صفحة جديدة 2

1. Engineering Consultants Group (ECG), a private consulting firm (Egypt) was commissioned by the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC) / Upper Egypt Electricity Production Company (UEEPC) to prepare the technical documents and procedures required by the World Bank Group (WB) and other Development Banks concerning the Environmental and Social Assessment of the Helwan South Power Project..

2. EEHC is seeking financial assistance from the WB for the construction and operation of this 3x650 MWe, dual fuel supercritical steam power plant. The proposed plant is designated as a Category A project under WB rules, a Category 1 project under the AfDB's rule and a Category C project under the Egyptian environmental regulations and therefore requires a full Environmental Impact Assessment. Financing from WB and other Development Banks is conditional upon obtaining the environmental clearance from both the Egyptian regulatory authorities and the International & Regional Banks, i.e. the WB & other Development Banks.

3. Upper Egypt Electricity Production Company (UEEPC), a company incorporated in Egypt and affiliated to the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC) proposes to construct and operate a new thermal power plant at a selected site south of ex-Helwan Governorate, which is along the Nile River and about 10km south of the village of Kureimat in the Dayr El-Maymoun area. The site is within an existing piece of land allocated to the Upper Egypt Electricity Production Company (UEEPC) by Presidential Decree No. 43 of 2010 issued on 14 February 2010 for the development of the power plant. The overall proposed site area is approximately 378,000 m².

4. The proposed power plant will consist of three supercritical thermal steam units, with a nominal electricity generating capacity of 650 megawatts (MWe) each, which will be known as Helwan South Power Plant. The overall generating capacity of the power plant will be 1950MWe. The power plant is intended to be operational by the end of the year 2014/2015. The power output from the proposed plant will be sold to the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC).

5. The power plant will utilize natural gas as its primary fuel, and also have the capability to operate using mazout (heavy fuel oil). The ability to "dual-fuel" the power plant (with natural gas or mazout) will provide security of electricity supply in the event that gas supplies are unavailable for any reason. In addition, emergency generators, for the plant safe shut down, operating on sollar oil (light fuel oil) will also be provided on-site to drive key items of equipment within the power plant in the event of a power supply failure, and sollar oil will also be able to be used, if required, to operate the auxiliary boiler during start-up.

6. The power plant will incorporate a direct (once through) cooling system using water abstracted from the River Nile. The abstracted water will also be used, following pre-treatment demineralization, to provide process water make-up in the boiler system. Potable water supplies will be drawn from the same water supply system of the power plant.

7. The main demand for water is due to the direct cooling system. The use of a direct cooling system maximizes the electrical efficiency of the power plant and, after use, virtually all of the water will be returned to the River Nile at a slightly elevated temperature compared to the abstraction. No evaporative cooling towers are required, hence there is no opportunity for water drift or the formation of visible plumes of water vapor or ground fogging.

8. Nile water will be used as non-contact cooling water and for process water following demineralization. Nile water will be pumped through an intake pipeline buried under the bankline whilst heated cooling water will be returned to the Nile via a discharge pipeline.

9. The Helwan South site is located within a bare sandy area of uncultivated land. It is entirely situated on approximately more than 37 hectare rectangle- shaped piece of land located in a rural/desert area approximately 10 km south of the village of Kureimat, in the Helwan Governorate on the east bank of the Nile river. The site of the new Helwan South 1950 MWe power plant facility is an area of about 276,000 m² within the existed allocated site. The site locus is approximately 100 km south of Cairo and 23 km north of Beni-sueif. Two physiographic zones occupy this area: a floodplain adjacent to the Nile, and a rocky desert plateau east of the floodplain. The site of the existing land is 450 meters wide and has an average length of 800 meters; in all the site encompasses 378,000 square meters.

10. On the north side of the site is the Kureimat Power Complex (2x600 MWe+ 2x750 MWe), at around 7.5 km and the Kureimat village (about 10 km) and the Helwan South irrigation pumping station (about 9 km). The site is about 700 m south of the Dayr al-maymoun village. On both of the south and the east sides of the site is a wide-extended desert land. On the east side, and across the power plant site is a two-lane road running paralle to the Nile river. On the western side of the site is an agricultural stripland parallel to the Nile river where the power plant's cooling water intake and discharge structures will be located.

11. The nearest town of importance is Es-saff, Markaz Es-saff, about 38 km along the road in the north direction. Towns of importance in the wide vicinity of the power plant site are Atfieh, Giza, Helwan, Imbaba, 15^th of May, Beni-Suweif and El-Wasta.

12. The site entirely consists of approximately flat land, which is owned by the Upper Egypt Electricity Production Company (UEEPC). The site of the proposed power plant is shown on Figure-1. Also, Figure-2 depicts this location within the context of the ex-Helwan Governorate. Figure 4(A&B) illustrates a landsat image (general view) of the proposed site land.

13. Table 1 of this E.S. Report presents environmental, health and safety issues relating to construction and operation of Helwan South power project.

14. The key Environmental Issues associated with the development of the proposed power plant, identified during local ESIA and RPF scoping and consultation, are summarized in Table 13, page 101 of this E.S. Report, under "Public Consultation and Disclosure", and these issues were subsequently taken into account in the preparation of ESIA documentation for both local permitting requirements and this ESIA report.

1. The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report is prepared by ECG, a private consulting firm (Egypt), based on many baseline studies undertaken by independent national and international consultants and on information provided by EEHC, UEEPC and their sub-contractors. Public consultation activities are undertaken by ECG and EEHC in conjunction with UEEPC. The ESIA report draws heavily on the environmental and social assessment documentation prepared by group of local and international multidisciplinary consultants and submitted to ECG, for preparing the ESIA report for local permitting purposes and financing requirements. All such documentations were reviewed by ECG and cleared for inclusion in this report. Most of the relevant local permits for the construction of the power plant have now been received (Further details of the relevant local permits are available in Section 2.3.1 of the main ESIA report).

2. Beginning in the 1950s, the Government of Egypt has promulgated several laws and regulations concerning protection of the environment.

3. The Egyptian standards have been drawn from the range of provisions in the following documents:

· Law 4/1994 and the Prime Minister’s Decree No. 338 of 1995, which promulgates the Executive Regulations of Law 4.

· Amendment to the Law 4/1994 promulgated by the Prime Minister's Decree No. 1741 of 2005 for modifying some executive regulations of the Decree No. 338 of 1995.

· Law No. 93 for 1962 regarding the drainage of liquid wastes, particularly sanitary drainage.

· Law No. 38/1967 amended by Law No. 31/1976 on public cleanliness and collection and disposal of solid waste.

4. Law 4/1994 and Law 9/2009 require that, for establishments requiring licenses, an environmental impact assessment must be prepared and submitted to the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) for review. The environmental impact assessment must be submitted to the EEAA by “the Competent Administrative Authority (CAA) or the licensing authority” for the project in question. For the Power Plant Project, the Competent Administrative Authority is the Helwan Governorate.

5. The Helwan Governorate will send the EIA to EEAA for review and provide its opinion within 30 days. Once EEAA has approved the project, a license to proceed can be issued. No additional environmental or social clearances are required other than the EIA approval to proceed with the project activities. The law requires that any new project should comply with all the relevant articles pertinent to environmental attributes, which could be impacted from project activities.

6. Egyptian EEAA regulations specify the technical scope or contents of an environmental impact assessment. As a matter of practice, environmental impact assessments for power plant projects typically have a scope and organization similar to World Bank environmental assessments.

7. In addition to environmental impact assessment requirements, the Government of Egypt has established air pollution and water pollution limits applicable to the Power Plant project. These limits are discussed in Chapter 6, alongwith the actual air and water pollution levels expected from the Power Plant.

8. The World Bank includes environmental impact assessment as an integral part of the evaluations it performs before financing a proposed project. The World Bank’s Operational Policy 4.01 (October 3, 1991 and its updates, 1999) provides guidance on the types of assessments that should be performed for different types of projects, and on the scope and content of those assessments. According to Operational Directive 4.01, thermal power plant projects require a full Environmental Assessment (EA).

9. World Bank Environmental Safeguard Policies provide 10 potential issues that may need to be considered in an EA, depending on the specific characteristics of each project. Table 2 summarizes the expected triggerability of the potential Safeguard Policies for the Helwan South Power Plant Project. The Safeguard Policies identified as “triggerable” are those which may be triggered and thus considered “Requiring Management”. When the detailed design of the Helwan South Power Plant has been determined, the UEEPC should prepare project-specific plans to manage these potential impacts.

10. No safeguard policies were triggered except for the Environmental Impact Assessment and the Involuntary Resettlement. Table-2 shows potential World Bank environmental Safeguard Policies and Helwan South project triggerability. The table justifies the triggerability or lack thereof for WB Safeguard Policies.

11. Annex B to Operational Directive 4.01 provides an outline of the information that should be included in a full EA. This Environmental and Social Impact Assessment follows the scope of Annex B.

(1) "Service Water" includes water for utilities (toilets; floor cleaning; sanitary)

(3) Recycling = predominantly non-consumptive use; returned to the original source.

12. In addition to environmental impact assessment guidelines, the World Bank has established guidelines concerning air pollution and water pollution form thermal power plants (Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook-Part III (July 1998)). The guidelines were officially published in 1988; since then, several sets of revisions have been proposed, most recently on March 22, 1996. The 1988 and proposed 1996 guidelines are discussed in Chapter 6, along with the actual air and water pollution levels expected from the Power Plant. Also, the most recent updates of the World Bank Guidelines, issued in 2007 and in December 2008 have been considered.

13. World Bank’s Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook-Part III (July 1998) also, provides with principles of industrial pollution management, monitoring and air emission & effluent discharge requirements presented in the industry Guidelines including Guidelines for New Thermal Power Plants.

14. Public Consultation Process has been designed in accordance with World Bank Guidance for the Preparation of a Public Consultation and Disclosure Plan (January 1996);

15. The ESIA has assessed the impacts of the construction and operation of the New Helwan South Power Plant and has also considered the cumulative air quality impacts of the plant and other existing sources in the project area, including the small and medium sized local manufactures. Consideration has also been given to the operation of the transmission line and other outside facilities, including natural gas pipeline, which will feed the power project with gas fuel. The ESMP will be revised after exact route of both transmission lines and gas connection are available. Permits will be required from the relevant Competent Administrative Authorities.

16. The ESIA report presents the full assessment of the environmental, social, health and safety impacts of the Helwan South power plant. This Executive Summary presents a short resume of the findings of the ESIA report. For further details, reference should be made to the full ESIA report.

17. The Helwan South site is located within a bare sandy area of uncultivated land. It is entirely situated on approximately more than 37 hectare rectangle- shaped piece of land located in a rural/desert area approximately 10 km south of the village of Kureimat, in the Helwan Governorate on the east bank of the Nile river. The site of the new Helwan South 1950 MWe power plant facility is an area of about 276,000 m² within the existed allocated site. The site locus is approximately 100 km south of Cairo and 23 km north of Beni-sueif. Two physiographic zones occupy this area: a floodplain adjacent to the Nile, and a rocky desert plateau east of the floodplain. The site of the existing land is 450 meters wide and has an average length of 800 meters; in all the site encompasses 378,000 square meters (see Figure-3).

18. On the north side of the site is the Kureimat Power Complex (2x600 MWe+ 2x750 MWe), at around 7.5 km and the Kureimat village (about 10 km) and the Helwan South irrigation pumping station (about 9 km). The site is about 700 m south of the Dayr al-Maymoun village. On both of the south and the east sides of the site is a wide-extended desert land. On the east side, and across the power plant site is a two-lane road running paralle to the Nile river. On the western side of the site is an agricultural stripland parallel to the Nile river where the power plant's cooling water intake and discharge structures will be located.

19. The nearest town of importance is Es-saff, Markaz Es-saff, about 38 km along the road in the north direction. Towns of importance in the wide vicinity of the power plant site are Atfieh, Helwan, Giza, Imbaba, 15^th of May, Beni-sueif and El-Wasta. The general site location is shown in Figure-4 (A through G).

20. The site entirely consists of approximately flat land, which is owned by the Upper Egypt Electricity Production Company (UEEPC). Localized map of the proposed site is shown in Figure- .

21. The land is identified by boundary lines determined by the coordinates of the proposed site. Key points are given in Figure , which indicates the following coordinates:

23. The Helwan South site is located on the western edge of the North Galala Plateue, a desert environment ranging in elevation from 330 to 1,275 meters above sea level. Wadis drain into the Nile river from the west slope of the plateau. The development of the site did not affect the drainage in adjacent areas. The river bank in this reach of the Nile (El- Wasta to Beni-sueif) is generally steep, consisting of small floodplain areas on the east bank; however, more extensive agricultural lands occur on the west bank. Flat desert lands above the east bank (Figure 5-5(B)) extend some 35 km inland to the Galala Plateau ridge. This area is not irrigated, but sporadic grazing occurs throughout the plateau.

24. The power plant site is located immediately above a river floodplain and just upstream and downstream of Helwan South Island, away from the cultivated area. Small oases occur about 1 km south of the site, and immediately to the north of the site. These oases are located on wadis at their confluences with the Nile flood-plain. The oases and adjacent floodplain are used to grow a variety of fruit, vegetable, and forage crops and to graze livestock. The natural growth of palm trees and shrubs, combined with fig trees and other cultivated woody plants, provides habitat for a variety of songbirds and some shorebirds.

25. Natural stream bank vegetation forms a narrow border to the river and consists of Scirpus, Juncus, Phragmities, Typha, and other emergent species. Snails are abundant along the shoreline, as are nematodes and other bottom worms in shallow water. The shoreline also shows evidence of high siltation and periphytic growth. The shoreline is already stabilitized as a part of the existing project. The elevation is on average not changed in the cultivated area but all areas are of uniform elevation.

26. Above the floodplain the topography of the site consists of an abrupt slope followed by a flat plateau some 300 meters to the east. The elevation difference from the Nile at summer flow levels to this plateau is approximately 20 meters. The site's eastern most boundary extends along the main north-south highway and includes a major wadi. The flow through this wadi during storm periods would be blocked east of the highway's elevated road bed.

27. The Helwan South site is within the Atfieh local governing unit, with the city of El-Saff as the governing center of the district. No villages or individual residences are located on the site. Agricultural workers who farm the floodplain live in nearby villages. Kureimat village is located some 10 km to the north of the site and Figure 5-5(C) shows the view of the nearest part of the village from the road to the site.

28. The site is located within a totally rural landscape with some small scattered residential communities.

29. Supply to the site is possible via railroad, road and barge from Alexandria, El-Dekheila, Damietta, Suez-Gulfor or others. The power plant location can be reached by previously mentioned two-lane road which branches off the agricultural road connecting Alexandria with Cairo. This access road has a width of about 12 m starting from Helwan. The part of this access road which passes the Helwan South site is paved but is full of asphalt pocket.

30. The project area lies within the hyperarid climatic province of Egypt characterized by a mild winter and hot summer.

31. Vegetation cover types within the site boundaries and in surrounding areas consist of three categories: emergent marsh wetlands adjacent to the Nile river, cultivated areas on the historical river floodplain, and barren desert on the eastern plateau.

32. Agricultural crops have been cultivated on the higher floodplain and at the mouth of several small wadis at the project site between the 23 m and 28 m elevations.

33. At least two different crops are planted annually on the lower areas, and in August, corn and peanuts are the predominant crops. Winter wheat is to be planted after the corn is harvested. Orchard and perennial crops included grapes, melons, guava, lemon, Indian fig (Opuntia ficusindica) and castor bean.

34. Generally, the project area is an agricultural-desert landscape. In the vicinity of the project site, almost no human settlements of any significant size occurs.

35. There is a typical rural housing with many small villages. The nearest villiage to the site is at about 1 km. No housing, except the existing plant's colony, occurs in the immediate vicinity of the site which is totally surrounded by desert, agricultural and farm lands. The satellite image taken recently (Figures 5-1(D, E and F)) shows that these lands are as described.

37. The primary wildlife species observed onsite during the November 2010 field reconnaissance were birds. Within the wetlands, the cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis), moorhen (Gallinula chloropus), common swallow (Hirundo Rustics), and graceful warbler (Prinia gracilis) were commonly observed in the Scirpus – Juncus marshes. Most of the avian activity, however, was centered in the agricultural areas. Swallows were observed foraging the fields. Cattle egrets, spur-winged plovers (Hoploterus spinosus), crested larks (Galerida cristata), and Senegal stone curlews (Burhinus senegalensis) foraged on the ground in the fields. Palm doves (Streptopelia senegalensis) were commonly observed foraging on the ground as well as resting in the trees. No birds were observed in the desert on the site.

38. In addition, the field surveys have indicated that non-of the floral and faunal communities and/or species are of conservation value (rare or threatened). Meanwhile, no natural protectorates exist near the vicinity of the proposed site.

