finds at all tower excavation sites. 10. Update cost of ESMP Confirm 11. Notify MET or soum to For Before As No TGC SS GoM confirm locations of sites transmis constructio required in marginal approved for disposal areas for sion line n TGC report cost constructio construction waste from and No negative n waste transmission line and substatio impact disposal obtain required permits. n sites for expansio transmissio n n line works No negative 12. Ensure updated ESMP is Transmis Before Once for No ADB/TG TGC/Tender environmental included in contractor sion line constructio all tender marginal C company impact tender documents, and alignmen n begins documents cost that tender documents t and specify contractor-defined substatio CESMPs must be n Develop bid budgeted. expansio documents 13. Specify in bid documents n that contractor must have experience with designing & implementing CESMPs, or provide staff with the experience. Create No negative 14. TGC to review potential Transmis Before Once in No TGC SS awareness environmental locations of physical sion line constructio TGC report marginal of physical impact cultural resources, and alignmen n begins cost cultural explain possible PCR to t resources contractors in area Obtain & Prevent or 15. Contractors to comply with For Beginning Once in No TGC TGC activate minimize all statutory requirements transmis of TGC report marginal outstanding impacts set out by GoM or soum sion line constructio cost permits and for use of construction alignmen n licenses equipment, and operation t/substati construction plants such on as concrete batching. Capacity No negative 16. Develop and schedule For Before Initially, No TGC/SS SS developme environmental training plan for TGC to be transmis constructio refresher marginal nt impact able to fully implement sion line n begins later if cost ESMP, and to manage alignmen needed in implementation of t/substati TGC mitigation measures by on training contractors. plan 17. Create awareness and training plan for contractors whom will
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Potential Estimated Responsibility Project Environmental Proposed Mitigation Activity Cost24 SupervisioImplementatio Activity Impacts Measures Location Timing Reporting (USD) n n implement mitigation measures. Recruitmen Spread of 18. Use local workers as Transmis Throughou Worker No TGC Contractor t of workers sexually much as possible thereby sion line t hiring stages marginal bid transmitted reducing #s of migrant worker constructio in cost documents disease worker force. n phase procurement plan report Remaining Construction of Solar Power Plant, and Construction Phase of Transmission Line & Substation Expansion Initiate Prevent or 19. Initiate updated ESMP & For all Beginning Once in 1st No TGC/SS ESMP & minimize CESMP including construct of EMR marginal Contractor/E sub-plans, impacts individual management ion sites constructio cost &S sub-plans for different n potential impact areas that are completed in pre- construction phase (see sub-plan guidance below). 20. Locate worker camps away from human settlements. 21. Ensure adequate housing and waste disposal facilities including pit latrines and garbage cans. 22. A solid waste collection program must be established and implemented that maintains a clean worker camp 23. Locate separate pit latrines for male and female workers away from Pollution and worker living and eating Any social areas. temporar Throughou Operation problems, 24. A clean-out or infill Monthly No y worker t of worker e.g., STDs, schedule for pit latrines Contractor marginal TGC/SS contractor camp or constructio camp disputes, must be established and reports cost staging n phase fights, implemented to ensure area robberies working latrines are available at all times. 25. Worker camps must have adequate drainage. 26. Local food should be provided to worker camps. Guns and weapons not allowed in camps. 27. Transient workers should not be allowed to interact with the local community. HIV Aids education should be given to workers. 28. Camp areas must be restored to original condition after construction completed.
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Potential Estimated Responsibility Project Environmental Proposed Mitigation Activity Cost24 SupervisioImplementatio Activity Impacts Measures Location Timing Reporting (USD) n n Training & Prevent of 29. Implement training and TGC Beginning After each No TGC/SS SS capacity impacts awareness plan for office, of event in marginal through TGC/SS and contractor construct constructio TGC EMR cost education E&S. ion sites n report Transport Pollution, 30. Define and schedule how For all Throughou Monthly No TGC/SS Contractor of injury, fabricated materials such constructio t Contractor marginal E&S constructio increased as steel, wood structures, n areas. constructio reports cost n materials, construction and scaffolding will be n phase and storage traffic transported and handled. of materials congestion 31. All aggregate loads on on site trucks should be covered. 32. Piles of aggregates at sites should be used/or removed promptly, or covered. Stored aggregates well away from all human activity and settlements, and cultural, and ecological receptors. Concrete batch plants & handling areas should be isolated from herder community. 33. Management of general solid and liquid waste of construction will follow GoM or soum requirements, and will cover, collection, handling, transport, recycling, and disposal of waste created from construction activities and worker force. 34. Areas of disposal of solid and liquid waste to be determined by GoM. 35. Disposed of waste should be catalogued for type, Implement Contaminatio All estimated weigh, and Solid and n of land and construct Throughou source. Monthly No liquid surface ion sites t Contractor 36. Construction sites should Contractor marginal TGC/SS constructio waters from and constructio E&S have large garbage bins. reports cost n waste construction worker n phase 37. A schedule of solid and sub-plan waste camps liquid waste pickup and disposal must be established and followed that ensures construction sites are as clean as possible. 38. Dedicated pits dug and used for domestic wastewater (greywater) should be disinfected monthly and backfilled when no longer needed. 39. Pit latrines should be disinfected monthly and backfilled when no longer 73
Potential Estimated Responsibility Project Environmental Proposed Mitigation Activity Cost24 SupervisioImplementatio Activity Impacts Measures Location Timing Reporting (USD) n n needed 40. Solid waste should be separated and recyclables sold to buyers in community. Hazardous Waste 41. Collection, storage, transport, and disposal of hazardous waste such as used oils, gasoline, paint, and other toxics must follow GoM regulations. 42. Wastes should be separated (e.g., hydrocarbons, batteries, paints, organic solvents) 43. Wastes must be stored above ground in closed, well labeled, ventilated plastic bins in good condition well away from construction activity areas, all surface water, water supplies, and cultural and ecological sensitive receptors. 44. All spills must be cleaned up completely with all contaminated soil removed and handled with by contaminated spoil sub-plan. 45. Regularly apply wetting agents to exposed soil and construction roads which must be budgeted in contractor bid documents. Implement 46. Cover or keep moist all All Monthly No Contractor dust sub- Dust stockpiles of construction construct Fulltime Contractor marginal TGC/SS E&S plan aggregates, and all ion sites. reports cost truckloads of aggregates. 47. Minimize time that excavations and exposed soil are left open/exposed. Backfill immediately after work completed. 48. As much as possible restrict working time between 07:00 and 18:00 during summer construction work period, Implement All Monthly No i.e.,. In particular are Contractor noise Noise construct Fulltime Contractor marginal TGC/SS activities such as pile E&S subplan ion sites. reports cost driving. 49. Maintain equipment in proper working order 50. Replace unnecessarily noisy vehicles and 74
