Environmental & Social Impact Assessment Project Report Client: Kenya Power & Lighting Company Limited Assignment: To carry out an Environmental & Social Impact Assessment of the proposed Athi River 220/66 Kv sub station on L.R. 18474/216 Plot. No. 11. Project Cost: Report Prepared by: Walter Barongo Nyatwang’a-Lead Expert, NEMA Reg. No. 0822 Jacob Akinala- Lead Expert, NEMA Reg. No. 0729 Thomas Omwega-Lead Expert, NEMA Reg. No.1427 Samuel Abaya-Associate Expert, NEMA Reg.1245 James Gitau-Technical Safety Engineer Signed by: ......................... Date: ............................ Walter Barongo Nyatwang’a Lead EIA/Audit Expert, NEMA Reg. No. 0822 For: The Kenya Power & Lighting Company, P. O. Box 30099 – 00100, NAIROBI, KENYA Signed: .......................... Date: ........................... John Guda-Deputy Manager, Safety Health & Environment 1 Environmental Impact Assessment Project Report for the proposed 90MVA 220/60 kV substation in Athi River February 2010 Environmental & Social Impact Assessment Project Report EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Introduction and Study Objectives The Kenya Power and Lighting Company Limited (KPLC) intend to construct and operate 90MVA 220/60 kV substation in Athi River for power transmission and distribution in Nairobi Metropolis over the planning period 2009 – 2015. The process will entail construction of transmission line, substations and sub-transmission lines for the Nairobi Metropolitan in order to sharply improve the quality of electricity. Electricity cannot be stored, it is therefore necessary to generate and deliver power over long distances at the very instant it is needed. Kilometres of high voltage Transmission Lines transmit power, mainly from the power generating stations like hydro powers, geothermal and thermal stations located at various parts of the country or from the neighbouring countries like Uganda to major substations around the country. The proposed 90MVA 220/60 kV substation in Athi River will step down the electricity voltage for distribution to smaller substations, from where the electricity is distributed to industries, businesses, homes and social institutions among others in Nairobi and its environment. KPLC has to supply power reliably to meet the increasing needs and demands of end-users. Therefore, KPLC has to expand and establish its infrastructure of Transmission Lines and substations on an ongoing basis. The substations have to be built while maintaining the balance between satisfying the society’s needs and environmental constraints. KPLC propose the construct 90MVA 220/60 kV substation in Athi River which will increase the security of supply to the surrounding industries, businesses, homes and social institutions among others. In line with environmental legislation, KPLC has used is in house environmental experts who are registered by NEMA to undertake the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed construction of Athi River substation. The construction of the proposed Athi River substation was originally contained in the implementation of a medium term strategy for power transmission and distribution in Nairobi Metropolis over the planning period 2009 – 2015. However, due to the urgency of the construction of substation at Athi River will bring about positive impacts to the local community in terms of employment opportunities, economic development and informal businesses among others. The proposed Athi River Substation site has low environmental sensitivity from a botanical, archaeological and avi-fauna perspective. Social impacts are expected to be of low significance with a good chance of mitigation, largely due to the fact that the proposed activity is in line with the existing land uses of the Export Processing Zone (EPZ). Visual impacts of the construction are expected to be minimal due to the fact that the proposed substation will not interfere with the general landscape of the proposed project site, and the viewing audience is minimal due to the peri urban/ rural nature of the site. The height of the new structures is similar to that of those already existing at the other substation. No objections to the proposed construction and operation of the substation were received during the public consultation process. The study objectives were to: 2 Environmental Impact Assessment Project Report for the proposed 90MVA 220/60 kV substation in Athi River February 2010 Environmental & Social Impact Assessment Project Report ■■■ Conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment to identify both positive and negative impacts of the proposed project and propose most appropriate interventions during construction, operation and decommissioning of the project; ■■■ Collect baseline socioeconomic data of the project area and potential impact expected from project construction, implementation, operation and decommissioning; ■■■ Develop an Environmental Monitoring Program during construction and operation and present plans to minimize, mitigate, or eliminate negative effects and impacts; ■■■ Describe Environmental Management Plan implementation mechanisms; ■■■ Identify and contact stakeholders to seek the views on the proposed project; Scope Objective and Criteria of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) The Government of Kenya policy on all new projects, programs or activities requires that an Environmental Impact Assessment is carried out at the planning stages of any proposed undertaking. The scope of this Environmental Impact Assessment, therefore, covers: • The baseline environmental conditions of the area, • Description of the proposed project, • Provisions of the relevant environmental laws, • Public participation • Identification and discuss of any adverse impacts to the environment anticipated from the proposed project, • Appropriate mitigation measures, • Development of an environmental management plan outline. The scope covered various activities related to; construction works of the proposed development which included ground preparation, construction of the 90MVA 220/60 kV substation, operation of the 90MVA 220/60 kV substation, decommissioning of the 90MVA 220/60 kV substation and installation of service lines as well as the utilities required by the proposed 90MVA 220/60 kV substation. The study terms of reference included: • Establish the suitability of the proposed location of the proposed 90MVA 220/60 kV substation in EPZ Athi River. • A concise description of the national environmental legislative and regulatory framework, baseline information, and any other relevant information related to the project. • A description of the technology, procedures and processes to be used, in the implementation of the project. • A description of materials to be used in the construction and implementation of the project, the products, by-products and wastes to be generated by the project. • A description of the potentially affected environment. • Carry out ambient air quality, noise levels and soil quality baseline measurements. 3 Environmental Impact Assessment Project Report for the proposed 90MVA 220/60 kV substation in Athi River February 2010 Environmental & Social Impact Assessment Project Report • A description of environmental effects of the project including the social and cultural effects and the direct, indirect, cumulative, irreversible, short-term and long-term effects anticipated. • To recommend a specific environmentally sound and affordable wastes’ management system. • Provide alternative technologies and processes available and reasons for preferring the chosen technology and processes. • Analysis of alternatives including project site, design and technologies. • Development of Environmental Management Plan proposing the measures for eliminating, minimizing or mitigating adverse impacts on the environment, including the cost, timeframe and responsibility to implement the measures. • Provide an action plan for the prevention and management of the foreseeable hazardous activities in the cause of the project cycle. • Propose measures to prevent health hazards and to ensure security in the working environment for the employees, residents and for the management of emergencies. • An identification of gaps in knowledge and uncertainties which were encountered in compiling the information. • An economic and social analysis of the project. Study Methodology This study was carried out through desk and field investigations. The experts conducted extensive literature review pertaining to this project. During the field investigation, reconnaissance survey was conducted to gather information on biophysical and socio-economic aspects of the area and its environs. In order to address these issues the study team adopted a participatory approach where the client and the immediate surrounding communities were consulted in addition to reviews and references to sources of information including legal statutes, design and relevant project documents. Among the key activities undertaken during the assessment are: (i) Interviews and consultations with the immediate neighbouring land users. A questionnaire was circulated to the people in the neighbourhood to obtain their honest opinion regarding the project (samples have been annexed to this report), (ii) Review of documents with necessary information on the proposed project details, the site planning and implementation plan as well as the desired nature building, (iii) Physical inspections of the proposed site and photography, (iv) Ambient air quality, noise levels and soil quality baseline measurements and analysis