Language: English Original: French AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK GROUP COMOROS ENERGY SECTOR SUPPORT PROJECT (PASEC) - SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCING COUNTRY: UNION OF THE COMOROS SUMMARY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP) MARCH 2019 Humphrey N. RICHARD Team Leader RDGE.1 8124 Moussa KONE, Power Engineer RDGE.1 8256 (Consultant) Mamadou DIOMANDE, Financial RDGE.4 8243 Management Specialist Souweye MAIGA, Procurement RDGE.4 8121 Specialist Gisele BELEM, Environmental and SNSC.0 4597 Social Safeguards Specialist Bambo DEMBELE, Disbursement Team Members FIFC.3 4617 Officer Ako Charlotte EYONG, Climate PECG.2 4548 Project Team Change and Green Growth Officer Gilberte DOGBEVI-FALY, Fragility RDTS.0 3127 Specialist Camille QUENARD, Gender and AHGC.1 4931 Energy Specialist Jin Jason Seung-Soo, Financial RDGE.1 8323 Analyst (Consultant) Humphrey N. RICHARD Sector Manager RDGE.1 8124 Sector Director Batchi BALDEH PESD 4036 Deputy Director- Nnenna NWABUFO RDGE 8343 General Director-General Gabriel NEGATU RDGE 8232 SUMMARY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP) Project Title: Comoros Energy Sector Support Project (PASEC) - Supplementary Financing SAP Code: P-KM-F00-002 Country : Union of the Comoros Category : 2 Department : RDGE Division : RDGE.1 INTRODUCTION This document is a summary of the Environmental and Social Management Plan for the supplementary financing of the Comoros Energy Sector Support Project (PASEC 2) in its various target areas: (i) rehabilitation of the Voidjou and Itsamboni distribution networks and thermal power plants in Grande Comore; (ii) construction of the Domoni hydropower plant and associated energy evacuation line, as well as the rehabilitation of the Trénani thermal power plant in Anjouan; and (iii) rehabilitation of the Fomboni power plant in Mohéli. This summary has been prepared in accordance with the Environmental and Social Requirements of the Union of the Comoros and the African Development Bank's (AfDB) Integrated Safeguard System (ISS) for Category 2 projects. The project description and rationale are first outlined, followed by the legal and institutional framework to guide project implementation. The description of the key baseline environmental conditions in the project area is then presented, as well as a summary of the public consultations and comparative options in terms of technical, economic, environmental and social feasibility. The environmental and social impacts are summarised and the inevitable impacts identified during the preparation, construction and operation phases of the facilities (MV lines and thermal power plants as well as transformer substations to be rehabilitated). Measures are then recommended to enhance benefits and/or prevent/minimise the negative impacts. The monitoring and capacity-building programme is then presented, as well as the environmental and social management costs of project implementation. 1. PROJECT RATIONALE AND DESCRIPTION 1.1. Project Rationale In 2013, the African Development Bank approved an African Development Fund (ADF) grant and a Transition Support Facility (TSF) grant of US$ 20 million to restore and improve the operation of the power network, the thermal power plants and the distribution grid as well as prepare for the development of renewable energy as part of the Comoros Energy Sector Support Project (PASEC). It was ascertained on completion of the supplementary technical studies that the resources available were not sufficient for all the works. According to the conclusions of these studies, the rehabilitation of the 20 kV distribution networks was estimated at EUR 8 130 000, whereas the available budget was approximately EUR 4 900 000. Similarly, the resource requirements for the rehabilitation of the thermal power plants were estimated at EUR 8 660 000, while the allocated budget was about EUR 2 763 000. The Government of the Union of the Comoros then approached the Bank for a supplementary funding of EUR 8.4 million under PASEC. The amount will mainly be used to further rehabilitate the 20 kV distribution networks and the thermal power plants, and to build the Domoni hydropower plant. Although power supply had improved in 2017, the Union of the Comoros currently faces an energy deficit that unavoidably leads to load shedding. The cost of electricity in the country is among the highest in Africa (KMF 2 120/kWh) due to its production capacity that is largely dominated by diesel generators (electricity is produced mainly by high-speed diesel engines (1500 rpm) with limited capacity (1000 to 2000 kVA). Losses resulting from the outdated and inadequate energy infrastructure maintenance and the improper structuring of distribution networks, collection difficulties and fraud have contributed, among other things, to SONELEC's strenuous financial situation. The overall efficiency of the Comoros power sector has been relatively low in recent years, estimated in 2017 at 58% in Grande Comore and Mohéli, and 65% in Anjouan. 