Potential Estimated Responsibility Project Environmental Proposed Mitigation Activity Cost24 SupervisioImplementatio Activity Impacts Measures Location Timing Reporting (USD) n n machinery. 51. Vehicles and machinery to be turned off when not in use. 52. Construct temporary noise barriers around excessively noisy activity areas where possible. Implement Damage or 53. Contact MET for advice All Beginning Monthly No MET/TG Contractor steppe site loss of steppe on how to minimize construct and end of Contractor marginal C/SS E&S restoration vegetation, damage to steppe ion sites. Project reports cost sub-plan and vegetation during landscape construction. from 54. All areas to be re- construction vegetated and landscaped roads and after construction excavations completed according to laws on land protection (see chapter II). Consult MET to determine the most successful restoration strategy and techniques for Project sites. 55. Berms, and plastic sheet fencing should be placed around all excavations and earthwork areas. 56. Earthworks should be conducted during dry periods. 57. Maintain a stockpile of Implement topsoil for immediate site Throughou All Monthly No Erosion restoration following t Contractor Land erosion construct Contractor marginal TGC/SS control sub- backfilling. constructio E&S ion sites reports cost plan 58. Protect exposed or cut n phase slopes with planted vegetation, and have a slope stabilization protocol ready. 59. Re-vegetate all soil exposure areas immediately after work completed. 60. Proper fencing, protective barriers, and buffer zones should be provided around all construction sites Implement 61. Sufficient signage and Public and worker and information disclosure, All Monthly No worker injury, Contractor public and site supervisors and construct Fulltime Contractor marginal TGC/SS and health E&S safety sub- night guards should be ion sites. reports cost plan placed at all sites. 62. Worker and public safety guidelines of GoM should be followed. 63. Speed limits suitable for the size and type of 75
Potential Estimated Responsibility Project Environmental Proposed Mitigation Activity Cost24 SupervisioImplementatio Activity Impacts Measures Location Timing Reporting (USD) n n construction vehicles, and current traffic patterns should be developed, posted, and enforced on all roads used by construction vehicles. 64. Worker education and awareness seminars for construction hazards should be given at beginning of construction phase, and at ideal frequency of monthly. A construction site safety program should be developed and distributed to workers. 65. Appropriate safety clothing and footwear should be mandatory for all construction workers. 66. Adequate medical services must be on site or nearby all construction sites. 67. Drinking water must be provided at all construction sites. 68. Sufficient lighting be used during necessary night work. 69. All construction sites should be examined daily to ensure unsafe conditions are removed. 70. Protective berms, plastic sheet fencing, or silt curtains should be placed between all earthworks and salt ponds 71. Erosion channels must be built around aggregate stockpile areas to contain rain-induced erosion. 72. Earthworks should be conducted during dry Throughou Monthly No Degradation periods. Salt t Contractor Civil works Contractor marginal TGC/SS of salt ponds 73. All construction fluids ponds constructio E&S reports cost such as oils, and fuels n phase should be stored and handled well away from salt ponds. 74. No waste of any kind is to be thrown into salt ponds 75. No washing or repair of machinery near salt ponds. 76. Temporary pit latrines to be located well away from 76
Potential Estimated Responsibility Project Environmental Proposed Mitigation Activity Cost24 SupervisioImplementatio Activity Impacts Measures Location Timing Reporting (USD) n n salt ponds and herder homesteads Civil works Degradation 77. All construction fluids Salt Throughou Monthly No TGC/SS Contractor of terrestrial such as oils, and fuels ponds t Contractor marginal E&S resources should be stored and constructio reports cost handled well away from n phase salt ponds. Implement Traffic 78. Schedule construction All Fulltime Monthly No TGC/SS Contractor Constructio disruption, vehicle activity during light construct Contractor marginal E&S n traffic accidents, traffic periods. Create ion sites reports cost sub-plan public injury sufficient signage & warning lights of truck lanes. 79. Post speed limits, and create dedicated construction vehicle roads or lanes. 80. Inform herder community of location of construction traffic areas, and provide them with directions on how to best co-exist with construction vehicles on their roads. Implement Loss of 81. Provide adequate short- Salt Design & Monthly No TGC/SS Contractor Constructio drainage & term drainage away from ponds constructio Contractor marginal E&S n Drainage flood storage construction sites to n phases reports cost sub-plan prevent ponding and flooding. 82. Ensure connections of salt ponds are maintained or enhanced to sustain existing flow and storage capacity.. Implement Equipment 83. Install appropriate types of Kitchen, At Project Monthly No TGC/SS Contractor Fire damage and fire extinguishers at all fuels and sites reports marginal E&S Manageme worker injury sites where fires could equipme throughout cost nt subplan from occur nt constructio accidental storage n and fires depots operation phases 84. As per Law on Protection of Cultural Heritage (see chapter II), all civil works should be located away from all cultural property and values. Civil works Damage to 85. Chance finds of valued At the start & chance cultural relics and cultural values All , and Monthly No finds – Contractor property or should be anticipated by construct throughout Contractor marginal TGC/SS cultural E&S values, and contractors. Site ion sites constructio reports cost heritage chance finds supervisors should be on n phase sub-plan the watch for finds. 86. Upon a chance find all work stops immediately, find left untouched, and TGC notified to determine if find is valuable. Culture
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Potential Estimated Responsibility Project Environmental Proposed Mitigation Activity Cost24 SupervisioImplementatio Activity Impacts Measures Location Timing Reporting (USD) n n section of MET notified by telephone if valuable. 87. Work at find site will remain stopped until MET allows work to continue. Operation of PV Solar Power Plant, Transmission Line, and Expanded Substation 88. Openness of Project to Project Fulltime Annual O&M TGC consortium, and Un-resolved community continued with area assigned facility Community potential information disclosure and managers engagemen future social consultation when t, & or needed. GRM established response to environmental for Project continued and community impacts of maintained effective. operation of Project Risk of 89. Ensure enforced well Roads to Fulltime Biannual O&M Tuv Roads Dept. vehicle marked safe speed limits solar Roads accidents along permanent solar power Dept power plant and plant and Report Air & land transmission line access transmiss pollution roads are in place. ion line 90. All vehicles that use the roads should be required to be in good working condition
Waste 91. Process and domestic All areas Fulltime Annual O&M TGC - assigned facility management solid and liquid of PV managers of facilities management and disposal solar Operation procedures established for power of facilities construction phase should plant, according be continued with and to ESMP & approved contracted along TL established waste collector/disposal alignment SOPs entity to transport all (Sharp’s waste to soum-approved template disposal site(s). Septic HSE and tanks must be regularly EMS that pumped and septage will be disposed in soum- tailored to approved sites by an and accredited septage hauler. adopted by Fire 92. Fire alarm systems for a) PV Fulltime Annual O&M TGC - assigned plant TGC) prevention electrical and other plant management and alarm sources of fire must be substatio system installed and regularly n, b) maintained including Inverter sufficient appropriate fire buildings; extinguisher systems. and c) control building
Equipment 93. Regular maintenance and failure and inspections of all maintenance equipment and technology needs Solar power Fulltime Annual O&M TGC consortium, and 78
Potential Estimated Responsibility Project Environmental Proposed Mitigation Activity Cost24 SupervisioImplementatio Activity Impacts Measures Location Timing Reporting (USD) n n Risk of worker 94. Implement updated plant and assigned facility and public worker safety and public transmiss managers injury safety plans including ion line ensuring adequate fencing surrounds entire solar power plant. Intrusion surveillance and alarms should be installed on PV solar power plant property. Stormwater Storm water 95. Monitor rainfed water run- Solar Fulltime Annual O&M TGC consortium, and gulley gully erosion off and erosion in the power assigned facility erosion in the western dried gully during project plant managers control boundary of operation for necessary the solar PV structural measures, such plant site as building armour stone wall, whenever needed.
G. Monitoring Plan
165. The environmental monitoring plan for the ESMP is provided in Table 25. The monitoring plan consists of environmental indicators, sampling locations & frequency, method of data collection, responsible parties, and estimated costs. The purpose of the monitoring plan is to determine the effectiveness of the impact mitigations, and to document unexpected positive or negative environmental impacts of the Project components.