39. No industry, other than the existing Kureimat power complex, is present near the site. Thus, the air in the background atmosphere is of appropriate quality.

40. No archaeological resources are known in this zone. During February 1991 and before the construction of the existing Kureimat power plant, Kathryn A. Bard and Ricardo J. Elia of the Office of Public Archaeology, Boston University have conducted Preliminary Archaeological Assessment for the Kureiamt, Egypt Feasibility study. Also, the local archaeological authorities have surveyed the whole area around the site and they all proved that no historical resources exist.

41. Two water sources are available near the site, i.e. the Nile river and the underplaying aquifer. The quality of both surface water and groundwater in the Helwan South reach of the Nile is generally good. Only in localized sectors where there are concentrated sources of contaminants, such as irrigation drainage return waters, would water quality degradation be expected to occur.

42. The groundwater basin, which lies both beneath and closely adjacent to the Nile Valley from Cairo to Aswan, includes an area of about 2 million feddans. Water storage in this linear basin has been estimated at approximately 27 billion m³. However, because the hydrologic balance of the Nile Valley alluvial aquifer is directly connected with Nile surface flows, production from the aquifer is nominally the same as withdrawing water from the river. In essence, the valley aquifer is a transmission medium for river surface resurces.

43. The proposed site lies within the administrative boundary of the Helwan Governorate, which is recently formed as a distinct Governorate, separated mainly from Cairo and Giza Governorates, where most of its Kisms / Marakez / Districts/ Cities were basically affiliated to Cairo and Giza Governorates. The Governorate of the Helwan has prepared an Urgent Development Plan (UDP) for land-use management and planning, in which it sets out its policy to control development in the the Helwan South region up to 2017 and beyond.

44. The Helwan Region Strategic Plan, 2009 is shown in Figures 9, (A) & (B) . The proposed land uses around the project site include new industrial, urbanized and residential development areas, which discussed in more detail in Section 5.8.

1. The power plant site will occupy an area of approximately 276,000 m², within a total allocated area of 378,000 m² rectangle-shaped piece of land and will include the following main elements for each 650 MWe Unit:

· Supercritical steam power plant, comprising two generating units primarily fired by natural gas, at approximately 9-11 bar gauge at the interface, but also designed to run on mazout (heavy fuel oil) in emergency situations as a secondary fuel. Each unit will consist of one outdoor supercritical steam generator for steam generation and one supercritical steam turbine generator (STG) providing 650 MWe (nominal) electrical generation capacity per unit at the 100% of the STG output case. Each STG will be fed by steam from the respective steam generator (boiler);

· Circulating water system, with the main pumps and associated piping, the intake and discharge structures, the screening system, the chlorination system and the cathodic protection system;

· Intermediate water storage, the demineralization plant and the make up water system; and

· Power will be generated at the manufacturer’s standard voltage and stepped up through main transformers to be connected to the new 500kV GIS switchgear.

3. The power plant is designed to operate as a base load unit with the STG operating in sliding pressure mode up to approximately 60% load and at fixed pressure for higher loads.

4. The layout and main components for the power plant is presented in Figure 10.

5. The key steps of the generating process of the proposed power plant are as follows:

· The key inputs to the generating process are natural gas or mazout oil, which will be delivered to the site via underground pipelines (gas or mazout), together with air and water.

· Natural gas (or mazout oil when natural gas is unavailable) will be mixed with air and combusted to generate steam from demineralized water to drive three turbines serving electrical generators. The combustion of the fuel is supported by injection of air. The process results in the generation of electricity and also produces hot exhaust gases.

· The steam is cycled from the boilers through the turbines to condensers. The condensers are cooled by a direct cooling system, abstracting water from, and discharging the used effluent to, the River Nile. The condensate is then returned for recirculation within the boilers.

· The final exhaust gases will be discharged to the atmosphere via a flue housed in a single stack of 152 m height for each unit in accordance with emission standards set by the EEAA. The main by-products from combustion of natural gas are carbon dioxide (CO₂), water vapour, carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NO_x). Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and particulates, which are typically associated with coal and oil combustion, will not be produced other than in trace quantities during natural gas firing. When mazout oil is used instead of natural gas (in emergency situations for only less than 2% of the total operating hours), SO₂ and particulates will also be key emissions from the power plant.

1. During operation, the key releases into the environment from the power plant will comprise the following:

· Exhaust gases, will be emitted into the atmosphere, normally from the Boilers’ stack as a result of fuel combustion. Emissions from the combustion of natural gas are carbon dioxide (CO₂), water vapor, carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and particulates, which are typically associated with coal and oil combustion, will only be produced in trace quantities during natural gas firing. In emergencies when heavy fuel oil (mazout) is used instead of gas, SO₂ and particulates will however be key emissions from the power plant.

· Heated cooling water will be discharged into the River Nile via the cooling water discharge structure at a temperature of no more than 9.6^oC at the point of discharge. Process waste water will be treated and discharged into the discharge system, which includes two pathways: one to the circulating water discharge system (CWDS) and the other to the plantation irrigation network. Any oil and residual solids will be removed before discharge and the pH of discharged water maintained at between 6 and 9.

· Chlorine will be added to the cooling water system to control bacterial and algal growth on various surfaces and in the cooling water intake. The cooling water discharge will contain residual quantities of chlorine at concentrations below the World Bank standard for free chlorine of 0.2 mg/l.

· Small volumes of solid wastes will be segregated, collected and disposed of by licensed waste disposal contractors.

2. The power plant incorporates a range of measures to eliminate or reduce operational releases within its design and layout, such as low NOx burners in the boilers, oil interceptors fitted to the site drainage system and effluent treatment facilities to treat wastewater prior to discharge. As a result, the power plant is designed to meet high environmental standards and comply with the emission limits of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the World Bank.

3. The no action alternative will result in the demand for electricity exceeding supply, with an increasing deficit as demand increases in future years. A lack of a secure and reliable electricity generation and supply system has significant social and economic implications, since it will:

· constrain existing and future economic development and investment through lack of energy resources to meet industrial demand;

· restrict socio-economic development through lack of electricity supply, or poor reliability and shortages in electricity supply for domestic users, community and other public facilities and public services;

· inhibit provision of social services, including public health and poverty eradication.

4. As a result, the "no action" option is not a viable or acceptable alternative to the proposed project.

5. The EEHC has established a generation expansion plan which is intended to achieve the following:

6. The expansion plan also corresponds to the national Government’s development aspirations and growth poles of economic and industrial expansion throughout the country. As part of this plan, the EEHC has identified Helwan South power project to help implement its expansion in generation capacity. Hence, the proposed project is compatible with and, indeed, a fundamental part of the EEHC generation expansion plan to meet existing and future demand for electricity.

7. The EEHC has an objective to provide a secure, reliable electricity generation and distribution system for Egypt. A key element in meeting this objective is to establish a diverse range of technologies to avoid over-reliance on any particular fuel or technology, which may adversely affect the ability to provide electricity or meet the fluctuations in demand which occur on a day-to-day or seasonal basis.

9. Other possible options include “importing electricity”, “rehabilitation of existing power plants”, “transmission and distribution investment” and “IPPs”.

· Importing electricity: Egypt is interconnected to Libya and Jordan and is exporting electricity to both countries. Interconnection to Libya has a capacity of 300 MWe, and that of Jordan has a capacity of 350 MWe, which was increased to 450 MWe in 2006. Libya and Jordan are currently paying 4 US¢/kWh for the Egyptian power supply. As they are net importers, there is currently not much scope for electricity imports to Egypt from the interconnected networks. In addition, the cost of electricity in both countries is much higher than that of Egypt, making it an uncompetitive alternative. There is currently no south border connection to Sudan, although there is an ongoing activities in the context of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) whereby Egypt could potentially import hydroelectric power starting approximately in 2014, if the price is competitive. However, considering the abundance of natural gas and thus the low cost electricity provision in Egypt, it will be difficult for imported electricity to be competitive.

· Renewable energy: Current world market cost of wind based electricity is 5.9-7.38 US¢/kWh, whilst is 3.75 US¢/kWh with current grant financing for wind projects, which is higher than the cost from natural gas thermal plants. Therefore, renewable energy is not competitive unless further subsidies are provided.

· Rehabilitation of existing power plants: EEHC has concluded that the rehabilitation option is cost effective in seven of its existing power plants, and these sites have already been or will be rehabilitated. However, these efforts are not enough to cope with the growing demand for electricity.

· Transmission and distribution investments: EEHC has developed a transmission and distribution (T&D) development plan and the T&D system is optimized for the current load requirements and generation capacity. To meet the demand growth for the fast track period and medium term expansion, a T&D investment plan has been developed. New electricity generation capacity is required in the network; therefore, strengthening of T&D capacity alone will not replace the need for the generation capacity. Furthermore, T&D losses are at a relatively low level, around 10% on average, and reducing the losses further would not free up the amount of electricity supply required.

· BOOTs/IPPs: Three BOOT projects (650 MWe each) have been built in Egypt in late 1990's and early 2000's. The government is encouraging private sector participation in order to attract private investment. However, given the worldwide reduction in investor’s interest in the power sector, private financing for power generation in the near term is still in process.

10. Consistent with the generation expansion plan, the EEHC has stipulated that the Helwan South should be gas/oil-fired supercritical steam units of a net 3x650 MWe generating capacity. The reasons for the selection of this technology are as follows:

11. The steam cycle (SC) technology, which fires natural gas as a main fuel and mazout as a back-up fuel, has been used for decades in Egypt. The plant efficiency is around 46% with 600 MWe size drumless type super-critical steam cycle, which exceeds the similar sub-critical unit efficiency with at least 4% ratio. The investment cost of Steam Cycle Super-critical plant, based on recent worldwide market experience, is around $ 1700/kWe (EPC basis with multiple packages). The application of large scale (750MWe) gas turbine combined cycle (CC) technology, which fires natural gas as a main fuel and diesel fuel as a back-up fuel, has been operational since 2004. Plant efficiency exceeds 50% and the investment cost, based on recent worldwide market experience, is around $760/kWe (EPC basis with multiple packages). Given that CC plants show lower investment cost and higher plant efficiency, there should be a distinguished rationale to justify why the SC technology has been selected for the proposed project. The reasons are the following:

· Operational flexibility: The EEHC plans to operate large scale (i.e., 750 MWe) CC plants at 100% full flat base-load with a possibility of reducing operations to 50% once a week. This is because the cycling capacity of large-scale CC plants is still to be confirmed (frequent start and stop, and partial load operation capacity). Consequently, SC plants are required to take the role of reducing the load, while CC plants keep 100% full load. EEHC therefore sets the maximum proportion of CC in the generation mix to be 30-35%. As a result, the Electric Generation Expansion Analysis System (EGEAS) model selected the proposed Helwan South SC plant as the most viable option based on this generation mix criteria. If the CC technology were selected, it would exceed the limit of CC in the generation mix, requiring CC plant cycling operation beyond what it is capable of.

· Grid stability: SC turbine has bigger inertia and is therefore more stable to network disturbances. When the CC ratio is too high in the generation mix, CC may overreact to the disturbances and interfere with each other, which could cause load instability.

· Unforeseen risk of new technology: Applying a new technology to the Egyptian specific climate and environment may have unforeseen risks. For example, recently, dust and humidity caused a quick filter pressure drop in the Cairo North plant, commissioned in May 2004, which was not expected when the CC plant was designed.

· Fuel flexibility: SC plants use mazout as a back-up fuel, easily available domestically, while CC plants use imported diesel oil. The ability to "dual-fuel" the power plant (with natural gas or mazout) will provide security of electricity supply in the event that gas supplies are unavailable for any reason.

· Local manufacturing capacity: In Egypt only 30% of CC plants are manufactured locally, in comparison to about 40-45% of SC plants manufactured locally. Therefore, the use of SC technology creates more local employment and requires less foreign exchange.

12. Given this rationale, existing and planned generating capacity using gas/oil-fired combined cycle units is already considered sufficient by the EEHC and further reliance on this particular technology is not preferred for reasons of security of supply, response to demand and economics. As shown in Table 3-1, almost 29.88% of installed capacity in 2008/2009 was provided by combined cycle technology. The new combined cycle units at New Kureimat and El-Atf, Sidi Krir and New Talkha have added more 3000 MWe to the installed capacity within the last 2 years. Also, declared combined cycle additions of Giza North (3x750) MWe and Banha (1x750) MWe will increase the combined cycle capacity by another 3000 MWe within the next 2 years. The EEHC is implementing a process of meeting and generating increased demand through the provision of conventional steam generation plants in order to generate sufficient demand to install further CCGT capacity in the future. This will result in increased potential to incorporate more CCGT capacity.

13. Hence, with the current policy to limit CC to 30-35% in the generation mix (as identified by EGEAS), and with urgent need of supply capacity with load following capability, SC technology has been identified as the most viable option for the Helwan South project. This will ensure operational flexibility, network stability, fuel flexibility, local job creation, and avoid unforeseen risks of applying new technologies too rapidly in Egypt.

14. Natural gas has been selected as the main fuel for the power plant. Compared to other fossil fuel generating technologies, gas fired steam generators have a relatively low emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂), moderate emission levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and the lowest emission levels (almost traces) of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and particulates.

15. The site location has been allocated to the Upper Egypt Electricity Production Company (UEEPC), an affiliated company to the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC) by the Egyptian Government (Presidential Decree no. 43 of the year 2010, issued on 14 February 2010).

16. Three sites were considered for the proposed project, namely Safaga, Sharm esh-Sheikh and Helwan South. Relatively, the Helwan South was preferred to Safaga and Sharm esh-Sheikh sites mainly because of the higher cost for connection to cooling water, make-up water and the gas network, in addition to the electricity grid due to the greater distance to the load centers.

17. The key criteria used in the evaluation of the alternative sites by the EEHC/ UEEPC were as follows:

18. Potential environmental impacts have been examined for all sites. Screening level assessment during feasibility study indicated that the level of environmental impacts will be relatively constant for all the three sites.

19. According to the Investment Map and Land-use Map of Egypt, the South Helwan/ Kureimat has been designated since 1999 to industrial development. Some of the land around has already been developed with industry facilities. As a result, the Helwan South on the Nile River area has been identified as the centre of load for current and future electricity demand in the region.

20. Compared to other alternative sites, the Helwan South on the Nile River site was found to be the most effective site for the following reasons:

· A workers colony is not required during construction as the power plant will use the local workforce from Helwan Governorate and the surrounding towns and villages.

21. In addition, the power plant will be constructed and operated on a land originally allocated for power generation activity, thus it will not include any land take. Also, the power plant site will bring socio-economic benefits to the wider Helwan Region, through employment opportunities, supply contracts and the effects of project expenditure within the local economy.

22. The key findings of the consideration of alternative sites are summarized in Table-3. The consideration of alternative sites by the UEEPC/EEHC indicated that Helwan South has no significant disadvantages and has several beneficial aspects for other developments in the Helwan and Atfieh / Kureimat area, and desirable site development characteristics. Therefore, Helwan South was selected as the preferred site for the power plant.

23. A thorough assessment of the impacts of the proposed plant has been carried out based on information provided by EEHC, UEEPC and their sub-consultants. A combination of quantitative and qualitative assessment techniques, ranging from computer and/or physical modeling for air, water, noise and traffic impacts to ecological and aquatic surveys and visual evaluation, have been undertaken. The results of the assessment work have been coِmpared with the environmental standards set by the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the World Bank, whichever is the more stringent.

24. The following items are examined in the corresponding sub-sections of the ESIA Study Report:

25. For each of these items, a concise description and evaluation of the significance of potential impacts of the project is presented in the ESIA study report. Where modeling has been undertaken, a description of the model as well as corresponding maps summarizing the results of the assessment are provided.

26. Where potentially significant adverse impacts are identified, possible mitigation measures are suggested wherever possible, to ameliorate the impact to an acceptable level. Where identified, beneficial or positive impacts/effects of the project are also highlighted.

27. The conclusions of the assessment (see Table 4) are that (with suitable mitigation measures described in Tables 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9) the project is in compliance with the environmental requirements of both the Government of Egypt and the World Bank with respect to stack emissions of the new power plant, ambient air quality, discharge quality and noise. Table 1 provides with a summary of anticipated impacts in relation to the Egyptian and World Bank environmental guidelines for stack emissions, ambient air quality, liquid effluent and noise. The following discussion highlights some of the key considerations and results of the assessment.

28. Construction activities will result in locally high levels of dust. This may affect nearest receptors or sensitive environments which lie in the immediate boundaries of the power plant. Existing concentrations of airborne dust are already high in this rural area. Potential impacts from dust emissions on site will be significantly reduced by careful management and the implementation of mitigation measures to reduce dust generation.

