27152 v. 2 - world bank documents

LIMBE POWER PROJECT

AES-SONEL, CAMEROON, WEST AFRICA

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

SEPTEMBER 2003

Pub

lic D

iscl

osur

e A

utho

rized

Pub

lic D

iscl

osur

e A

utho

rized

Pub

lic D

iscl

osur

e A

utho

rized

Pub

lic D

iscl

osur

e A

utho

rized

Pub

lic D

iscl

osur

e A

utho

rized

Pub

lic D

iscl

osur

e A

utho

rized

Pub

lic D

iscl

osur

e A

utho

rized

Pub

lic D

iscl

osur

e A

utho

rized

Administrator

27152 V. 2

AES-SONEL Limbe Power Project Environmental Impact Statement

September 2003

Black & Veatch Project 107030

Page 1

CONTENTS Abbreviations…………………………………………………………………………………….8 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................9

1.1 Background.................................................................................................................................... 9 1.2 Need for the project ....................................................................................................................... 9

1.2.1 Existing electricity system..................................................................................................... 9 1.2.2 Demand growth and profile ................................................................................................. 10 1.2.3 ALUCAM load .................................................................................................................... 11 1.2.4 Expected generation capacity from existing sources ........................................................... 11 1.2.5 Generation capacity shortfall ............................................................................................... 11 1.2.6 AES-SONEL’s proposed approach to the generation capacity shortfall ............................. 12 1.2.7 Electricity tariffs .................................................................................................................. 13

1.3 Key project features..................................................................................................................... 13 1.4 Project operators, contractors and sponsors................................................................................. 14

1.4.1 AES-SONEL ....................................................................................................................... 14 1.4.2 Engineering, procurement and construction/operation/decommissioning ........................... 14 1.4.3 Project financing.................................................................................................................. 15

1.5 Project schedule........................................................................................................................... 15 1.6 EIA process ................................................................................................................................. 16 1.7 Structure of the EIS reports ......................................................................................................... 17

2 Legislative, regulatory and adminstrative framework ..........................................19 2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 19 2.2 Cameroon legislative framework................................................................................................. 19

2.2.1 Identification of relevant provisions .................................................................................... 19 2.2.2 Electricity law...................................................................................................................... 21 2.2.3 Environmental law............................................................................................................... 22 2.2.4 Land issues .......................................................................................................................... 26

2.3 Government administrative framework ....................................................................................... 28 2.4 The Requirements of funding organisations ................................................................................ 28

2.4.1 World Bank Group .............................................................................................................. 28 2.4.2 European Investment Bank.................................................................................................. 33 2.4.3 Proparco............................................................................................................................... 33 2.4.4 Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund/FMO......................................................................... 33

2.5 Environmental standards ............................................................................................................. 33 2.5.1 Air quality............................................................................................................................ 33 2.5.2 Noise levels.......................................................................................................................... 36 2.5.3 Water quality ....................................................................................................................... 37 2.5.4 Guidelines for electric and magnetic fields ......................................................................... 37

3 Analysis of alternatives .............................................................................................39 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 39 3.2 Options for power generation ...................................................................................................... 39 3.3 Demand management options...................................................................................................... 39

3.3.1 Technical and commercial losses ........................................................................................ 39 3.3.2 High efficiency fluorescent bulbs ........................................................................................ 40 3.3.3 Time of day pricing ............................................................................................................. 40 3.3.4 Summary of demand management options.......................................................................... 41

3.4 Fuel type options ......................................................................................................................... 41 3.4.1 Hydropower capacity increase............................................................................................. 41 3.4.2 Gas options .......................................................................................................................... 42 3.4.3 Liquid fuel options............................................................................................................... 42 3.4.4 Summary of fuel type options.............................................................................................. 44

3.5 Alternative plant type .................................................................................................................. 48 3.6 Alternative locations.................................................................................................................... 48

3.6.1 Power plant location ............................................................................................................ 48 3.7 Analysis of leading options ......................................................................................................... 54


September 2003


Page 2

3.7.1 SONARA refinery, Limbe................................................................................................... 54 3.7.2 Logbaba substation .............................................................................................................. 55 3.7.3 Douala port harbour power barges....................................................................................... 56

3.8 Selection of preferred option ....................................................................................................... 57 3.8.1 Other issues to consider ....................................................................................................... 57 3.8.2 Preferred option ................................................................................................................... 57

3.9 Site specific options for power generation plant site ................................................................... 60 3.10 Site specific options for transmission line route .......................................................................... 61

4 Baseline conditions ....................................................................................................71 4.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 71 4.2 Social environment ...................................................................................................................... 71

4.2.1 Human beings ...................................................................................................................... 71 4.2.2 Civil administration ............................................................................................................. 72 4.2.3 Air quality............................................................................................................................ 72 4.2.4 Noise.................................................................................................................................... 72 4.2.5 Cultural heritage .................................................................................................................. 73 4.2.6 Land use............................................................................................................................... 73 4.2.7 Traffic and transport ............................................................................................................ 74 4.2.8 Recreation and amenity ....................................................................................................... 75

4.3 Natural and physical environment ............................................................................................... 76 4.3.1 Climate ................................................................................................................................ 76 4.3.2 Geology and soils ................................................................................................................ 76 4.3.3 Topography.......................................................................................................................... 77 4.3.4 Hydrology and drainage ...................................................................................................... 77 4.3.5 Water resources and quality................................................................................................. 77 4.3.6 Flora and fauna .................................................................................................................... 78 4.3.7 Marine ecology .................................................................................................................... 79 4.3.8 Landscape ............................................................................................................................ 80 4.3.9 Natural hazards .................................................................................................................... 80 4.3.10 Man-made hazards............................................................................................................... 80

5 Project description ....................................................................................................83 5.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 83 5.2 Components of the Limbe Power Project .................................................................................... 83 5.3 Power generation plant and associated works ............................................................................. 83

5.3.1 Location............................................................................................................................... 83 5.3.2 Nature of the works ............................................................................................................. 83 5.3.3 Power generation plant equipment....................................................................................... 83 5.3.4 Ancillary equipment ............................................................................................................ 84 5.3.5 Key activities and programme ............................................................................................. 84 5.3.6 Engineering, procurement and manufacturing..................................................................... 85 5.3.7 Transportation of equipment................................................................................................ 85 5.3.8 Site preparation, civil works and construction..................................................................... 85 5.3.9 Testing and commissioning ................................................................................................. 87 5.3.10 Operation and maintenance ................................................................................................. 87 5.3.11 Decommissioning ................................................................................................................ 89

5.4 Description of the transmission line ............................................................................................ 91 5.4.1 Location............................................................................................................................... 91 5.4.2 Nature of the works ............................................................................................................. 91 5.4.3 Main equipment ................................................................................................................... 91 5.4.4 Ancillary equipment ............................................................................................................ 91 5.4.5 Key activities and programme ............................................................................................. 92 5.4.6 Procurement and manufacturing.......................................................................................... 92 5.4.7 Transportation of equipment to the site ............................................................................... 92 5.4.8 Construction......................................................................................................................... 92 5.4.9 Testing and commissioning ................................................................................................. 94 5.4.10 Operation and maintenance ................................................................................................. 94 5.4.11 Decommissioning ................................................................................................................ 95

5.5 Description of the substations...................................................................................................... 95


September 2003


Page 3

5.5.1 Location............................................................................................................................... 95 5.5.2 Nature of the works ............................................................................................................. 95 5.5.3 Limbe substation equipment................................................................................................ 95 5.5.4 New substation equipment................................................................................................... 96 5.5.5 Key activities and programme ............................................................................................. 96 5.5.6 Design, procurement, manufacturing................................................................................... 97 5.5.7 Transportation of equipment to the sites.............................................................................. 97 5.5.8 Construction......................................................................................................................... 97 5.5.9 Testing and commissioning ................................................................................................. 98 5.5.10 Operation and maintenance ................................................................................................. 98 5.5.11 Decommissioning ................................................................................................................ 98

6 Consultation...............................................................................................................99 6.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 99 6.2 Consultees.................................................................................................................................... 99 6.3 Consultation methodology......................................................................................................... 100 6.4 Consultation approach ............................................................................................................... 101 6.5 Cultural sensitivity..................................................................................................................... 101 6.6 Consultation record.................................................................................................................... 101 6.7 Disclosure of information .......................................................................................................... 101 6.8 Future consultation .................................................................................................................... 102

7 Impact assessment methodology ............................................................................109 7.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 109 7.2 Methodology.............................................................................................................................. 109 7.3 Key issues.................................................................................................................................. 110 7.4 Compliance screening................................................................................................................ 111

7.4.1 Compliance with Cameroon laws, policies and regulations .............................................. 111 7.4.2 Compliance with International Finance Corporation policies and procedures .................. 112 7.4.3 EIB compliance ................................................................................................................. 113 7.4.4 Compliance with international treaties .............................................................................. 113

8 Construction impacts and mitigation measures ...................................................115 8.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 115 8.2 Power generation plant site........................................................................................................ 115

8.2.1 Traffic and transport .......................................................................................................... 115 8.2.2 Socio-economic and local community impacts ................................................................. 120 8.2.3 Wastes................................................................................................................................ 122 8.2.4 Noise.................................................................................................................................. 123 8.2.5 Air quality.......................................................................................................................... 125 8.2.6 Soils ................................................................................................................................... 127 8.2.7 Water quality and resources............................................................................................... 128 8.2.8 Public and occupational health and safety ......................................................................... 129 8.2.9 Flora and fauna .................................................................................................................. 131 8.2.10 Landscape and visual impact ............................................................................................. 131 8.2.11 Land use............................................................................................................................. 132 8.2.12 Recreation and amenity ..................................................................................................... 133 8.2.13 Cultural heritage ................................................................................................................ 133

8.3 Transmission line....................................................................................................................... 134 8.3.1 Resettlement and compensation......................................................................................... 134 8.3.2 Socio-economic and local community impacts ................................................................. 136 8.3.3 Traffic and transport .......................................................................................................... 138 8.3.4 Noise.................................................................................................................................. 141 8.3.5 Air quality.......................................................................................................................... 142 8.3.6 Waste ................................................................................................................................. 144 8.3.7 Soils ................................................................................................................................... 145 8.3.8 Water quality and resources............................................................................................... 146 8.3.9 Public and occupational health and safety ......................................................................... 147 8.3.10 Landscape and visual impact ............................................................................................. 149 8.3.11 Flora and fauna .................................................................................................................. 150 8.3.12 Cultural heritage ................................................................................................................ 151


September 2003


Page 4

8.3.13 Recreation and amenity ..................................................................................................... 152 8.3.14 Land use............................................................................................................................. 153

9 Operational impacts and mitigation measures.....................................................155 9.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 155 9.2 Power generation plant site........................................................................................................ 155

9.2.1 Air quality.......................................................................................................................... 155 9.2.2 Socio-economic and local community impacts ................................................................. 157 9.2.3 Wastes................................................................................................................................ 158 9.2.4 Noise.................................................................................................................................. 159 9.2.5 Water quality and resources............................................................................................... 161 9.2.6 Landscape and visual impact ............................................................................................. 163 9.2.7 Public and occupational health and safety ......................................................................... 165 9.2.8 Traffic and transport .......................................................................................................... 166 9.2.9 Flora and fauna .................................................................................................................. 167 9.2.10 Recreation and amenity ..................................................................................................... 168 9.2.11 Land use............................................................................................................................. 168 9.2.12 Cultural heritage ................................................................................................................ 169

9.3 Transmission Line ..................................................................................................................... 169 9.3.1 Socio-economic and local community impacts ................................................................. 169 9.3.2 Public and occupational health and safety ......................................................................... 170 9.3.3 Landscape and visual impact ............................................................................................. 172 9.3.4 Land use............................................................................................................................. 174 9.3.5 Traffic and transport .......................................................................................................... 175 9.3.6 Water quality and resources............................................................................................... 175 9.3.7 Flora and fauna .................................................................................................................. 176 9.3.8 Wastes................................................................................................................................ 176 9.3.9 Recreation and amenity ..................................................................................................... 177 9.3.10 Noise.................................................................................................................................. 177 9.3.11 Air quality.......................................................................................................................... 178 9.3.12 Soils ................................................................................................................................... 178 9.3.13 Cultural heritage ................................................................................................................ 178

10 Decommissioning impacts and mitigation measures............................................181 10.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 181 10.2 Decommissioning of the Limbe Power Project ......................................................................... 181

11 Summary of impacts and environmental action plan ..........................................183 11.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 183 11.2 Summary of impacts and mitigation measures .......................................................................... 183 11.3 Cumulative impacts ................................................................................................................... 183 11.4 Environmental action plan......................................................................................................... 224

11.4.1 Dates for delivery of plans................................................................................................. 225 11.4.2 Environmental management during construction .............................................................. 226 11.4.3 Environmental management during operation................................................................... 228 11.4.4 Reporting lines and decision-making................................................................................. 229 11.4.5 Environmental auditing ..................................................................................................... 229 11.4.6 Change management.......................................................................................................... 229 11.4.7 Liaison with funding organisations.................................................................................... 230

12 Conclusions ..............................................................................................................254 12.1 AES corporate social responsibility........................................................................................... 255 12.2 Capacity strengthening .............................................................................................................. 255 12.3 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................... 256


September 2003


Page 5

TABLES

Table 1.1 Capacity of Edéa and Song Loulou ......................................................................................... 10 Table 1.2 Current and forecast micro and macro economic environment in Cameroon.......................... 12 Table 2.1 Cameroon hierarchy of norms ................................................................................................. 19 Table 2.2 Relevant environmental treaties............................................................................................... 20 Table 2.3 AES-SONEL’s contractual framework.................................................................................... 20 Table 2.4 Regulations pertaining to the electricity sector in relation to AES-SONEL’s environmental

obligations ............................................................................................................................... 21 Table 2.5 Relevant Cameroon legislation................................................................................................ 23 Table 2.6 Legal framework for land laws................................................................................................ 26 Table 2.7 Summary of the IFC’s Safeguard Policies and Pollution Prevention and Control guidelines,

and their relevance to the LPP ................................................................................................. 29 Table 2.8 World Bank Air Emission Guidelines ..................................................................................... 34 Table 2.9 World Bank and World Health Organisation Ambient Air Quality Guidelines ...................... 34 Table 2.10 EC air quality standards....................................................................................................... 35 Table 2.11 Summary of air emission limits ambient air quality guidance............................................. 36 Table 2.12 World Bank Group ambient noise levels ............................................................................. 36 Table 2.13 Water quality emissions targets ........................................................................................... 37 Table 2.14 NRPB and ICNIRP Guidelines............................................................................................ 37 Table 3.1 Summary of the key issues associated with each fuel type option .......................................... 46 Table 3.2 Summary of impacts of each location...................................................................................... 51 Table 3.3 Summary of analysis of leading alternatives ........................................................................... 59 Table 3.4 Analysis of power generation plant site selection.................................................................... 60 Table 3.5 Description of transmission line route alternative locations .................................................... 61 Table 3.6 Analysis of alternative transmission line routes matrix for section SL1-SL2.......................... 62 Table 3.7 Analysis of alternative transmission line routes matrix for section SL2-SL3.......................... 64 Table 3.8 Analysis of alternative transmission line routes matrix for section SL3-SL4.......................... 66 Table 3.9 Analysis of alternative transmission line routes matrix for section SL4-SL9.......................... 68 Table 4.1 Estimate of representative background sound pressure levels at the noise-sensitive receptors

based on a summary of the measures ambient sound pressure levels ………………………..73 Table 4.2 Summary of road conditions from Douala to Cape Limboh …………………………………74 Table 4.3 Main amenities along the transmission line route ……………………………………………75 Table 5.1 Ancillary Equipment................................................................................................................ 84 Table 5.2 Power plant key activities and programme.............................................................................. 84 Table 5.3 Licensed waste disposal operators in Cameroon ..................................................................... 88 Table 5.4 Main equipment for transmission line ..................................................................................... 91 Table 6.1 Consultees to the Limbe Power Project ................................................................................... 99 Table 6.2 Methods of communication and consultation ........................................................................ 100 Table 6.3 Consultation approach ........................................................................................................... 101 Table 6.4 Record of consultation taken to date...................................................................................... 103 Table 7.1 Methodology for assessing the significance of an impact ..................................................... 109 Table 7.2 Summary of key impacts of the Limbe Power Project .......................................................... 110 Table 7.3 Compliance of the LPP with Cameroon laws, policies and regulations ................................ 111 Table 7.4 Compliance of the LPP with the IFC Safeguard Policies and Guidelines. ............................ 112 Table 7.5 Compliance of the LPP with international treaties ................................................................ 113 Table 8.1 Potential impacts as a result of road delivery from Douala to the project site....................... 117 Table 8.2 Representative background noise levels derived from background noise survey (dB re 2 x 10-5

