Power Cell, Power Division Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Government of Bangladesh Public Disclosure Authorized Environmental Assessment of World Bank Financed 2x150 MW Gas Turbine Power Plant at Siddhirganj Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Final Report Volume 2: Environmental Baseline Report Public Disclosure Authorized Bureau of Research, Testing and Consultation (BRTC) Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology (BUET), Dhaka March, 2@ &.QO% .A ' \ +-- Environmental Baseline Studv of World Bank Financed 2x150 MW Gas Turbine Power Plant at Siddhirqani 1 .O INTRODUCTION 1.1 Project Background In order to increase the capacity of electricity production, the Ministry of Power, Energy and IWineral Resources, GOB has planned to establish a 2x150 lWW Gas Turbine Peaking Power Plant at Siddhirganj with the financial assistance of the World Bank. The project site is a highly congested industrial area situated beside the Shitalakhaya River. Moreover there exists a number of other Power Generation Complexes in the vicinity of the project site. The proposed project is therefore likely to have significant impacts on the surrounding environment, which has already undergone significant degradation due to the ongoing industrial and other anthropogenic activities. According to the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Rules 1997 (GOB, 1997), a power plant project falls under the "red category", for which carrying out an environmental assessment (EA) is mandatory for getting environmental clearance from the Department of Environment (DOE). According to the World Bank (1 99913) operational policy OP 4.01, this project is classified as an environmental category B project, on account of its location in an industrial area with numerous sources of pollution. The Power Division of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, GOB approached the Bureau of Research Testing and Consultation (BRTC), BUET for carrying out environmental assessment of the construction and operation of the proposed power plant project. In accordance with the agreement with the Power Division of the ministry, an Environmental Assessment (EA) of the proposed power plant project will be carried out, prior to which is to develop a Baseline Study. 1.2 Objective of the Study An environmental assessment (EA) will be carried out for the proposed 2x150 MW Gas Turbine Power Plant, which will be constructed within the Siddhirgapj Power Plant Complex. The overall objective of the EA is to identify and evaluate impacts of the project activities, both during construction and operation phases, on the surrounding environment and to recommend appropriate mitigation and management measures to reduce or eliminate negative impacts and to enhance positive impacts. A detailed environmental baseline survey has been carried out as part of the EA. The primary objectives of this baseline survey are to gather information on the existing physical environment, biological environment, and socio-economic environment of areas in and around the project site. The possible environmental impacts of the project activities will be evaluated against these baseline environmental conditions. The baseline survey covers an area of about 5 km radius around the project site at Siddhirganj Power Plant complex, as suggested in the EIA guidelines of DOE(GOB, 1997). Environmental Baseline Study of World Bank Financed 2x150 MW Gas Turbine Power Plant at Siddhimani Specific objective of environmental baseline survey are: To gather information on the existing physical environment, biological environment, and socio-economic environment of areas in and around the project site. To gather and assess peoples' perception on different aspects of proposed project and possible impacts of project activities on the socio-economic and physical environment in and around the project area. To identify environmental and socio-economic issues and concerns in and around the project area. 1.3 Scope of Works This baseline study identifies the significant environmental issues due to the proj~ectand also prepares a baseline status to outline of the suggestions of effective measures to mitigate the adverse impacts and enhance the positive environment potential. Carrying out environmental baseline study covering areas in and around the project site, which includes collection and assessment of information on the following: Physical environment Biological environment (fisheries, flora and fauna) Air quality and noise level Surface and groundwater quality Availability of water from Shitalakhaya River, especially during the dry season Flood level in and around the project site Demographic and socio-economic information Peoples' perception through public discussion meetings and interview with key informants 1.4 Study Area Study area means an identified map area, which encompasses the geographic extent of significant environmental and socio-economic impacts resulting from implemen,tation of the proposed project. The Siddhirganj