29. The power plant will burn natural gas as its primary fuel. As a result, the principle pollutant during normal operation will be NOx. During emergency operation (and for not more than 2% of operating time), the burning of light fuel oil will result in emissions of particulate matter and SO₂ along with trace amounts of other pollutants. Emissions from the plant will meet Egyptian and World Bank Guidelines.

30. In order to analyze the potential impacts of the plant’s emissions during normal operation (firing gas) on ambient air quality in the project area, dispersion modeling has been undertaken.

31. The assessment indicates that the highest concentrations for each of the averaging periods under consideration (hourly, daily, annual) are found to the north-north-west, south and south- south-west of the site, respectively. This is because the winds are exposed to the atmospheric prevailing conditions, although they are overwhelmingly from the north and northwest for most of the time. The maximum hourly average value is 367.3 mg/m³ at 608.9 meters (-305.0m, 527.0 m), the maximum 24-Hours average is 126.7 mg/m³ at 623.0 meters (5.1 m, -622.9 m) and the maximum annual average is 37.3mg/m³ at 630.1 meters (-95.0 m, -622.9 m). The ambient existing levels of pollutants are dominating the wider area of the Helwan South site. Combined effects from the proposed Helwan South power project and the surrounding sources for nitrogen oxides (NOx) have been obtained using the background NOx measurements recorded for the Helwan South area via the NRC. The maximum total combined 24-hour impact level (138.79mg/m³, including the background level) is under the Egyptian 24-hour limit of 150 mg/m³. The maximum 24-hour impact level of the Helwan South power project is 126.7 mg/m³ (excluding the background level). The maximum combined 1-hour impact level, including the highest value during 2008, is 397.52 mg/m³. The Helwan South plant contributed 367.3 mg/m³ at this location. (see Figure 11). It is recommended that an air quality monitoring system composed of 2 or 3 monitoring stations will be utilized. The monitoring station equipped with meteorological monitoring system will be located near to, or within, the power plant site, the other one or three stations will be located one down wind within the designated area of maximum predicted pollutant concentration and the other (if any) upwind.

6.3 Aquatic Environment

1. Cooling water and process water for power plant operation will be drawn from the Nile River via an intake structure. The quantity of the cooling water that will be returned back to the Nile River is about 69 m³/sec. Process water that will be abstracted from the Nile River is about 0.07% of this quantity. Potable water will be supplied to the power plant via the power plant water supply system. Cooling water will be returned to the Nile River via a discharge structure whilst waste process water will be disposed of after treatment via discharge system, which includes two pathways: plantation irrigation network and Circulating Water Discharge System (CWDS). Sanitary waste water will be disposed of after treatment via plantation irrigation network and the residual sludge will be transported by trucks to the sewer treatment plant of El-Saff town. No ground water or other surface water will be used during power plant construction and operation. The Contractors will be responsible for relevant water/toilet facilities during construction and the need to provide appropriate services will be specified in their contracts. The key potential impacts of the power plant on the aquatic environment will therefore be impacts to the aquatic flora and fauna during power plant construction and operation.

2. The aquatic environment surrounding the project site is characterized by generally fair water quality. The aquatic flora is characterized by poor biodiversity and no sensitive ecosystems. No commercial fishing occurs in the vicinity of the project, but very limited fishing activity near El-Kureimat power complex site, around 7.5km downstream the South Helwan project site.

3. During construction of the power plant dredging and construction of the intake and discharge structures could lead to potential impacts on physical aquagraphy, water quality and removal of, or disturbance to, aquatic habitats, flora and fauna. Given that the area of impact is very localised, losses are in many cases temporary and field survey data available do not indicate significant or sensitive habitats, the impacts of power plant construction on the aquatic environment are not considered to be significant. In addition, good site management and engineering practices during construction will ensure that any residual impacts are reduced to a minimum.

4. Power plant operation will result in a heated plume of waste cooling water being discharged into the Nile River. Process water will be disposed of to the discharge system (identified above). All discharges of process water will be treated prior to discharge to ensure that the Egyptian and World Bank waste water quality guidelines are met. Treatment includes neutralization, oil separation, flocculation and filtration.

5. The returned cooling water will be released at a temperature of no more than 8^oC at the point of discharge. Thermal modeling of the discharge plume shows that, at max. operational conditions, the point at which the plume has decreased in temperature to 3^oC above ambient, lies at approximately within 100 m from the point of discharge. The mixing zone has been defined by the HRI/MWRI to be 150 m from the point of discharge.

6. The temperature of the returned cooling water at the point of discharge conforms to the Egyptian Standard, and the discharge as modeled satisfies the World Bank standard of a maximum increase of 3^oC above ambient at the edge of the mixing zone (100 m from the point of discharge). In addition, the area affected by the highest temperature increases and therefore where aquatic ecology is likely to be most affected, is localized and the aquatic habitats in this area have been found to already be relatively impoverished. Outside this area, more marginal increases in the Nile River water temperature are likely to create new or improved habitats for flora and fauna.

7. Physical aquagraphy, Helwan South Nile River bankline access, fishing and navigation are not predicted to be significantly affected by the presence of the intake and discharge structures.

6.4 Noise Impacts

8. The construction of the Helwan South power plant is expected
to generate a maximum noise level of 55 dB(A) during the day at the fence
of the power plant and 50 dB(A) at night. These worst-case construction noise levels are both within Egyptian and World Bank⁽¹⁾ guidelines, and
for most of the construction periods, the noise levels will be lower than
these values. There are no residential receptors within 100 m of the
plant.

9. Construction traffic on local roads will also generate additional noise, however noise levels on local roads predicted for peak construction activity (during 2012-2013) is expected to be only 0.3dB(A) above ambient levels. This magnitude of increase is generally not perceptible to the human ear, consequently no construction traffic impacts are predicted.

10. The potential noise emissions from the Helwan South plant during operation have been modeled to provide noise contours in the area around the site. The predicted operational noise levels at the site boundary and at all receptors are below the Egyptian and World Bank guidelines during daytime and nigh-time.

__________________________________

(1) There are no World Bank Guidelines for demolition and construction noise, therefore Operational noise guidelines are applied here.

6.5 Flora and Fauna

11. No areas protected for their conservation value are located on, or in the vicinity of, the project area. The proposed site itself and the surrounding land is desert and agricultural vegetated with much of the area having been dominated by common cultivars. Given that the potential impacts of construction and operation on power plant area likely to be localized and good site management practices will be implemented, no significant effects are predicted.

6.6 Land Use, Landscape and Visual Impacts

12. The land use at the project site is agricultural land. There is no loss of this land to the power plant development, as this land is offered for sale by its owner, either, for other purposes or for a power generation activity, therefore there is not significant land use impacts due to the Helwan South power project.

13. The surrounding land use is generally agricultural. As the land is dominantly cultivated, all existing views will be insignificantly influenced by the power plant and given the surrounding context, the visual intrusion of the power plant could be accommodated.

14. Visual impacts of the power plant from the residential areas to the northwest and southeast are also not expected to be significant given the long distance of their locations from the site and orientation of the facilities. The potential landscape and visual impacts of the project are therefore expected to be properly accommodated.

6.7 Soils, Geology and Hydrology

15. Due to the characteristics of the soils and geology of the site, in particular the lack of any sensitive features, and the mitigation measures proposed as part of the construction and operation of the power plant, no significant impacts are predicted to occur. In addition, preliminary land surface investigations confirmed the site as being uncontaminated.

6.8 Traffic

16. The assessment of traffic and transport covers the changes in traffic conditions in terms of delay and congestion during construction and operation.

17. The greatest potential for traffic impacts to occur arises during a short period at peak construction. There is some potential for increased congestion on the main roads to the power plant, however the impacts will only occur during the peak construction phase and during peak hours. The overall impact is therefore predicted to be insignificant. Mitigation measures will be put in place to reduce the potential for impacts to arise.

18. During operation, a small number of workers and HGVs are associated with operating the power plant and no impacts are predicted to occur.

6.9 Socio-economics and Socio-cultural effects

19. It is anticipated that the power plant will provide a net positive socio-economic impact through the provision of employment opportunities and attraction of economic investment into the area. In addition, the use of local labor (95% during construction), will maximize these positive impacts through the development of the local skill base and will also generate increased demand for local services, materials and products.

20. In addition to the area specifically designated for the plant, there are large empty spaces next to the power plant site. All activities related to the construction of the new plant will therefore take place within the area belonging to the UEEPC, i.e. there will be no off-site activities or associated land acquisition during construction.

21. As indicated in the main document, scientific research has shown that certain species of the fish grow considerably faster in warmer water.

22. The effects on the fisheries of warmer water returned to the Nile River from similar power plants along the Nile banks are well known. Experience from more than 10 other power plants located on the banklines of both of the River Nile and its branches that have operated in Egypt for a number of years indicates that the overall impacts on fisheries of slightly warmer water actually are positive, and consultations with the fishermen indicate that the catches in these areas have increased rather than decreased. Since this is part-time, small-scale fisheries no statistics are available, but after many years the warmer water around the various points of discharge, is clearly perceived by the fishermen to have positive effects (More details are presented in "consultation with the fishermen" given in Volume III, Annex C).

23. In line with this recognition, discussions have already been initiated between the EEHC and the General Authority for Fishery Development with a view to jointly take advantage of this, e.g. establishing a fry collection station near the edge of the mixing zone.

24. Land expropriation is not likely for the sub-projects, including interconnecting transmission lines and gas pipeline. However, in order to handle any potential future changes, a Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) is prepared by ECG separately in a stand alone document to be attached with this ESIA report. Fair compensation, if any, will be paid for the right of way according to the Law 63 of the Year 1974 and the recommendations set out in the RPF. The ESMP will be revised after exact routes for both of the gas connection an transmission lines are available.

25. The project design has considered enhancing the project benefits through its social corporate responsibilities program. Resulting from the community requests that local population, both men and women, be considered for employment opportunities, the Power Company shall ensure that the construction companies recruit local people willing and able to participate in the implementation of the project. In addition, the project has undertaken to construct local clinic and a basic school for the communities of the project area in liaison with the Ministries of Health and Education, respectively. Provision of these social amenities will be implemented under the civil works contracts. Furthermore, social and recreational facilities for the staff of the Power Company shall be accessible by the local people upon request, including access to potable water within the project premises.

26. The Project will construct a dedicated project campsite where all facilities shall be provided to the incoming labour force to ensure that no pressure is exerted on local facilities and supplies. The local communities shall be given priority in supplying goods and services demanded by the project and its employees. Senior and professional staff of the construction companies will opt to reside in the near-by city of Beni-Suweif which has adequate facilities to cater for the project workers. Lodging requirements of the operational staff will be covered through extensions available to residential community of the Kureimat Power Complex, 7.5 km north-east of the project site. No additional land acquisition is needed.

6.10 Archaeology, Historic and Cultural Heritage

27. No available information was found which identified any archaeological, historic or cultural remains on the site or in the surrounding area. Consequently, no impact is predicted to occur on any known archaeological, historic or cultural resources.

28. UEEPC have incorporated mitigation measures into the construction program to ensure that any potential finds of significance are recorded and are accorded the required protection in consultation with Supreme Council for Antiquities.

6.11 Natural Disaster Risks

29. An assessment of the risks to the power plant from seismic activity has concluded that given the engineering measures incorporated into the design of the power plant, the potential environmental impacts of a seismic event during power plant operation are not anticipated to be significant.

30. Furthermore the power plant will be designed to conform to the Uniform Building Code Zone 2 seismic criteria, according to US regulations for earthquake. These design criteria are therefore considered sufficient to withstand the level of seismic activity experienced in the area.

31. The risks of flooding during power plant construction and operation were also examined. However, site drainage will be constructed to minimize any risks of contaminated water reaching the surroundings and to properly drain the site, no significant flood risk impacts are anticipated.

6.12 Major Accident Hazards

32. Given the wider land surrounding the Helwan South power plant and the measures incorporated into the design of the plant to minimize the risk from fire and explosion, the plant is not anticipated to pose a potential risk of any significance to any third party facilities.

6.13 Solid and Hazardous Waste Management

33. The management of wastes during construction and operation of the power plant will include mitigation measures to collect and store waste on-site, record all consignments of solid or contaminated waste for disposal and periodically audit waste contractors and disposal sites to ensure that disposal is undertaken in a safe and environmentally acceptable manner according to the rules set by Law 4/1994 and the Law 9/2009 and the Governorate of Helwan.

34. Private sector contractor will be assigned via general bidding process and the contract will include detailed environmental procedures, according to Law 4/1994 and the Law 9/2009 and Governorate of Helwan regulations, for disposing debris materials. The contract covers all fees required.

35. During construction and operation, all wastes including debris waste, general waste, packaging waste, commercial wastes, raw-water pre- treatment sludge, tank sludge and interceptor sludge will be disposed of by licensed waste contractors according to the rules set by Law 4/1994 and the Law 9/2009 and the Governorate of Helwan.

36. Solid and hazardous waste management is not predicted to cause any significant impacts.

6.14 Occupational Health and Safety

37. With the provision of a high standard of health and safety management on site, construction and operation of the power plant in accordance with good industry practice, the occupational health and safety risks associated with construction and operation of the power plant will be minimized and are not significant.

6.15 Associated Infrastructure

38. All construction related activities will take place within the area belonging to the Upper Egypt Electricity Production Company. The total area is 378,000 square meters have, already, designated for the new plant. In addition to the area specifically designated for the plant, there is large empty space inside the purchased land next to the power plant designated area. All activities related to the construction of the new plant will therefore take place within the area belonging to the Upper Egypt Electricity Production Company, i.e. there will be no off-site activities or associated land acquisition during construction.

39. Transmission lines which will evacuate power generated by the Helwan South power plant will add connecting transmission lines to the Egyptian network. Some limited distance (on 500 kV) transmission lines will connect the power plant to existing substations following new routes. Very small pieces of land will be taken against compensation.

40. The power plant will be connected through the following:

· Construct 500 kV O.H.T.L double circuit SHPP^(*) 500/ Minya East 500(proposed) with length of about 200 km.

· Construct 500 kV O.H.T.L double circuit SHPP 500/ Bader 500 (under constriction) with length of about 150 km.

Another connection (to the Samallout S/S) had also been discussed, but has not been found acceptable as it will likely go through a number of cultivated farm lands. The proposed option seems to be less intrusive, both in terms of adverse socio-economic impacts and land acquisition challenges.

41. The proposed transmission routes of 500 kV TLs with their transmission towers would be footed mostly (at least 95%) on dry, unproductive, uninhabited, state owned land. The land required for each tower footing is expected to be maximum 20x20 meters. (this requirement will be almost half for angle towers compared to suspension towers).

The final information related to the location of the associated infrastructure (i.e., transmission lines and substations) is to be determined by EEHC/EETC/ UEEPC.

42. Also, a new gas pipeline route will have to be identified from Dahshour to Atfieh within the gas network in collaboration with EGAS/ GASCo.

Gas connection will be implemented, where gas pipelines will be buried underground along the identified route. A separate ESIA for the Gas Pipeline Project has already been implemented by GASCo.

43. However, since the transmission lines and gas pipelines are likely to require some land acquisition (and possibly resettlement), a Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) is prepared separately, as part of this ESIA work for the TLs and another RPF is prepared separately by GASCo for the gas pipeline.

The ESMP will be revised after exact routes for both of the transmission lines and gas connection are available.

44. EETC and UEEPC will submit Screening Form B to the EEAA concerning the electrical interconnection. No significant impacts are anticipated.

___________________________________

(*) SHPP= South Helwan Power Plant

6.16 Global Impacts

45. Natural gas has been selected as the main fuel for the power plant. Compared to other fossil fuel generating technologies, gas fired steam generators have a relatively low emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂), moderate emission levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and the lowest emission levels (almost traces) of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and particulates.

46. The greenhouse effect is caused by the build-up of carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in the atmosphere. Water vapour and ozone (O₃) can also act as greenhouse gases. For power generation processes, CO₂ is the key emission of concern, as methane and CFCs are not emitted by power plants and none of the other greenhouse gases are emitted in sufficient quantities from power generation to be considered important in terms of the greenhouse effect.

47. The efficiency of the proposed steam power plant is 42-45% with natural gas, with associated CO₂ emissions of about 520 g/kWh. This compares with the efficiency of a typical CCGT power plant of 53-54%.

48. Emissions of carbon dioxide are estimated to be up to 6,750 kilotonnes per year (expressed as CO₂). This assumes that the plant operates for the whole year and consumes around 180 tonnes of gas per hour. The emissions of CO₂ from fuel burning in Egypt amounted to around 160,000 kilotonnes in 2000 (Ref: EEAA: Egypt's Second National Communication). Fuel combustion will account for most of Egypt’s CO₂ emissions from all sources. Hence, the power plant as proposed will emit up to around 4.2% of the total Egyptian CO₂ emissions in 2000. This is an upper estimate as the plant will not operate 100% of the year or at full load 100% of the time.

