Takoradi Thermal Power Plant Expansion Project (T3) Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Revision 5 Prepared By: June 2009 T3 Thermal Power Plant, Proposed Expansion Table of Contents 1 Introduction..........................................................................................................................................1 2 Policy, Legal and Administrative Framework.................................................................................3 2.1 Requirements of Co-Financers ................................................................................................3 2.2 Regulatory Conditions ...............................................................................................................3 2.3 Comparison of Predicted versus Regulatory Conditions .....................................................3 3 Description of Proposed Project ......................................................................................................4 3.1 Introduction..................................................................................................................................4 3.2 Existing Situation and Development of T3 .............................................................................5 3.2.1 Existing Situation................................................................................................................5 Geographical Location, Site Characteristics and Land Use ........................................................5 3.2.2 Development of T3.............................................................................................................8 3.3 T3 Proposal............................................................................................................................... 10 3.3.1 Site Preparation and Construction Details ...................................................................17 3.3.2 Operation Details..............................................................................................................21 4 Description of Existing Environment..............................................................................................27 4.1 Physical Environment ..............................................................................................................30 4.1.1 Topography, Geology and Soils.....................................................................................33 4.1.2 Climate and Air Quality....................................................................................................43 4.1.3 Ground and Surface Water.............................................................................................54 4.1.4 Coastal Environment........................................................................................................56 4.2 Biological Environment............................................................................................................65 4.2.1 Terrestrial Vegetation ......................................................................................................65 4.2.2 Wildlife................................................................................................................................68 4.2.3 Marine Environment.........................................................................................................71 Environmental Impact Assessment A0409001 ii Revision 5/June 2009 T3 Thermal Power Plant, Proposed Expansion 4.3 Sociocultural Environment ......................................................................................................80 4.3.1 Population and Demographics .......................................................................................80 4.3.2 Ethnic, Religious and Cultural Background..................................................................85 4.3.3 Historical Resources........................................................................................................86 4.3.4 Aesthetics and Tourism...................................................................................................87 4.3.5 Infrastructure .....................................................................................................................89 4.3.6 Education...........................................................................................................................93 4.3.7 Land Tenure and Land Ownership ................................................................................95 4.3.8 Land Use ...........................................................................................................................96 4.3.9 Fisheries ............................................................................................................................97 4.3.10 Employment/Manufacturing..........................................................................................103 4.3.11 Public Health ...................................................................................................................112 4.3.12 Coastal Pollution.............................................................................................................117 5 Analysis of Alternatives .................................................................................................................126 6 Significant Environmental Effects and Mitigation Plan .............................................................130 6.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................130 6.2 Significant Environmental Effects ........................................................................................130 6.2.1 Air Quality ........................................................................................................................130 6.2.2 Social Issues ...................................................................................................................131 6.2.3 Water and Wastewater..................................................................................................134 6.2.4 Noise ................................................................................................................................135 6.2.5 Access and Traffic..........................................................................................................139 6.2.6 Land Issues and Waste Management ........................................................................142 6.2.7 Ecology ............................................................................................................................145 6.2.8 Landscape and Visual Character.................................................................................146 Environmental Impact Assessment A0409001 iii Revision 5/June 2009 T3 Thermal Power Plant, Proposed Expansion 6.3 Existing and Proposed Mitigation – Site Preparation and Construction ........................148 6.3.1 Air Quality ........................................................................................................................148 6.3.2 Social Issues ...................................................................................................................149 6.3.3 Water and Wastewater..................................................................................................149 6.3.4 Noise ................................................................................................................................149 6.3.5 Access and Traffic..........................................................................................................150 6.3.6 Land Issues and Waste Management ........................................................................150 6.3.7 Ecology ............................................................................................................................151 6.3.8 Visual and Landscape Character.................................................................................151 6.4 Existing and Proposed Mitigation – Operational ...............................................................152 6.4.1 Air Quality ........................................................................................................................152 6.4.2 Social Issues ...................................................................................................................153 6.4.3 Water and Wastewater..................................................................................................153 6.4.4 Noise ................................................................................................................................153 6.4.5 Access and Traffic..........................................................................................................154 6.4.6 Land Issues and Waste Management ........................................................................155 6.4.7 Landscape and Visual Character.................................................................................155 6.5 Residual Effects......................................................................................................................156 6.5.1 Air Quality ........................................................................................................................156 6.5.2 Social Issues ...................................................................................................................156 6.5.3 Water and Wastewater..................................................................................................157