1. Environmental Quality Standards for the Project
166. Relevant environmental quality standards and criteria for Mongolia are listed in Appendix C. The environmental standards provided by the Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines of the IFC/World Bank (2007) should also be consulted to supplement GOM standards and the TGC consortium ESMS if required.
167. The licensed monitoring firm will be required to implement the environmental monitoring under the supervision and coordination of the TGC/SS. The firm will be responsible for any sampling and laboratory analyses of environmental parameters. The TGC/SS will oversee monitoring work with the firm and will provide logistical support where necessary.
2. Performance Monitoring
168. Performance monitoring is required to assess the overall performance of the ESMP. A performance monitoring system for the entire Project is normally developed by the Project owner. Select indicators of the environment that will be affected primarily by the construction phase are drawn from the mitigation and monitoring plans and summarized in Table 26.
3. Reporting
169. Regular reporting on the implementation of mitigation measures, and monitoring activities during remaining construction phase of the Project is required. Reporting is the responsibility the TGC and should be conducted in conjunction with regular meetings with stakeholders as part of 79
the continuation of stakeholder communications. The mitigation and monitoring plans (Tables 24 and 25) summarize proposed timing of reporting.
170. Due to anticipated November completion date for construction phase of the Project a monthly report on environmental monitoring and implementation of ESMP will be prepared for the ADB by the TGC with a final report on construction. The TGC report will compile the key findings of the daily/weekly reports provided by contractor, and the reports prepared by the accredited environmental firm on sampling for ESMP. The TGC report will be sent annually to ADB. The TGC reports will table all indicators measured with the monitoring plan of ESMP including performance monitoring indicators (Table 26) and will reference relevant MET environmental quality standards. Appendix I provides an indicative monitoring report.
Table 25. Environmental Monitoring Plan
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS MONITORING
Environmen Responsibility Estimat Means of Frequenc Repor tal Location Supervi Implement ed Cost Monitoring y ting 25 Indicators sion ation (USD)
Pre-construction Phase of 110kV transmission line & substation expansion A): Update baseline air quality: dust MNS 0017-2- A & B: (PM10, 2.5), 3-16, 1998 One day A) & B): A) $1,00 noise, and A & B): Along MNS OIML R measureme Monitoring 0. vibration levels alignment of 102:2001 nt. One Firm transmission line MNS baselin B) $1,00 B): Update 4047:1988. e 0. baseline salt supple pond water ment TGC/SS quality: TSS, report CaCO4, pH, before DO, NH3, , Fe, constru Pb. ction C): Herders phase knowledgeable C): All herder families As per IESE Once prior to starts TGC/SS No of construction consulted as part of method start of marginal phase of IESE construction cost transmission line Remaining Construction of Solar Power Plant & Construction of 110kV transmission line & substation expansion
25 Budget to be updated 80
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS MONITORING
Environmen Responsibility Estimat Means of Frequenc Repor tal Location Supervi Implement ed Cost Monitoring y ting 25 Indicators sion ation (USD) A) Air quality: A) & B): dust (PM10, MNS 0017-2- (A & B): 2.5), noise, and 3-16, 1998 Quarterly A) & B): A): $4,000. vibration levels A), & B): Baseline MNS OIML R during Monthly TGC/SS Monitoring sites of pre- 102:2001 construction firm B): $4,000. B): Salt pond construction phase, & MNS periods quality: TSS, other sites if deemed 4047:1988. including CaCO4, pH, necessary. Include daily visual DO, NH3, , Fe, observations records Pb. of dust and noise.
C): Complaints C): Verbal or issues C): At all information logged by constructions sites transferred by Monthly herders or other and soum centre telephone or C) -E): TGC/SS SS C) – D): public office hotline at Throughout No construction construction margin D) Domestic sites phase al cost (worker) and construction D): Visual solid waste D) & E): At all observation inside & outside construction sites, construction worker camps sites including E): regular worker camps. reporting by contractors/T E) Incidence of GC worker or public accident or injury Operation Phase of PV Solar Power Plant, 110kV Transmission Line, and Substation Incidence of On all permanent Community Continuous Police and Soum governor traffic accidents, access roads to the and police & herder and Project facilities reporting public injury Incidence of Solar power plant and Visual Continuous TGC facilities management contaminant at transmission spills & soil towers No contamination Monthly marginal Herder access Along transmission Visual Continuous Herder community cost to alignment of line transmission line Incidence of Inside PV solar plant Regular Continuous TGC management worker injury or and at transmission documenting accidents line & reporting
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ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS MONITORING
Environmen Responsibility Estimat Means of Frequenc Repor tal Location Supervi Implement ed Cost Monitoring y ting 25 Indicators sion ation (USD) Groundwater From domestic well if Metered at Monthly consumption used during well head readings operational phase Incidence of Along 13.5 km Visual Monthly TGC facilities management dead birds transmission line below power lines and bird nests on transmission towers Erosion Storm water gully in Visual Continuous the western boundary of the solar PV plant site
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Table 26. Performance Monitoring Indicators for the Project26
Major Environmental Key Indicator Performance Objective Data Source Component Pre-construction Phase Meetings with stakeholders contacted during IESE & new Public Minutes of Project public & stakeholders convened for Consultation & meeting, and stakeholders of Soum follow-up consultation & to Disclosure participants list introduce grievance mechanism All stakeholders contacted ESMP Updated ESMP during IESE re-contacted for ESMP follow-up consultation ESMP appended to bidding Requirements of documents with clear Bid Documents CESMP27 based on instructions to bidders for Bid documents ESMP CESMP for the contractor of the transmission line Course(s) By end of P-C phase, required Training course(s) & outline, Training of TGC course(s) that will be delivered schedule participants, and are designed and scheduled schedule TSS, CaCO4, pH, Salt pond quality DO, NH3, , Fe, Pb Document baseline conditions dust (PM10, 2.5), Survey as per Monitoring Plan Air quality noise, and vibration levels Construction Phase Sensitive cultural Physical cultural Soum leaders, Unharmed or disturbed component resources public, TSS, CaCO4, pH, Levels never exceed pre- Salt pond quality Monitoring Firm DO, NH3, , Fe, Pb construction baseline levels Monitoring Firm Levels never exceed pre- & contractor Air quality Dust, noise, vibration construction baseline levels monitoring reports, Rigorous procedures & rules Contractor and Construction to collect and store all waste Solid & liquid waste monitoring firm waste from construction camps and reports sites practiced. Public/Soum Adherence to GoM OHS Public & worker leaders & Frequency of injuries regulations/policy and TGC safety Contractor ESMS to prevent accidents reports Operation Phase Increased O&M Not to increase over present traffic accidents Tuv Roads Dept traffic to sites frequency
26 Example Monitoring Report in Appendix I. 27 Contractor Environmental Management Plan developed from EMP in contractor bidding document 83
Major Environmental Key Indicator Performance Objective Data Source Component Groundwater Staff gauge at cubic meter /month Not to lower water table depth consumption well head Solid and liquid Observation waste No unmanaged excess solid TGC report on waste production pollution or liquid waste condition of site TGC and soum Incidence of Frequency of No incidence of accidents or police or worker or public accidents or injury injury community injury or accidents reports Monitor rainfed water run-off Storm water gully and erosion in the dried gully erosion in the during project operation for Observation of gully TGC report on western boundary necessary structural bank erosion condition of site of the solar PV measures, such as building plant site armour stone wall, whenever needed
4. Estimated Cost of ESMP
171. The costs for implementing the ESMP are primarily for environmental monitoring (Table 25) because the costs for implementing impact mitigation measures (Table 24) are included with the construction costs in contractor bid documents. The indicative cost for the implementation of the ESMP for the Project is summarized in Table 27. These costs include per diem technician fees, and a budget for training and capacity development of the TGC.