49. Natural gas, which is the main fuel to be used in the Helwan South plant, contains very low concentrations of sulfur or particulate matter, therefore the potential for emissions of SO₂ and particulates from the electricity generating process are also very low. Fuel oil however, leads to greater emissions of SO₂ and particulates, due to the relatively high sulfur content of these fuels and the generation of ash during their combustion.

50. Natural gas fuel also has the significant benefit over fuel oil of being able to be delivered by an existing pipeline, whereas oil requires delivery to the power plant by road, rail and/or sea. The use of a pipeline avoids the potentially significant environmental impacts of road, rail or seaborne traffic and fuel unloading operations at a power plant. The very limited use of fuel oil at the proposed plant does not justify use of a pipeline for this fuel.

7. ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION AND MONITORING:

THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MNAGEMENT PLAN

(ESMP)

7.1 Enhancement and Mitigation Plan

51. The Environmental and Social Management Plant (ESMP) includes mitigation measures, design of monitoring programs where appropriate, and specification of management measures (including institutional responsibility and training requirements).

52. The mitigation measures represent a synthesis of those measures which are part of the basic power plant design and those that have been recommended in Section 6 of the ESIA report for both the construction and operational phases of the power plant. The mitigation measures discussed in this section are summarized in the following Five Tables, together with respective environmental monitoring and management arrangements. It should be noted that many of the mitigation measures presented below for the construction phase, will be carried forward into plant Operation.

53. All the mitigation, monitoring and management measures proposed below and in Section 8 of the ESIA report (the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP)), will be adopted by the Project Company and imposed as conditions of contract on the contractor and any sub-contractors employed to build or operate any part of the power plant. Since many of the mitigation measures presented are considered an essential, integrated component of the construction and operation works, it is not possible to separate the specific costs of their implementation from the overall construction and operation costs.

54. Mitigation measures introduced into the design and construction phase of the power plant will be carried forward into the operational phase by the UEEPC Company. Many of the mitigation measures, as described in Sections 4 and 6 of the ESIA report, have already been integrated into the design of the power plant in order to minimize any operational impacts on the environment. Mitigation measures such as low NOx burners, noise silencers and water discharge controls are for example integral to the design of the power plant.

55. The key features of the ESMP relate to air quality, aquatic discharge and implementation of good site management practice. The ESMP is summarized in Tables 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 which relate to construction and operational phases respectively. Table 10 summarizes the cost of ESMP which will require to be included in the project financial plan.

Table 5

Institutional Arrangements for Helwan South Power Project

Issue/Impact

Mitigation Measures

Implementation Schedule

Type and Frequency of Reporting / Monitoring

Responsibility

Monitoring

Indicators

Budget in

US$

Implementation

Supervision

Construction Phase

Institutional capacity to address environmental and social issues

Establishment of the Project Management Unit (PMU), including the Environmental Management Staff (EMS) (will include 3-4 staff members, B.Sc. and/or 5 years high technical education), construction phase.

Basic training of persons employed to operate the monitoring activities.

Basic induction training for all employees on good construction and site management practice.

Prior to starting construction.

Ongoing training

Quarterly to EEHC Environmental Management (EEM) and EEHC Chairman

PMU / EMS

UEEPC Project Manager in collaboration with the Consultant Site Manager

Training programs

Compliance with ESMP

Environmental Quality quarterly monitoring will start with the commencement of construction phase.

Basic Training

Basic Induction Training

Air quality continuous monitoring will start 6 months ahead of commissioning. Training since that time is included in air quality monitoring package

Training time and cost (included in construction cost)

(around US$ 155 k)

UEEPC responsibility

Operation Phase

Institutional capacity to address environmental and social issues

Basic training of persons employed to operate the monitoring

activities.

Induction, specific and refresher training for all employees on good operation management practice.

Training methods, facilities & manuals

Prior to starting operation.

Ongoing training

Quarterly to EEHC & EEHC Environmental Management (EEM)

PMU / EMS

UEEPC Project Manager in collaboration with the Consultant Site Manager

Training programs

Compliance with ESMP

Included in air quality monitoring package

Training time and cost (included in operation cost)

(around US$ 20 k)

UEEPC responsibility

Notes:

(*) UEEPC responsibility: means that training and capacity building activities are included in the company organizational structure and budget.

Table 6

Construction Impact Mitigation, Monitoring and Management Measures^(*)

Issue/Impact

Mitigation Measures

Implementation Schedule

Monitoring

Responsibility

Monitoring

Indicators

Type and Frequency of Reporting/ monitoring

Management and Training

Indicative Cost

Estimate (US$)

Implementation

Supervision

Air Quality

Dust emissions caused by construction activities, construction vehicle movements, and transport of friable construction materials.

Implementation of good site practices including:

· appropriate siting and maintenance of stockpiles of friable materials so as to minimize dust blow;

· minimizing drop heights for material transfer activities such as unloading of friable materials;

· construction phase to begin with construction of access roads;

· roads will be kept damp via a water bowser;

· roads will be compacted and graveled if necessary;

· site roads will be maintained in good order;

· regulation of site access;

· sheeting of lorries transporting friable construction materials and spoil;

· enforcement of vehicle speed limits on unmetalled roads to <35 km/h.

Before construction and during construction

Before Construction and during Construction until 6 Months ahead of Commissioning:

Initiate baseline air quality survey of main pollutants, particularly NO2, SO2, CO, TSP and PM10 using third party measurements on a quarterly basis.

During Construction, 6 Months ahead of Commissioning:

Initiate baseline air quality survey of NO₂ , SO₂ , CO, TSP and PM₁₀ using air quality monitors and continue during 6 months.

Two analyzer stations will be electronically connected to the EEAA ambient monitoring system.

Measurements and analysis of these pollutants to be made on a continuous basis by a trained staff assigned by UEEPC/HPP and submitted to EEHC for reporting to any concerned authority.

Implementation of Good Site Management practices shall be the responsibility of all contractors on site under supervision of the PMU / EMS and the Assistant Plant Manager.

UEEPC Project Manager in collaboration with the Consultant Site Manager

Dust levels (TSP, PM₁₀)

NO₂, SO₂, CO levels.

Quarterly reporting of summary results (or more if requested) and submitted to the EEHC and any other concerned authority. (e.g. EEAA, WB, etc.).

UEEPC/PMU responsible for management of the air quality monitoring system. Submission of annual summary reports to EEHC and any other concerned authority.

Basic training of persons employed to operate and maintain the monitoring system .

UEEPC/PMU to ensure all contractors and subcontractors working on site are aware of ESMP and all employees are given basic induction training on good construction and site management practice.

Mitigation Measures, Management time and costs (included in construction costs)

Baseline Air Quality Monitoring:

First construction period; third party monitoring (e.g. National Research Center), four times a year until using continuous monitoring: USS$70K

Second construction period; 6 months ahead of commissioning:

Permanent Continuous Monitoring System-approx. US$ 1000-1500K plus management time & reporting.

(*) Environmental regulations are to be included in all construction contracts.

Table 6 (Contd.)

Construction Impact Mitigation, Monitoring and Management Measures^(*)

Issue/Impact

Mitigation Measures

Implementation Schedule

Monitoring

Responsibility

Monitoring

Indicators

Type and Frequency of Reporting / monitoring

Management and Training

Indicative Cost

Estimate (US$)

Implementation

Supervision

Aquatic Environment

Dredging and construction of the intake structure and water discharge structure.

Increased suspended sediment and pollutant loads, permanent

loss and disturbance to aquatic flora and fauna.

The following measures will be taken:

· Construction Method Statement to be produced by the Contractor;

· dredged areas limited to minimum area required;

· disposal of dredged sediments to an agreed site;

· all works will be made clearly visible using flags, beacons and/or signals;

· bank area will be reinstated following construction.

During construction of intake and discharge structures

Off bankline survey undertaken October 2010 along 5 profiles fronting the site.

Report to be maintained for later monitoring and evaluation during operation.

Continuous visual inspection

During dredging sediment and surface water will be monitored at four locations (two downstream of the intake and two upstream of the discharge) twice a month.

During construction sampling will be conducted at two sites, unless preliminary monitoring campaign shows strong variations in water quality.

Water samples will be tested for temp., PH, COD. BOD, TOC, DO, TSS, oil & grease, residual chlorine and light metals .

Sediment will be tested for oil & grease and light metals.

Implementation of Good Site Management practices shall be the responsibility of all contractors on site under supervision of the PMU / EMS and the Assistant Plant Manager.

UEEPC Project Manager in collaboration with the Consultant Site Manager.

Actual parameters to be measured.

Quarterly reporting of summary results (or more if requested) and submitted to the EEHC and any other concerned authority. (e.g. EEAA, WB, etc.).

UEEPC/PMU to ensure all contractors and subcontractors working on site are aware of ESMP and all employees are given basic induction training on good construction and site management practice.

These mitigation measures must be a condition of any construction contracts commissioned.

Mitigation Measures: Management time and costs (included in construction cost).

Water quality measurement costs (between US$ 30-45K)

(*) Environmental regulations are to be included in all construction contracts.

Table 6 (Contd.)

Construction Impact Mitigation, Monitoring and Management Measures^(*)

Issue/Impact

Mitigation Measures

Implementation Schedule

Monitoring

Responsibility

Monitoring

Indicators

Type and Frequency of Reporting / monitoring

Management and Training

Indicative Cost

Estimate (US$)

Implementation

Supervision

Contamination of the aquatic environment as a result of construction activities on land e.g. spillages, disposal of liquid wastes; surface run-off, exposure of contaminated soils (see also under “Soils and Hydrology”).

Mitigation activities will include the following:

· no discharge of effluents into the El-Rayyah El-Beheiry - all effluents shall be collected and removed off site for treatment by approved firms;

· development of a site drainage plan which reduces flow velocity and sediment load;

· protection of temporary stockpiles of soil from erosion by using a reduced slope angle where practical, sheeting and by incorporating sediment traps in drainage ditches;

· maintenance of well kept construction site.

During construction

Continuous visual inspection will be conducted.

Implementation of Good Site Management practices shall be the responsibility of all contractors on site under supervision of the PMU/EMS and the Assistant Plant Manager.

UEEPC Project Manager in collaboration with the Consultant Site Manager.

Fluid effluents within the site.

Soil erosion.

Surface water run-off.

Sewage effluents.

Earth, mud and debris depositions on roads.

Quarterly reporting of summary results (or more if requested) and submitted to the EEHC and any other concerned authority (e.g. EEAA, WB, etc.), if required.

UEEPC/PMU to ensure all contractors and subcontractors working on site are aware of ESMP and all employees are given basic induction training on good construction and site management practices.

Management time and costs (included in construction cost).

(*) Environmental regulations are to be included in all construction contracts.

Table 6 (Contd.)

Construction Impact Mitigation, Monitoring and Management Measures_(*)

Issue/Impact

Mitigation Measures

Implementation Schedule

Monitoring

Responsibility

Monitoring

Indicators

Type and Frequency of Reporting/ monitoring

Management and Training

Indicative Cost

Estimate (US$)

Implementation

Supervision

Noise

Increased noise in the project area as a result of the use of noisy machinery and increased vehicle movements.

Implementation of good site practices including:

· enforcement of vehicle speed limits;

· strict controls of vehicle routing;

· diesel engine construction plant equipment to be fitted with silencers;

· limited noisy construction activities at night;

· prohibition of light vehicle movements at night;

· use of protective hearing equipment for workers.

During construction

Monthly monitoring and supervision by UEEPC is required to ensure the implementation of good site management practices by all contractors during construction.

Third party audit, conducted every 4 month.

Implementation of Good Site Management practices shall be the responsibility of all contractors on site under supervision of the PMU/EMS and the Assistant Plant Manager.

Auditor (Noise Expert)

UEEPC Project Manager in collaboration with the Consultant Site Manager.

Noise complaints register to identify concerns.

Check validity using noise measuring devices.

PMU/EMS will produce a Quarterly log of valid complaints and actions taken to EEHC.

Quarterly reporting of summary results (or more if requested) and submitted to the EEHC and any other concerned authority (e.g. EEAA, WB etc.), if required.

UEEPC/PMU to ensure all contractors and subcontractors working on site are aware of ESMP and all employees are given basic induction training on good construction and site management practices.

Management time and costs (included in construction cost).

Third party noise measurement costs (about US$ 23K) .

Flora and Fauna

Site Clearance- Vegetation removal and habitat disturbance.

· Good site management practices will be observed to ensure that disturbance of habitats off-site are minimized.

· Specific mitigation measures include restricting personnel and vehicles to within construction site boundaries, lay down areas and access roads.

During construction.

Periodic inspection and supervision by UEEPC is required to ensure the implementation of good site management practices by all contractors during construction.

Implementation of Good Site Management practices shall be the responsibility of all contractors on site under supervision of the PMU/EMS and the Assistant Plant Manager.

UEEPC Project Manager in collaboration with the Consultant Site Manager.

Good conservation of floral wealth.

Quarterly reporting

No. of floral species conserved or planted, if any.

UEEPC/PMU to ensure all contractors and subcontractors working on site are aware of ESMP and all employees are given basic induction training on good construction and site management practices.

Management time and costs (included in construction cost)

(*) Environmental regulations are to be included in all construction contracts.

Table 6 (Contd.)

Construction Impact Mitigation, Monitoring and Management Measures^(*)

Issue/Impact

Mitigation Measures

Implementation Schedule

Monitoring

Responsibility

Monitoring

Indicators

Type and Frequency of Reporting/ monitoring

Management and Training

Indicative Cost

Estimate (US$)

Implementation

Supervision

Soils and Hydrology

Site clearance, excavation and disposal of material, exposure of potentially contaminated soils, spillage or leakage of substances on land, movement of equipment and vehicles on site.

The potential for impacts are largely dependent on management of the construction site and activities. The following mitigation measures will be implemented:

· development of effective site drainage systems;

· restriction of access only to construction site areas;

· monitoring and control of spoil;

· disposal of waste materials unsuitable for reuse on-site, (e.g. for landscaping) at appropriately licensed sites;

· provision of oil and suspended solid interceptors;

· management of excavations during construction to avoid the generation of drainage pathways to underlying aquifers;

· provision of impermeable bases in operational areas to prevent absorption of spillages.

During construction.

Daily visual inspection is required to ensure the implementation of good management practices during construction.

Implementation of Good Site Management practices shall be the responsibility of all contractors on site under supervision of the PMU/EMS and the Assistant Plant Manager.

UEEPC Project Manager in collaboration with the Consultant Site Manager.

· site drainage.

· access only to construction site areas.

· spoils.

· waste materials.

· oily waters.

· drainage pathways.

· potential spillage in operational areas.

Quarterly reporting of summary results (or more if requested) and submitted to the EEHC and any other concerned authority (e.g. EEAA, WB etc.), if required.

UEEPC/PMU to ensure all contractors and subcontractors working on site are aware of ESMP and all employees are given basic induction training on good construction and site management practices.

Costs for mitigation measures and management time included in construction costs.

Any additional features (e.g. bunding, interceptors etc.) may incur additional costs of between US$ 30-50K dependent on the measure.

(*) Environmental regulations are to be included in all construction contracts.

Table 6 (Contd.)

Construction Impact Mitigation, Monitoring and Management Measures^(*)

Issue/Impact

Mitigation Measures

Implementation Schedule

Monitoring

Responsibility

Monitoring

Indicators

Type and Frequency of Reporting/ monitoring

Management and Training

Indicative Cost

Estimate (US$)

Implementation

Supervision

Traffic and Transport

Disruption, noise and increased air pollution due to increased traffic, light loads and abnormal loads.

Standard good practice measures will be implemented as follows:

· adherence of abnormal load movements to prescribed routes, outside peak hours and advance publication of movements if required;

· construction shifts will be staggered;

· scheduling of traffic to avoid peak hours on local roads;

· transportation of construction workers by contract bus.

During construction.

Monitoring traffic entering the site during morning & evening peaks to ensure the implementation of good site management practices by all contractors during construction.

Implementation of Good Site Management practices shall be the responsibility of all contractors on site under supervision of the PMU / EMS and the Assistant Plant Manager.

UEEPC Project Manager in collaboration with the Consultant Site Manager.

Increased congestion

Travel time

(compared to reasonable daily commute)

Three times per month

Quarterly reporting of summary results (or more if requested) and submitted to the EEHC and any other concerned authority (e.g. EEAA, WB etc.), if required.

UEEPC/PMU to ensure all contractors and subcontractors working on site are aware of ESMP and all employees are given basic induction training on good construction and site management practices.