Pa) sample background noise levels at Locations A and B ................................................... 124 Table 8.3 Predicted noise levels from some construction activities at housing (dB re 2 x 10-5Pa)

(Location A) .......................................................................................................................... 124 Table 8.4 Sensitive receptors to construction related air quality ........................................................... 143 Table 8.5 Sensitive receptors located close to the transmission line route and access roads................. 148 Table 8.6 Visual impacts along the transmission line route................................................................... 149 Table 9.1 Predicted LAeq noise levels from the proposed power plant at nearby residential and industrial

locations (dB re 2 x 10-5Pa) ................................................................................................... 160 Table 9.2 Height of main structures at the power plant site................................................................... 164 Table 9.3 NRPB and ICNIRP Guidelines.............................................................................................. 170


September 2003


Page 6

Table 9.4 Typical levels under power lines ........................................................................................... 171 Table 9.5 Visual impacts along the transmission line route................................................................... 173 Table 11.1 Summary of impacts and mitigation measures during construction .................................. 186 Table 11.2 Summary of impacts and mitigation measures during operation....................................... 207 Table 11.3 Summary of impacts and mitigation measures during decommissioning.......................... 217 Table 11.4 Summary of environmental impacts associated with the power plant, substation and

associated structures, with and without mitigation ............................................................ 222 Table 11.5 Summary of environmental impacts associated with the transmission line and associated

structures, with and without mitigation ............................................................................. 223 Table 11.6 Delivery dates for construction and operation plans.......................................................... 225 Table 11.7 Construction Environmental Action Plan – Power generation plant and associated works231 Table 11.8 Construction Environmental Action Plan – Transmission line and associated works ....... 240 Table 11.9 Operation Environmental Action Plan – Power generation plant and associated works ... 248 Table 11.10 Operation Environmental Action Plan – Transmission line and associated works............ 252

REFERENCES UNITS OF MEASURE

FIGURES

Figure 1.1 Location plan Figure 1.2 Southern interconnected generation and transmission system Figure 1.3 Future capacity/energy deficits with no additional investment Figure 1.4 Project schedule for the power plant and transmission line and substations Figure 1.5 Simplified organogram of the EIA element of the Limbe Power Project Figure 3.1 Alternative transmission line routes and power plant sites Figure 4.1 Detailed location plan Figure 4.2 Baseline environmental features Figure 4.3 Climate in Cameroon Figure 4.4 Geology of Cameroon Figure 5.1 Site layout Figure 5.2 Indicative transmission line tower Figure 8.1 Traffic count results Figure 11.1 Environmental Action Plan requirements PHOTOS Photo 4.1 Rifle range at the proposed power plant site, Cape Limboh Photo 4.2 SONARA refinery adjacent to the proposed power plant site Photo 4.3 Cameroon Development Corporation Palm Oil Plantation Photo 4.4 Cameroon Development Corporation Palm Oil Plantation Photo 4.5 Local crops Photo 4.6 View of the proposed power plant site from Beach Mile 6 Photo 4.7 Typical landscape along the main road at Botaland Photo 4.8 Typical landscape along the main road at Mile 2 Photo 4.9 Volcanic rock at the edge of the power plant site boundary with the sea Photo 5.1a Proposed power plant site (looking east) Photo 5.1b Proposed power plant photomontage Photo 5.1c Proposed power plant photomontage Photo 5.2 Proposed power plant site (looking west) Photo 5.3a Typical power house and associated structures Photo 5.3b Typical power house and associated structures Photo 5.3c Power house and exhaust stack


September 2003


Page 7

Photo 5.3d Fuel treatment equipment Photo 5.3e Inside the power house Photo 5.3f Cooling radiators Photo 5.3g Fuel storage tank Photo 5.3h Exhaust stack Photo 5.3i Power plant transit Photo 5.4 Access road to the power plant site Photo 5.5 Typical access road to the transmission line wayleave Photo 5.6 Limbe substation Photo 6.1 Village level sensitization Photo 6.2 Village level sensitization Photo 6.3 Public meeting (Douala) APPENDICES - SEPARATE VOLUME

Appendix A Preparers of the EIS Appendix B Terms of Reference for MINEF Appendix C Scope of Works for the EIA Appendix D Air Emissions Justification of EU Legislation Appendix E Traffic Survey Appendix F Ecology Surveys Appendix G Consultation Plan Appendix H Noise Modelling Appendix I Air Quality Modelling COMPENSATION ACTION PLAN – SEPARATE VOLUME


September 2003


Page 8

ABBREVIATIONS

AGO Atmospheric Gas Oil ASL Above Sea Level BV Black & Veatch CAP Compensation Action Plan CFCs Chlorofluorocarbons CO Carbon Monoxide CO2 Carbon Dioxide DB Decibel EAP Environmental Action Plan EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EIAF Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund EIB European Investment Bank EIS Environmental Impact Statement EMF Electro-magnetic field EPC Engineer Procure and Construct FCFA Franc - Communauté Financière Africaine FL 1500 Flue Lourd 1500 (heavy fuel oil) FMO The Netherlands Development Finance Company HFO Heavy Fuel Oil HGV Heavy Goods Vehicle ICNIRP International Commission on Non Ionizing Radiation Protection IFC International Finance Corporation LBZG Limbe Botanic and Zoological Gardens LPG Liquefied Petroleum Gases LPP Limbe Power Project MINEF Ministry of Environment and Forestry NOx Nitrogen Oxides NRPB National Radiological Protection Board OPs Operational Policies PAPs Project Affected Persons PCBs Polychlorinated biphenyls RoRo Roll on Roll Off facility for loading/unloading ships SEO Site Environmental Officer SOx Sulphur Oxides SONARA Société Nationale de Raffinage SCDP Cameroon Petroleum Depot Company TMS Traffic Method Statement TSS Total Suspended Solids WBG World Bank Group WHO World Health Organisation


September 2003


Page 9

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND

AES Sonel has commissioned Black & Veatch (BV) to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed installation of approximately 80MW of thermal power plant adjacent to the SONARA oil refinery at Cape Limboh, near the town of Limbe, south-west Cameroon. Cameroon is situated on the Gulf of Guinea and forms part of West Central Africa (Figure 1.1).

The years 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 were exceptionally dry in Cameroon. It is apparent that the year 2002-2003 is also exceptionally dry. This, coupled with an increase in the demand for electricity from all sectors of the economy, has led to a serious shortage of power in the dry season. The consequent load-shedding is deeply unpopular and damaging to the Cameroonian economy. In previous years of shortage, the load to the dominant customer, ALUCAM was cut back to prevent shortages to the public sector. Given that AES-SONEL has an obligation to serve ALUCAM and that the ALUCAM business is important to the economy of Cameroon, AES-SONEL must now plan for continuous service to ALUCAM.

AES-SONEL has therefore embarked upon a project to provide new permanent power generation to address the urgent electricity shortage in Cameroon. This Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) document presents the results of the environmental impact assessment of the Limbe Power Project (the “LPP”). A list of the individuals/organisations responsible for undertaking the environmental impact assessment and preparing the EIS is provided in Appendix A.

The environmental impact assessment process has been undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MINEF), the ministry that is responsible for the review and approval of EIA’s in Cameroon. The environmental impact assessment has also been undertaken in accordance with the requirements of potential lenders for this project, namely the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the European Investment Bank (EIB), Proparco and the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF) (the EAIF has commissioned the Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO) to act as their environmental and social advisor).

1.2 NEED FOR THE PROJECT

On the Southern Interconnected system, there is currently an inability to reliably meet dry season demand, due to low water levels in the hydroelectric storage reservoirs, low rainfall levels, insufficient investment in thermal generation and transmission capacity, and redundancy in all areas of the electric system. This imbalance between supply and demand is exacerbated by the fact that demand has grown rapidly over the past 5 years.

1.2.1 Existing electricity system

The existing national electricity generation and transmission system in Cameroon is principally separated into three independent subsystems. The southern interconnected network covers the southwest region - Yaoundé, Douala, Bafoussam and Bamenda, the northern system supplies Ngaoundéré, Garoua, Guider and Maroua and the eastern system supplies the eastern province - Bertoua, Abong-Mbang and Batouri. These systems are not interconnected. Throughout the country there are small areas that are supplied with electricity that are isolated from the three principal subsystems.


September 2003


Page 10

The LPP will be connected to the southern interconnected system. Cameroon’s primary sources of electricity in the southern system are the older hydro power stations at Edéa and Song Loulou (Figure 1.2), both on the Sanaga River. The installed capacity and average production of these reservoirs is provided in Table 1.1.

Table 1.1 Capacity of Edéa and Song Loulou

1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 (prov)

2002 (proj)

Installed capacity MW 263.5 263.5 263.5 263.5 Edéa Average production MW 163 164 145 156 Installed capacity MW 384 384 384 384 Song Loulou Average production MW 210 211 196 205

Source: AES-SONEL Draft Business Development Plan, January 2003 In addition to the hydro power stations, there are a number of thermal generation plants at the following locations:

Bassa substation 18.6 MW Logbaba substation 17.6 MW Oyomabang substation 36 MW Bafoussam 14.3 MW Mefou 2 MW Meyomessala 0.9 MW.

The southern interconnected network comprises several decades-old equipment. There is an increasing failure rate due to inadequate maintenance. It is loaded on average about 90% of its capacity, and many circuits and equipment are saturated at the peak load period. The average rate of losses on the transmission network alone stands at approximately 7.5%.

1.2.2 Demand growth and profile

AES-SONEL defines the public sector load as the electricity demand that excludes its dominant customer, ALUCAM. On a national basis, power produced to meet public sector demand has grown at an average rate of 6% since 1995. Total energy produced declined by 6.6% in the financial year 2001/02 due to the effect of reduced water levels in the reservoirs at the beginning and end of the preceding wet season. Total non-delivered energy amounted to over 330 GWh; the majority of this was load shed from ALUCAM and the public sector during the dry season.

Since 1995, medium voltage power consumption (defined as consumption at the 30kV level) growth has averaged 5.2% per annum and low voltage power consumption growth has averaged 7.8% in the same period.

A demand study for the southern interconnected system has been undertaken with three main demand growth scenarios of strong, medium and weak growth. These result in average annual growth over the coming five years of 8.3%, 6.5% and 5.5% respectively.

This study also predicts a growth of 6.2% per annum in the public sector peak power demand level, rising from 395MW in 2002 to 533MW in 2007, an increase of 138MW.


September 2003


Page 11

This shows the need for new, particularly dry season peak hours generation, capacity to meet the growing demand for electricity.

1.2.3 ALUCAM load

AES-SONEL has a contractual obligation to supply ALUCAM, its largest customer, with 145MW throughout the entire year. In previous years of electricity shortage, the load to ALUCAM was cut back to prevent shortages to the public sector. Given that AES-SONEL has an obligation to serve ALUCAM and that the ALUCAM business is important to the economy of Cameroon, AES-SONEL must now plan for continuous service to ALUCAM.

1.2.4 Expected generation capacity from existing sources

Hydro resources

Hydroelectric power provides approximately 97% of generation in the southern region of Cameroon. The ability to meet demand from the existing hydro facilities is marked by a significant difference between dry and wet seasons. For almost half of the year during the wet season, available production capacity is limited only by plant technical availability. For almost the other six months during the dry season, available production capacity is limited by natural and/or regulated river flow capacity. With the recently observed low flow levels in dry seasons, hydropower has not been able to contribute sufficient power in the dry season.

Diesel generation The existing 90MW of grid-connected diesel capacity is not sufficient to provide voltage stabilization at the substations and to bridge the dry season gap between energy demand and available hydroelectric resources. Additionally, the diesel generation engines are designed for peaking capacity, whereas the dry season shortfall now requires baseload thermal supply in addition to peaking capacity. Currently there is no reserve margin in the system. Utility systems typically maintain reserve capacity margins of at least 10-15% (i.e. 10-15% greater installed capacity than peak system demand) to cover unexpected breakdowns and failures. In a system with adequate generation, the capacity reserve is used primarily as back-up during equipment failures and to supplement production in below-average diesel units to be used for reserve margin and emergency capacity. With the variability in rainfall experienced in Cameroon and the reliance on hydro capacity it is vital that the existing thermal capacity is maintained to fulfill its role.

1.2.5 Generation capacity shortfall

The projected supply-demand balance in the southern interconnected system in energy and capacity needs has been calculated based on assumptions of low, average and high water flow probabilities (taking into account ALUCAM requirements). Figure 1.3 indicates the level of capacity and energy shortfall that will be seen during future dry seasons, if no investment is made to increase the production capacity of AES-SONEL above the existing hydroelectric and thermal installations.


September 2003


Page 12

Figure 1.3 Future capacity/energy deficits with no additional capacity investment

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

2003 2004 2005 2006 20070

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Public sector energy deficit Public sector capacity deficit

The inability to reliably meet demand could potentially affect the existing and growth potential of the Cameroon economy. The micro/macro economic environment both current and forecast is shown in the Table 1.2. Since 1995, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has grown in real FCFA denominated terms at 5%. The 6% demand growth over this period represents a demand growth factor of 1.2xGDP, which is considered normal for developing countries. With a GDP/head of population of US$600, Cameroon can be considered to be a developing country.