172. TGC is expected to allocate budget for capacity building and training for environmental management. The costs to implement the ESMP will need to be updated by the TGC in consultation with the environmental firm which will do the environmental sampling and laboratory analyses.
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Table 27. Indicative Costs for ESMP
Estimated Cost Activity Type (USD) Pre-construction Phase
Updating Environmental Baseline environmental quality $2,000.00 Construction Phase
environmental quality $8,000.00 Post-construction Operation Phase
environmental quality $1,200.00 and capacity development and training Total $11,200.00
X. INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY & TRAINING NEEDS
173. Currently there is insufficient experience and capacity for environmental assessment and management within the TGC and consortium. No training of TGC staff on environmental management or HSE has occurred. A national EIA consultant or the accredited environmental sampling firm needs to develop and deliver training courses to the TGC on how to develop and implement an ESMP. Training should address two thematic areas. The first area should be principles environmental management focused on the potential impacts of Project activities on the natural and social environment. The second area should be environmental safeguard requirements of the ADB and GoM with specific reference to the Project ESMP and training needs for the completed ESMS of the operation of the Project components.
XI. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
174. The IESE of the Project has determined that the potential impacts of the 48ha, 15MW PV solar power plant, and the 13.5km, 110kV transmission line & airport substation expansion are overwhelmingly positive for the local community and the legislated goal of reducing GHG emissions and climate change with the use of renewal energy sources. The negative impacts of the Project are minor and focus on temporary construction impacts of dust, noise, solid and liquid waste production, increases in construction traffic and risks of accidents, and construction worker injury. These short-term impacts will be prevented or mitigated with the ESMP. The construction of the Project will not significantly affect the local environment or wildlife. Similarly, the impact of the operation of the completed Project is strongly positive. Potential negative social and environmental impacts, which will be prevented and managed with the ESMP and the contractor HSE and EMS, are worker and public injury, and pollution from process and operator domestic waste. The construction and operation of the Plant will not disrupt or reduce livestock grazing of the itinerant herder population in the area. Indigenous peoples will not be affected by the Project, and no involuntary resettlement will occur.
175. The ESMP provides impact mitigation plans, environmental monitoring plans, and specify the institutional responsibilities and capacity needs for the environmental management of the three main Project components. The ESMP will need to be reviewed and updated by the TGC in 85
conjunction with the project owner consortium, and an accredited environmental firm retained by TGC to conduct environmental sampling and laboratory analyses of monitoring plan of the ESMP.
176. The IESE concludes that the current description of the Project combined with available information on the affected environments is sufficient to identify the scope of potential environmental impacts of each project component. Providing significant changes do not occur to the design of one or more of the Project components, and that new sensitive environmental or social receptor data are not discovered, the Project will remain Category B for environment and category C for involuntary resettlement and indigenous peoples and will not require further detailed environmental impact assessment (EIA).
Recommendations
177. The following recommendations to TGC are identified for the remaining construction phase of the PV solar power plant, the imminent construction of the 13.5km transmission line, and operation of both completed Project components.
1. Implement more effective dust control with regular application of wetting agents (e.g., H20 CaCl2) on construction roads and over piles of aggregate and excavated material. 2. Invoke risk management and prevention plan for severe environmental events such lightning strikes, and wind and dust storm events. 3. Continue Project information disclosure with distribution of completed IESE/ESMP translated in local language or at least the Executive Summary 4. Finalize GRM for the Project that is presented in ESMP, and with continued public consultation, ensure local herder and soum centre community is aware and understands how to engage and use the GRM. 5. Transmission line should span all salt ponds with no towers constructed in a salt pond. 6. Berms or plastic fencing should be placed between transmission towers under construction that are near the salt ponds on the steppe. 7. Fencing should be placed around transmission tower sites during construction. The ownership and management of the transmission towers will be transferred to the National Power Transmission Grid Company upon the commissioning of the solar power plant. Potential minor security and safety risks will be relayed to the
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National Power Transmission Grid Company for their information and appropriate action, if necessary. 8. With national E&S consultant support update the IESE and ESMP as needed to meet the final transmission tower design. 9. With ESMP update HSE and EMS for remaining construction of PV solar power plant, and imminent construction of 110kV transmission line and airport substation expansion. 10. Work with Sharp to tailor the HSE, EMS, and SOP templates for the ESMS for the operation of the completed Project. 11. Update HSE and EMS for remaining construction of PV solar power plant, and construction of transmission line and airport substation expansion. 12. With support from a national E&S consultant, train TGC safeguard specialist and all contractor HSE/EMS officers on the implementation of the HSE, EMS, and ESMP. 13. Monitor rainfed water run-off and erosion in the dried gully during project operation for necessary structural measures, such as building armour stone wall, whenever needed
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APPENDIX A: RAPID ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE PROJECT
SOLAR ENERGY
Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA) Checklist
Instructions:
(i) The project team completes this checklist to support the environmental classification of a project. It is to be attached to the environmental categorization form and submitted to the Environment and Safeguards Division (SDES), for endorsement by Director, SDES and for approval by the Chief Compliance Officer.
(ii) This checklist focuses on environmental issues and concerns. To ensure that social dimensions are adequately considered, refer also to ADB's (a) checklists on involuntary resettlement and Indigenous Peoples; (b) poverty reduction handbook; (c) staff guide to consultation and participation; and (d) gender checklists.
(iii) Answer the questions assuming the “without mitigation” case. The purpose is to identify potential impacts. Use the “remarks” section to discuss any anticipated mitigation measures.
Country/Project Title: MON: Sermsang Khushig Khundii Solar Project
Sector Division: PSOD/PSIF2
Screening Questions Yes No Remarks A. PROJECT SITING IS THE PROJECT AREA ADJACENT TO OR WITHIN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS?