Management time

(*) Environmental regulations are to be included in all construction contracts.

Table 6 (Contd.)

Construction Impact Mitigation, Monitoring and Management Measures^(*)

Issue/Impact

Mitigation Measures

Implementation Schedule

Monitoring

Responsibility

Monitoring

Indicators

Type and Frequency of Reporting/ monitoring

Management and Training

Indicative Cost

Estimate (US$)

Implementation

Supervision

Socio-Economic Environment

Positive impacts identified.

All activities related to the construction of the new plant will take place within the area belonging to UEEPC, i.e. there will be no off-site activities or associated land acquisition during construction.

Most of the labor force will be daily commuters, thus no worker housing or associated facilities will be erected on site during construction.

The Project will construct a dedicated project campsite where all facilities shall be provided to the incoming labour force to ensure that no pressure is exerted on local facilities and supplies. The local communities shall be given priority in supplying goods and services demanded by the project and its employees. Senior and professional staff of the construction companies will opt to reside in the near-by city of Beni-Suweif which has adequate facilities to cater for the project workers. Lodging requirements of the operational staff will be covered through extensions available to residential community of the Kureimat Power Complex, 7.5 km north-east of the project site. No additional land acquisition is needed.

The contractors will be responsible for relevant temporary water / toilet facilities during construction and the need to provide appropriate services will be specified in their constracts.

During construction.

Record local employment provided by the project.

PMU/EMS and the Assistant Plant Manager

UEEPC Project Manager in collaboration with the Consultant Site Manager.

Workers satisfaction as measured by staff interviews and complaints submitted.

Editing a special report

Responsibility of UEEPC/PMU.

Responsibility of UEEPC.

(*) Environmental regulations are to be included in all construction contracts.

Table 6 (Contd.)

Construction Impact Mitigation, Monitoring and Management Measures^(*)

Issue/Impact

Mitigation Measures

Implementation Schedule

Monitoring

Responsibility

Monitoring

Indicators

Type and Frequency of Reporting/ monitoring

Management and Training

Indicative Cost

Estimate (US$)

Implementation

Supervision

Socio-Economic Environment

Positive impacts identified.

Continued Public Consultation

Transmission lines will connect the power plant to existing substations following new routes. Also, a new gas pipeline route will have to be identified from the nearest point of supply within the gas network.

However, since the transmission lines and gas pipeline are likely to require some land acquisition (and possibly resettlement), a Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) is prepared separately, as part of this ESIA work. A separate ESIA for the transmission lines is being implemented. Also, a separate ESIA and RPF for the Gas Pipeline Project has been already prepared by GASCo.

Public and Industry Relations will be maximized through open dialogue between UEEPC (through the Assistant Plant Manager who has direct responsibility for EHS Liaison) and local authority, public and industry representatives.

During construction.

Record local employment provided by the project.

PMU/EMS and the Assistant Plant Manager

UEEPC Project Manager in collaboration with the Consultant Site Manager.

Workers satisfaction as measured by staff interviews and complaints submitted.

Editing a special report

Responsibility of UEEPC/PMU.

Responsibility of UEEPC.

(*) Environmental regulations are to be included in all construction contracts.

Table 6 (Contd.)

Construction Impact Mitigation, Monitoring and Management Measures^(*)

Issue/Impact

Mitigation Measures

Implementation Schedule

Monitoring

Responsibility

Monitoring

Indicators

Type and Frequency of Reporting/ monitoring

Management and Training

Indicative Cost

Estimate (US$)

Implementation

Supervision

Complementary Initiatives and Project Benefits

The project design has considered enhancing the project benefits through its social corporate responsibilities program. Resulting from the community requests that local population, both men and women, be considered for employment opportunities, the Power Company shall ensure that the construction companies recruit local people willing and able to participate in the implementation of the project. The project has undertaken to construct local clinic and a basic school for the communities of the project area in liaison with the Ministries of Health and Education, respectively. Provision of these social amenities will be implemented under the civil works contracts. Social and recreational facilities for the staff of the Power Company shall be accessible by the local people upon request, including access to potable water within the project premises.

During construction

contract.

Record activities and procedures

Implementation of Good Site Management practices and the safeguard and protection policies shall be the responsibility of the contractor and subcontractors on site under supervision of the UEEPC/HSPP.

UEEPC top management

EEHC top management

People satisfaction Community leaders opinions and satisfaction

Editing a special report

UEEPC to ensure the contractor and subcontractors for workers on site include reference to the requirements of the ESMP and are aware of the safeguard and protection policies and plans. All employees will be given basic induction training on safeguard and protection policies and practices.

Training and awareness will require management time plus costs of up to US$ 60K.

(*) Environmental regulations are to be included in all construction contracts.

Table 6 (Contd.)

Construction Impact Mitigation, Monitoring and Management Measures^(*)

Issue/Impact

Mitigation Measures

Implementation Schedule

Monitoring

Responsibility

Monitoring

Indicators

Type and Frequency of Reporting/ monitoring

Management and Training

Indicative Cost

Estimate (US$)

Implementation

Supervision

Involuntary Resettlement

The land parcels close to the Nile River are actively cultivated by some 4 family groupings representing roughly 20 people. Access to the land between the power plant perimeter fence and the Nile River bank has been reviewed to ensure public access. According to the Lending Institutions' Policy on Involuntary Resettlement this will call for an Abbreviated Resettlement Action Plan (ARAP) to be prepared. The draft ARAP will be Annexed to the ESIA.

Before /during Construction.

Record resettlement procedure and activity

UEEPC top management

EEHC top management

People satisfaction

Editing ARAP

Training and awareness will require management time plus costs of up to US$ 60K.

(*) Environmental regulations are to be included in all construction contracts.

Table 6 (Contd.)

Construction Impact Mitigation, Monitoring and Management Measures^(*)

Issue/Impact

Mitigation Measures

Implementation Schedule

Monitoring

Responsibility

Monitoring

Indicators

Type and Frequency of Reporting/ monitoring

Management and Training

Indicative Cost

Estimate (US$)

Implementation

Supervision

Communicable Diseases

Training programs and health and safety measures will include knowledge about HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention and treatment.

Specialized service provider will be sub-contracted by the Consulting Engineer and included in the BoQ depending on the approach.

The service provider would also talk about other communicable diseases such as STD, TB and Hepatitis B and C.

The information would be imparted to construction workers especially those coming in from outside the project area through seminars, pamphlets and peer discussions.

During construction

contract.

Daily inspection is required to ensure the implementation of safeguard and protection plans and practices during construction.

UEEPC /HSPP Assistant Plant Manager

Consultant Engineer Site Manager

EEHC

Management procedures in place.

Workers health and safety as measured by no. of ill cases.

Daily

6- monthly reporting of summary results and submitted to the EEHC and other concerned authority (e.g. EEAA, Financiers, etc.) if required.

Training and awareness will require management time plus costs of up to US$ 60K.

(*) Environmental regulations are to be included in all construction contracts.

Table 6 (Contd.)

Construction Impact Mitigation, Monitoring and Management Measures^(*)

Issue/Impact

Mitigation Measures

Implementation Schedule

Monitoring

Responsibility

Monitoring

Indicators

Type and Frequency of Reporting/ monitoring

Management and Training

Indicative Cost

Estimate (US$)

Implementation

Supervision

Archaeology

Potential chance finds of archaeological remains during construction.

The project site does not lie on, or in the immediate vicinity of any known archaeological areas of interest.

If remains are found UEEPC is committed to:

· cease activities and consult Antiquities authority;

· protection in situ if possible;

· excavation of areas where protection not feasible;

· preparation of a Chance Finds Procedure and Method Statement.

During construction.

Supervision of construction activities.

Construction contractors

PMU/EMS and the Assistant Plant Manager will allocate responsibilities in accordance with the Chance Finds Procedure.

UEEPC Project Manager in collaboration with the Consultant Site Manager.

Chance finds (see annex II)

Daily inspection

Quarterly reporting of summary results (or more if requested) and submitted to the EEHC and any other concerned authority (e.g. EEAA, WB etc.), if required.

UEEPC/PMU to ensure that all workers on site are aware of the importance of archaeological remains and must report any potential finds immediately.

Immediate liaison with Competent Administrative Authority should a potential find be uncovered.

Mitigation measures require management time.

Should chance finds occur, protection & excavation could add significantly to the cost.

Natural Disasters

Flash flooding.

Good engineering design will incorporate the following mitigation measures:

· drainage system designed to direct flood water from main plant areas into the Nile and direct potentially contaminated waters through the oil interceptor.

During construction.

No monitoring measures are envisaged.

PMU/EMS and the Assistant Plant Manager

UEEPC Project Manager in collaboration with the Consultant Site Manager.

Quarterly reporting of summary results (or more if requested) and submitted to the EEHC and any other concerned authority (e.g. EEAA, WB etc.), if required.

UEEPC/PMU to ensure that all workers on site receive training in emergency preparedness and response procedures.

Relevant costs are included within the construction costs

(*) Environmental regulations are to be included in all construction contracts.

Table 6 (Contd.)

Construction Impact Mitigation, Monitoring and Management Measures^(*)

Issue/Impact

Mitigation Measures

Implementation Schedule

Monitoring

Responsibility

Monitoring

Indicators

Type and Frequency of Reporting/ monitoring

Management and Training

Indicative Cost

Estimate (US$)

Implementation

Supervision

Solid Waste Management

Good practice measures such as the following:

(1) all waste taken off-site will be undertaken by a licensed contractor and UEEPC will audit disposal procedure;

(2) collection and segregation of wastes and safe storage;

(3) recording of consignments for disposal;

(4) prior agreement of standards for storage, management and disposal with relevant authorities.

It is of highest importance that final disposal of wastes shall be strictly adhered to environment friendly disposal Contract.

During construction.

Periodic inspection is required to ensure the implementation of good management practices during construction.

Implementation of Good Site Management practices shall be the responsibility of all contractors on site under supervision of the PMU/EMS and the Assistant Plant Manager.

UEEPC Project Manager in collaboration with the Consultant Site Manager.

Management contract in place

Functional transfer station.

Quarterly reports from management contractor to UEEPC and then to EEHC.

These reports are to be submitted to any other concerned authority (e.g. EEAA, WB, etc.), if required.

UEEPC/PMU to ensure all contractors and subcontractors working on site are aware of ESMP and all employees are given basic induction training on good construction and site management practices.

Management time plus costs

(< US$ 20K)

(*) Environmental regulations are to be included in all construction contracts.

Table 6 (Contd.)

Construction Impact Mitigation, Monitoring and Management Measures^(*)

Issue/Impact

Mitigation Measures

Implementation Schedule

Monitoring

Responsibility

Monitoring

Indicators

Type and Frequency of Reporting / monitoring

Management and Training

Indicative Cost

Estimate (US$)

Implementation

Supervision

Occupational Health & Safety

Good local and international construction practice in Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) will be applied at all times and account will be taken of local customs, practices and attitudes. Measures include:

· implementation of EHS procedures as a condition of contract all contractors and sub-contractors;

· clear definition of the EHS roles and responsibilities of all construction companies and staff;

· management, supervision, monitoring and record-keeping as set out in plant’s operational manual;

· pre-construction and operation assessment of the EHS risks and hazards;

· completion and implementation of Fire Safety Plan prior to commissioning any part of the plant;

· provision of appropriate training on EHS issues for all workers;

· provision of health and safety information;

· regular inspection, review and recording of EHS performance; and

· maintenance of a high standard of housekeeping at all times.

During construction.

Daily inspection is required to ensure the implementation of EHS Policies, plans and practices during construction.

Implementation of Good Site Management practices and the EHS policies shall be the responsibility of all contractors on site under supervision of the PMU/EMS and the Assistant Plant Manager.

UEEPC Project Manager in collaboration with the Consultant Site Manager.

Management procedures in place.

Workers health and safety as measured by no. of incidents.

Daily inspection

Quarterly reporting of summary results (or more if requested) and submitted to the EEHC and any other concerned authority (e.g. EEAA, WB, etc.), if required.

UEEPC/PMU to ensure all contractors and sub-contractors for workers on site include reference to the requirements of the ESMP and are aware of the EHS policies and plants. All employees will be given basic induction training on EHS policies and practices.

Contractors are responsible for ensuring that a Fire Safety Plan, which conforms to NFPA 850, is prepared and implemented prior to commissioning of any part of the plant under supervision of PMU/EMS and the Assistant Plant Manager.

Mitigation measures will require management time plus costs of up to US$ 50K for implementation of EHS Plans.

(*) Environmental regulations are to be included in all construction contracts.

Table 7

Operational Impact Mitigation, Monitoring and Management

Issue/Impact

Mitigation Measures

Implementation Schedule

Monitoring

Responsibility

Monitoring

Indicators

Type and Frequency of Reporting/ monitoring

Management and Training

Indicative Cost

Estimate (US$)

Implementation

Supervision

Air Quality

Emissions

from stack are not expected to exceed standards.

Ambient air quality affected by emissions from the power plant.

Mitigation measures have already been included in the design of the plant and, given UEEPC/HPP’s strict commitment to use sollar fuel oil for <2% of operating time, no further mitigation measures are proposed.

UEEPC/HPP will however demonstrate the validity of the conclusions drawn in the ESIA report.

UEEPC/HPP will demonstrate the validity of the conclusions drawn in the ESIA report. If ground level concentrations are found to be above local and World Bank standards options for further mitigation will be discussed.

During first three years of operation.

Automatic monitoring of stack emissions for NOx, SO₂, particulate matter and carbon monoxide (CO) via test ports installed in the main stacks.

Install two continuous NOx, SO₂, CO, PM₁₀ & TSP monitoring stations to monitor short-term concentrations in the area predicted to have the highest impacts on humans (as there are no other sensitive environments). The analyzer station near or within the site boundaries will include a continuous monitor of meteorological conditions (temperature, wind speed, wind direction and mixing heights).

The analyzer stations will be electronically connected to the EEAA ambient monitoring system.

The analyzer stations will be owned and operated by UEEPC/HPP/
EMS.

Assistant Plant Manager

UEEPC Top Management

EEHC Environmental Management & Studies Sector.

Report introduced to EEAA as requested.

Third party inspection.

Stack emissions (at least PM₁₀, NOx, SOx and CO).

Ambient air pollutants concentrations (at least TSP, PM₁₀, NOx, SOx and CO).

Continuous Hourly data acquisition.

Quarterly reporting to EEHC.

Reports are to be available to any of the concerning authorities (EEAA, WB, etc.).

Records must be kept and summary data (including any deviations from Egyptian and World bank standards) will be submitted to the Government and WB on annual basis (or more frequently if required).

Annual reporting by UEEPC/ HPP/EMS to Government and WB etc. (or more frequently if required) highlighting key features and comparing results with air quality standards and prediction in ESIA report

Automatic stack monitors: included in the project cost.

Management time for compilation of reports and performance monitoring:

included in operation cost.

Purchase of Continuous Monitors (see construction management table).

Annual servicing, calibration & running costs: included in operation cost.

Table 7 (Contd.)

Operational Impact Mitigation, Monitoring and Management

Issue/Impact

Mitigation Measures

Implementation Schedule

Monitoring

Responsibility

Monitoring

Indicators

Type and Frequency of Reporting/ monitoring

Management and Training

Indicative Cost

Estimate (US$)

Implementation

Supervision

Aquatic Environment

Discharge of process and cooling water.

The design of the intake and cooling water structures have already incorporated measures to reduce impacts. In addition, good site management practices including the following will be implemented:

1) neutralization, oil separation, flocculation and filtration of any contaminated water before discharge to either plantation irrigation network or the El-Kata sewer network (if close to the site);

2) no disposal of solid wastes or waste water into the discharge structure;

3) regular maintenance of site drainage system to ensure efficient operation;

4) all discharges will comply with local Egyptian and World Bank guidelines.

In addition, UEEPC/HPP will demonstrate the validity of the conclusions drawn in the ESIA report. If pollutant concentrations in the discharge or impacts to the surrounding aquatic environment are found to be above local and World Bank standards or unacceptable, options for further mitigation will be discussed.

Lifetime of the plant

Prepare regular water quality monitoring program including:

1) quality of all water prior to discharge (continuous monitoring of all discharged water for temperature and pH, daily monitoring of process water for COD, TSS, oil & grease and residual chlorine and monthly monitoring of light metals and other pollutants)

2) ambient water quality in the area affected by the discharge plume (3- monthly monitoring of temperature, pH, COD, BOD, TOC, DO, TSS, oil & grease, residual chlorine, light metals and other pollutants.

Annual monitoring of benthic environment within a 2 km radius of the discharge point (over a 3 year period)

Weekly monitoring of fish catches on intake screens inclu-ding species, num-bers and size (over a 1 year period).