power generation complex is located on the western bank of Shitalakhaya River, just outside and to the east of metropolitan Dhaka, and north of Narayanganj (Figure-1 .I). The entire complex is completely enclosed, covers an area of about 88 acres and is owned by the Power Development Board (PDB). The location of the Siddhirganj power generation complex, including the location of the proposed 2x 150 MW peaking plarit is shown in Figure-1.2. Environmental Baseline Sfudv of World Bank Financed 2x150 MW Gas Turbine Power Plant at Siddhimani Source: Banglapedia Figure-I .I: Study area showing project location Environmental Baseline Studv of World Bank Financed 2x150 MW Gas Turbine Power Plant at Siddhimani Source: BCA 2005 Figure-1.2: Administrative units of the study area Ennronmental Basekrie Study of Norld Bank Financed 2x150 MW Gas Turbine Power Plant at Srddhrman[ 1.5 Site Description Power Plant complex is located in Siddhirganj pouroshova under Narayanganj Sadar Upazilla within Latitude 23"41114" to 23'40'45'' North and Longitude 90°30'50" to 90°31'47" East. The study area covering 78.55 sq. km. (5.0 km radius from the proposed plant location) includes parts of 4 thanas under Narayanganj District namely Naraynganj Sadar, Bandar, Sonargaon, Rupganj and also some part of Demra thana under Dhaka District . The 1 km radius of the proposed plant only covers the administrative jurisdiction of Siddhirganj Union (recently declared as municipality) and Sumil Para Union. Table-1.1 shows the administrative units of the study area. Table-1.1: Administrative units of the study area Thana District Area in Unionward MauzalMahallah Village Sa.Km Bandar Narayanganj 55.84 9 127 156 Narayanganj Sadar Narayanganj 100.74 22 135 132 Sonargaon Narayanganj 171.66 11 355 485 Rupganj Narayanganj 247.97 9 145 286 Demra Dhaka 31 .I 10 38 47 Source: BBS 2001 The existing infrastructures within the Siddhirganj complex include: A 210 MW steam turbine power plant: It produces 180-200 lVlW of electricity. The plant currently produceg 44,60,400 KWHr electricity per day. A 50 MW stream turbine power plant: It is the oldest production unit currently producing about 30MW of electricity. The Government has already planned to dismantle the plant and replace it with 2x 120 MW Gas Turbine Plant with ADB financing. The project is in the final stage of approval. Two 132 KV Sub-stations, Gas reducing main station, A water treatment plant, Residential complex for almost 3000 people, A school located close to the site of the proposed 2x 150 MW plant, A mosque, A hospital, and Shops and some other common facilities that can be expected in a small township. There are plans to establish the following power generation facilities within the Siddhirganj complex: 1) WB funded 2 x 150 MW gas turbine (GT) power plant will be established in the area adjacent to the main road on the west side of the complex. 2) The ADB funded 2 x 120 MW gas turbine (GT) power plant will be established in place of the old 50 MW steam turbine (ST) plant (which will be dismantled) near the Sitalakhya river on the east side of the complex. 3) There are plans to add 2 x 2 10 MW STs next to an existing 210 MW ST plant to east side of the complex. Environmental 19aselineStudv of World Bank Financed 2x150 MW Gas Turbine Power Plant at Siddhirsani The WB and ADB financed projects are likely to be constructed and become operational at about the same time, and will be managed and maintained by the same entity. 1.5.1 Access to the Site Major access to the site is by the Dhaka to Chittagong Highway. Demra to Naryanganj Regional highway connect the power plant site to the national highway. It is anticipated that the building, plant and equipment and concrete parts will be disposed off by river barge. The items will be reduced to a size and weight for easy handling. During construction heavy loads can be transported to site, (preferably during flootling periods) by low draft barge that can gain access to the eastern side of the Site. Equipment can be off loaded onto a temporary jetty by the side of the Site. The heavy equipment could be skidded off on to the jetty and from there to the site by the handling contractors conventional method. This is the least cost option. As similar heavy loads have already been transported to the new 210 MW steam station, which is further from the river than the peaking plant, transportation is not consider to be a problem. Handling contractors with the practical experience of transporting and handling similar type of loads and equipment are available in Bangladesh and preliminary discussions to1 confirm the method of handling have been reviewed with two different contractors. For normal light loads and personnel access, roads are already existing in the complex to the site area. 1.5.2 Electrical Connection The peaking plant output will be exported by means of connection to a new 132 kV, 1' 12 breaker sub-station presently under construction as a replacement for the existing 132 k,V substation which is shortly to be demolished.