Table 1.2 Current and forecast micro and macro economic environment in Cameroon

Economic indicators

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Population # mn 15.97 16.32 16.68 17.05 17.42 17.81 Number of households # mn 2.80 2.86 2.93 2.99 3.06 3.12 Exchange rate F CFA/US$ 692 613 623 650 675 700 GDP at current prices F CFA bn 6,771 7,308 7,847 8,475 9,188 9,931 GDP nominal US$ 9.8 11.9 12.6 13.0 13.6 14.2 GDP at 1994 prices F CFA bn 4760 4956 5176 5439 5740 6074 GDP/ head US$ 613 730 755 765 781 797 GDP growth (AFD) % 4.3 4.6 4.7 5.4 5.8 6.1 Assumed real GDP growth % 4.5 5.0 4.5 5.0 5.0 5.0

Source: AES-SONEL Draft Business Development Plan, January 2003.

1.2.6 AES-SONEL’s proposed approach to the generation capacity shortfall

AES-SONEL is determined to reduce or eliminate the load-shedding that was seen during the 2001-2002 dry season. Additionally, AES-SONEL is required under its acquisition agreement and is under strong pressure from the government to mitigate this load-shedding. The demand studies indicate that the immediate requirement to address


September 2003


Page 13

this problem is to add dry season capacity on the southern interconnected system. Due to the time constraints involved in securing sufficient generation capacity to meet public sector demand whilst meeting the supply levels agreed with ALUCAM in conjunction with the Government of Cameroon, of all potential alternatives only liquid fuel fired generation can be implemented within the timeframe (section 3). AES-SONEL is therefore proposing to install a plant of approximately 80MW for a staged completion starting in March 2004 as an urgent solution to meeting the current generation shortfall. Locating the facility at the SONARA oil refinery in Limbe reduces the cost of transporting and storing heavy fuel oil. The location of the refinery however limits the initial size to 80MW owing to transmission system constraints. An 80MW plant provides sufficient capacity during a year with average rainfall; however it does not meet the entire capacity shortfall based on conservative rainfall assumptions. AES-SONEL is currently investigating a number of other options to address any remaining shortfall in capacity (section 3.3).

1.2.7 Electricity tariffs

The Concession Agreement between AES-SONEL and the Government of Cameroon (section 1.4) sets out tariff increases for the first five years of operation. Increases are set at 5% for Year 1 and 7.65% for each of the Years 2-5, both in real terms. Thereafter, tariffs will be determined by a formula that takes into account the level of the fixed asset base and a number of other factors including to a limited extent changes in fuel prices. The objective of the LPP is to improve the reliability of the existing electricity system in the southern interconnected grid, thereby improving the existing supply of electricity of all consumers, both commercial and private. The LPP will not significantly affect tariffs, as the tariff mechanism does not provide for the cost of the project to be passed onto the consumer. In addition, the increased system reliability will reduce the cost of electricity for customers currently purchasing expensive fuel to operate their diesel generators during load shedding periods.

1.3 KEY PROJECT FEATURES

The LPP proposes to generate approximately 80MW of power to cover the projected shortfall in electricity in the southern region of Cameroon. The LPP is designed to operate in an intermediate load to baseload range during the dry season (November to March). During the wet season, the plant is expected to be primarily in a standby mode but will likely operate during some periods. After consideration of a number of alternative locations, the decision was made to construct the power generation plant adjacent to the SONARA refinery at Cape Limboh, south-west Cameroon (Figure 1.1). The justification for this site is set out in section 4.

The proposed works will comprise:

(a) the installation of a new power plant of approximately 80MW, which would use

heavy fuel oil, and associated structures, located adjacent to the SONARA oil refinery at Cape Limboh, near Limbe, south-west Cameroon;

(b) approximately 11.6km of new 90kV single circuit overhead transmission line

between the new power generation plant and the existing Limbe 90/30kV substation;


September 2003


Page 14

(c) a new high voltage (90kV) substation located next to the new power generation plant; and

(d) extension of bays at the existing Limbe 90/30kV substation so as to connect the

90kV line to the grid.

1.4 PROJECT OPERATORS, CONTRACTORS AND SPONSORS

1.4.1 AES-SONEL

In December 1998, a new law governing the electricity sector in Cameroon was adopted and enacted (Law no. 98/022 of December 24th, 1998). This set out a new institutional organisation of the electricity sector whereby the State was to withdraw from any direct involvement in electricity supply activities in favour of private operators. It also required privatization of the National Electricity Corporation (SONEL).

In July 2001, AES-SONEL signed a Concession Agreement with the Government of Cameroon to become the integrated electric utility of Cameroon. AES Corporation of the US is a majority shareholder, with the remaining shares owned by the government of Cameroon.

Under the Concession Agreement, AES-SONEL is governed by four concession contracts and one licence for a period of 20 years each in the electricity sector. They comprise: One electricity generation concession; One concession for the transmission and management of the electricity transmission

grid; One concession of the distribution and sale of Low Voltage Electricity; One electricity sales licence.

These contracts are further regulated by a licence and concession framework contract.

AES-SONEL’s objective is to install and efficiently operate sufficient generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure to provide high quality, low cost power to all present and future customers. AES-SONEL is the developer of this project.

1.4.2 Engineering, procurement and construction/operation/decommissioning

Power generation plant

PB Power, based in the UK, is AES-SONEL’s engineering consultant for the LPP.

The works for the power generation plant will be undertaken on a turnkey basis. The specification for these works was issued as a competitive tender on 3 March 2003. Wartsila was notified that they had won the tender on 3 June 2003. The contractor will be responsible for the engineering, procurement, transportation, erection on site (including civil works), installation, testing, commissioning and guarantee of approximately 80MW power plant. The contractor will also be responsible for the installation of the connections for the new substation at the power plant site; the equipment for the new substation will be provided under the transmission line contract.


September 2003


Page 15

Where appropriate, the contractor will use local subcontractors. The contractor will be responsible for any sub-contractors.

AES-SONEL will be responsible for operation and maintenance of the plant.

Transmission line and substations

The transmission line and substation component of the project was issued as a separate tender. The transmission line is being designed by AES-SONEL. An international competitive tender was released on 10 March 2003 for the procurement and construction element of this work. This tender failed to receive any qualifying bids. As a result, a competitive procurement process was initiated on 23 May 2003 and AES-SONEL received an offer from Alstom. The companies are currently discussing the technical and commercial terms of the offer and expect to successfully conclude those discussions with a contract. The contractor will be responsible for the procurement, transportation and installation, testing, commissioning and guarantee for: Modifications to the existing Limbe substation;

Equipment for new power plant substation;

Transmission line.

AES-SONEL will be responsible for operation and maintenance of this element of the works.

1.4.3 Project financing

AES-SONEL is working with a number of funding organisations for financial support for future development of the electricity network in Cameroon. The LPP will be an element of the funding package. The funding organisations that AES-SONEL has approached include: The International Finance Corporation (IFC); The European Investment Bank (EIB); Proparco; The Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO); The Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF).

Where appropriate, these funding organisations are herein referred to as ‘the funding consortium’.

1.5 PROJECT SCHEDULE

The main constraint with the LPP is to install new generation capacity as soon as possible in order to alleviate problems in the next dry season, i.e. March 2004. There is therefore a tight time schedule for constructing and commissioning this project.

The project schedule is shown in Figure 1.4.


September 2003


Page 16

1.6 EIA PROCESS

Figure 1.5 provides a simplified organogram of the organisations involved in the environment impact assessment. Figure 1.5 Simplified organogram of the EIA element of the Limbe Power Project

In accordance with the requirements of Cameroon law and the requirements of the funding consortium, an EIA has been undertaken for the LPP. The aim of the EIA process has been to ensure that all potential environmental impacts of the project have been investigated and will be appropriately mitigated and managed.

A document outlining the scope of works for the EIA (the “Terms of Reference”) was prepared and presented to the Provincial Delegation of MINEF, based in Buea, south-west Cameroon, in November 2002 and again in February 2003. This “Terms of Reference” document is provided in Appendix B.

The IFC categorize projects according to their likely environmental impacts; the LPP has been categorized by the IFC as a Category A project. An environmental screening document and scope of works for the EIA were prepared in November 2002, and were presented to the IFC. This document and the scope of works were approved in January 2003. The scope of works is included in Appendix C.

The EIB requires that: ‘in the EU, as well as in the Accession Countries, all projects financed by the EIB should comply with both national and EU environmental law, including the EIA Directive. In all other regions, all projects should comply with national law; projects in other regions are also judged in the light of local circumstances according to the principles and standards of the EU environmental law’ (Environmental Statement document, EIB). An environmental screening document and the scope of works (Appendix C) were presented to the EIB in December 2002, and approved in February 2003.

Proparco has stated that their environmental requirements are the same as those set out by the EIB.

Administration

PB PowerEngineering Consultant

Transmission Line Design Site Survey Team Power Plant Design

Engineering

Black & VeatchEIA Consultant

AES SonelENvironmental Coodinator

AES SonelCompensation Team

Household SurveysLBZG

Valuation SpecialistsLBZG

AES SonelCompensation Coordinator

Noise SurveyEES Consultants

Ecological SurveyLBZG

Air QualityPB Power

Noise ModellingSpectrum

Acoustic Consultants

Environmental Team Manager

Environmental Financial

AES SonelLPP Project Director


September 2003


Page 17

The Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO) has stated that, in principle, they will use the World Bank guidelines as a reference. In addition to this, FMO requires that the issue of affordability is addressed. Section 1.2.7 addresses this issue. The Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF) has commissioned FMO to act as their environmental and social advisor.

1.7 STRUCTURE OF THE EIS REPORTS

The EIS is being published in the following volumes: EIS Executive Summary; EIS main report – this document; EIS Appendices; Compensation Action Plan.

This EIS report is structured as follows:

Abbreviations Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Legislative, regulatory and administrative framework Chapter 3 Baseline conditions Chapter 4 Analysis of alternatives Chapter 5 Project description Chapter 6 Consultation Chapter 7 Impact assessment methodology Chapter 8 Construction impacts and mitigation measures Chapter 9 Operational impacts and mitigation measures Chapter 10 Decommissioning impacts and mitigation measures Chapter 11 Summary of impacts and Environmental Action Plan Chapter 12 Conclusions References Units of measure


September 2003


Page 18

THIS PAGE IS LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY


September 2003


Page 19

2 LEGISLATIVE, REGULATORY AND ADMINSTRATIVE FRAMEWORK

2.1 INTRODUCTION

Chapter 2 sets out the legislative, regulatory and contractual framework which is of direct relevance to the proposed Limbe Power Project (the "LPP"). Further, this chapter also sets out the environmental requirements of the funding consortium and identifies relevant international environmental agreements to which Cameroon is a party. Section 2.2 has been written by Herbert Smith, lawyers to AES-SONEL.

2.2 CAMEROON LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK 2.2.1 Identification of relevant provisions

(i) Cameroon hierarchy of norms

The Cameroon hierarchy of norms is set out in Table 2.1.

Table 2.1 Cameroon hierarchy of norms

English Term

French Term

Constitution Constitution

International treaties and agreements Traités et accords internationaux

Primary legislation (legislative power):

Acts of Parliament, Ordinances

Domaine législatif : lois, ordonnances

Secondary legislation (executive power):

Decrees, Ministerial Orders

Domaine réglementaire : décrets, arrêtés ministériels

Decisions (e.g. authorisations) Décisions (exemple : autorisations)

Contracts Contrats

(ii) Relevant environmental treaties

Relevant environmental treaties to which Cameroon is a signatory are set out in Table 2.2.


September 2003


Page 20

Table 2.2 Relevant environmental treaties

International Convention Date ratified in Cameroon

Description of Convention

The Convention on Climate Change (Rio de Janeiro, 1992)

19 October 1994

The Framework Convention on Climate Change was endorsed during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Brazil in 1992. Under this convention, countries are required to take measures aimed at reducing emissions of greenhouse gases

The Convention on Biological Diversity (Rio de Janeiro, 1992)

19 October 1994

The convention was an agreement on developing nation strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity

The African Convention on Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (Algiers, 1968)

29 September 1978

“to ensure conservation, utilization and development of soil, water, flora and faunal resources in accordance with scientific principles and with due regard to the best interests of the people”

The Bamako Convention (1991) Not ratified in Cameroon.

Prohibits the import, sale and transportation of toxic and dangerous waste

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (1987)

30 August 1989

International agreement designed to protect the stratospheric ozone layer. The Montreal Protocol stipulates that the production and consumption of compounds that deplete ozone in the stratosphere--chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform-are to be phased out by 2000 (2005 for methyl chloroform)

Source: National Environmental Management Plan, 1996.

(iii) AES-SONEL’s contractual framework

AES-SONEL’s contractual framework is set out in Table 2.3.

Table 2.3 AES-SONEL’s contractual framework

Contracts Date Description of Convention

Main Concession Agreement (the "Main Concession Agreement")

18 July 2001 General legal framework of AES-SONEL’s activities

Main Specifications id. General specifications applicable to AES-SONEL's activities

Generation Concession (the "Generation Concession")

id. Legal framework of AES-SONEL's generation activities


September 2003


Page 21

Contracts Date Description of Convention

Generation Specifications id. Specifications applicable to AES-SONEL’s generation activities

Transmission Concession id. Legal framework of AES-SONEL’s transmission activities

Transmission Specifications

id. Specifications applicable to AES-SONEL’s transmission activities

Sale Licence id. Legal framework of AES-SONEL’s sale activities

Sale Specifications

id. Specifications applicable to AES-SONEL’s sale activities

Distribution Concession id. Legal framework of AES-SONEL's distribution activities

Distribution Specifications

id. Specifications applicable to AES-SONEL’s distribution activities

2.2.2 Electricity law

(i) Legal framework

Section 4.1 of the Generation Concession provides that AES-SONEL is entitled to produce a maximum of 1,000 MW. Within this limit, the first new installation power capacity as set out in the Concession is limited to 150 MW.

Table 2.4 lists the regulations pertaining to the electricity sector in relation to AES-SONEL’s environmental obligations.

Table 2.4 Regulations pertaining to the electricity sector in relation to AES-SONEL’s environmental obligations

Law/Decree

Title

Law No. 98/022 dated 24 December 1998

Relating to the Regulation of the Electricity Industry (the "Electricity Act")

Decree No. 99/125 dated 15 June 1999

Relating to the Organization and Functioning of the Agency for the Regulation of the Electricity Industry (the "ARSEL Decree")

Decree No. 2000/464 PM dated 30 June 2000

Relating to the Regulation of the Activities of the Electricity Industry (the "Electricity Decree")

The Electricity Decree expressly provides that holding a concession does not grant any rights other than those provided by the electricity regulations. Therefore, AES-SONEL


September 2003


Page 22

is not exempted from applying and obtaining any authorisations required under other regulations such as environmental, town planning and safety regulations1.

(ii) Institutions

Section 42 of the Electricity Act gives to the Agence de régulation du secteur de l'électricité ("ARSEL") the competence to ensure that the electricity sector respects the applicable environmental legislation.

Thus, ARSEL is the competent authority to control that AES-SONEL's activities comply with the environmental regulations.

(iii) Applicable procedure

Some provisions of the Electricity Act expressly refer to specific environmental regulations:

- application of the regulation relating to dangerous, insalubrious and inconvenient installations:

Section 10 of the Electricity Act provides that, with regards to the environment, power plants are subject to regulation related to dangerous, insalubrious and inconvenient installations; this provision applies to the LPP.