UEEPC/HPP/ EMS

Assistant Plant Manager.

UEEPC Top Management

EEHC Environmental Management & Studies Sector.

Basic parameters as per the Law 48/1982 and Law 93/1962

Monthly reports from UEEPC/HPP/
EMS to EEHC

Continuous monitoring of water quality etc.

Monthly monitoring of light metals and other pollutants.

3-monthly monitoring of the plume.

Annual monitoring of benthic environment (over a 3 year period).

Weekly monitoring of Fish Catches on intake screens (over a 1 year period.

Reports are to be available to any of the concerning authorities (EEAA, WB, etc.).

Records will be kept and compared on regular basis against Egyptian and World Bank standards and impacts predicted in ESIA.

Summary reports (with any exceptions identified) will be submitted to the Government and WB etc. on annual review basis (or more frequently if required).

UEEPC/HPP/EMS to ensure that all employees are given basic induction training on the requirements of the ESMP, good site management practices and H&S procedures. The Assistant Plant Manager will ensure implementation of procedures.

Management time for implementation of site management practices.

included in operation cost

All costs are included in operation cost.

Table 7 (Contd.)

Operational Impact Mitigation, Monitoring and Management

Issue/Impact

Mitigation Measures

Implementation Schedule

Monitoring

Responsibility

Monitoring

Indicators

Type and Frequency of Reporting/ monitoring

Management and Training

Indicative Cost

Estimate (US$)

Implementation

Supervision

Noise

Specific design mitigation measures to minimize noise impacts include:

· gas turbines, steam turbine generators; air compressors, pumps and emergency diesel engines are enclosed in buildings;

· air compressors are equipped with silencers;

· noisy outdoor equipment are designed to a noise limit of 90 dB (A) at 1 m.

In addition, plant workers will be provided with protective wear in plant areas with high noise levels.

The plant will operate in accordance with internationally accepted health and safety measures.

During first year of operation.

When the plant is fully operational, noise audit measurements are to be carried out at noise sources and at the fence of the power plant as well as at noise receptors around the plant.

UEEPC/HPP/EMS

Third party audit supervised by Assistant Plant Manager

UEEPC Top Management

EEHC Environmental Management & Studies Sector.

Power plant compliance with ESMP.

Quarterly to UEEPC and EEHC.

Monthly reporting of summary results (or more if requested) and submitted to the EEHC and any other concerned authority (e.g. EEAA, WB, etc.), if required.

Should any complaints be received regarding noise, these will be logged and the Assistant Plant Manager will investigate problem.

Minimal costs (up to US$ 10K per annum) required for provision of protective wear (included in operation cost).

No further mitigation or monitoring costs envisaged with the exception of management time.

Noise audit US$ 10-20K (included in operation cost).

Table 7 (Contd.)

Operational Impact Mitigation, Monitoring and Management

Issue/Impact

Mitigation Measures

Implementation Schedule

Monitoring

Responsibility

Monitoring

Indicators

Type and Frequency of Reporting/ monitoring

Management and Training

Indicative Cost

Estimate (US$)

Implementation

Supervision

Flora and Fauna

Disturbance to habitats as a result of noise, vehicle and personnel movements.

The following mitigation measures will be implemented:

· restrict personnel and vehicle movements to access roads and within boundaries of site only; and

· control of noise during operation.

Lifetime of the plant.

No monitoring is envisaged.

UEEPC/HPP/ EMS

Assistant Plant Manager

UEEPC Top Management

EEHC Environmental Management & Studies Sector.

Good plantation

Yearly

Management time

Visual Impact

Visual image of power plant from surrounding areas.

The visual effect of the power plant will be improved through:

· creation of landscaped boundary along the fence of the power plant.

· Ficus elastica var decora and Ficus nitida will be propagated and the resulting plants will be used for decorating and landscaping the site when completing the new power plant. One may obtain 200-300 individual plants from a single tree.

Lifetime of the plant.

No monitoring is envisaged.

UEEPC/HPP/EMS

Assistant Plant Manager

UEEPC Top Management

EEHC Environmental Management & Studies Sector.

Improved visual image

Considered management of landscaped areas to maximize visual image and habitat creation.

UEEPC/HPP/EMS to contract a suitable firm to manage landscaped areas.

Approx. US$ 20-35K for landscaping measures

(included in operation cost)

Table 7 (Contd.)

Operational Impact Mitigation, Monitoring and Management

Issue/Impact

Mitigation Measures

Implementation Schedule

Monitoring

Responsibility

Monitoring

Indicators

Type and Frequency of Reporting/ monitoring

Management and Training

Indicative Cost

Estimate (US$)

Implementation

Supervision

Soil and Hydrology

Spillage of oils, chemicals or fuels on site.

Good site management measures as described under Aquatic Environment will minimize any potential risks. As part of this, regular checks of bunds and drainage systems will be undertaken to ensure containment and efficient operation.

Lifetime of the plant

The Assistant Plant Manager will continuously monitor application of ESMP and good site management practices and take corrective action if required.

UEEPC/HPP

Assistant Plant Manager

UEEPC Top Management

EEHC Environmental Management & Studies Sector.

Quality of bunds and drainage systems.

Efficiency of operation.

6-monthly reports from management to EEHC.

Annual reporting of summary results (or more if requested) and submitted to the EEHC and any other concerned authority (e.g. EEAA, WB, etc.), if required.

UEEPC/HPP, through the Assistant Plant Manager, will implement a Spills Response Plan and all employees will receive corresponding training.

Management time

Solid Waste

Good practice measures undertaken during the construction phase will be continued into the operation phase (see Table 6).

It is of highest importance that final disposal of wastes shall be strictly adhered to environment friendly disposal Contract.

Lifetime of the plant

Continuous monitoring is required to ensure the implementation of good management practices during operation.

UEEPC/HPP

Implementation of Good Site Management practices shall be conducted under supervision of the Assistant Plant Manager.

UEEPC Top Management

EEHC Environmental Management & Studies Sector.

Management contract in place.

Functional transfer station.

3-monthly reports from management to EEHC.

Annual reporting of summary results (or more if requested) and submitted to the EEHC and any other concerned authority (e.g. EEAA, WB, etc.), if required.

UEEPC/HPP to ensure all employees are given basic induction training on good operation and site management practices.

Management time and costs (<US$ 10K per annum)

(included in operation cost)

Table 7 (Contd.)

Operational Impact Mitigation, Monitoring and Management

Issue/Impact

Mitigation Measures

Implementation Schedule

Monitoring

Responsibility

Monitoring

Indicators

Type and Frequency of Reporting/ monitoring

Management and Training

Indicative Cost

Estimate (US$)

Implementation

Supervision

Occupational Health and Safety,

Risks and Hazards

Standard international practice on EHS issues shall be employed on site. The mitigation measures summarized in construction management Table apply.

In addition, the following measures will be undertaken:

(1) Provision of training in use of protection equipment and chemical handling.

(2) Use of protective equipment.

(3) Clear marking of work site hazards and training in recognition of hazard symbols.

(4) Installation of vapour detection equipment and control systems.

(5) Development of site emergency response plans.

Lifetime of the plant

Regular on-site training.

Regular staff checks, system checks and field tests of emergency procedures by on-site management.

UEEPC/HPP/EMS

Assistant Plant Manager

UEEPC Top Management

EEHC Environmental Management & Studies Sector.

Management procedures in place.

Workers health and safety measured by incidents, injuries and illnesses.

Monthly reports from management to EEHC

Annual reporting of summary results (or more if requested) and submitted to the EEHC and any other concerned authority (e.g. EEAA, WB, etc.), if required.

UEEPC/HPP/EMS to ensure that all employees are given basic induction training on H&S policies and procedures, Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan and a Spills Response Plan. The Assistant Plant Manager is to ensure implementation of procedures.

UEEPC/HPP/EMS is responsible for ensuring that the site emergency response plan is complete and implemented prior to commissioning any part of the power plant.

Management time and costs

(< US$ 15K per annum)

(included in operation cost)

Table 7 (Contd.)

Operational Impact Mitigation, Monitoring and Management

Issue/Impact

Mitigation Measures

Implementation Schedule

Monitoring

Responsibility

Monitoring

Indicators

Type and Frequency of Reporting/ monitoring

Management and Training

Indicative Cost

Estimate (US$)

Implementation

Supervision

Socio-Economic Environment

Positive impacts identified

Fish Catch: based upon experience with similar plants elsewhere along the Nile River and its branches and the opinions of the fishermen, impacts are very likely to be positive.

First year of operation.

(possibly 2 other years)

In collaboration with the Fishery Authorities, monitor any changes to the fish catch

UEEPC/HPP/EMS

Assistant Plant Manager

UEEPC Top Management

EEHC Environmental Management & Studies Sector.

Fish catch no. & quality

Monthly reports from management to EEHC

Included in operation costs.

Table 7 (Contd.)

Operational Impact Mitigation, Monitoring and Management

Issue/Impact

Mitigation Measures

Implementation Schedule

Monitoring

Responsibility

Monitoring

Indicators

Type and Frequency of Reporting/ monitoring

Management and Training

Indicative Cost

Estimate (US$)

Implementation

Supervision

Communicable Diseases

Training programs and health and safety measures will include knowledge about HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention and treatment.

Specialized service provider will be sub-contracted by the Consulting Engineer and included in the BoQ depending on the approach.

The service provider would also talk about other communicable diseases such as STD, TB and Hepatitis B and C.

The information would be imparted to construction workers especially those coming in from outside the project area through seminars, pamphlets and peer discussions.

Lifetime of the plant

Regular on-site training.

Regular staff checks, system checks and field tests of safeguard and protection procedures by on-site management.

UEEPC/HPP/EMS

Assistant Plant Manager

EEHC Environmental Management & Studies Sector.

Management procedures in place.

Workers safeguard and protection measured by illnesses.

Monthly reports from management to EEHC

Annual reporting of summary results (or more if requested) and submitted to the EEHC and any other concerned authority (e.g. EEAA, etc.), if required.

UEEPC/HPP/EMS to ensure that all employees are given basic induction training on safeguard and protection policies and procedures.

Management time and costs

(< US$ 30K per annum)

Table 8

Transmission System Impact Mitigation, Monitoring and Management

Issue/Impact

Mitigation Measures

Implementation Schedule

Monitoring

Responsibility

Monitoring

Indicators

Type and Frequency of Reporting/ monitoring

Management and Training

Indicative Cost

Estimate (US$)

Implementation

Supervision

Direct

Vegetation damage, habitat loss, and invasion by exotic species along the ROW and access roads and around substation sites.

Habitat fragmentation or disturbance.

Increased access to sensitive lands.

· Utilize appropriate clearing techniques, (e.g., hand clearing versus mechanized clearing).

· Maintain native ground cover beneath lines.

· Replant disturbed sites.

· Manage ROWs to maximize wildlife benefits.

· Select ROW to avoid important natural areas such as sensitive habitats.

· Maintain habitat (i.e., native vegetation) beneath lines.

· Make provisions to avoid interfering with natural fire regimes.

· Select ROW to a avoid sensitive lands.

· Develop protection and management plans for these areas.

· Use discontinuous maintenance roads.

During Construction and Operation

Visual inspections of the materials being used, the construction practices and mitigation measures.

Short-term monitoring to assure that negative land use and/or ecological impacts are avoided and proper mitigation measures are employed.

Occurs along the line as it is constructed.

Monitoring of ROW maintenance activities to assure proper control methods.

Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC)

UEEPC / PMU / EMS

EEHC management

EETC management

UEEPC Project Manager in collaboration with the Consultant Site Manager.

Effects on environmental and human resources involved (negative land uses, ecological damage)

Degree to which they are affected.

Weekly (during construction).

Maintenance time (during operation)

Environmental training and management will be warranted for ROW maintenance techniques, including the proper use of chemical and mechanical clearing methods.

Training will be conducted by EETC and UEEPC/PMU with assistance from environmental consultant.

Staff workers should have an understanding of the rational for the recommended mitigation and monitoring that they may be implementing.

Included in construction and operation cost.

Table 8 (Contd.)

Transmission System Impact Mitigation, Monitoring and Management

Issue/Impact

Mitigation Measures

Implementation Schedule

Monitoring

Responsibility

Monitoring

Indicators

Type and Frequency of Reporting/ monitoring

Management and Training

Indicative Cost

Estimate (US$)

Implementation

Supervision

Runoff and sedimentation from grading for access roads, tower pads, and substation facilities, and alteration of hydrological patterns due to maintenance roads.

Loss of land use and population relocation due to placement of towers and substations.

Chemical contamination from chemical maintenance techniques.

· Select ROW to avoid impacts to water bodies, floodplains, and wetlands.

· Install sediment traps or screens to control runoff and sedimentation.

· Minimize use of fill dirt.

· Use ample culverts.

· Design drainage ditches to avoid affecting nearby lands.

· Select ROW to avoid important social, agricultural, and cultural resources.

· Utilize alternative tower designs to reduce ROW width requirements and minimize land use impacts.

· Adjust the length of the span to avoid site-specific tower pad impacts.

· Manage resettlement in accordance with World Bank & AfDB procedures.

· Utilize mechanical clearing techniques, grazing and/or selective chemical applications.

· Select herbicides with minimal undesired effects.

· Do not apply herbicides with broadcast aerial spraying.

· Maintain naturally low-growing vegetation along ROW.

During Construction and Operation

Visual inspections of the materials being used, the construction practices and mitigation measures.

Short-term monitoring to assure that negative land use and/or ecological impacts are avoided and proper mitigation measures are employed.

Occurs along the line as it is constructed.

Monitoring of ROW maintenance activities to assure proper control methods.

Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC)

UEEPC / PMU / EMS

EEHC management

EETC management

UEEPC Project Manager in collaboration with the Consultant Site Manager.

Effects on environmental and human resources involved (negative land uses, ecological damage)

Degree to which they are affected.

Weekly (during construction).

Maintenance time (during operation)

Environmental training and management will be warranted for ROW maintenance techniques, including the proper use of chemical and mechanical clearing methods.

Training will be conducted by EETC and UEEPC/PMU with assistance from environmental consultant.

Staff workers should have an understanding of the rational for the recommended mitigation and monitoring that they may be implementing.

Included in construction and operation cost.

Table 8 (Contd.)

Transmission System Impact Mitigation, Monitoring and Management

Issue/Impact

Mitigation Measures

Implementation Schedule

Monitoring

Responsibility

Monitoring

Indicators

Type and Frequency of Reporting/ monitoring

Management and Training

Indicative Cost

Estimate (US$)

Implementation

Supervision

Avian hazards from transmission lines and towers.

Aircraft hazards from transmission lines and towers.

Induced effects from electromagnetic fields.

Impaired cultural or aesthetic resources because of visual impacts.

· Select ROW to avoid important bird habitats and flight routes.

· Install towers and lines to minimize risk for avian hazards.

· Install deflectors on lines in areas with potential for bird collisions.

· Select ROW to avoid airport flight paths.

· Install markers to minimize risk of low-flying aircraft.

· Select ROW to avoid areas of human activity.

· Select ROW to avoid sensitive areas, including tourist sites and vistas.

· Construct visual buffers.

· Select appropriate support structure design, materials, and finishes.

· Use lower voltage, DC system, or underground cable to reduce or eliminate visual impacts of lines, structures, and ROWs.

During Construction and Operation

Visual inspections of the materials being used, the construction practices and mitigation measures.

Short-term monitoring to assure that negative land use and/or ecological impacts are avoided and proper mitigation measures are employed.

Occurs along the line as it is constructed.

Monitoring of ROW maintenance activities to assure proper control methods.

Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC)

UEEPC / PMU / EMS

EEHC management

EETC management

UEEPC Project Manager in collaboration with the Consultant Site Manager.

Effects on environmental and human resources involved (negative land uses, ecological damage)

Degree to which they are affected.

Weekly (during construction).

Maintenance time (during operation)

Environmental training and management will be warranted for ROW maintenance techniques, including the proper use of chemical and mechanical clearing methods.

Training will be conducted by EETC and UEEPC/PMU with assistance from environmental consultant.

Staff workers should have an understanding of the rational for the recommended mitigation and monitoring that they may be implementing.

Included in construction and operation cost.

Table 8 (Contd.)

Transmission System Impact Mitigation, Monitoring and Management

Issue/Impact

Mitigation Measures

Implementation Schedule

Monitoring

Responsibility

Monitoring

Indicators

Type and Frequency of Reporting/ monitoring

Management and Training

Indicative Cost

Estimate (US$)

Implementation

Supervision

Indirect

Induced secondary development during construction in the surrounding area.

Increased access to sensitive lands.

· Provide comprehensive plans for handling induced development.

· Construct facilities to reduce demand.

· Provide technical assistance in land use planning and control to local governments.

· Route ROW away from sensitive lands.