1.2. Project Description The supplementary PASEC financing will facilitate the implementation of the three components described in the table below: Components of the Supplementary Financing (in EUR) No. Components Estimated Cost Description • Conduct of technical studies: (i) detailed technical studies of 5 hydropower plants in Anjouan and Mohéli, and preparation of bidding documents (BDs), (ii) study of the hydropower Support rehabilitation potential of at least 8 sites in Anjouan and A and technical 7 111 600 Mohéli implementation • Rehabilitation of 4 thermal power plants on the 3 islands • Rehabilitation of distribution networks • Construction of a hydropower plant • Construction of the SONELEC headquarters • Control and supervision of construction works • Implementation of the environmental and social B Institutional support 1 250 000 management plan • Implementation of climate change adaptation initiatives • Audit of project accounts C Project management 83 000 • Provision of accounting software services Total (UA million) 8 400 000 The construction and rehabilitation activities under Component A will have environmental and social impacts, including the activities detailed below: (i) Rehabilitation of Medium Voltage (MV) Distribution Networks in Grande Comore: These concern the medium voltage feeders and lines connected to the switchyard and used to transmit the generated energy, and the medium/low voltage distribution stations. The following medium voltage (20 kV) distribution system sections have been selected for the supplementary financing: 3 Sections to be Rehabilitated in Grande Comore Sections Distance in Metres Nioumadzaha – Kanzile 16 756 Itsoundzou (military camp)-Koimbani-Mbéni 19 413 Ouzioini-Ouroveni 11 587 Length in metres 47 756 Rehabilitation of Diesel Thermal Power Plants The thermal power stations to be rehabilitated are those of Voidjou and Itsambouni (Grande Comore), Fomboni in Mohéli and Trénani in Anjouan. Works to be carried out at the power plants will mainly concern: - Supplying various equipment and overhauling generators - Installing remote monitoring and anti-intrusion systems - Strengthening the diesel fuel storage capacity (100 m3 Mohéli and 100 m3 Itsambouni) - Setting up a fuel and lubricating oil analysis laboratory and transformer insulation control - Purchasing batches of safety equipment (helmets, gloves, belts, shoes, coverall, etc.) and tools. Construction of the Domoni Hydropower Plant This component concerns constructing a new 300 kW hydropower plant in Domoni on Anjouan Island. The feasibility study indicates that energy development will draw from the water supply infrastructure, which will involve a separate project being designed, according to the following parameters: • Galani source sampling: 100 l/s • Water intake and transfer to the pressure chamber with a slope allowing a flow rate of more than 300 l/s • Pressure chamber of a dimension of 502 m • Gravitational supply of all sampling points (reservoirs), up to the last point: the network descends to about 100 m and then goes up to about 400 m • Diameter of the pipe from the pressure chamber to the first Domoni tanks: 350 mm • Pressure in the pipe at low point: approx. 40 bar. The main equipment planned for the plant include: • The shutoff valve • The turbine • The generator • A sufficiently large flywheel (operation in an isolated network) • Electrical equipment (power cabinets, transformers, circuit breakers, etc.) • Provision has been made to connect to the 20 kV line on the current network (50 m distance), which supplies Limbi from Domoni. 4 2. POLITICAL, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK 2.1. Environmental Policy Framework of the Union of the Comoros The National Environmental Policy of the Union of the Comoros was prepared and adopted in 1993 by Decree No. 93-214/PR, based on the document entitled "Diagnosis of the State of the Environment in the Comoros". The country’s 2001 Constitution, in its Preamble, proclaims "the right to a healthy environment and the duty of all to safeguard that environment". Adopted in 1994, its Environmental Code declares that environmental protection is in “the public interest" and recalls the right to a healthy environment and the obligation to safeguard it. Article 18 of the Environmental Code also stipulates that the State must ensure the protection of the soil and subsoil, water resources and the marine environment, the atmosphere and biological diversity. Between 1993 and 2001, the Union of the Comoros adopted a policy framework that resulted in the preparation