- potential application of the specific regulations concerning the protection of natural areas:

Section 8 of the Electricity Act provides that the building of a power plant located in a protected natural area, such as a nature reserve or a park can be undertaken after a prior authorisation has been granted by the authority in charge of the environmental protection, in accordance with the law and regulations on the environment; this provision does not apply to the LPP.

- appraisal by the Agency in the context of the granting of a new concession:

Section 9 of the Electricity Act provides that the activities undertaken in the electricity sector which require a concession are subject to an appraisal by ARSEL relating to the environmental impact in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations at the costs of the holder of the concession. This provision appears to apply to applicants for new concessions. Since the new power plant project falls into the scope of AES-SONEL's existing concession, this provision does not apply to the LPP.

2.2.3 Environmental law

(i) Legal framework

The legal framework relating the environment is set out in Table 2.5.

1 Section 4 (5) Electricity Decree: "The holder of a concession, of a license or of an authorisation is not exempted from [obtaining] any other authorisation required under the applicable laws and regulations including those relating to urbanism, safety of employees and customers and environment protection".


September 2003


Page 23

Table 2.5 Relevant Cameroon legislation

Law

Title

Law No. 96/012 dated 5 August 1996

Relating to Environmental Management (the "Environment Act")

Decree No. 2001/718 2001dated 3 September 2001

The Organization and Functioning of the Interministerial Committee on the Environment

Decree No. 1999/780/PM dated 11 October 1999

Modification and Completion of the Deposition of article 3 of Decree No. 94/259/PM

Decree No. 94/259/PM dated 31 May 1994

Creation of a National Consultative Commission on the Environmental and Sustainable Development

Law No. 98/015 dated 14 July 1998

Relating to installations classified as dangerous insalubrious and inconvenient (the "Specific Installations Act")

Decree No. 98/818/PM dated 9 November 1999

Relating to the conditions for the setting-up and operation of installations classified as dangerous, insalubrious and inconvenient (the "Specific Installations Decree")

Law No. 98/005 dated 14 April 1998

Relating to water (the "Water Act")


Setting the conditions of utilisation of water for business or industrial purposes (the "Decree on Utilisation of Water")


Setting the conditions of protection of surface and underground waters against pollution (the "Decree on Protection of Water")

The Main Concession Agreement provides that AES-SONEL shall comply with environmental rules deriving from the concession agreements, domestic law (legislative and regulatory provisions) and especially those deriving from international commitments of the State.

However, concerning those activities of AES-SONEL which did not comply with the environmental rules at the date of signature of the concession agreements due to facts or acts occurred prior to the date of signature (i.e. 18 July 2001), AES-SONEL’s obligation to comply with environmental rules will only take effect 3 years after the date of signature (i.e. 18 July 2004).

All new AES-SONEL’s installations must comply with environmental rules deriving from the concession agreements, domestic law (legislative and regulatory provisions) and especially those deriving from international commitments of the State.

(ii) Institutions

The relevant institutions involved in the implementation and monitoring of environment law in Cameroon are:

- ARSEL,

- the Inter-Ministerial Committee of Environment which is under the responsibility of MINEF,

- Consultative national commission of environment and sustainable development,


September 2003


Page 24

- the Minister in charge of Mines, Water and Energy, and

- the Minister in charge of Environment: MINEF.

(iii) Applicable procedures

Although some of the implementing texts of the applicable laws and regulations relating to environment do not appear to have been issued or enacted, it results from the combination of the Environment Law, the Specific Installations Law and the Specific Installations Decree that:

(a) An environmental impact assessment ("EIA") will have to be conducted by AES-SONEL in the context of the LPP.

The EIA is required by the Environment Act as well as by the Specific Installations Act and the Specific Installations Decree.

The EIA includes and/or details:

- an analysis of the initial condition of the site and its environment;

- the reasons for selecting the site;

- an appraisal of the foreseeable consequences of the implementation of the project on the site and its natural and human environment;

- an outline, if possible, of the measures envisaged by the promoter or owner to eliminate, reduce and, if possible compensate for the harmful consequences of the project on the environment and the estimates of ensuing expenses; and

- a presentation of other possible solutions and the reasons for which the project was selected, from the point of view of environmental protection.

The EIA must be notified to MINEF and approved by this administration within 4 months from this notification pursuant the Section 20 (1) of the Environment Act further to the prior advice of the Inter-Ministerial Committee of Environment.

(b) The LPP is a classified installation of which the setting-up and operation may be subject to the MINEF's prior approval required for first class installation (the "First Class Installations Authorisation").

The Specific Installations Act and the Specific Installations Decree provide for two procedures to authorise a company to build and operate a classified installation. The first applies to the “first class” classified installation. The second one applies to the “second class” of installation. The Specific Installations Decree refers to a nomenclature, which should have been taken through a Ministerial Order for the purpose of determining which installations belong to the first class or the second class. However, this Ministerial Order has not been promulgated yet.

From a legal perspective, such piece of legislation may be considered as necessary in order for the above procedures to be applicable to LPP.


September 2003


Page 25

Assuming that these procedures are applicable despite the absence of the Ministerial Order referred to above, it is still not possible to characterise the LPP as first or second class classified installations.

The procedure described below applies to the LPP only if it was to be characterised as first class of installation.

Step 1: Application for the authorisation to build a first class installation

In accordance with the Specific Installations Decree, the application for the First Class Installations Authorisation has to be sent in five copies with an original that is stamped with postage-due stamps and mentions:

- the name, legal status, address of the registered office, allocation of shares and if necessary, status of the person who signed the application;

- location of the installation;

- nature and volume of activities intended by the operator, and the reference of the nomenclature under which the installation should be classified;

- methods of exploitation, materials and substances used and their degree of biodegradability; and

- if the implementation requires a prior town planning permission, it should be obtained and joined with the request.

Step 2: Public inquiry

The application for a First Class Installation Authorisation is followed by a public inquiry supervised by MINEF (required only for first class installations).

The purpose of the investigation is to collect the observations, made concerning the implementation of the installation, by the population, the administration in charge of the environment and health and if necessary, the administration in charge of agriculture, breeding, commercial, industrial development and other public authorities.

The documents concerning the project of implementation available to the public and local authorities at a date set by a Ministerial communication.

A Ministerial Order sets the date of the project’s presentation by the promoter in presence of the above mentioned authorities. Minutes of the meeting are drafted and signed by the officers in charge of the investigation.

The duration of the public inquiry is 30 days. At the end of the 30-day period, the officers in charge of the investigation send any objections and observations made during the course of the inquiry to MINEF.

During the closing process of the inquiry, the operator meets the officers and is informed of oral and written observations expressed during the investigations. The operators reply to these observations by a memorandum within the following 15 days.


September 2003


Page 26

After the operator’s reply, or if there are no observations expressed during the investigations, the file is transmitted to MINEF.

The Minister must provide a response within 1 month.

However, this period of time may be extended by a Ministerial Order and such extension may not exceed 2 months.

Step 3: Granting of the authorisation

The authorisation is granted by a Ministerial Order which indicates the conditions of the implementation and exploitation of the installation, the technical requirements related to security, risk management of health, agriculture, environment and neighbourhood inconvenience.

If the installation is not in operation 2 years after the granting of the authorisation, the operator has to apply for and obtain a new authorisation or a complementary authorisation according to the same procedure as required for the first one.

(c) Water management and flood protection

Section 4 of the Water Act provides that it is prohibited to throw, to leak, deposit either directly or indirectly anything solid, liquid or gaseous and in particular any waste that may:

- alter the quality of surface or underground waters or sea water within the territorial limits of Cameroon;

- cause damage to public health as well as to the aquatic or sub marine fauna and flora; or

- affect the economic and tourist development of the region.

Also, Section 6 of the Water Act provides that any person owning any equipment which may cause water pollution must take all necessary measures to limit or stop these effects.

2.2.4 Land issues

2.2.4.1 Occupation: land law

(i) Legal framework

The legal framework for land laws is set out in Table 2.6.

Table 2.6 Legal framework for land laws

Law/Decree/Contracts

Title

Ordinance No. 74-2 dated 6 July 1974

Relating to the status of the public domain in Cameroon (the "Land Code")

Decree No. 76-166 dated 27 April Relating to the management of the national domain (the


September 2003


Page 27

Law/Decree/Contracts

Title

1976 "National Domain Decree")

Decree No. 76-167 dated 27 April 1976

Relating to the management of the private domain (the "Private Domain Decree")

(ii) Applicable procedures

The legal conditions of occupation of the LPP site depend on the legal status of the relevant land which either is:

- a land belonging to an individual or a private legal entity,

- a land part of the public or private domain of the State, or

- a land part of the national domain.

(a) Occupation of land belonging to an individual or a private legal entity

The occupation of the land by AES-SONEL owned by an individual or a private legal entity presumably first requires that AES-SONEL acquires this land. An expropriation procedure might be, in certain circumstances, be implemented if necessary.

(b) Occupation of a land part of the national domain, part of the public or part of the private domain of the State

Section 9.2 of the Main Concession Agreement provides that the State guarantees to AES-SONEL the right to occupy any site of the national domain or of the private domain of the State, to the extent that such occupation is related to the AES-SONEL’s activities in the electricity sector. The costs resulting from such transfer are to be incurred and borne by AES-SONEL.

2.2.4.2 Construction: town planning

Under the Decree No. 68/59/COR dated 30 April 1968, the granting of a construction permit is required for the building of a thermal plant.

The competent local authority has 45 days to make a determination on submission of an application for the permit, which can be extended to 90 days if supplementary information is required. If this local administrative authority does not respond within this period, the construction permit is deemed to be granted.

The construction permit expires if construction works are not undertaken within the period of one 1 year following the granting of the permit or if the works are interrupted for at least 1 year. Under Section 42 of the above mentioned Decree, a certificate of conformity must be delivered upon completion of the construction, which confirms the specifications of the construction permit.


September 2003


Page 28

2.3 GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK

The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MINEF) is responsible for conservation of the environment. It is represented in Buea, south-west Cameroon by a provincial delegation. Other ministries of relevance include the Ministry of Transport (MINT), responsible for transportation of people and goods by sea, air and land, the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Town Planning and Housing.

2.4 THE REQUIREMENTS OF FUNDING ORGANISATIONS

2.4.1 World Bank Group

The World Bank Group (WBG) and other lending and insurance institutions set criteria, policies and guidelines for environmental review and assessment that must be adhered to before their participation in projects. Since financial support from the IFC, a member of the WBG, is envisaged the EIA has been undertaken in accordance with their requirements.

The IFC environmental and social reviews are guided by a hierarchy of requirements that include:

Environmental and social ‘safeguard’ policies; Specific guidelines developed primarily by industrial sector; and Guidance notes and other reference documents.

2.4.1.1 Safeguard policies

The safeguard policies of relevance to the LPP are outlined in Table 2.7.

2.4.1.2 Guidelines

Guidelines for thermal plant are contained within the WBG’s Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook, 1998. This handbook applies to all projects directly financed by members of the WBG, including the IFC. The handbook provides general environmental guidelines and guidelines on ‘Thermal Power - guidelines for new plants’.

In addition, the IFC General Health and Safety Guidelines, 1998 and the IFC Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines for Electric Power Transmission and Distribution, July 1998 are applicable.

2.4.1.3 Guidance notes

The IFC produces a number of Guidance Notes providing advice on undertaking EIA. Those of relevance to the LPP include:

Guidance Note A Checklist of potential issues for an Environmental Assessment. Guidance Note B Content of an Environmental Impact Assessment report. Guidance Note C Outline of an Environmental Action Plan.


September 2003


Page 29

Table 2.7 Summary of the IFC’s Safeguard Policies and Pollution Prevention and Control guidelines, and their relevance to the LPP

Safeguard Policy/ Guideline

Summary of provisions Relevance to LPP

OP 4.01 Environment Assessment

The IFC requires environmental assessment (EA) of projects proposed for IFC financing to help ensure that they are environmentally sound and sustainable, and thus to improve decision making. An EA evaluates a project's potential environmental risks and impacts in its area of influence; examines project alternatives; identifies ways of improving project selection, siting, planning, design, and implementation by preventing, minimizing, mitigating, or compensating for adverse environmental impacts and enhancing positive impacts; and includes the process of mitigating and managing adverse environmental impacts throughout project implementation. The IFC favors preventive measures over mitigatory or compensatory measures, whenever feasible. An EA takes into account: the natural environment (air, water, and land); human health and safety; and social aspects (involuntary resettlement, indigenous peoples and cultural property); and transboundary and global environmental aspects. A range of instruments can be used to satisfy the IFC’s EA requirement: environmental impact assessment (EIA), environmental audit, hazard or risk assessment, and environmental action plan (EAP). Projects are categorised based on environmental significance: Category A projects require a full EIA undertaken by independent EA experts not affiliated with the project. For Category A projects during the EA process, the project sponsor consults project-affected groups and local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) about the project's environmental aspects and takes their views into account. For Category A projects, the project sponsor consults these groups at least twice: (a) shortly after environmental screening and before the terms of reference for the EA are finalized, and (b) once a draft EA report is prepared. In addition, the project sponsor consults with such groups throughout project implementation, as necessary to address EA related issues that affect them. During project implementation, the project sponsor reports on compliance with (a) measures agreed with IFC on the basis of the findings and results of the EA, including implementation of any

The LPP has been categorised by the IFC as a Category A project. The LPP will be subject to an independent Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The EIA process is reported in this document.


September 2003


Page 30



EAP, as set out in the project documents; (b) the status of mitigatory measures; and (c) the findings of monitoring programs.

OP4.04 Natural habitats

The IFC supports the protection, maintenance, and rehabilitation of natural habitats and their functions in its project financing and advisory activities. IFC supports, and expects project sponsors to apply, a precautionary approach to natural resource management to ensure opportunities for environmentally sustainable development. Natural habitats are land and water areas where (i) the ecosystems' biological communities are formed largely by native plant and animal species, and (ii) human activity has not essentially modified the area's primary ecological functions. Wherever feasible, IFC financed projects are sited on lands already converted (excluding any lands that in IFC’s opinion were converted in anticipation of the project). IFC does not support projects involving the significant conversion of natural habitats unless there are no feasible alternatives for the project and its siting, and comprehensive analysis demonstrates that overall benefits from the project substantially outweigh the environmental costs. IFC does not support projects that, in IFC’s opinion, involve the significant conversion or degradation of critical natural habitats.

The power plant site is a greenfield site (no previous development has taken place on the site). The transmission line route passes through uncultivated vegetation for approximately 1.7km. A walkover survey of the power generation plant site and transmission line route has been undertaken as part of EIA to confirm that there are no natural habitats as defined by the IFC at these sites.

Pest Management OP4.09

In assisting project sponsors to manage pests that affect either agriculture or public health, IFC

supports a strategy that promotes the use of biological or environmental control methods and reduces reliance on synthetic chemical pesticides. If pesticides are required, the policy sets forth the criteria for their use.

The clearance of the transmission line route will be undertaken by mechanical means.