▪ PHYSICAL CULTURAL HERITAGE SITE ✔ The Project is in barren steppe grassland approximately 6 km south of the new ▪ LOCATED IN OR NEAR TO LEGALLY PROTECTED ✔ international airport, along the border of AREA the Development Protection Area, a special zone set by the government for ▪ LOCATED IN OR NEAR TO SPECIAL HABITATS FOR ✔ the new international airport and future BIODIVERSITY support facilities. There are no known rare (MODIFIED OR NATURAL HABITATS) or endangered wildlife and critical habitats in the Project site. The nearest ecologically protected area is the Bogd ▪ WETLAND ✔ Khan Mountain which is 8 km north of the Project site. There are no important bird ▪ MANGROVE ✔ areas or bird migration routes in the Project site. The largest cultural resource ▪ ESTUARINE ✔ in the area is the Mandshiiriin Monastery
which is 9 km north of the Project site. ▪ OFFSHORE (MARINE) ✔
B. POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS WILL THE PROJECT CAUSE…
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Screening Questions Yes No Remarks ▪ large scale land disturbance and land use impacts ✔ The land allocated for the solar power specially due to diversion of productive lands? plant site is 48 hectares. Approximately 9 km of the total 14 km 110 kV transmission line is within an existing transmission line alignment along a highway leading to the new international airport where the substation for expansion is located. ▪ involuntary resettlement of people? (physical ✔ The social safeguard due diligence displacement and/or economic displacement) confirmed that there are no physical or economic displacement caused by the Project. ▪ disproportionate impacts on the poor, women and ✔ The social safeguard due diligence children, Indigenous Peoples or other vulnerable confirmed that there are no Indigenous groups? People or vulnerable groups in the Project site. ▪ noise, vibration and dust from construction activities? ✔ There is limited noise, vibration, dust, traffic increase and other environmental ▪ an increase in local traffic during construction? ✔ disturbances during construction. The project site is a barren steppe grassland ▪ environmental disturbances such as soil erosion, land ✔ and 11.5 km from the nearest town. contamination, water quality deterioration, air pollution, Measures to mitigate these limited noise and vibrations during construction phase? impacts are included in the ESMP, e.g., regular use of wetting agents along construction roads for dust suppression • aesthetic degradation and property value loss due to ✔ The Project is in barren steppe grassland establishment of plant and ancillary facilities? approximately 6 km south of the new international airport, along the border of the Development Protection Area, a special zone set by the government for the new international airport and future support facilities. ▪ changes in flow regimes of the water intake from surface ✔ The project is a 15 MW photovoltaic solar water or underground wells due to abstraction for cooling power plant that will use 320-watt purposes? Polycrystalline modules with no requirement for cooling water. A water well per the permit granted by the Sergelen soum is established on site to provide water during construction. During operation TGC will decide if it will continue the using the well or transport water on site. There are no surface water bodies within the Project site. ▪ pollution of water bodies and aquatic ecosystem from ✔ The project is a 15 MW photovoltaic solar wastewater treatment plant, from cooling towers, and power plant that will use 320-watt wash-water during operation? polycrystalline modules with no requirement for cooling water. Due to its location, the solar pv modules are angled at 45⁰ which will result in less accumulation of dust and snow and with equally less amount of water requirement for cleaning. Wastewater during construction and operation from the worker’s camp and office are/will be collected, transported and disposed offsite by a licensed waste transporter. The Project is in barren steppe grassland. There are no surface water bodies within the Project site.
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Screening Questions Yes No Remarks ▪ a threat to bird or bat life from colliding with the project ✔ The project is a 15 MW photovoltaic solar facilities and/or being burned by concentrated solar rays? power plant that will use 320-watt polycrystalline modules. There are no important bird areas in the project area and an analysis of the major Asia flyway bird migratory routes indicated the absence of bird migration routes in the project area which is along the border of the Development Protection Area where the new international airport is located. ▪ industrial liquid (dielectric fluids, cleaning agents, and ✔ Limited hazardous solid and liquid wastes solvents) and solid wastes (lubricating oils, compressor that may be generated during oils, and hydraulic fluids) generated during construction construction and from the use of and operations likely to pollute land and water resources? technology during operation will be collected and transported by licensed ▪ Soil/water contamination due to use of hazardous ✔ transporters and will be disposed in the materials or disposal of broken or damaged solar cells site designated by the soum/aimag. (photovoltaic technologies contain small amounts of These are considered in E&S impact cadmium, selenium and arsenic ) during installation, assessment and measures will be operation and decommissioning? included in the ESMP.
▪ noise disturbance during operation due to the proximity of ✔ The project site is a barren steppe settlements or other features? grassland and 11.5 km from the nearest town. ▪ visual impacts due to reflection from solar collector arrays ✔ The Project is in barren steppe grassland resulting in glint or glare? approximately 6 km south of the new international airport, along the border of the Development Protection Area, a special zone set by the government for the new international airport and future support facilities. No visual impacts are expected. ▪ large population influx during project construction and ✔ No migrant workers are expected to be operation that causes increased burden on social hired during construction and operation. infrastructure and services (such as water supply and sanitation systems)?
▪ social conflicts between local laborers and those from ✔ No migrant workers are expected to be outside the area? hired during construction and operation.
▪ risks and vulnerabilities related to occupational health ✔ There will be risks during construction and and safety due to physical, chemical, biological, and operation. A HSE management plan is radiological hazards during construction, installation, included in the EPC contract for operation, and decommission? implementation of the contractors during construction phase per the Mongolian law. Measures to minimize these risks during operation will be included in in the ESMP and the SOPs of the solar power plant. ▪ risks to community health and safety due to the transport, ✔ Limited hazardous solid and liquid wastes storage, and use and/or disposal of materials and wastes that may be generated during such as explosives, fuel and other chemicals during construction and from the use of construction, and operation? technology during operation will be collected and transported by licensed transporters and will be disposed in the site designated by the soum/aimag. These are considered in E&S impact assessment and measures will be included in the ESMP.
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Screening Questions Yes No Remarks ▪ community safety risks due to both accidental and natural ✔ There will be risks during construction and causes, especially where the structural elements or operation which will be minimized through components of the project are accessible to members of the implementation of measures in the the affected community or where their failure could result ESMP. in injury to the community throughout project construction, operation and decommissioning?
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A Checklist for Preliminary Climate Risk Screening
Country/Project Title: Sector : Subsector: Division/Department:
Screening Questions Score Remarks28 Location and Is siting and/or routing of the project (or its components) likely to 1 Design of project be affected by climate conditions including extreme weather related events such as floods, droughts, storms, landslides? Would the project design (e.g. the clearance for bridges) need to 1 consider any hydro-meteorological parameters (e.g., sea-level, peak river flow, reliable water level, peak wind speed etc)? Materials and Would weather, current and likely future climate conditions (e.g. 0 Maintenance prevailing humidity level, temperature contrast between hot summer days and cold winter days, exposure to wind and humidity hydro-meteorological parameters likely affect the selection of project inputs over the life of project outputs (e.g. construction material)? Would weather, current and likely future climate conditions, and 1 related extreme events likely affect the maintenance (scheduling and cost) of project output(s) ? Performance of Would weather/climate conditions, and related extreme events 0 project outputs likely affect the performance (e.g. annual power production) of project output(s) (e.g. hydro-power generation facilities) throughout their design life time? Options for answers and corresponding score are provided below: Response Score Not Likely 0 Likely 1 Very Likely 2 Responses when added that provide a score of 0 will be considered low risk project. If adding all responses will result to a score of 1-4 and that no score of 2 was given to any single response, the project will be assigned a medium risk category. A total score of 5 or more (which include providing a score of 1 in all responses) or a 2 in any single response, will be categorized as high risk project. Result of Initial Screening (Low, Medium, High): Medium
Other Comments:______
Prepared by: Cecilia De Castro, Safeguards Officer (Environment), PSOD/PSTS
28 If possible, provide details on the sensitivity of project components to climate conditions, such as how climate parameters are considered in design standards for infrastructure components, how changes in key climate parameters and sea level might affect the siting/routing of project, the selection of construction material and/or scheduling, performances and/or the maintenance cost/scheduling of project outputs.
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APPENDIX A-2: SCREENING CHECKLIST FOR IMPACTS ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
Indigenous Peoples Impact Screening Checklist29
KEY CONCERNS NOT (Please provide elaborations on the YES NO KNOWN Remarks Remarks column) A. Indigenous Peoples Identification
1. Are there socio-cultural groups present √ No known IPs or minorities exist in the in or use the project who may be Project site area. No IPs were identified considered as "tribes " (hill tribes , during the consultations with the herders schedules, tribes , tribal peoples ), or at the soum consultation meeting on "minorities" (ethnic or national minorities ), August 14 or "indigenous communities " in the project area?
