Environmental and Social Scoping Report KARAVASTA 140 MW SOLAR PV PROJECT, ALBANIA November / 2020 Tirana, Albania REPORT SUMMARY KARAVASTA 140 MW SOLAR PV PROJECT, ALBANIA Karavasta Solar PROJECT TITLE sh.p.k. established by Voltalia Ltd. DOCUMENT TITLE Environmental and Social Scoping Report Revision Date Originator Checker Approver Narrative 00 02/09/2020 E.Sopaj, R.Biba, Initial draft for client review K.Cipo, and comment. M.Grundy B.Shehu, A.Beqiraj, S.Sulce, M.Grundy, R.Biba 01 10/12/2020 E.Sopaj, R.Biba, Updated for disclosure. K.Cipo, M.Grundy B.Shehu, A.Beqiraj, S.Sulce, M.Grundy, R.Biba 02 22/12/2020 E.Sopaj, R.Biba, Updated with new layout K.Cipo, changes. M.Grundy B.Shehu, A.Beqiraj, S.Sulce, M.Grundy, R.Biba Page 2 Table of Contents REPORT SUMMARY .............................................................................................................................. 2 Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................... 3 Figures 5 Tables 6 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 7 1.1. Project Background and Overview .................................................................................................. 7 1.2. Purpose and Structure of Scoping Report ...................................................................................... 7 1.3. Introduction to Project Proponent (Voltalia) .................................................................................... 8 2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................................ 10 2.1. Project Summary ........................................................................................................................... 10 2.2. Project Location and Routing ........................................................................................................ 10 2.3. Rational for the Project .................................................................................................................. 12 2.4. Technical Overview & Project Components .................................................................................. 12 2.5. Overview of Project Phases and Activities .................................................................................... 18 2.5.1. Mobilisation/Pre-construction ............................................................................................ 18 2.5.2. Construction and Installation Phase.................................................................................. 18 2.5.3. Operations and Maintenance ............................................................................................ 20 2.5.4. Decommissioning and Closure ......................................................................................... 21 2.6. Project Alternatives ....................................................................................................................... 22 2.6.1. No-Project Alternative or Do Nothing ................................................................................ 22 2.6.2. Alternative forms of electricity generation ......................................................................... 22 2.6.3. Alternative Sites ................................................................................................................ 23 2.7. Iterative Design ............................................................................................................................. 23 3. LEGAL AND LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK ................................................................................. 24 3.1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 24 3.2. National Legislative Requirements................................................................................................ 24 3.2.1. Environmental Approval Procedure .................................................................................. 25 3.2.2. Protection of Biodiversity and Protected Areas Framework ............................................. 29 3.2.3. Protection of Cultural Heritage .......................................................................................... 30 3.2.4. Protection of physical environment framework ................................................................. 31 3.2.5. Health and Safety Framework ........................................................................................... 37 3.2.6. Other Relevant National Legislation.................................................................................. 39 3.2.6.1. Albanian Legislation for the Energy Sector ....................................................................... 40 3.2.7. International Conventions and Agreements ...................................................................... 41 3.2.7.1. WHO Guidelines................................................................................................................ 44 3.2.7.2. International Union for the Conservation of Nature ........................................................... 44 3.3. EBRD Requirements ..................................................................................................................... 44 3.3.1. EBRD E&S Performance Requirements ........................................................................... 45 3.3.2. EU EIA Legislation ............................................................................................................ 45 4. ENVIRONMENTAL & SOCIAL CONTEXT/BASELINE................................................................. 47 4.1. Physical Environment .................................................................................................................... 47 4.1.1. Climatic conditions ............................................................................................................ 47 4.1.2. Air Quality .......................................................................................................................... 48 4.1.1. Hydrology .......................................................................................................................... 50 4.1.2. Hydrogeology .................................................................................................................... 56 4.1.3. Flooding ............................................................................................................................. 57 4.1.4. Topography, Geology and soil .......................................................................................... 59 4.1.4.1. Geographical position and geographical features of the area .......................................... 63 4.1.4.2. Soils ................................................................................................................................... 63 4.2. Biological Environment .................................................................................................................. 64 4.2.1. Protected areas ................................................................................................................. 64 4.2.2. Habitats ............................................................................................................................. 66 Page 3 4.2.3. Flora .................................................................................................................................. 66 4.2.4. Fauna ................................................................................................................................ 69 4.2.1. Avifauna (birds) ................................................................................................................. 70 4.2.2. Aquatic Ecology................................................................................................................. 72 4.3. Socio-Economic Baseline ............................................................................................................. 74 4.3.1. Administrative Structure .................................................................................................... 74 4.3.1.1. Counties ............................................................................................................................ 75 4.3.1.2. Municipalities ..................................................................................................................... 75 4.3.1.3. Administrative Units and Villages ...................................................................................... 75 4.3.1.4. Head of Villages ................................................................................................................ 75 4.3.2. Demographic Profile .......................................................................................................... 77 4.3.3. Language, Ethnicity and Religion...................................................................................... 78 4.3.4. Economy and Livelihoods ................................................................................................. 78 4.3.5. Land Use ........................................................................................................................... 79 4.3.6. Education .........................................................................................................................