· Provide access control.

During Construction and Operation

Visual inspections of the materials being used, the construction practices and mitigation measures.

Short-term monitoring to assure that negative land use and/or ecological impacts are avoided and proper mitigation measures are employed.

Occurs along the line as it is constructed.

Monitoring of ROW maintenance activities to assure proper control methods.

Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC)

UEEPC / PMU / EMS

EEHC management

EETC management

UEEPC Project Manager in collaboration with the Consultant Site Manager.

Effects on environmental and human resources involved (negative land uses, ecological damage)

Degree to which they are affected.

Weekly (during construction).

Maintenance time (during operation)

Environmental training and management will be warranted for ROW maintenance techniques, including the proper use of chemical and mechanical clearing methods.

Training will be conducted by EETC and UEEPC/PMU with assistance from environmental consultant.

Staff workers should have an understanding of the rational for the recommended mitigation and monitoring that they may be implementing.

Included in construction and operation cost.

Table 9 (A)

Gas Pipeline System Impact Mitigation

Impact	Mitigation Measures	Project Phase	Responsibility		Means of Supervision	Estimated Cost
Impact	Mitigation Measures	Project Phase	Implementation	Supervision	Means of Supervision	Estimated Cost
1. During Construction
Reduction Traffic Flow	- Construction during off peak periods	Preconstruction and Construction	Traffic department to grant conditional license and Contractor to implement	Town Gas HSE + Traffic Department	Ensure contractor has valid conditional permit+ Filed supervision	- Contractor management costs that shall be included in normal bid price. - Town Gas management costs
	- Signage and marking	Tender and Construction	Contractor	Town Gas HSE + Traffic Department	Ensure inclusion in tender+ Filed supervision	- Contractor management costs that shall be included in normal bid price. - Town Gas management costs
	- Traffic detour	Preconstruction and Construction	Traffic Department	Traffic Department	Ensure detouring efficiency	- Cost by Traffic Department
	- Road restricting	Construction	Traffic Department	Traffic Department	Ensure adequate traffic flow	- Cost by Traffic Department
Air Emission	- Sound storage, transportation and disposal of stockpiles	Construction	Contractor	Town Gas HSE supervisor	Field supervision	- Contractor management costs that shall be included in normal bid price. - Town Gas management costs
	- Ensure that air emissions of construction machinery within legal standards	Tender and preconstruction	Contractor	Town Gas HSE	Review vehicle exhaust certificate	- Contractor management costs that shall be included in normal bid price. - Town Gas management costs
Noise	- Protect construction workers on site	Tender and Construction	Contractor	Town Gas HSE	Ensure inclusion in tender+ Field supervision	- Contractor management costs that shall be included in normal bid price. - Town Gas management costs
	- Avoid night noisy works whenever possible	Construction	Contractor	Town Gas HSE	Field supervision	- Contractor management costs that shall be included in normal bid price. - Town Gas management costs
Risk of Damaging Infrastructure	- Collect infrastructure maps and site tracing	Construction	Town Gas HSE Department and Governorate Information Center	Town Gas HSE Manger	Review HSE site report	- Town Gas management costs
	- Use trial pits	Tender and Construction	Contractor	Town Gas HSE Supervisor	Ensure inclusion in tender+ Field supervision	- Contractor management costs that shall be included in normal bid price.
	- Prepare and Analyze accident reports	Construction	Town Gas HSE Research	Town Gas HSE Manger	Review periodic HSE reports	- Town Gas management costs

Table 9 (A) “Contd.”

Gas Pipeline System Impact Mitigation

Impact	Mitigation Measures	Project Phase	Responsibility		Means of Supervision	Estimated Cost
Impact	Mitigation Measures	Project Phase	Implementation	Supervision	Means of Supervision	Estimated Cost
Effect on Structures by Dewatering Activities	- Screening of areas / Sectors	Design	Town Gas Technical Committee	Town Gas Design Manager + HSE Manager	Review committee’s reports	- Town gas management costs
	- Tight dewatering schedule	Construction	Contractor	Town Gas HSE Supervision	Field supervision	- Contractor responsibility: Included in normal contractor bid. - Town gas management costs
Effects on Monuments	- Locate problematic areas of the network	Design	Supreme Council for Antiquities through permitting procedure of Local Council	Town Gas HSE Manager	Review permitting procedures and ensure review of Council	- Cost by supreme council for antiquities
	- Supervise construction	Construction	Expert from Supreme Council of Antiquities	Town Gas HSE Manager + HSE supervision	Review field reports+ site supervision	- L.E. 3,000 / site for supervision and measurement of vibration. - Town gas management costs
	- Control dewatering process	Construction	Contractor	Supreme Council Expert + Town Gas HSE supervision	Field supervision	- L.E. 15,000 / site above normal contractor bid price. - Town gas management costs
	- Reduce vibrations	Tender + Construction	Contractor	Supreme Council Expert + HSE supervision	Ensure inclusion in tender + Field supervision	- L.E. 10,000 / site above normal contractor bid price. - Town gas management costs
	- Preserve architecturally valuable sites	Construction	Contractor	Town Gas HSE supervisor	Field supervision	- Normal contractor bid price - Town gas management costs
	- Preserve any found antiquity	Construction	Town Gas HSE supervisor	Town Gas HSE manager	Review field reports	- Normal contractor bid price - Town gas management costs

Table 9 (A) “Contd.”

Gas Pipeline System Impact Mitigation

Impact	Mitigation Measures	Project Phase	Responsibility		Means of Supervision	Estimated Cost
Impact	Mitigation Measures	Project Phase	Implementation	Supervision	Means of Supervision	Estimated Cost
Waste Disposal	- Control over construction waste	Construction	Contractor	Town Gas HSE supervisor	Field supervision	- Contractor responsibility: Included in normal contractor bid
	- Prevent fueling, lubricating and any activity that would entail production of hazardous materials empty contains	Construction	Contractor	Town Gas HSE supervisor	Field supervision	- Contractor responsibility: Included in normal contractor bid
	- Transfer empty hazardous waste containers, if generated under unusual circumstances, to Governorate's landfill	Construction	Construction	Town Gas HSE supervisor	Field supervision and review manifest documents	- About L.E. 1,300 / yr above normal contractors bid⁽¹⁾
	- Adequate management of asbestos and any possible hazardous waste	Construction	Water Authority	Town Gas HSE supervisor + HSE Manager	Field supervision + review of Water authority manifests	- Costs by Water Authority - Town gas management costs
	- Arrange effective drainage during dewatering	Construction	Construction	Town Gas HSE supervisor	Field supervision	- Contractor responsibility: Included in normal contractor bid
	- Transfer any contaminated water resulting from dewatering to an adequate facility such as Governorate's Landfill	Construction	Construction	Town Gas HSE supervisor	Field supervision	- About L.E. 1,000/yr above normal contractors bid⁽²⁾

Notes:

(1) This figure has been derived assuming 2 loads of contains are generated each load is 0.5 ton which costs L.E. 650 including shipment and landfill fee. (landfill fee is L.E. 300/ton and rent of peak-up vehicle is about L.E. 500/trip)

(2) This figure has been derived assuming 1 load of contaminated water barrels is transferred each year weighing 1 ton at a cost of L.E. 1,000 including transportation and landfill fee in addition to supervision and administrative costs.

56. Table 10 shows that the total implementation cost of the environmental and Social Management Plan is about US$ 1.848 million, which amounts to about 0.35% of the total project cost.

57. Stack emissions will be monitored continuously during plant operation at a representative point in the stack. Operational monitoring of stack emissions shall comprise monitoring the levels of: Oxides of Nitrogen; Sulfur Dioxide; Carbon Monoxide; and Total Suspended Particles and PM₁₀.

58. The automatic monitoring system used will be linked in the controlling room to an alarm system to warn when emission limits (as stated in Section 2) for each pollutant are being approached.

59. Concentrations will be recorded as hourly rolling averages and reports on stack emissions monitoring will compare recorded emissions against predicted levels and Egyptian and WB guidelines (as given in Section 2). Reports will be submitted to the EEAA, the WB and any other concerned authority on an annual basis (or as required).

60. The use of a continuous NOx, SO₂, CO and TSP analyzer allows for baseline air quality monitoring on a continuous basis. The provision of three continuous monitors (or three: one at the site, one upwind and the third downwind) will provide the basis for “validating” the predictions made in the ESIA. The monitors will also include a weather station providing data on air temperature, wind speed, wind direction and mixing heights on a continuous basis. These monitors shall, also, be connected electronically, if possible, to the EEAA ambient monitoring system.

61. The construction and operational monitoring of air quality around the Helwan South power project will include the parameters summarized in Table 11. Also, Figure 11 (see page 49 of this E.S-Report) depicts the maximum impact locations derived in Section 6.2 presented by the conventional x-y coordinates.

62. Monitoring of impacts of the power plant on the aquatic environment will include monitoring of the quality of the discharge water, Nile River bankline and benthic sediments, ambient water quality and the impact on aquatic flora and fauna. The survey techniques and areas will be comparable to the survey undertaken by both of the Hydraulics Research Institute and the National Research Center during October-November 2010. The survey will include the area affected by the thermal plume (i.e. 75-150 m from the discharge point).

63. The operational monitoring of cooling water and effluent discharges will include the parameters summarized in Table 12 below.

64. Monitoring data will be analyzed and reviewed at regular intervals and compared with Egyptian and World Bank guidelines (as given in Section 2). Records of monitoring results will be kept in a suitable format and will be reported (in summary format with any exceptions identified) to the responsible government authorities, the WB or any other concerned authority as required. As a result, the project company, in discussion with the EEAA, EEHC, the WB or any other concerned authority, will review the need to implement any additional mitigation features, such as provision of further water treatment facilities on site and also on the need to continue monitoring.

65. Wastes generated on site and collected for disposal by skilled firms will be referenced, weighed and recorded. Environmental audits will be undertaken which will assess the quality and suitability of on- and off-site waste management procedures.

66. In order to ensure that the views and interests of all project stakeholders are taken into accounts, public consultation has been carried out according to the EEAA guidelines which require coordination with other government agencies involved in the EIA, obtaining views of local people and affected groups. This consultation has been undertaken as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment process.

67. The objectives of consultation and disclosure are to ensure that all stakeholders and interested parties, are fully informed of the proposed project, have the opportunity to voice their concerns and that any issues resulting from this process are addressed in the EIA and incorporated into the design and implementation of the project.

68. The adopted methodology for the public consultation comprises three phases, including four elements, namely:

· discussions with local stakeholders and interested parties during preparation of the environmental documents for local permitting requirements;

· discussions with local stakeholders during scoping and preparation of this ESIA-Report, including the organization of a Public Scoping Meeting on 24 November 2010, in the Helwan Governorate;

69. As far as public disclosure is concerned, major activities to inform the public and interested parties about the Helwan South project include the following:

· press advertisement in Al-Ahram Newspaper (on 10 November 2010) and Al-Akhbar Newspaper (on 11 November 2010) describing the project and inviting interested parties to attend the scoping meeting.

· distribution of an invitation and a copy of summary leaflet about the main concerns of ESIA study (in Arabic).

· the organization of a Public Consultation Meeting on 16 March 2011, in the Kureimat Power Plant site, and

· on-going consultation through an “open-door” policy during construction and operation of the power plant.

70. Again, as far as public disclosure is concerned, major initiatives to inform the public and interested parties about the Helwan South Power project include the following:

· press advertisement in Al-Ahram Newspaper (on 7 March 2011) describing the project and inviting interested parties to attend the public meeting and review the Draft Final ESIA Report;

· distribution of an invitation and copy of the Non Technical Summary (in Arabic) describing the context of the power plant, the technology employed, the impact on the environment, the mitigation measures and the ESMP; and

· disclosure of the Draft Final ESIA Report, including the Executive Summary, locally and via the World Bank Infoshop.

71. A Public Consultation and Disclosure Activities (PCDA) are designed and implemented in accordance with World Bank guidelines. The purpose of the Activities is to establish the process by which UEEPC/HPP will consult and involve stakeholders in the planning, development, construction and operation of the power plant.

72. During the preparation of an ESIA-Report for local permitting requirements, ECG, EEHC and UEEPC undertook consultations with a variety of organizations to assist them in the identification of environmental and social concerns and the overall development of the project. These stakeholders included the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC), Upper Egypt Electricity Production Company (UEEPC), Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA), the Helwan Governorate and the District Council of the Helwan, including Markaz Atfieh and El-Kureimat zone, Egyptian General Authority for Shore Protection, Hydraulics Research Institute and local population leaders.

73. The purpose of these consultations was primarily to provide information regarding the project, identify published and non-published sources of relevant data and information relating to the site and surrounding area, obtain views on the scope of the project, and open channels for ongoing discussions.

74. The key environmental and social issues raised during this consultation process are summarized in Table 13 and these issues were subsequently taken into account in the preparation of ESIA documentation both for local permitting requirements and this ESIA report.

75. A scoping session for this ESIA undertaken by ECG in collaboration with the EEHC and UEEPC, took place on Wednesday, 24 November 2010 during which a wide selection of personnel from different orientations contributed actively to its activities.

76. The key objectives of this consultation were to identify primary and secondary stakeholders, ensure that they had received sufficient information about the project during earlier consultation activities and to identify their immediate concerns.

· Breakdown of the activities to highlight the issues that the attendees might comment on;

· Explain the environmental issues and invite the participants to raise their concerns about possible negative impacts; and

· Conduct the discussions and invite the owner, local authorities and agencies to participate in the discussions.

The full documentation for the scoping meeting is presented in
Annex B. The issues raised during the scoping session are summarized in Table 13 below.

78. In addition to the scoping meeting, several mini-meetings were held with some particular affected stakeholders for taking their viewpoints into consideration.

79. The purpose of taking these viewpoints into account was to improve project viability. The World Bank (1991) has found that where such views are seriously considered and incorporated in the EA process, projects are likely to be more successful. The Bank provides some useful guidance regarding the extent and level of stakeholder involvement in the EA process in its Sourcebooks (World Bank, 1991-Chapter 7).

80. Mini-meetings were held with fishermen along the Nile River at about 7-8 km downstream of the proposed site, the Atfieh and El-Kureimat area representatives, Atfieh and other Associations for Services, Local District Administration, General Authority for Fishery Development and three active NGOs in the Helwan zone, Es-Saff town, and Es-Saff area.

· informing interested groups and individuals about the proposed development, its potential impacts, and measures which will lessen impacts and protect the environment;

· minimizing misunderstandings about the scope and impacts of the project and increase public confidence in the proposed development; and

· contributing to an increased awareness and understanding of project plans and activities.

Memorandums of Mini-meetings that were held with some affected groups are given in Annex C.

82. The main results of Phase I consultation was to successfully raise the level of local awareness about the plant, to identify the immediate local concerns and to seek stakeholder involvement in the implementation of the project.

83. The three issues of key concern to the stakeholders consulted were the impact of the plant on pollutant loads in the El-Kureimat and Dayr El-Maymoun zone air shed, compliance with environmental standards, particularly with regard to air and wastewater discharge quality and the potential economic impacts on the local community. These concerns have been addressed within the ESIA process and measures to ensure compliance are incorporated into the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP). The ESMP will be implemented by UEEPC/HPP as a condition of compliance with the EEAA regulations and of financing from the World Bank.

84. Phase II of the public consultation and disclosure process included the disclosure of information about the project (advertisement, invitation including a copy of the Non-Technical Summary (in Arabic) and public access to the Draft Final ESIA Report) and organization of a public meeting.

85. The Draft Final ESIA report, together with the Non-Technical Summary in Arabic, have been disclosed locally for 30 days at the offices of the UEEPC at the Kureimat power plant, EEHC offices and at the offices of the local environmental consultant in Cairo.

86. In order to make people aware of the disclosure of the Draft Final ESIA Report, an advertisement was placed in the national newspaper Al Ahram in Arabic on Monday, 7 March 2011. The advertisement also drew readers attention to the date and venue of the proposed public meeting.

87. Finally, a public meeting was held in the Helwan Governorate on Wednesday, 16 March 2011. The aim of the meeting was to present and explain the results of the Draft Final ESIA Report to local stakeholders, to provide them with the opportunity to raise any further or additional concerns that will be and to ensure that all issues are taken into account in the Final ESIA Report and corresponding ESMP. Further concerns that were raised during Public Consultation Meeting are, also, summarized in Table 13 below.

Phase II Consultation and Disclosure activities and Public Consultation Meeting Report are reported in Annex D.

88. Helwan South Power Plant's (HPP’s) Assistant Plant Manager, who is responsible for the Environment, Safety and Quality Assurance program for the plant, will have full responsibility for implementing and supervising the ESMP. This role includes ongoing communication with local industrial and commercial interests, local authorities and other interested parties. An “open door” policy will be adopted to allow stakeholders to voice ongoing concerns.