Forestry OP4.36

IFC involvement in the forestry sector aims to reduce deforestation, enhance the environmental contribution of forested areas, promote afforestation, reduce poverty, and encourage economic development.

Not applicable. There are no forests within or adjacent to the power plant site of transmission line route.

Safety of Dams OP4.37

Applies to projects involving dam construction/ projects which rely on their performance of an existing dam/ dam under construction.

Not applicable. The project does not involve dam construction or dam-related activities.

International Waterways OP7.50

Sets forth required agreements and notifications regarding projects situated on international waterways.

Not applicable. There are no international waterways affected by the project.


September 2003


Page 31



Indigenous Peoples OD4.20

The directive provides policy guidance to (a) ensure that indigenous people benefit from development projects, and (b) avoid or mitigate potentially adverse effects on indigenous people caused by Bank-assisted activities. The terms “indigenous peoples,” “indigenous ethnic minorities,” “tribal groups,” and “scheduled tribes” describe social groups with a social and cultural identity distinct from the dominant society that makes them vulnerable to being disadvantaged in the development process. If indigenous peoples are affected by project development, the project sponsor must develop an Indigenous Peoples Development Plan

Not applicable. There are no indigenous peoples in the project area. This has been confirmed through the socio-economic survey (see section 4.2.1).

Involuntary Resettlement OD4.30

The objective of the Bank’s resettlement policy is to ensure that the population displaced by a project receives benefits from it. Involuntary resettlement should be avoided or minimized where feasible, exploring all viable alternative project designs. Where displacement is unavoidable, resettlement plans should be developed. All involuntary resettlement should be conceived and executed as development programs, with resettlers provided sufficient investment resources and opportunities to share in project benefits. Displaced persons should be (i) compensated for their losses at full replacement cost prior to the actual move; (ii) assisted with the move and supported during the transition period in the resettlement site; and (iii) assisted in their efforts to improve their former living standards, income earning capacity, and production levels, or at least to restore them. Where large-scale population displacement is unavoidable, a detailed resettlement plan, timetable, and budget are required. Where only a few people (e.g., less than 100-200 individuals) are to be relocated, appropriate compensation for assets, logistical support for moving, and a relocation grant may be the only requirements. However, the principles on which compensation is to be based are the same as for larger groups.

The route of the transmission line will be selected to avoid any involuntary resettlement or economic displacement.

Cultural Property OPN11.03

The World Bank’s general policy regarding cultural properties is to assist in their preservation, and to seek to avoid their elimination. The United Nations term “cultural property” includes sites having archaeological (prehistoric), paleontological, historical, religious, and unique natural values. Cultural property, therefore,

A brief reconnaissance survey will be undertaken to confirm that there is no cultural property either at the proposed site of the generation plant or along the proposed route of the transmission line.


September 2003


Page 32



encompasses both remains left by previous human inhabitants (for example, middens, shrines, and battlegrounds) and unique natural environmental features such as canyons and waterfalls. If there is any question of cultural property in the area, a brief reconnaissance survey should be undertaken in the field by a specialist. Procedures to be followed upon positive surveys are detailed in Chapter 6 of the technical paper.

Child and Forced Labour Policy statement

Under this policy, IFC will not support projects that use Forced or Harmful Child Labor as defined below. Projects should comply with the national laws of the host countries, including those that protect core labour standards and related treaties ratified by the host countries. Forced labour consists of all work or service, not voluntarily performed, that is exacted from an individual under threat of force/ penalty. Harmful Child Labour consists of the employment of children that is economically exploitative, or is likely to be hazardous to, or interfere with, the child’s education, or to be harmful to the child’s health, or physical, mental, spiritual, moral, or social development.

No child or forced labour will be used as part of the LPP. This requirement will be included within the contractors’ contract documents.

Pollution Prevention and Control Handbook

The ‘Thermal Power - guidelines for new plants’ provides the standards and guidelines to be followed for new thermal plant developments, including guidelines for: air quality and water quality.

The ‘Thermal Power - guidelines for new plants’ have been taken into account in the development of the LPP.

IFC General Health and Safety Guidelines

These guidelines refer to workplace air quality, workplace noise, working in confined spaced and general health and safety issues.

These guidelines have been taken into account in the development of the LPP.

IFC Environmental Health and Safety Guidelines for Electric Power Transmission and Distribution

These guidelines cover: right of way alignment, noise, solid and liquid wastes, air quality, electrocution, work in confined spaces, general health and safety and training.

These guidelines have been taken into account in the development of the LPP.


September 2003


Page 33

2.4.2 European Investment Bank

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is a potential funder of the project. The EIB’s environmental policies are set out in: EIBs Environmental Statement document (July 2002); EIBs Environmental Procedures document (July 2002).

EU policies and law form the basis of the EIB’s environmental guidelines. To determine whether a project is acceptable for financing by the Bank in environmental terms and under what, if any, specific conditions, the EIB carries out an environmental assessment of the investment.

2.4.3 Proparco

Proparco has stated that they apply the World Bank Group guidelines to the LPP.

2.4.4 Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund/FMO

The Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund has commissioned the Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO) to act as their environmental and social advisor with respect to the LPP. The FMO has stated that, in principle, they will use the World Bank guidelines as a reference to assess the LPP. In addition to these guidelines, FMO requires that the issue of affordability be addressed. Section 1.2.7 addresses this issue.

2.5 ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS

The following standards will be applicable to the LPP:

Cameroon legislation and regulatory guidance; IFC standards and guidelines; EIB standards and guidelines; Other international standards as applicable; and Relevant international environmental agreements to which Cameroon is a signatory.

The following sections set out the standards that have been agreed with the relevant organisations to be applicable to those activities associated with the LPP. Cameroon standards are set out in the legislation section above (section 2.2).

2.5.1 Air quality

The air quality guidelines and legislation that have been agreed with the funding organizations, as applicable to the LPP, are set out below.

2.5.1.1 IFC air emissions guidelines

The IFC requires that air emissions comply with those set out on the World Bank Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook (1998). The guidelines applicable to the LPP are set out in Table 2.8. The maximum emission levels should be achieved for at least 95% of the time that the plant or unit is operating, to be calculated as a proportion of annual operating hours. The


September 2003


Page 34

remaining 5% of annual operating hours is assumed to be for start-up, shutdown and emergency fuel use, and unexpected incidents.

Table 2.8 World Bank Air Emission Guidelines

Pollutant/ Parameter

Limit (dry at 15% oxygen)

Nitrogen oxides 2000 mg/Nm3 (dry at 15% oxygen) Sulphur dioxide 2000 mg/Nm3

0.2 te/day/MWe plus maximum of 500 te/day Particulate matter 50 mg/Nm3 (dry at 15% oxygen)

Source: World Bank Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook (General Environmental Guidelines and Thermal Plant: Guidelines for New Plants), 1998.

2.5.1.2 EIB air emissions guidelines

The Large Combustion Plant Directive (2001/80/EC) sets the emission limits for power plant with a thermal input of greater than 50MW for projects sponsored by the EIB. However, Article 2 of this Directive specifically excludes diesel engine plant. The limits given for oil fired thermal plant in the Directive were derived by the EU on the basis of the achievable releases; operating and flue gas conditions for this type of plant and cannot be logically transferred to a power generating plant using different technologies (refer to Appendix D for details). In absence of specific emission limits for the HFO power generation plant, the following emissions limits have been discussed with the EIB as applicable to this project:

Nitrogen dioxide: 2000 mg/Nm3 at 15% oxygen, dry Sulphur dioxide: Sulphur content of fuel 0.7% or less Particulates: 50 mg/Nm3 at 15% oxygen, dry.

2.5.1.3 IFC ambient air quality guidelines

The IFC follows the World Bank ambient air quality guidelines; these are set out, alongside the World Health Organisation guidelines, in Table 2.9.

Table 2.9 World Bank and World Health Organisation Ambient Air Quality Guidelines

Pollutant Averaging

Period World Bank Guidelines

for Use at Thermal Power Plants (µg/m3)

World Health Organisation

Guidelines (µg/m3) Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

1 hour 24 hours

1 year

- 150 100

200 -

40 Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)

10 minutes 24 hours

1 year

- 150 80

500 125 50

Particulate Matter (PM10)

24 hours 1 year

150 50

- -

Total Suspended Particles (TSP)

24 hours 1 year

230 80

- -

Carbon Monoxide 15 minutes - 100 000


September 2003


Page 35

Pollutant Averaging Period

World Bank Guidelines for Use at Thermal

Power Plants (µg/m3)

World Health Organisation

Guidelines (µg/m3) (CO) 30 minutes

1 hour 8 hours

- - -

60 000 30 000 10 000

2.5.1.4 EIB ambient air quality guidelines

The following is a list of the most relevant EU air quality and related legislation that is applicable to the LPP:

The Council Directive relating to limit values for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide

and oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter and lead in ambient air (99/30/EC) The sulphur in fuel Directive (99/32/EC) The Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive (96/61/EC).

Table 2.10 sets out the EC ambient air quality standards for the protection of human health, as set out in Directive 99/30/EC.

Table 2.10 EC air quality standards

Parameter Reference period Compliance

date Statutory

ground level concentration limits (µg/m3)

Number of permitted

exceedences

Nitrogen dioxide

Hourly Annual

2010 2010

200 40

18 -

Sulphur dioxide

Hourly 24 hourly

2005 2005

350 125

24 3

Particles (Stage 1)

24 hours (daily mean values) Annual limit

2005 2005

50 40

35 -

Particles (Stage 2)

24 hours (daily mean values) Annual limit

2010 2010

50 20

7 -

The sulphur in fuel directive (99/32/EC) requires heavy fuel oil used in the European Union to have a sulphur content of 1% or less.

The main requirement of the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) Directive, with regard to the proposed plant, is the use of Best Available Techniques (BAT). This is site specific and takes the consideration of excessive cost into account. The BAT for the control of emissions from combustion plant would be at the discretion of the Regulatory authorities of the EU Member Country, however, the EU intends to publish “BREF” guidance notes for each type of plant. The applicable BREF for combustion plant is still in the draft stage and does not yet include details of what constitutes BAT.

Although there are no mandatory EU emissions restrictions on Greenhouse Gases (GHG) in Cameroon, as a signatory to the Convention on Climate Change (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), Cameroon has an obligation to measure and monitor emissions.


September 2003


Page 36

2.5.1.5 Summary of air quality guidelines and standards Table 2.11 provides a summary of the emissions and ambient air quality guidelines that should be adhered to.

Table 2.11 Summary of air emission limits ambient air quality guidance

Air emissions limits

Ambient air quality guidance Pollutant

IFC (World Bank)

Averaging Period

World Bank Guidelines for Use at Thermal Power

Plants (µg/m3)

EIB (µg/m3) (no. in brackets

refers to number of permitted

exceedences) Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

2000 mg/Nm3 1 hour 24 hours

1 year

- 150 100

200 (18)

40 Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)

2000 mg/Nm3 0.2 te/day/MWe,

Maximum of 500 te/day

Hourly 24 hours

1 year

- 150 80

350 (24) 125 (3)

-

Particulate Matter (PM10)

50 mg/Nm3 24 hours 1 year

150 50

Total Suspended Particles (TSP)

24 hours 1 year

230 80

Particles (Stage 1) 24 hours (daily mean values) Annual limit

50 (35)

40 Particles (Stage 2) 24 hours (daily

mean values) Annual limit

50 (7) 20

2.5.2 Noise levels

It has been agreed with the funding consortium that the standards for noise set out in the World Bank Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook (1998) should be applied to the project; these standards set out in Table 2.12.

Table 2.12 World Bank Group ambient noise levels

Maximum allowable log equivalent (hourly

measurements), in dB(A) Receptor Day (07:00 - 22:00) Night (22:00 - 07:00) Residential, institutional, educational 55 45 Industrial, commercial 70 70 In cases where the baseline noise level is already above these levels, the plant noise should not cause an increase of more than 3 dB(A).

Source: World Bank Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook, 1998


September 2003


Page 37

2.5.3 Water quality

It has been agreed with the funding consortium that the guidelines on effluent emission targets for water quality set out in the World Bank Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook (1998) should be applied to the project. These targets are set out in Table 2.13, and should be achieved daily without dilution.

Table 2.13 Water quality emissions targets

Parameter

(mg/l, except pH and temperature) Maximum Value

PH 6-9 Total Suspended Solids 50

Oil and Grease 10 Total Residue Chlorine 0.2

Chromium (total) 0.5 Copper 0.5

Iron 1.0 Zinc 1.0

Temperature increase ≤3oC Source: World Bank Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook, 1998

2.5.4 Guidelines for electric and magnetic fields Electro-Magnetic Fields (EMF) can be produced wherever there is a voltage or a flow of electricity, and occur both naturally and as a result of man-made products, including transmission lines. In recent years there has been much debate on the potential human health effects of EMFs, in particular in relation to electromagnetic forces generated by transmission lines. However, major research programmes throughout the world have not shown any proven causal link between ill health and EMFs. Limits for electric and magnetic fields have been published by a number of authorities including the World Health Organisation (WHO), the International Commission on Non Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB). The two most frequently used guidelines are those produced by ICNIRP (supported by the WHO) and the NRPB. These limits are detailed in Table 2.14.

Table 2.14 NRPB and ICNIRP Guidelines

NRPB ICNIRP Electric (kV/m)

Magnetic (µT) Electric (kV/m)

Magnetic (µT)

Public 12 1600 5 100 Occupational 12 1600 10 500

The NRPB produced guidelines on restrictions on exposure to static and time-varying EMFs in 1993. Their recommendations are based on biological data relating to thresholds for well-established direct and indirect effects of acute exposure. These guidelines have been widely accepted in the UK. For both sets of guidelines, the recommendations to restrict exposure are based on the interactions of EMFs with body tissues and are termed basic restrictions. Compliance with the basic restrictions cannot,


September 2003


Page 38

however, be generally determined directly. Investigation levels (NRPB)/ Reference levels (ICNIRP) are therefore recommended as values of measurable field quantities for assessing whether compliance with the basic restrictions has been achieved. The current advice from the NRPB is that, apart from standard safety clearances, no special precautions near to power lines are necessary to guard against EMFs. At the EU level, a Council Recommendation to limit the exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields was adopted in July 1999, based on the guidelines of the International Commission on Non Ionizing Radiation Protection.


September 2003


Page 39

3 ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES

3.1 INTRODUCTION

Chapter 3 considers the analysis of alternatives for the provision of additional power generation capacity for the next dry season. It addresses alternatives at the following levels of analysis: Options for power generation; Site specific options for power generation plant sites; Site specific options for the transmission line route.

3.2 OPTIONS FOR POWER GENERATION

A number of options have been considered to address the predicted shortfall in electricity in 2003 and subsequent years. These include the following: Demand management options; Fuel type options; Plant type options; Location options.

These options have been evaluated on the basis of technical, economic and socio-environmental issues.

3.3 DEMAND MANAGEMENT OPTIONS

In addition to considering new generation capacity, AES-SONEL has been considering measures that can be taken to manage existing demand and to reduce system losses. Demand management options include the following:

Technical and commercial loss reduction; High efficiency fluorescent bulbs; and Time of day pricing.

These are discussed in turn below.

