DIVERSIFICATION OF THE ENERGY MATRIX AND ENERGY SECURITY (GY-L1066) Analysis Report Analysis Environmental and Social Social and Environmental Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Farms in Mahdia, Lethem and Bartica Environmental Engineering Solutions August 2018 Table of Contents 1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Overview .......................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Background for the Project .............................................................................................. 2 1.2.1 Locations of Load Centres ........................................................................................ 3 1.3 Objective of the Project .................................................................................................... 5 1.4 Purpose and Scope of Work ............................................................................................. 6 1.4.1 Purpose ...................................................................................................................... 6 1.4.2 Scope of Work .......................................................................................................... 6 1.5 Approach and Methodology ............................................................................................. 7 1.5.1 Baseline Data Collection........................................................................................... 7 1.5.2 Methodology to Predict Environmental Effects ....................................................... 9 1.5.3 Cumulative Effects.................................................................................................... 9 1.5.4 Consultation Process ................................................................................................. 9 1.6 Limitation and Technical Difficulties .............................................................................. 9 2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ................................................................................................... 11 2.1 Project Location and Existing land Use ......................................................................... 11 2.2 Site Location .................................................................................................................. 11 2.3 Project Timeline ............................................................................................................. 16 2.4 Project Design and Technology ..................................................................................... 16 2.5 Main Infrastructure Components ................................................................................... 16 2.6 Auxiliary Electrical Equipment ...................................................................................... 18 2.7 Construction ................................................................................................................... 18 2.8 Project Costs ................................................................................................................... 19 3 DIAGNOSTIC OF AREA OF INFLUENCE (DIRECT AND INDIRECT) AND STAKEHOLDERS OF THE OPERATION ................................................................................. 19 3.1 Natural Environment ...................................................................................................... 19 3.2 Topography and Soils..................................................................................................... 20 3.3 Hydrological Situation ................................................................................................... 22 3.4 Noise Emissions ............................................................................................................. 24 3.4.1 Mahdia .................................................................................................................... 24 3.4.2 Lethem .................................................................................................................... 27 3.4.3 Bartica ..................................................................................................................... 30 3.5 Air Quality...................................................................................................................... 33 i 3.5.1 Mahdia .................................................................................................................... 35 3.5.2 Lethem .................................................................................................................... 39 3.5.3 Bartica ..................................................................................................................... 42 3.6 Biological Resources (Biogeographic Provinces, Ecosystems, Habitats, Flora and Fauna) ....................................................................................................................................... 45 3.6.1 Areas of Recognized Importance to Biodiversity ................................................... 50 3.7 Climate ........................................................................................................................... 53 3.8 Natural Disasters and Hazards ....................................................................................... 55 3.8.1 Flooding and Droughts ........................................................................................... 55 3.8.2 Seismic Activity ...................................................................................................... 56 4 SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS ......................................................................................... 57 4.1 Social Environment Survey ............................................................................................ 57 4.2 Bartica ............................................................................................................................ 57 4.2.1 Level of Urbanization ............................................................................................. 57 4.2.2 Demographics and Household Composition .......................................................... 57 4.2.3 Cost of Living ......................................................................................................... 59 4.2.4 Health and Education .............................................................................................. 60 4.2.5 Health and Sanitation Infrastructure ....................................................................... 61 4.2.6 Energy ..................................................................................................................... 63 4.2.7 Community Well-being .......................................................................................... 65 4.2.8 Cultural Sites ........................................................................................................... 66 4.2.9 Physical Assets and Social Services ....................................................................... 67 4.3 Mahdia ............................................................................................................................ 67 4.3.1 Level of Urbanization ............................................................................................. 67 4.3.2 Demographics and Household Composition .......................................................... 67 4.3.3 Cost of Living ......................................................................................................... 69 4.3.4 Health and Education .............................................................................................. 71 4.3.5 Health and Sanitation Infrastructure ....................................................................... 71 4.3.6 Energy ..................................................................................................................... 73 4.3.7 Community Well-being .......................................................................................... 75 4.3.8 Cultural Sites ........................................................................................................... 76 4.3.9 Physical Assets and Social Services ....................................................................... 77 4.4 Lethem ............................................................................................................................ 77 4.4.1 Level of Urbanization ............................................................................................. 77 4.4.2 Demographics and Household Composition .......................................................... 77 ii 4.4.3 Cost of Living ......................................................................................................... 79 4.4.4 Health and Education .............................................................................................. 81 4.4.5 Health and Sanitation Infrastructure ....................................................................... 81 4.4.6 Energy ..................................................................................................................... 83 4.4.7 Community Well-being .......................................................................................... 85 4.4.8 Cultural Sites ........................................................................................................... 85 4.4.9 Physical Assets and Social