89. The process and results of the public consultation activities held to date are documented in the EISA Report, Chapter 9 and Annexs A, B, C
and D.

90. All issues have been taken into account and addressed in the ESIA and RPF through assessment and the inclusion of mitigation, management and monitoring requirements which are detailed within the ESMP.

During Design and Construction

91. Suitably qualified and experienced contractors will be responsible for the detailed design and construction of the power plant. Construction workers will be required to demonstrate appropriate skills, qualifications and/or experience prior to employment.

92. During construction, Project Management Unit / Environmental Management Staff (PMU/EMS) and the Assistant Plant Manager in collaboration with the Consultant Site Manager will ensure that all contracts with Contractors and sub-contractors stipulate all construction management measures (as given in this ESMP), operational design criteria and environment, health and safety standards which must be implemented at the project site.

93. Implementation of these measures will be enforced by PMU/EMS and the Assistant Plant Manager and supervised by the Assistant Plant Manager, supported by UEEPC Project Manager in collaboration with the Consultant Site Manager, who will have direct responsibility for the Environment, Safety and Quality Assurance program on site during construction and operation.

The Assistant Plant Manager is responsible for ensuring that construction works comply with the requirements of the ESMP and all environmental permits. His key roles will be to:

· assume the interface with authorities for environmental authorizations and permits;

· act as the Assistant Plant Manager for local authorities, industrial and commercial interests and any other interested parties;

· ensure that mitigation measures to reduce impacts during the construction phases are implemented;

94. During operation, direct responsibility for environmental compliance and the implementation of the mitigation, management and monitoring measures described in this Summary and in Section 7 of the Main Report, will continue to be with the Plant Environmental Staff under direct supervision of the Assistant Plant Manager. This position, will report directly to the Chairman/General Manager of UEEPC/HPP.

95. The Assistant Plant Manager will be based at the site and will be responsible for recruiting, training and managing his staff. He will be responsible for implementing the mitigation and management measures described above and for monitoring and record keeping of the following:

96. In his role, the Assistant Plant Manager will also be responsible for maintaining any pollution control equipment and for developing and implementing procedures for safe handling and storage of any hazardous materials used on site.

97. Chemicals used during plant operation are process-related. Hazardous chemicals to be used include chlorine (5500 kg/hr), sulfuric acid (7000 kg/day infrequency once per day). Handling, storage and application of these chemicals will be used under strict regulations of handling hazardous materials stipulated by Law 4/1994 and Law 9/2009.

98. The Assistant Plant Manager will also have lead responsibility for maintaining a written Environmental Register with respect to environmental impacts as required under Egyptian and World Bank guidelines. The written records will identify the characteristics of discharges and emissions, details of periodic testing including results, procedures for follow-up environmental safety actions and the person in charge of this follow-up. Should any prescribed standards be breached, PMU/EMS, through the Assistant Plant Manager, will immediately inform the EEAA and disclose the procedures being taken to rectify non-conformity.

99. Results of environmental monitoring as described above, shall be recorded and submitted to the EEAA, EEHC and to any other party (i.e. WB, .. etc.) as required. The EEAA and WB are entitled to audit the project company in order to ensure conformity with environmental standards and requirements.

100. In addition, the project company must keep a record of any significant environmental incidents occurring at the plant including accidents and occupational illnesses, spills, fires and other emergencies. The Assistant Plant Manager will be responsible for ensuing that these records are maintained up to date and are available on site.

101. The Assistant Plant Manager will supervise and lead the Environmental Department (ED) and the Environmental Management Staff (EMS) directed by the ED. Figure 12 illustrates the environmental department within the organizational structure of the Helwan South power plant and Figure 13 gives the organization of the EMS.

102. The Project Company will ensure that the power plant is manned 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. All staff employed at the plant will be trained in the following:

Environmental Department (ED) within the Organizational Structure

of Helwan South Power Plant

Environmental Management Staff (EMS)

within the Project Management Unit (PMU)

1. The training program will be designed to ensure that appropriate skilled staff are used to operate the power plant at all times. Aspects of occupational health and safety and emergency procedures are described below.

2. In addition to this environmental training for all staff employed at the plant, special environmental training will be given to the staff employed for the EMU. They will receive training in the following:

3. UEEPC/HPP will establish and integrate policies and procedures on occupational health and safety into the operation of the power plant which meet the requirements of Egyptian and World Bank guidelines as given in Section 2 of the report. The policies and procedures will also be designed to comply with all manufacturers safety data sheets for chemical storage and usage, so as to provide a safe and healthy working environment.

4. Occupational health and safety programs will be supported by staff training for the power plant and the appointment of the Assistant Plant Manager. The training will include, but will not be limited to, the following:

5. The training will include induction courses when staff are first employed at the power plant, with specialist and refresher training as required by the job role. Training will be updated annually and occupational health and safety procedures will be included within the Operations Manual for the power plant.

6. The safety record at the power plant will be reviewed each month at a formal meeting, led by the Assistant Plant Manager, where the agenda items, comments and attendance will be recorded and kept on file.

7. In addition, periodic safety audits will be conducted to verify compliance with safe working practices, which will comprise physical inspections, review of plant records and interviews with staff. The audits will assign responsibility for any corrective action necessary to mitigate a potential hazard and allow the tracking of the completion of the corrective measure.

8. Instructions on emergency measures necessary to safeguard employees and the wider environment will be prepared as part of the Operations Manual for the power plant.

9. As part of the preparation of emergency procedures and the plans for accident response arrangements, the project company will carry out the following :

· review industry-specific and Egyptian and World Bank standards and regulations;

· provide protective equipment (including clothing, air and ear protection etc.) as required;

10. Contingency plans and emergency procedures are being developed to cover events due to operational failures, natural causes and acts of third parties. The plans and procedures will cover, as a minimum, the following:

· third-party risks (potential impacts of an accident occurring at another industrial facility which may impact upon the power plant).

Oil Spill Contingency Plan

11. As Good practice and part of the ESMP, UEEPC/PMU/EMS will prepare an Oil Spill Contingency Plan to be ready for implementation by the start of construction activities.

12. Natural Gas will be delivered to the site by pipelines in a quantity of about 6 Millions m³/day.

14. These tanks are surrounded contained within separate retention area which is designed to contain 110% of one tank.

16. The plan will detail procedures, responsibilities, chains of command, information flows, monitoring and documentation. Previouslly illustrated Figure 12 presents institutional arrangements for the Helwan South power project.

17. Environmental and social management and monitoring activities will be implemented (according to the ESMP), following the same project schedule, as all activities are mainstreamed in the project design. Achievements/problems will be reported in the project quarterly progress reports and should be timely addressed by the project management and the Bank.

18. The Project Company proposes to develop a new steam power plant of total capacity 3 x 650 MWe at the area reserved for the Helwan South Power Plant on land owned by the UEEPC Company. The site is a rural Setting and does not contain significant residential environmental sensitivity of importance.

19. The key environmental issues associated with the power plant are as follows:

20. The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment has evaluated the potential environmental impacts during construction and operation of the proposed power plant. In particular, the potential impacts of the flue gas emissions to the air, generation and disposal of liquid effluents including cooling water; and the emissions of noise have been assessed using sophisticated modeling techniques, which include consideration of the ambient background environment and the characteristics of the releases or emissions, and predicts the potential impacts which may occur.

21. The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment has, also, evaluated the potential socio-economic impacts during construction and operation of the proposed power plant.

22. It is anticipated that the power plant will provide a net positive socio-economic impact through the provision of employment opportunities and attraction of economic investment into the area. In addition, the use of local labor (95% during construction), will maximize these positive impacts through the development of the local skill base and will also generate increased demand for local services, materials and products.

23. Land expropriation is not likely for the sub-projects, including interconnecting transmission lines and gas pipeline. However, in order to handle any potential future changes, a Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) is prepared by ECG separately in a stand alone document to be attached with this ESIA report. Fair compensation, if any, will be paid for the right of way according to the Law 63 of the Year 1974 and the recommendations set out in the RPF. The ESMP will be revised after exact routes for both of the gas connection an transmission lines are available.

24. The assessment indicates that no significant environmental and social impacts will occur as a result of the construction or operation of the power plant and, when taken together, the overall environmental and social impact will not be significant.

1. Egyptian Government (1994): Law 4 for 1994 and its Executive Regulations and their modifying amendment - Law for the Environment.

2. Egyptian Government (2009): Law 9 for 2009 for some amendments to the Law 4/1994..

3. Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (1996): Guidelines on Egyptian Environmental Impact Assessment, including 2009 updates.

4. Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (1995): Egypt Country Study on Biological Diversity; Publications of the National Biodiversity Unit No. 3.

5. Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (1997): Birds known to occur in Egypt; Publications of the National Biodiversity Unit No. 8.

6. Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (1997): Freshwater fishes of Egypt; Publications of the National Biodiversity Unit No. 9.

7. Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (1999): Freshwater molluscs of Egypt; Publications of the National Biodiversity Unit No. 10.

9. Geological Map of Egypt (1981): Scale 1:2,000000. Geological Survey of Egypt (EGSMA) Cairo.

10. Arab Republic of Egypt, General Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (December 2009): The Statistical Year Book.

11. Kebeasy, R. M. (1990): Seismicity in the Geology of Egypt. R. Said (ed) Balkeme. 51-59.

12. Montz, B. E., Gruntfest, E., (2002): Flash flood mitigation; Recommendations for research and applications, Environmental Hazards. 4, 15-22

14. Water Research Center, Research Institute for Groundwater (RIGW), Minishy of Public Works and Water Resources (1992): Hydrogeological Map of Egypt.

15. Kebeasy, R. M. (1990): Seismicity. in: The Geology of Egypt, R. Said (ed.); Balkema, p. 51-59.

17. UNEP/WHO (1999a): Draft Country Reports on Pollution Hot Spots and Sensitive Areas; Country Report for Egypt.

18. Anderson , J. R. ; Hardy, E. T. ; Roach, J. T. and Witmer, R. E. (1976): A Land-use and Land-cover Classification System for use with Remote Sensor Data. U. S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 964.

19. El Araby, H., and Sultan, M. (2000): Integrated seismic risk map of Egypt, Seismological Research Letters, v. 71, p. 52-65.

20. Hammad, F. A. (1980): Geomorphological and hydrogeological aspects of Upper Egypt (A.R.E.), Annals Geol. Surv of Egypt Vol. XI, pp. 650-670.

21. Morency, R E., J, (1998): The Hydrology of the South Delta ,Egypt
in: Groundwater Potential of the Delta, Egypt, Edited by F. El-Baz et al., Ministry Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Cairo, Egypt.

22. World Bank Group (1991): Operational Directive 4.01: Environmental Assessment.

23. World Bank Group (1994): Environment, Health and Safety Guidelines: Thermal Power Plants.

24. World Bank Group (1998): Thermal Power – Guidelines for New Plants in Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook - Part III.

25. World Health Organization (WHO) (1971): International Standards for Drinking Water; 3rd Edition, Geneva, Switzerland.

26. UNESCO (1979): Predicting Effects of Power Plant Once-through Cooling on Aquatic Systems; Paris.

28. UK Department of Transport et al. (1993): Design Manual for Roads and Highways.

29. UK Institute of Environmental Assessment (1993): Guidelines for the Environmental Assessment of Road Traffic; Guidance Notes No. l, IEA.

30. Institute of Highways and Transportation (1994): Traffic Impact Assessment. IHT.

31. General Authority for Roads and Bridge and Land Transport (2007): Traffic Report 2007.

33. R. K. Jai; L. V. Urban; G. S. Stacy & H. E. Balbach (1993): Environmental Assessment; Mc Graw-Hill, Inc., New York

34. M. M. El-Wakil (1985): Powerplant Technology; McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York.

35. Azza Hassan, General Director of Information Center, Helwan Governorate (2010): Data on the Helwan Zone, including Atfieh & Kureimat; Information and Decision Support Center, Headquarter, Helwan Governorate.

36. Commercial Services Corporation (CSC) (November 2010): Physical Environmental Setting of the Planned Site of Helwan South Power Plant.

37. Prof. Dr. Kamal T. Hindy and Others (October 2010): Study of Air Quality in Selected Points at an Area for Construction of a Power Plant at Helwan South; National Research Center, State Ministry of Scientific Research.

38. Prof. Dr. Kamal T. Hindy and Others (November 2010): Study of Solid Air Pollutants in Selected Points at the Helwan South Power Plant Site; National Research Center, State Ministry of Scientific Research.

39. MB Consultant (October 2010): Noise Prediction for Helwan South 3x650 MWe Power Project; Ain Shams University, Faculty of Engineering.

40. Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Mabrouk Ibrahim (November 2010): Helwan South Power Plant Traffic Impact Study, Final Report; Faculty of Engineering, Al-Azhar University.

41. Dr. Mahmoud Hussein (November 2010): Proposed Helwan South Power Plant Project: Land-use & Ecological Baseline and Impact Assessment (Terrestrial Ecology) Study; National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences (NARSS), Ministry of High education, Scientific Research & Technology.

42. Dr. Mahmoud Hussein (November 2010): Aquatic Ecological Baseline and Impact Assessment Study for the Helwan South Power Station; National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences (NARSS), Ministry of High Education, Scientific Research & Technology.

43. Prof. Dr. Anwar El-Dib and Prof. Dr. Ahmed Morsy (November 2010): Assessment of Water Quality Along Selected Sites for the Construction of Electric Generation Station at Helwan South, National Research Center.

44. Dr. Fathi El-Gamal, Dr. Khaled Abdel Hai, Dr. Ahmed M. Amin, Eng. Fahmy S. Abdel-Haleem (November 2010); Helwan South Power Project – Bathymetric and Hydrographic Survey, Hydraulic Research Institute.

45. Dr. Fathi El-Gamal, Dr. Khaled Abdel Hai, Dr. Ahmed M. Amin, Eng. Fahmy S. Abdel-Haleem (February 2011); Helwan South Power Project – Mathematical Modeling study for Intake and Outfall Structures, Final Report.

46. Engineering Consultants Group (ECG) (December 2010): Air Quality Dispersion Modeling Study for the Helwan South Power Project.

47. Engineering Consultants Group (ECG) (December 2010): Socio-economic Baseline and Impact Study for the Helwan South Steam Power Project.

48. Power Generation Engineering and Services Company (PGESCo) (December 2010): New Suez 650 MWe Steam Power Plant Project, Environmental Impact Assessment.

49. Engineering Consultants Group (ECG) (August 2008):, El-Ain Al-Sokhna 3x650 MWe Steam Power Plant Project, Environmental Impact Assessment.

25. Key persons contacted for comments or further information include the following:

(c) Secure the site to prevent any damage or loss of removable objects. In cases of removable antiquities or sensitive remains, a night guard shall be present until the responsible local authorities and the equivalent take over;

(d) Notify the supervisory Engineer who in turn will notify the responsible local authorities and the General Authority of Antiquities immediately (within 24 hours or less);

(e) Responsible local authorities and the General Authority of Antiquities would be in charge of protecting and preserving the site before deciding on subsequent appropriate procedures. This would require a preliminary evaluation of the findings to be performed by the archeologists of the General Authority of Antiquities (within 72 hours). The significance and importance of the findings should be assessed according to the various criteria relevant to cultural heritage; those include the aesthetic, historic, scientific or research, social and economic values;

(f) Decisions on how to handle the finding shall be taken by the responsible authorities and the General Authority of Antiquities. This could include changes in the layout (such as when finding an irremovable remain of cultural or archeological importance) conservation, preservation, restoration and salvage;

(g) Implementation for the authority decision concerning the management of the finding shall be communicated in writing by the General Authority of Antiquities; and

(h) Construction work could resume only after permission is given from the responsible local authorities and the General Authority of Antiquities concerning safeguard of the heritage.

These procedures must be referred to as standard provisions in construction contracts, when applicable, During project supervision, the Site Engineer shall monitor the above regulations relating to the treatment of any chance find encountered are observed.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Air Quality

Aquatic Environment

Noise

Flora and Fauna

Traffic and Transport

Socio-Economic Environment

Socio-Economic Environment

Complementary Initiatives and Project Benefits

Involuntary Resettlement

Communicable Diseases

Natural Disasters

Solid Waste Management

Occupational Health & Safety

Air Quality

Aquatic Environment

Noise

Flora and Fauna

Visual Impact

Soil and Hydrology

Solid Waste

Occupational Health and Safety,

Communicable Diseases

Air Quality

Noise

Air Quality

Noise

Comments

During Design and Construction

Environmental Department (ED) within the Organizational Structure

of Helwan South Power Plant

Environmental Management Staff (EMS)

within the Project Management Unit (PMU)

Oil Spill Contingency Plan