3.3.1 Technical and commercial losses

Distribution efficiency was less than 65% in 2002, with losses both technical and commercial in nature. Efforts to reduce these losses (technical e.g. transformers, transmission and distribution losses and commercial e.g. theft, faulty or missing meters) are ongoing. Reducing technical losses significantly is an exercise that follows the law of diminishing returns. For every further incremental reduction in losses, the capital cost involved increases, to the point at which it is no longer economically attractive. Distribution technical losses are estimated to fall in the range of 8-14% of supplied power and are caused by long medium voltage distribution lines, overloaded lines and transformers and the poor standard of aged equipment. Technical loss reduction will be addressed through systematic repair, replacement and upgrading of lines and transformers.


September 2003


Page 40

Transmission network efficient of 93% represents an average of 28MW losses in the system. Due to the nature of the demand profile, this lost power is greater during evening peak hours and any reduction in these losses will have a direct impact on the required peak generation capacity. AES-SONEL intends to increase transmission network efficient to 95% in 2005 through improved maintenance, capacity enhancement and better operation. The largest impact on transmission system losses will result from the Reactive Compensation Project, whereby high tension and medium tension capacitor banks will be installed at a number of substations throughout the network. This project is expected to reduce transmission losses by approx. 5% and displace between 10-20MW of thermal generation capacity requirement. The additional benefit will be higher and more stable voltage levels at the end of long transmission lines and lower required voltage levels at the main generation facilities. Experience has shown that combating non-technical losses does not reduce demand for power as previously non-billed or illegal customers do choose to pay once they have been regularised. Non-technical losses will therefore be addressed with improved distribution management procedures and billing systems.

3.3.2 High efficiency fluorescent bulbs

A further major contributor to reducing peak power demand and consequently losses during peak demand hours is expected to be the Compact Fluorescent Light-bulb replacement programme. Studies to indicate technical feasibility, economic impact, implementation mechanism and to identify the areas and localities to first be targeted have been carried out during 2002; the first stage implementation is expected to be the Western region with later implementation throughout the country. Phase one of the project would likely involve replacing some 300,000 light-bulbs during the next two years for an expected reduction in load and losses of 5MW during peak hours. The lower power consumption is estimated to result in an average annual bill saving per household of FCFA 14,000.

3.3.3 Time of day pricing

Time of day pricing is being discussed with the electricity regulator, ARSEL. Currently there are no meters or support infrastructure or systems to facilitate time of day pricing. However, the large variation in load makes it obvious that there is the potential for a significant reduction in peak load by instituting higher pricing during this period. Owing to the very low per capita consumption of electricity at the low voltage level, it is only economical to install time of day pricing on medium and high voltage customers.

Medium voltage customers tend to be industrial customers, many of whom have the ability to shift high power demand batch manufacturing processes out of peak demand periods thereby reducing overall power costs to them, as power will be priced lower during off peak periods. Implementation of time of day pricing requires that point of supply meters be changed from existing mechanical types to new electronic versions. Even though over 50% of the meters have already been changes, and the remainder will be changed in the coming 6 months, this programme will not have a material impact on the need for new capacity in the short term.


September 2003


Page 41

3.3.4 Summary of demand management options

All of the demand management options contribute to a reduction in losses throughout the system, however demand management is not sufficient on its own to meet the shortage in electricity supply predicted in the southern interconnected system. As a result, AES-SONEL has investigated the installation of new power generation capacity.

3.4 FUEL TYPE OPTIONS

Generation options can be considered by fuel type. This might be geothermal, solar, hydro (storage or run-of-river), wind, coal, oil (various grades), natural gas, Liquefied Petroleum Gases (LPG), other petroleum based fuels (e.g. methanol, refinery residues, condensates from natural gas production, Chad-Cameroon crude oil), or some combination of the above. The plant may be leased, rented or purchased and may be located on land or water. The following options were not considered feasible to meet the needs of the current project either due to the size of the required generation capacity, lack of experience in their development in Cameroon and/or the lack of presence of the raw material in Cameroon, and are therefore not considered in greater detail in this EIS: Geothermal - no major geothermal reserves that would provide sufficient generation

capacity are known to exist in Cameroon; Solar - cost prohibitive, not feasible for large scale alleviation of shortfall

generation; Wind - no large scale wind power developments have been undertaken in Cameroon:

it is unlikely that appropriate sites would be available and developed within the timescale required;

Coal - no infrastructure exists in Cameroon for coal production, use, transport or

importation.

The following fuel types were identified as options likely to provide sufficient generation capacity, and are therefore considered in detail below: Hydro-power; Gas; Liquid Fuel.

3.4.1 Hydropower capacity increase

Many different schemes for increasing hydropower generation capacity have been studied. Some of the more promising include:

Refurbishment of Edea 1; Increasing inflows at Mape reservoir to increase wet season filling; Increasing storage capacity at Mbakaou reservoir by raising the dam wall; Nachtigal; Njock falls schemes; Song Dong and Songmbengue schemes; Bayomen scheme.


September 2003


Page 42

These and many other schemes present varying benefits and costs but none are achievable within the short to medium term. Some of the large hydropower schemes also may not be feasible on environmental grounds, depending on the scale of the proposed project and the sensitivity of the site. Due to the need to investigate the environmental impact of large schemes in detail, all hydropower options for increasing power production are long-term solutions.

A wide ranging study of all conceivable options, both larger scale and mini, is currently being carried out. The extensive list of potential projects will be reduced to a smaller number of more attractive options for more detailed evaluation. The more detailed evaluation will involve the appraisal of the options against a framework of considerations such as guaranteed dry season capacity, cost per kWh produced, environmental and social impacts and concept for integration into the transmission grid.

3.4.2 Gas options

Cameroon has significant proven and unproven gas reserves, with a 120-270 billion cubic meters (bcm) total estimated reserve of which 2 bcm per year is being flared. Preliminary studies of potential sites at Matanda, Logbaba, Sanaga Sud, ETINDE/Isongo and the Rio del Rey however indicate that none of the fields currently under evaluation is capable of being brought into operation within the timeframe required for the LPP. Considering the need to maintain competition between the various suppliers and the probable difficulties involved in the selection, approval, permitting and financing of any of the gas fields, the time frame is likely to be greater for initial exploitation of the gas reserves for the purpose of power generation. As the need to provide additional power generation will be highly seasonal, there is a need to have alternative market demand for gas to compliment the seasonal power generation demand to make it technically and commercially feasible. Finding a means of addressing the seasonality of the gas demand and introducing competition among potential suppliers means that gas powered thermal generation is a medium term solution. However, the likelihood of gas being selected as the fuel for AES-SONEL’s next power plant is high. As such, the selection and development of a site for the provision of immediate generation capacity that at the same time provides access for landing from offshore gas fields would be advantageous. Studies indicate that all gas reserves of any significance are located offshore; the minor onshore gas reserves may serve as backup supplies to an offshore development, but are not sufficient enough to support the development of the next power plant.

3.4.3 Liquid fuel options

A summary of the liquid fuel options is provided in Table 3.1. Various liquid fuels will produce various emissions depending upon the specific fuel composition. It is likely that the combustion of diesel would have the same NOx emissions, but lower SO2 emissions than the burning of heavy fuel oil. The overall significance of the impact of air emissions will depend not only on fuel composition but also on mitigation measures employed to reduce emissions, such as higher stack heights to improve dispersion of emissions.


September 2003


Page 43

3.4.3.1 SONARA refinery liquid fuels

The Société Nationale de Raffinage (SONARA) refinery is the source for the country's refined petroleum products. The government holds a 66% interest in SONARA while TotalFinaElf, Exxon Mobil, Shell, and Texaco hold the remaining shares. The SONARA refinery refines mostly light sweet Nigerian crude oil and approximately 10% crude from Cameroon. It makes products primarily for internal consumption but does export to other African nations, Europe, Latin America, and the United States. The refinery has a mandate to supply national needs before serving export markets. Several of the products produced in the refinery would be suitable for power generation.

SONARA recently invested $15 million to upgrade its port facilities. The new port allows tankers with capacity as large as 90,000 tonnes access to the refinery. A single firm, the Cameroon Petroleum Depot Company (SCDP), handles petroleum product distribution throughout Cameroon. 85% of this takes place through Douala Port where they have a 10,000 tonne jetty and extensive storage facilities. The remaining 15% is distributed to Western, North Western and South Western Cameroon directly from the refinery. The Government holds the majority share in SCDP (51%), and retail marketers (e.g. TotalFinaElf and ExxonMobil) hold the remaining shares.

Until recently the refinery currently produced 1.6 million tonnes of refined products annually (35,000 barrels per day). The domestic market takes 55% of this output including 50,000 tonnes per year of fuel oil and 30,000 tonnes per year of Butane. The capacity was expanded to 2.1 million tonnes per annum in the first quarter of 2003. This revamp included the commissioning of Atmospheric Gas Oil (AGO) extraction facilities that has resulted in a shift in the refinery yield towards white products such as gasoil and kerosene.

At times the refinery processes quantities of condensate from Equatorial Guinea, which are transported by ship from the Alba field. These are used to lighten some of the heavier crudes.

The fuel oil production at the refinery, formerly 400,000 tonnes per year, represented 25% of the total yield, some of this being the higher grade FM1500, the national fuel oil, and the remainder being Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) with two different sulphur grades. Following the revamp the HFO will reduce to 250,000 tonnes per year or 20% of the total yield.

All HFO produced is currently exported. Domestic supplies are made difficult owing to the lack of an internal market for HFO. The use of HFO is attractive because of its availability and low cost. Furthermore, the increase in the capacity of the refinery means that SONARA will still be able to supply existing customers should AES-SONEL use this fuel for new generation capacity. However, the logistical problems involved in storing and transporting the fuel (it must be kept heated to prevent freezing during delivery) place limitations on the size and location of a facility.

3.4.3.2 Diesel fuel

AES-SONEL has recently increased installed diesel engine capacity in Cameron from 35 to 90MW, including new installations at Bassa and Logbaba substations in Douala. These machines are all relatively low capacity medium or high-speed units operating on diesel oil and suitable for emergency, stand-by or peak lopping duties. Further diesel plant could be installed to meet generation capacity, however diesel is more suited to


September 2003


Page 44

small installations, start-up operation and emergency supplies. This fuel type is also constrained by high fuel costs – with a generating power at a unit cost of 22 cents/kWh (October 2002), this is nearly three times the revenue received on sale of the power to residential consumers. If further diesel engines were to be installed, an alternative option to the engines recently installed includes lower speed engines generating up to 30MW which can operate with poorer quality fuels such as HFO and are suited for operation at baseload or intermediate load, reaching efficiencies above 42%. Another option is the dual-fuel low-speed diesel engine that can run either on liquid fuel or on gas using liquid fuel as a pilot for roughly 10% of the fuel intake. They are obtainable in several discreet sizes and can achieve high levels of efficiency.

3.4.3.3 Chad-Cameroon pipeline

The pipeline to carry oil from Chad to a bulk tanker loading facility off the coast near Kribi in Cameroon will be completed in 2003. There will be two pipeline booster stations in Cameroon, the first near Dompta and the second near Belabo, that will operate by taking a portion of the pipeline oil and stripping the more volatile components from it to use as fuel in gas turbines, which will be coupled to booster pumps. It is possible that new generating stations could be fueled by oil from this pipeline. There may be some opportunity for synergies with a generating station and the second station near Belabo; a grid connection would provide a conduit for export of excess power to the grid or alternatively, a means of providing back-up power to the booster station. However, any such concept is likely only to be executable in the medium term.

3.4.3.4 Equatorial Guinea methanol project

Up to 125 mcuft/day of mixed gas and steam from the Alba field is piped to Bioko Island (roughly 100km offshore from Douala) where it is converted to methanol, which is then sold on world markets. The plant likely obtains very low cost gas. It then produces the Methanol, transports to the market in 45,000t tankers and sells it at market prices which ranged between $0.69 and $0.80 per gallon in Quarter 1 2001. Longer term forecasts for Methanol range from $0.33 to $0.55 per gallon, equivalent to $5.30/mmBTU - $8.80 /mmBTU. The methanol producer intends to set the price of methanol at levels consistent with the quoted price in Rotterdam.

The plant has a production capacity of over 900,000 tonnes per year with a world market for methanol of roughly 30m tonnes per year. An option that has been evaluated has been to ship methanol to Douala for combustion in gas turbines. Considering that the Methanol is priced at world market levels, this option would only be viable if forcasted prices were lower than other alternatives. An alternative to the use of Methanol is to purchase natural gas from the operator and pipe it to a new power plant. When the power plant does not need the gas, it could be used to make Methanol.

3.4.4 Summary of fuel type options

Table 3.1 provides a summary of the key issues associated with the different fuel types available in Cameroon. As Table 3.1 indicates, thermal power is the only option available to address the immediate shortfall in generation capacity. Out of the liquid fuel options, heavy fuel oil from the SONARA refinery is the lowest cost alternative. Diesel of similar grades are available from the refinery, however are more expensive than the heavy fuel oil. Diesel is also available, however the cost of operation is very expensive


September 2003


Page 45

due to the high tariffs on this fuel type. Methanol is also available, however is a high cost option as it is priced on the World markets.


September 2003


Page 46

Table 3.1 Summary of the key issues associated with each fuel type option

Fuel Type

Location of potential source(s) Positive Negative Availability

Hydro-power Mape increased flows Increased storage capacity at

Mbakaou reservoir Nachtigal Njock falls Song Dong and Msongbengue

schemes Bayomen

Renewable resource Marginal cost of operation is low No air emissions from plant

Potentially significant environmental impacts resulting from construction of large dams e.g. loss of flora and fauna

Resettlement issues Potentially high capital cost Downstream impacts as a result of flow

regulation Emissions from decaying vegetation

Medium to long-term solution

Gas Matanda Logbaba Sanaga sud Etinde/ Isongo Rio del Rey

Preferred thermal power fuel option from environmental perspective due to low pollution emissions – less NOx emissions than other thermal fuel types, almost no particulate matter or sulphur dioxide

Likely to be low cost Use of native resource

Until competitive procurement process is completed, the price is uncertain

Dedicated gas fields not well suited to power plant cycling operation

Relatively long pipeline or transmission line will be complicated

Onshore gas sites are not sufficient to support development of power plant

Medium to long-term solution

Diesel from oil companies Infrastructure for delivery is installed Flexible operation

Expensive operating costs owing to high tariffs on diesel fuel

Air emissions must be addressed: operation of diesel would have same NOx emissions, but maybe lower SO2 than HFO.

Impact on traffic and health and safety due to need to deliver fuel to site of generating plant

High rates of use may require import of fuel

Available

Liquid fuel oil

Heavy fuel oil (HFO) from SONARA oil refinery, Limbe

Potentially most economic fuel oil No road transportation required if

plant sited at refinery Refinery location provides

transmission system support Flexible operation

Air emissions would need to be addressed Does not transport well as HFO needs to be

kept heated to prevent settling Electric system would require some

upgrading

Available


September 2003


Page 47

Fuel Type

Location of potential source(s) Positive Negative Availability

Diesel or similar grades of oil from SONARA oil refinery, Limbe

No road transportation required if plant sited at refinery

Readily available Refinery location provides

transmission system support Flexible operation

More expensive than HFO Air emissions must be addressed Electric system would require upgrading

Available

Oil from Chad-Cameroon pipeline by-product

Opportunities for synergies Traffic disruption Variable quality may be difficult to use in

many types of power plants Likely not least cost Air emissions must be addressed

Medium term

Methanol from Bioko Island (approx. 100km offshore from Douala)

Available High cost of supply and subject to fluctuations, as priced on world markets

Air emissions must be addressed

Available

Coal No infrastructure exists in Cameroon for coal production, use, transport or importation. Solar Prohibitively expensive to supply on large-scale therefore not considered further.