2. Are there national or local laws or √ n/a policies as well as anthropological researches/studies that consider these groups present in or using the project area as belonging to "ethnic minorities", scheduled tribes, tribal peoples, national minorities, or cultural communities?
3. Do such groups self-identify as being √ n/a part of a distinct social and cultural group?
4. Do such groups maintain collective √ n/a attachments to distinct habitats or ancestral territories and/or to the natural resources in these habitats and territories?
5. Do such groups maintain cultural, √ n/a economic, social, and political institutions distinct from the dominant society and culture?
6. Do such groups speak a distinct √ n/a language or dialect?
7. Has such groups been historically, √ n/a socially and economically marginalized, disempowered, excluded, and/or dis criminated against?
29 From ADB 2017. Checklist from ESIA of Eastern Indonesia Renewable Energy Project, Appendix 15. 93
KEY CONCERNS NOT (Please provide elaborations on the YES NO KNOWN Remarks Remarks column)
8. Are such groups represented as √ n/a "Indigenous Peoples" or as "ethnic minorities" or "scheduled tribes " or "tribal populations " in any formal decision-ma king bodies at the national or local levels?
B. Identification of Potential Impacts
9. Will the project directly or indirectly √ No direct or indirect benefits will occur benefit or target Indigenous Peoples?
10. Will the project directly or indirectly √ n/a affect Indigenous Peoples ' traditional socio-cultural and belief practices? (e.g. child-rearing, health, education, arts, and governance)
11. Will the project affect the livelihood √ n/a systems of Indigenous Peoples? (e.g., food production system, natural resource management, crafts and trade, employment status)
12. Will the project be in an area (land or √ n/a territory) occupied, owned, or used by Indigenous Peoples , and/or claimed as ancestral domain?
C. Identification of Special Requirements Will the project activities include:
13. Commercial development of the √ No known IPs in the area cultural resources and knowledge of Indigenous Peoples?
14. Physical displacement from √ n/a traditional or customary lands?
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KEY CONCERNS NOT (Please provide elaborations on the YES NO KNOWN Remarks Remarks column)
15. Commercial development of natural √ n/a resources (such as minerals, hydrocarbons, forests, water, hunting or fishing grounds) within customary lands under use that would impact the livelihoods or the cultural, ceremonial, spiritual uses that define the identity and community of Indigenous Peoples?
16. Establishing legal recognition of rights √ n/a to lands and territories that are traditionally owned or customarily used, occupied or claimed by indigenous peoples?
17. Acquisition of lands that are √ n/a traditionally owned or customarily us ed, occupied or claimed by indigenous peoples?
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APPENDIX B: GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Translation from Mongolian
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, GREEN DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM OF MONGOLIA 15160 Ulaanbaatar city, Chingeltei District, United Nations Street 5/2, Government Building -2 Tel: 261966, Fax: (976-51) 26 61 71 Email: [email protected], http: //www.mne.mn
November 17 2015 Ref # 12/7038 To: Tenuun Gerel Construction LLC Sub: This is to confirm that the assessment has been conducted as per to the environmental impact assessment method on the submitted Project to Build a Solar Power Plant in the Sergelen Soum, Central Province in accordance with the article 3 of the “Regulation to Conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment” and clause 7.3 of the Law on Environmental Impact Assessment. The project conditions have been established as feasible. General assessment conclusion has been attached.
P. BUNCHINJAV GENERAL EXPERT [signed and sealed]
I do hereby certify that the above document, to the best of my ability, it is a true and correct translation. Unenbat Genden, a Member of the Union of Mongolian Translators SOYON Translation Center # 203, Silver Center, Chingeltei District, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia Tel: (976) 8811-5344; Fax: (976) 7011-0296 E-mail: [email protected]
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, GREEN DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM OF MONGOLIA GENERAL ASSESSMENT CONCLUSION
November 16 2015 Ulaanbaatar city Project ID number: 2015/T-137 Project implementing entity’s name, address: Tenuun Gerel Construction LLC, /registration number 5434084/, Ulaanbaatar city, Chingeltei District, 1st khoroo, 50-22. Contact phone, email: 99089971 Project name: Solar Power Plant /15 MW capacity/ Project location, territory: Sergelen Soum (County), Central Province.
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Non- Detailed Rationale, Main criteria of assessment Conform conform assessment comment required Conformity to the Law Relevant articles, section of the Law on on Environment Environment Protection and the Law on Protection and Environmental Impact Assessment Yes regulations
Conformity to the state Relevant articles of the state policy documentations, policy and resolution strategic assessment conclusion, and Yes recommendations
Presence of the state protected areas (sources of water flow formation, protected land of forest and water resources, border protection areas, local Yes protected areas, etc.) Project location and its relevant criteria Vulnerability of the project implementing location to human footprint, natural and climatic changes Yes
Presence of the state and local long-term strategic development l or land subject to possible Yes
adverse impact Formation of possibly accumulated Yes impact Air quality Emission of pollutant and hazardous substances into the atmosphere Yes
Noise, vibration, trembling, luminescent
and heat effect, formation of electrical Yes
and magnetic radiation
Water environment Creation of surface and ground water Yes Preliminary deficit assessment of the Use of fresh water resources Yes project’s Presence of pollution of surface and Yes environmental ground water impact Soil layer Presence of destruction of soil layer Yes
Soil pollution Yes
Vegetation Presence of effect on vegetation and Yes forests Presence of effect on rare and very rare Yes flora species Fauna Presence of deterioration of wild Yes animals’ living environment Presence of effect on rare fauna Yes Local community Violation of right to possess and use Yes land Presence of adverse effect on the social condition of local inhabitants Yes Preliminary assessment of the project’s impact on Presence of urban areas that are subject the society to possible adverse impact Yes
Presence of the issue of relocation Yes
Historical and cultural tangible heritage
Presence of cultural and historical Yes values that are subject
to possible adverse impact Health impact Presence of possible adverse impact on Yes the health of local inhabitants
Presence of risk to human health and life Yes at all phases of the project
CONSOLIDATED CONCLUSION: Environment assessment has been conducted as per the assessment method on the submitted project by Tenuun Gerel Construction LLC to build a Solar Power Plant in the Sergelen Soum, Central Province in accordance with the “Regulation to Conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment” and the Law on Environmental Impact Assessment.
The general conclusion of the assessment: The project conditions have been established as feasible.
ITEMS FOR SPECIAL CONSIDERATION: Identify seismic zone of the project implementation location and take appropriate measures. During the lifetime of the project, abide by the relevant Mongolian laws, regulations, and procedures and conform to standards. Identify and estimate adverse impact of facilities, plant and equipment, and technology on human health and environment. Identify current state of soil corrosion and destruction, take appropriate measures to minimize and prevent the project impact, estimate required investment. Collect, sort, recycle, and dispose of common and industrial waste derived from use of technology and equipment and specific waste from lubrication materials in eco and human health-friendly way. Make waste control an integral part of the project and pay constant attention to minimize waste impact on the environment. Make detailed estimation of adverse impact on soil and air of the project activities. Take appropriate actions to minimize and eradicate adverse impacts. In the event of changes in chemicals used in the project activities and expansion of the project, arrange conduct of a consolidated environmental impact assessment.