September 2003


Page 48

3.5 ALTERNATIVE PLANT TYPE

As the analysis of alternatives in 3.4 illustrates, thermal power is the only option that can be implemented within the timeframe available. In addition to fuel types, thermal generation can be considered by plant type:

Heavy fuel oil reciprocating engines; Heavy fuel oil gas turbines; Heavy fuel oil/gas gas turbines; Gasoil/gas gas turbines; Methanol/gas gas turbines; Diesel/gas reciprocating engines.

As gas is currently not available in Cameroon, only those plant types burning heavy fuel oil would be appropriate for the LPP. The availability of plant is also a consideration, which will determine whether the plant is purchased or hired and if the plant can be delivered within the project schedule.

3.6 ALTERNATIVE LOCATIONS

The choice of location of the plant for the LPP is a balance between proximity to the “fuel” source and proximity to a point of access to the electricity grid, minimising the electric system impact of a substation failure and key load centres. In addition, the time required to negotiate for the property rights to a site not owned by AES-SONEL was an important consideration in the installation of generation capacity by the next dry season. Between grid connection and fuel delivery, the proximity to the load centre is generally more important owing to the costs and time involved in making any initial connection to the grid and more importantly, the long-term stability and cost of grid operation.

The sites identified as potentially feasible include:

Logbaba substation; Bonaberi (Deido substation); Bekoko substation; SONARA refinery, Limbe.

The impacts associated with these locations are summarised in Table 3.2 and discussed below.

3.6.1 Power plant location

3.6.1.1 225kV substation at Logbaba

From the perspective of optimization of electrical connection, the Logbaba 225/90kV substation is superior to other options owing to the large capacity, proximity to load centres and lower cost of connection for a larger size plant. The existing diesel generating units totalling 17MW generation capacity are connected at 90kV via a 15/90kV step-up transformer. There is sufficient space within the existing compound to site a limited amount of new plant. The main disadvantages with this site are that the impact of fuel delivery trucks could be significant if diesel or another light fuel, which would need to be delivered to the site,


September 2003


Page 49

were used. The fuel could potentially be delivered by pipeline directly from the fuel terminal by the national fuel storage company, SCDP, although this could result in significant impacts during construction. Additionally, this site would not be suitable for the use of HFO from the SONARA refinery as the HFO needs to be kept heated to prevent settling.

Water supplied via the existing line is not adequate for cooling a thermal plant. In the medium to longer term, although gas reserves have been identified at Logbaba these are not sufficient to support development of a new power plant or to facilitate conversion to natural gas.

3.6.1.2 SONARA refinery/Limbe substation

The SONARA refinery is located at Cape Limboh on the coast near Limbe, south-west Cameroon. A power plant could be located near to the refinery. This location would provide significant opportunities for synergies with the refinery, such as the supply of fuel and water supply. This would significantly reduce the potential risk of oil spills and reduce the impact associated with the movement of fuel delivery trucks to and from the site. The cost to deliver fuel from the refinery to an adjacent power plant would be minimal. The SONARA site is a somewhat remote site and therefore the impacts associated with construction and development at this site will be less significant in comparison to more urban based locations, such as Logbaba. Furthermore, the impact of development of the plant at this site will be minor in relation to the size and nature of the operations at the SONARA site. In the medium to long term, this site is well placed to land offshore gas. Although potential gas reserves that could be delivered to Limbe are not the closest to Cameroon’s shoreline, they are the closest to a significant part of AES-SONEL’s infrastructure. There is also sufficient space for expansion at this site without any significant environmental impacts such as landtake or impacts on adjacent land uses. The Limbe 90/30kV substation is located approx. 11km from the refinery. The studies undertaken for connection of a plant at the refinery to the substation at Limbe indicate that a new 90kV line would be required. Owing to the limitation of the line from Limbe to the Bekoko substations, the capacity of a plant located at the refinery would be limited to approximately 80MW. A larger facility would require upgrade of the Limbe to Bekoko line with significant attendant costs and potentially environmental/social impacts. However, in the medium to long term the clearance of a wayleave of significant width to install a further line of up to 225kV would present opportunities to increase capacity from this site to an installed capacity of around 230MW. This installed capacity could be in the form of gas plant at a later stage. This location is good for system stability and would provide local grid support in the Limbe area.

The refinery’s own power demand of 4MW is supplied partly by AES-SONEL (1MW) and by 3 gasoil fuelled engines each capable of 3MW which, like the refinery are 20 years old. The 30kV line to the refinery from the 90/30kV substation 11km away at Limbe has a capacity of 10MW. A new plant at this location would therefore be able to supply better quality energy to SONARA, so that the old engines could be used for stand-by only.


September 2003


Page 50

The refinery has a demand for 20 tonnes per hour of steam which is met from two fuel oil fired 20 tonne per hour capacity boilers. This indicates a potential for future cogeneration synergies.

3.6.1.3 90 kV substations at Bonaberi and Deido

The Bonaberi and Deido 90/15kV substations each allow the possibility to add a new 90kV bay. The two substations are linked by a 90kV line. They are located near to the harbour area of Douala and would provide a suitable point within the transmission system for an electrical connection. Owing to their proximity to the port, power plant barges with a capacity of up to approximately 150MW could be considered here. However, there is virtually no space available at these substations for new land based generation and for two new line bays that would be required. A transmission line from the port to these sites is possible but problematic. For a HFO fired plant, the infrastructure to support delivery and storage of the fuel is complex.

3.6.1.4 Bekoko substation

Bekoko 225/90kV substation is located approximately 15km to the west of Douala along the route to Limbe, and feeds mainly the western region with a connection to Bonaberi substation to feed into Douala. The access from Douala is via a single track road where traffic is heavy, especially at peak hours; this could present fuel delivery problems if the fuel were sourced in Douala. This would not pose as significant of a problem for fuel coming directly from the SONARA refinery although there would be a large number of trucks. Delivery of fuel to the site could have a significant adverse impact on traffic in the area. The lack of water facilities at this site is also an issue.

Due to the above constraints, this site would only be considered if it were least cost and there were insufficient space/other constraining factors to install plant at the other locations.


September 2003


Page 51

Table 3.2 Summary of impacts of each location

Technical, Environmental & Economic Issues

Logbaba Limbe, SONARA refinery Bonaberi and Deido Bekoko

Connection to existing network

Optimal electrical connection – large capacity, proximity top load centres and lower cost of connection for a larger size plant.

Good location for system stability and load balancing.

Requirement to install approx. 11km of transmission line, with associated environmental impacts e.g. compensation within the wayleave.

No existing electricity connection readily available in substation. Also, would have to construct a cable from the harbour to substation.

Good electrical connection point.

Disruption during construction/ operation

No impact as within existing AES-SONEL site.

Minimal, although coordination with SONARA would be necessary.

Potential disruption to port activities during construction and operation.


Impact on existing land uses


No impact as land adjacent to refinery is currently leased by SONARA and is not currently used for any purpose.

Transmission line primarily traverses commercially owned palm plantation. No properties would be affected.

Potential impact associated with connection from the Port to the substation.


Safety and security Minimal issues as within existing AES-SONEL site.

As refinery is highly protected, site is most secure.

Safety and security would be an issue within Port area.

Minimal issues as within existing AES-SONEL site.

Existing facilities Existing control room, underground cable ducting and general infrastructure can be re-used.

Some additional fuel storage capacity will be required.

Best location for existing facilities due to synergies with refinery supplies e.g. water supply and fuel.

Use of existing refinery facilities would reduce costs.

Plant installed here could potentially be converted to natural gas at a later stage (once developed), with associated

Facilities to transport and store HFO at the harbour do not exist.

Located far from potential future gas pipeline.

New facilities likely to be required.


September 2003


Page 52



further potential synergies with the refinery.

Water resources Water supply not adequate. Sufficient water supply available from the refinery.

Water supply not adequate. Lack of water facilities.

Noise impact Increase in noise, including cumulative increase due to co-operation of the newly installed 11 diesel generators.

Potential cumulative impact of noise on local residents and guesthouse from generators in addition to the refinery operations.

Increase in noise although significance of impact will be reduced due to location in the harbour on barge and location within the Port working area.

Increase in noise, potential to disturb local residents as substation is located within a rural area.

Traffic and Transport Increase in road traffic due to need to deliver fuel to site – delivery approx. every 2.5 hours under full operation of a 80MW plant.

Minimal traffic movements during operation as supplies can be delivered by pipe from the refinery.

Traffic will be sea transport of fuel. Significance of impact will depend on number of barge deliveries required and existing operations within the Port.

Increase in road traffic due to need to deliver fuel to site – delivery approx. every 2.5 hours under full operation of a 80MW plant.

Small access track to the site. Potential for Synergies

None identified at this stage. High potential for synergies such as waste treatment, cooling water and fire fighting capability.

Barges could theoretically be removed/replaced fairly easily.

None identified at this stage.

Potential for conversion to gas

Onshore gas reserves too small to facilitate conversion to gas at this site. Distance from offshore landing areas would prove problematic.

Good location to land offshore gas and therefore good opportunities to convert to gas.

Good location to land offshore gas and therefore good opportunities to convert to gas.

Onshore gas reserves too small to facilitate conversion to gas at this site. Distance from offshore landing areas would prove problematic.

Other significant potential environmental impacts

None identified None identified Potential pollution incidents to sea.

None identified

Conclusions Superior from the perspective of optimization of electrical connection. Suitable for diesel plant.

Good location for system stability.

Fuel oil could be delivered easily to a plant located adjacent to the refinery. Capacity of a plant

For a HFO fired plant, the infrastructure to support delivery and storage of the fuel is complex.

This site would only be considered if there were insufficient space/other constraining factors to install plant at the other locations


September 2003


Page 53



would be limited to approximately 80MW.


September 2003


Page 54

3.7 ANALYSIS OF LEADING OPTIONS

Following the preliminary analysis of alternatives of fuel type, plant type and location options, section 3.7 evaluates the options which are considered the most feasible within the timeframe available, taking into account fuel type, plant type, location environmental considerations and economics.

A summary of the leading options is provided in Table 3.3.

3.7.1 SONARA refinery, Limbe

Plant fuel and equipment type

A power plant could be located near to the SONARA refinery at Limbe. The refinery has several suitable fuels and significant liquid fuel storage capacity though the most economic fuel would be HFO. A significant advantage at this site is the synergies that exist for the provision of common utilities such as waste treatment, cooling water and fire fighting capability. The environmental impact at this site is also minimised due to the potential to deliver the fuel to the site via a pipeline, thus reducing the potential for oil spills associated with delivery by tankers as well as the impact on traffic associated with an increase in fuel delivery traffic to site. Furthermore, this is the only option that offers the potential to convert the plant to natural gas in the medium to long term, whereby further synergies could be achieved through a concurrent sale of natural gas liquids to the refinery. The clearance of a wayleave for the installation of a new transmission line between the site and Limbe substation offers the opportunity to clear a width of significant size to allow installation of a 225kV line at a later date. This would minimise the impact associated with the transmission line construction if this landtake was undertaken in two separate periods, and will provide for an installed capacity of about 230MW at this site. This generation capacity could be provided in the form of gas plant if gas were identified as a viable option to develop at this site.

The most likely choice of equipment would be either low or medium speed reciprocating engines that would burn only HFO, or leased diesel engines burning HFO that could be replaced at a later date with more efficient gas turbines suited for burning natural gas with gasoil as a back-up fuel. Gas turbines that burn HFO were determined to be technically unsuitable. Likely plant unit size would be in the range of approximately 80MW. No heat recovery would be envisaged initially.

The viability of these options will depend mostly on exactly what plant is available at short notice and if the refinery can support the schedule for the commercial discussions. This option will also depend on the cost of HFO compared to alternatives and the speed in which the plant can be installed. Any concept should allow for a possible future expansion in capacity or the addition of heat recovery units for cogeneration or even for combined cycle operation.

Electrical connection

With the completion of the Kumba-Muyuka 30kV line, the demand for power at the Limbe 90/30kV substation 11km from the refinery will rise to 20MW at peak times and 15MW average. The refinery power demand is 4MW though this is currently being met from its own diesel engines when not supplied by AES-SONEL. The output for a plant


September 2003


Page 55

located at the refinery would be limited to 80MW at peak and lower capacity during non-peak hours as the capacity of the 90kV line from Limbe to Bekoko is 60MW and local demand at the substation is 15-20MW. A new 11km 90kV line from the refinery to the Limbe substation that runs parallel to the existing 30kV lines would be required. A new substation at the refinery would also be required, and the Limbe 90/30kV substation will require extension for additional 90kV bays. Installation of new capacity at this site would improve the system stability and load balancing in the southern interconnected system.

SONARA has indicated support for the proposal to build a power plant near the refinery and interest in supplying HFO at a price to be negotiated directly. The Government has agreed to allow direct negotiations. Discussions with SONARA are proceeding on an active basis.

3.7.2 Logbaba substation


The Logbaba substation is equipped with a fuel storage area with lubricating oil, fuel ring main for generator sets, a fire system consisting of two water tanks and fire ring main, waste oil pit, drainage and septic tank. However, water supply could be an issue at this location.

A gas turbine based plant burning initially diesel or gasoil, later natural gas could potentially be located at the Logbaba site where sufficient space is available for both leased equipment and permanent gas turbines burning natural gas. However, there are no sufficient gas reserves at or near Logbaba to facilitate conversion of the plant to natural gas in the medium to longer term and the distance of the site from a coastal landing point complicates delivery of offshore gas to Logbaba. The 450,000 litre fuel storage would be insufficient for more than 20 hours generation at 60MW load necessitating the installation of additional facilities. Supply by road tanker would result in the need for a delivery of approximately two trucks per hour in an 8 hour delivery period under full load operation of a 80MW plant. The option of using rail to transport liquid fuel and storage was considered, however the rail network operator has indicated that this is not feasible. This option could therefore result in significant traffic impacts in the surrounding urban area.

Due to the problems associated with transporting HFO, this fuel is not considered suitable for this location. As a result a plant at this location would need to burn diesel. The plant size would depend upon what is readily available. The use of diesel (gasoil) in gas turbines at this site would have a less significant adverse impact on air quality when compared with HFO. However, the cost of burning diesel is a significant economic disadvantage of this option.


The central location of the Logbaba substation within the southern interconnected transmission system makes this location ideal technically. A power plant concept for 3x 30-50MW generation units was considered for costing purposes. The connection costs were assessed to include 3x11/90kV step-up transformers for a 120MW plant, three 90kV circuits in the substation and associated switching gear for a total electrical connection cost of FCFA 2 billion.