Take preventive safety, workplace sanitation measures related to the utilization of equipment and plant, minimize adverse impact on human health. Plan, organize, and take preventive actions to eradicate and minimize adverse impact of the items checked “Yes” in the consolidated conclusion arising from the project implementation
Consolidated conclusion executed by: Consolidated conclusion acknowledged by:
D. Temuulin Expert Ministry of Environment, Green Development and Tourism S. Odbaatar, Director Tenuun Gerel Construction LLC [signed and sealed] [signed and sealed]
APPENDIX C: STANDARDS RELEVANT TO KUSHIGT SOLAR POWER PROJECT
Code Standard
MNS 5918:2008 The General Technical Requirements for Vegetation of Eroded Land
MNS 3473:1983 Environmental Protection. Land, Land Use and Terms and Definitions MNS 17.5.13:1980 Environmental Protection: Rehabilitation of Eroded Land, Terms and Definitions MNS 17.0.0.06:1979 The System of Standards for Environmental Protection and Basic Rules MNS 17.2.0.07:1979 Air Pollutants and Category MNS 17.2.1.17:1980 The Terms and Definitions of Industrial Pollutants to Atmosphere
MNS 4585:2016 Air Quality, The General Technical Requirements
MNS 3383:1982 The Terms and Definitions of Pollutant Sources for Atmosphere
MNS 5885:2008 The Permissible Level of Pollutant Substance to Air/General and Technical Requirements
MNS 3113:1981 The Technical Requirements for Determination of Air Emissions
MNS 6063:2010 Air Quality: Permissible Level of Pollutants
MNS ISO Greenhouse Gas- Second Chapter: Indicative Guidelines for Reporting and 14064-2:2015 Monitoring on Changes and Adsorption of Greenhouse Emissions
MNS 3384:1982 The General and Technical Requirements for Sampling of Air Quality Test MNS 17.1.1.10:1979 The Terms and Definitions for Water and Water Use
MNS 4047:1988 Guidelines for Monitoring of Surface Water Quality
MNS 3342:1982 The General Requirements for Protection of Underground Water from Pollution
MNS 6148:2010 Water Quality: The Permissible Level of Pollutants for Underground Water
MNS 0899:1992 Sanitary Requirements for Sources of Water Supply to Urban and Household Purposes
MNS 0900:2005 Sanitary Requirements and Safety Assessment for Drinking MNS ISO 5667:1:2002 Water Quality-Sampling: Chapter 1: Sampling method for drinking water MNS ISO 5667- 3:1999 Water Quality-Sampling: Chapter 3: Guidelines for handling of water samples MNS ISO 5667:6:2001 Water Quality-Sampling: Chapter 6: Sampling method for rivers and streams
MNS 4943:2015 Water Quality: The General Requirements for Wastewater MNS BS 8525-
1:2015 The General Requirements for Grey Water
Code Standard
MNS 5850:2008 Soil Quality: The Permissible Levels of Soil Pollutants
MNS 3298:1991 Soil Quality: The General Requirements for Soil Sampling
MNS 3985:1987 Soil. Types of Sanitary Indicators of Soil
MNS 2305:1994 Soil. Instructions to Sampling, Packing and Storing of Soil Samples
MNS 4968:2000 Work Safety: General Requirements for Work Place
MNS 4994:2000 Work Safety: Vibrations Norm and General Requirements for Safe Operations
MNS 5147:2002 Electric and Static Conditions. Permissible Acid Level at Workplace
MNS 5150:2002 General Requirements for Safety Procedures with Electric Appliances
MNS 5146:2002 Work Safety: Electric Works; Protection and Wiring.
MNS 5145:2002 Electric Safety: The Maximum level of voltage and electric current
MNS 5002:2000 The General Requirements for Work Safety: The noise norms MNS 0012.4.005:1985 The Labor Protection Equipment. Tools and Types
MNS 4244:1994 The General Requirements for Fire Safety
MNS 5390:2004 Work Safety and Sanitary Conditions
MNS 6458:2014 The General Requirements for Handling Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals
MNS 3474:2003 Plant Protection: The Terms and Definitions
MNS 5872:2008 The Service Requirements for Power Supply
MNS 5643:2006 The General Technical Requirements for Power Transmission Sub Station with Capacity of 25-2500 кВ•А
MNS 4084:1988 The General Technical Requirements for Water Heating Unit with Solar Panel
MNS 5207:2011 The Technical Requirements for Installation of the Fiber Optic Cable
MNS 5682:2006 The Technical Requirements for Pedestrians and Access for Disable Persons
MNS 4597:2014 The Technical Requirements for Road Signs
MNS 4759:2014 The Technical Requirements for Road Marks
MNS 4596:2014 The Operational Instructions for Road Signs, Marks, Fences and Traffic Lights
Specific Mongolian Environmental Quality Standards
C-1: Surface water quality standards
C-2 Noise Level Standards
C-3: Groundwater Quality Standards
C-4: Ambient Air Quality Standards
C-5 Soil Quality Standards
APPENDIX D: RESULTS OF IBAT ANALYSIS OF PROJECT AREA
Proximity report generated by the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool
Protected Areas and Key Biodiversity Areas The following sites are found within the selected buffer distances:
Features within 5 km
There are no features within 5 km.
Features within 15 km
There are no features within 15 km.
Features within 25 km
National-level protected areas
IUCN Category I-II Bogdkhan mountain 46,079 ha
Protected areas designated under regional or international conventions and agreements
UNESCO Man and Biosphere Boghd Khan mountain 42,256 ha
APPENDIX E: LAND TRANSFER CERTIFICATE TO TGC
Translation from Mongolia
Logo The Land own CERTIFICATE of legal entity Number: 000320021
This land own certificated has been issued to the Tenuun gerel construction LLC based on the Resolution of Governor of Sergelen soum dated 4th November, 2016 with the number A/537 in purpose of Solar power plant at Bukhug khundii located in Tov aimag, Sergelen same with area 400,000m² (40 hectare) and with number 18629277778602 for 15 years.
Land officer of Tuv aimag, Sergelen Soum
Stamped and signed
Dated 2nd February, 2017
I do hereby certify that the above document, to the best of my ability, it is a true and correct translation. Unenbat Genden, a Member of the Union of Mongolian Translators SOYON Translation Center # 203, Silver Center, Chingeltei District, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia Tel: (976) 8811-5344; Fax: (976) 7011-0296 E-mail: [email protected]
APPENDIX F: PHOTOS OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION MEETINGS
1) Consultations at individual herder houses
2) Consultation Meeting in Sergelen Soum
APPENDIX G: HEALTH EFFECTS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION EMF
Reprinted verbatim from World Health Organization document:
http://www.who.int/peh-emf/about/WhatisEMF/en/index1.html
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reviewed the notably extensive scientific literature on EMF and human health. The conclusions of the WHO are as follows:
In the area of biological effects and medical applications of non-ionizing radiation approximately 25,000 articles have been published over the past 30 years. Despite the feeling of some people that more research needs to be done, scientific knowledge in this area is now more extensive than for most chemicals. Based on a recent in-depth review of the scientific literature, the WHO concluded that current evidence does not confirm the existence of any health consequences from exposure to low level electromagnetic fields. However, it is believed that some gaps in knowledge about biological effects exist and need further research.
Further…
Effects on general health: Some members of the public have attributed a diffuse collection of symptoms to low levels of exposure to electromagnetic fields at home. Reported symptoms include headaches, anxiety, suicide and depression, nausea, fatigue and loss of libido. To date, scientific evidence does not support a link between these symptoms and exposure to electromagnetic fields. At least some of these health problems may be caused by noise or other factors in the environment, or by anxiety related to the presence of new technologies. Effects on pregnancy outcome Many different sources and exposures to electromagnetic fields in the living and working environment, including computer screens, water beds and electric blankets, radiofrequency welding machines, diathermy equipment and radar, have been evaluated by the WHO and other organizations. The overall weight of evidence shows that exposure to fields at typical environmental levels does not increase the risk of any adverse outcome such as spontaneous abortions, malformations, low birth weight, and congenital diseases. There have been occasional reports of associations between health problems and presumed exposure to electromagnetic fields, such as reports of prematurity and low birth weight in children of workers in the electronics industry, but these have not been regarded by the scientific community as being necessarily caused by the field exposures (as opposed to factors such as exposure to solvents). Cataracts General eye irritation and cataracts have sometimes been reported in workers exposed to high levels of radiofrequency and microwave radiation, but animal studies do not support the idea that such forms of eye damage can be produced at levels that are not thermally hazardous. There is no evidence that these effects occur at levels experienced by the general public. Electromagnetic fields and cancer Despite many studies, the evidence for any effect remains highly controversial. However, it is clear that if electromagnetic fields do have an effect on cancer, then any increase in risk
will be extremely small. The results to date contain many inconsistencies, but no large increases in risk have been found for any cancer in children or adults.
A number of epidemiological studies suggest small increases in risk of childhood leukemia with exposure to low frequency magnetic fields in the home. However, scientists have not generally concluded that these results indicate a cause-effect relation between exposure to the fields and disease (as opposed to artifacts in the study or effects unrelated to field exposure). In part, this conclusion has been reached because animal and laboratory studies fail to demonstrate any reproducible effects that are consistent with the hypothesis that fields cause or promote cancer. Large-scale studies are currently underway in several countries and may help resolve these issues.
Electromagnetic hypersensitivity and depression Some individuals report "hypersensitivity" to electric or magnetic fields. They ask whether aches and pains, headaches, depression, lethargy, sleeping disorders, and even convulsions and epileptic seizures could be associated with electromagnetic field exposure.
There is little scientific evidence to support the idea of electromagnetic hypersensitivity. Recent Scandinavian studies found that individuals do not show consistent reactions under properly controlled conditions of electromagnetic field exposure. Nor is there any accepted biological mechanism to explain hypersensitivity. Research on this subject is difficult because many other subjective responses may be involved, apart from direct effects of fields themselves. More studies are continuing on the subject.
The focus of current and future research Much effort is currently being directed towards the study of electromagnetic fields in relation to cancer. Studies in search for possible carcinogenic (cancer-producing) effects of power frequency fields is continuing, although at a reduced level compared to that of the late 1990's.
The long-term health effects of mobile telephone use is another topic of much current research. No obvious adverse effect of exposure to low level radiofrequency fields has been discovered. However, given public concerns regarding the safety of cellular telephones, further research aims to determine whether any less obvious effects might occur at very low exposure levels.
a. Key points
• A wide range of environmental influences causes biological effects. 'Biological effect' does not equal 'health hazard'. Special research is needed to identify and measure health hazards. • At low frequencies, external electric and magnetic fields induce small circulating currents within the body. In virtually all ordinary environments, the levels of induced currents inside the body are too small to produce obvious effects. • The main effect of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields is heating of body tissues.
• There is no doubt that short-term exposure to very high levels of electromagnetic fields can be harmful to health. Current public concern focuses on possible long-term health effects caused by exposure to electromagnetic fields at levels below those required to trigger acute biological responses. • WHO's International EMF Project was launched to provide scientifically sound and objective answers to public concerns about possible hazards of low level electromagnetic fields. • Despite extensive research, to date there is no evidence to conclude that exposure to low level electromagnetic fields is harmful to human health. • The focus of international research is the investigation of possible links between cancer and electromagnetic fields, at power line and radio frequencies.
APPENDIX H: OUTPUT OF AWARE SOFTWARE
Introduction This report summarizes results from a climate and geological risk screening exercise. The project information and location(s) are detailed immediately below. The screening is based on the AwareTM geographic data set, compiled from the latest scientific information on current geological, climate and related hazards together with projected changes for the future where available. These data are combined with the project’s sensitivities to hazard variables, returning information on the current and potential future risks that could influence its design and planning.
Project Information PROJECT NAME: Sermsang Kushigt Solar Power Project
SUB PROJECT: 15MW solar power plant and 14km 110kV transmission line
PROJECT NUMBER 52127-002 / REFERENCE:
SECTOR: Energy
SUB SECTOR: Renewable energy generation - solar
DESCRIPTION: Development of 48ha,15MW solar power plant, and 14km 110kV transmission line
Project Location 1) 47o37'18.5"N 106o43'19.4E
Project climate risk ratings
High Risk
Breakdown of climate risk topic ratings Temperature increase Wild fire Permafrost Sea ice Precipitation increase Flood Snow loading Landslide Precipitation decrease Water availability Wind speed increase Onshore Category 1 storms Offshore Category 1 storms Wind speed decrease Sea level rise Solar radiation change
APPENDIX I: TABLE OF CONTENTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MONITORING REPORT / ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMPLIANCE AUDIT
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS WEIGHTS AND MEASURES CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION A. PURPOSE OF THE REPORT B. BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT C. PROJECT MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS D. ENVIRONMENTAL OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT AREA
II. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT A. COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENT RELATED PROJECT COVENANTS B. ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES
III. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING A. RESPONSIBILITIES IN MONITORING OF ENVIRONMENTAL SAFEGUARD B. KEY ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY STANDARDS C. SELECTED CLIMATE DATA D. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY DATA E. MONITORING RESULTS AND ASSESSMENT
IV. ISSUES, CORRECTIVE ACTIONS A. KEY ISSUES IDENTIFIED B. ACTION TAKEN C. PLANNED TARGETS AND ACTIVITIES FOR THE NEXT REPORTING PERIOD
V. PUBLIC CONSULTATION, GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM A. TYPES OF GRIEVANCE EXPECTED AND ELIGIBILITY ASSESSMENT B. GRM STEPS AND TIMEFRAME
VI. INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING AND TRAINING A. OBJECTIVES OF TRAINING UNDER ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIAL SAFEGUARD B. OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING UNDER RESETTLEMENT REQUIREMENTS
VII. CONCLUSION A. OVERALL PROGRESS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT MEASURES B. PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED AND ACTIONS RECOMMENDED
INDICATIVE APPENDICES: APPENDIX 1. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN DURING CONSTRUCTION STAGE APPENDIX 2. TOR FOR UPDATING THE EMP APPENDIX 3. PROJECT AREA APPENDIX 4. ACTUAL OBSERVATIONS OF MONITORING PLAN DEVELOPED DURING IESE REPORT APPENDIX 5. SUMMARY OF IMPORTANT FEATURES OF THE PROJECT SUB-CENTER AREA APPENDIX 6. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PLAN ACCORDING TO MONGOLIAN LEGISLATION APPENDIX 7. ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION PLAN APPENDIX 8. GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM DEFINED FOR PROJECT
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