September 2003


Page 56

3.7.3 Douala port harbour power barges


A gas turbine barge mounted plant could be located in the port area of Douala if a suitable location could be found. Last year, AES-SONEL was unable to engage the Port Authority in substantive discussions, and therefore this option is unlikely to be available in the short term.

As a result, AES-SONEL can only speculate on possible locations. The turbines would have to burn initially a liquid fuel (diesel/gasoil) supplied by barge from the SONARA refinery. Should the existing fuel handling and storage facilities at the Port not be available for use, new facilities would have to be provided either on shore or on additional barges. The plant unit size and type would depend upon what is available on the world market if this option were to prove to be best. The barges could either be removed again when a more permanent gas fired facility has been constructed elsewhere, or they may remain and be converted to burn natural gas when it becomes available.

AES has experience installing and operating barge mounted power plants, most recently under the Emergency Power Plant programme in Nigeria. A barge-mounted power plant offers the benefit of bringing essentially complete and operation-ready power plant to site in a constrained time frame. There are however serious considerations to be made regarding access for plant maintenance, the ability to interconnect with the existing electrical, on-shore services such as waste water and treated water, and safety and security issues. A ready supply of cooling water is also an important consideration.

Based upon the analysis of the existing barge mounted power plants currently available for sale, it has been determined that the cost is high particularly for equipment but also for the storage of liquid fuel and additional difficulties associated with operation and maintenance of barge mounted equipment. This makes this option less attractive in Cameroon than the refinery-based HFO option. It is not considered feasible to transport and store HFO to the port by barge as facilities for this do not exist and technical challenges regarding heating the fuel would be significant.


Electrical connection would be a significant challenge at the Port. An electrical connection concept for a 3 x 40MW plant located at the fisherman’s harbour has been evaluated for the sake of cost estimation. It was considered that space requirements would play a role and therefore gas insulated switchgear was considered, despite the higher cost when compared with air-insulated switchgear. The connection costs were assessed to include 3x 50MVA 11/90 kV step up transformers, 90kV gas insulated switch gear and bus-bar, (total FCFA 3000 million), 2 km of double circuit 90kV buried or trenched cable from the harbour to Deido sub-station (FCFA 1000 million) and necessary sub-station expansion and modifications for an estimated total electrical connection cost of FCFA 5 billion. (This could be reduced if space were to be found for the installation of air-insulated switch-gear). The selection, permitting and approval for the route of the cables to Deido substation would have to be done in close consultation with local government authorities.


September 2003


Page 57

3.8 SELECTION OF PREFERRED OPTION

3.8.1 Other issues to consider

Government support

AES-SONEL is urging the Government of Cameroon to respond with the necessary approvals and actions to allow AES-SONEL to meet the next dry season. Since February 2003, the Government has been responsive.

Financing restrictions

The likelihood of bi-lateral or multi-lateral finance institutions in any future financing of AES-SONEL dictates procedures for the EIA. It also dictates the rules for contractor and equipment selection and purchase.

3.8.2 Preferred option

The analysis of alternatives indicates that no single option can be considered optimal. The chosen option or options in terms of cost, plant/fuel type, location and capacity will therefore of necessity represent a compromise between technical, economic, strategic and socio-environmental factors and be deficient in some respects from an “ideal” solution.

Although AES-SONEL is implementing demand management options, these alone will not be sufficient to address the anticipated supply deficit by the next dry season. As the analysis in this section indicates, the only options in the short term, taking into account suitable locations and fuel types, are the use of diesel engines at Logbaba or the use of HFO driven plant using medium speed diesel engines at the SONARA refinery, Limbe. The prohibitive cost of diesel fuel means that HFO is the only option that can deliver a more economic, immediate solution to the current electricity demand-supply deficit. In addition, the diesel option at Logbaba does not present opportunities for synergies with the refinery or the potential conversion to a gas fired plant in the medium to longer term.

The preferred solution is therefore the installation of approximately 80MW of heavy fuel oil reciprocating engines adjacent to the SONARA oil refinery at Limbe, south-west Cameroon. Not only is this the cheapest fuel option, but this option will also minimize both short and long term environmental impacts. In the short term, with the fuel supply being available immediately adjacent to the plant and delivered by pipeline, the potential for spills was far less than if the fuel had to be trucked to location. In addition, the environmental impact of several trucks travelling the return trip from Limbe to whatever alternative location had been selected, likely Douala, would be eliminated. In the medium to long term, the power plant being located at Limbe also increases the possibility that natural gas will be developed in Cameroon. AES-SONEL has been seriously evaluating the viability of using natural gas in its next generating plant, undertaking load flow studies to determine the cost impact of natural gas at various locations and various prices on its system, discussing gas pricing and other technical and contractual aspects with the potential gas producers and formulating a gas procurement policy as well as discussing fiscal terms on gas production with the electricity regulator and other sectors of the Government.


September 2003


Page 58

The likelihood of natural gas being selected as the fuel for AES-SONEL’s next power plant are high, but are still dependant on finalizing the price for gas at the potential gas delivery locations. The gas reserves that could be delivered to Limbe are reasonably close to the LPP site and to Cameroon’s commercial centre, Douala. The fact that the LPP could be converted to a natural gas fired plant enhances the probability of future gas generation projects.


September 2003


Page 59

Table 3.3 Summary of analysis of leading alternatives

Location of plant Fuel type/plant type

SONARA refinery

site, Limbe

Bonaberi and Deido Barges

Logbaba

Comments on fuel type/ plant type (Technical, Environmental, Economic)

Heavy Fuel Oil Reciprocating

Available Not available Not available Logistical issues with HFO, such as needs to be kept heated to prevent settling unless location is next to the refinery.

Adverse emissions to air without mitigation measures e.g. stack height.

Initial capital cost reasonably low. Available within timescale. Significant potential for synergies if plant located at refinery e.g.

fuel supply and water. Potential for conversion to natural gas in medium to long term if

plant located at refinery. Heavy Fuel Oil Gas turbine

Not available Not available Not available Not considered feasible owing to the high maintenance cost, the downtime required for frequent cleaning and the high failure rates.

Heavy Fuel Oil /Gas gas turbine

Not available Not available Not available Not considered feasible owing to the high maintenance cost, the downtime required for frequent cleaning and the high failure rates.

Gasoil/Gas gas turbine

Not available Available Available High cost of diesel. Initial capital cost reasonably low, however ongoing operation and

maintenance costs could be high depending upon the actual turbine selected.

Adverse emissions to air without mitigation measures. Potentially available within timescale.

Methanol/gas gas turbine

Not available Available Not available Import of fuel from Equatorial Guinea is a potential political problem.

Potentially high cost of methanol. Issues associated with the storage of liquid fuel. Adverse emissions to air without mitigation measures. Unlikely to be available within the timescale.

Diesel/ gas reciprocating

N/A N/A Available High cost of diesel. Adverse emissions to air without mitigation measures.


September 2003


Page 60

3.9 SITE SPECIFIC OPTIONS FOR POWER GENERATION PLANT SITE

Three sites for the power generation plant site were considered in the vicinity of the SONARA oil refinery at Limbe, at:

The entrance road; The western site; and The ocean front.

The location of these sites is shown in Figure 3.1.

The number of potential sites in the vicinity of the SONARA site for the location of the power plant was limited (due to issues such as land availability). The selection of the preferred site for the power generation plant was therefore determined on the basis of the following: Walkover of all sites Size of sites Topography of sites Review of interconnection points with SONARA Nearby sensitive receptors e.g. residential properties Indicative noise survey Sea access Visibility impact.

The advantages and disadvantages of the three sites are set out in Table 3.4.

Table 3.4 Analysis of power generation plant site selection

Location

Advantages Disadvantages

Entrance Rd. Nearest to Limbe and SONARA electrical interconnection points.

Easiest connection to SONARA waste water system.

Site topography varies making foundations difficult.

Relatively small site at 3.8 ha. Site would be visible to the

public. Near helicopter landing pad. Potentially less secure site.

Western site Flat site. Site would not be visible to the

public. Easy access.

Relatively small site at 2 ha. Closest to residential properties

and guest house causing potential noise and air quality problems.

Relocation of access road to guest house likely to be required.

Potentially less secure site. Ocean front Site remote from public and

would not be visible from local properties.

At least 4.1 ha of land available. Away from sensitive receptors

therefore limited noise and air quality impacts.

Coastal access for potential future needs.

Relatively flat. Elevation allows for gravity

Access road to site needs upgrading (Approx. 600m).

Additional 1 km and 250m of transmission line required compared to Entrance Rd and Western sites respectively.

Tie in to SONARA oil refinery waste water system is further away than for the other sites

Access to SONARA connection point requires underground cable.


September 2003


Page 61

Location

Advantages Disadvantages

transfer of HFO from the refinery

Based on an analysis of the sites, it was determined that the ocean front site was the preferred site as this site is more secure, there is a greater area of land available at this site and it is furthest from sensitive receptors such as residential properties.

3.10 SITE SPECIFIC OPTIONS FOR TRANSMISSION LINE ROUTE

The transmission line route alternatives considered for the LPP are described in Table 3.5 and are shown in Figure 3.1. Tables 3.6 to 3.9 summarise the impacts of the four different routes considered and identify the preferred route.

Table 3.5 Description of transmission line route alternative locations

Section of line

Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Option 4

SL1 - SL2 Approx. length: 1492 m

Line follows the south side of the main road

Line follows the north side of the main road, parallel to the existing 30kV line

Line follows the north side of the main road, parallel to the existing 30kV line, avoiding houses

Line follows the north side of the main road, avoiding all houses

SL2 – SL3 Approx. length: 2670m

Line crosses the two existing 30kV lines and the main road, although line remains to the south of the main road

Line runs parallel to the two existing 30kV lines, on the north side of the main road

Line runs to the north of the main road, located entirely in CDC oil plantations


SL3 - SL4 Approx. length: 2604m

Line crosses the two existing 30kV lines and the main road, although line remains to the south of the main road

Line is routed parallel to the two existing 30kV lines


Line runs to the north of the main road, located entirely in CDC oil plantations, and behind the limit of houses

SL4 - SL5 Approx. length: 2194m SL5-SL6 Approx. length: 376m SL6 - SL7 Approx. length: 672m SL7 - SL8 Approx. length: 389m SL8 - SL9 Approx. length: 47m

Line runs to the south of the main road, following the existing 30kV line

Line runs parallel to the main road, on its north side

Line runs parallel to the existing 30kV line where there are no houses, on the north side of the main road

Line runs to the north side of the main road, then crosses the road between SL5 and SL6 to run parallel to the existing 30 kV line to the south of the main road.


September 2003


Page 62

Table 3.6 Analysis of alternative transmission line routes matrix for section SL1-SL2

SECTION OF LINE: SL1 - SL2

Implications (positive and negative)

OPTION 1 OPTION 2 OPTION 3 OPTION 4

Environmental Approx. no. of houses affected

Line would pass above approx. 25 houses.



Line would pass above 0 houses.

Community facilities affected

Local parking facilities would be affected

None affected None affected None affected

Visual impact

Visual impact from villages where line passes overhead.

Visual impact from houses at Mokoundangué where line passes overhead.

Visual impact from houses at Mokoundangué where line passes overhead.

Visual impact where line passes over farmland, no direct visual impact from villages.

Cultural property

Line would pass above Limbolah Cemetery.

None affected. None affected. None affected.

Land use Line would pass through living quarters houses for SONARA oil refinery workers, and local farmland.

Line would pass through: - Approx. 280m of CDC oil palm plantation - Approx. 865m of Chantier Naval (naval) land. The Chantier Naval land is currently used as farmland and is not operational as a port storage area.

Line would pass through: - Approx. 280m of CDC oil palm plantation - Approx 865m of Chantier Naval land. The Chantier Naval land is currently used as farmland.

Line would pass through: - Approx. 622 m of CDC oil palm plantation - Approx. 865 m of Chantier Naval land. The Chantier Naval land is currently used as farmland.

Recreation and amenity

Line would pass near the beach, which is a popular local amenity.


Other environmental implications

None. None. None. None.

Economic/ Technical

Access Access difficult along the wayleave for installation of tower and stringing of cables.

Easy access. Easy access. Easy access.

Compensation Compensation expensive Compensation expensive Compensation expensive Compensation less


September 2003


Page 63

SECTION OF LINE: SL1 - SL2



and more complicated due to number of properties in the wayleave.



expensive as landtake is predominantly in CDC plantation and Chantier Naval land. These lands are state lands, so they are given free on charge (although crops still require compensation).

Other issues High potential for people to (illegally) locate houses or other structures under the line.

More angles required along this route than option 4, so this option would be more expensive.

Longer route than the other options and would required an additional angle tower to avoid houses, making option more expensive.

Line would be straight for approx. 1492 m, which is technically easier and more economic to construct.

Decision Taken Option rejected Option rejected Option rejected Option selected Reason for rejection/ selection Greatest impact on houses. Large impact on houses.

Impact on houses and cost of longer line route.

Route avoids all houses. Straight line is technically easier to construct and cheaper.


September 2003


Page 64


SECTION: SL2 - SL3





Line would pass above approx. 35 houses and over a large hotel currently under construction (estimated at approx. 800 million francs CFA).




Line would pass over a Catholic Church.

A community house and spring would be affected.

None affected. None affected.

Visual impact

Visual impact from Ngeme Catholic School, a game’s area, houses and hotels where line passes overhead.

Visual impact from houses where line passes overhead.

Less visual impact, as line passes over farmland and few residential properties located nearby.

Less visual impact, as line passes over farmland and few residential properties located nearby.

Cultural property

Some graves near houses. Some graves near houses. None affected. None affected.

Land use -Houses -Farming

- Houses - Farming

Line would pass through CDC oil palm plantation for a length of approx. 2670 m.

Line would pass through CDC palm plantation for a length of approx. 2200m.


Line would pass near the beach “coastal beach” which is a popular local amenity.



Line would prevent access to the beach during constructions

None. None. None.

Economic/ Technical


Access difficult along the wayleave for installation of tower and stringing of cables.

- -

Compensation Compensation expensive Compensation expensive Compensation relatively less Compensation relatively


September 2003


Page 65

SECTION: SL2 - SL3





expensive and complicated due to landtake in CDC plantation.

less expensive and complicated due to landtake in CDC plantation.

Other issues None. None. Line longer (2600m) than option 4 (2674.20m).

None.

Decision Taken Option rejected Option rejected Option rejected Option selected Reason for rejection/ selection Greatest impact on houses.

More expensive due to difficulty of installation and compensation issues.

Significant impact on houses and on new hotel. More expensive due to compensation issues

Line longer (2600m) than option 4 (2674.20m) therefore more expensive. Maintenance more difficult along this route.

Avoids all houses. Shorter route than option 3, less expensive.


September 2003


Page 66


SECTION:SL3 - SL4





Line would pass above: approx. 30 houses and a new Government Technical College under construction.




None affected. Line will affect a nursery school, community hall, and 2 churches under construction.

None affected. None affected.

Visual impact



Less visual impact as CDC land.

Less visual impact as in CDC land.

Cultural property

None affected. None affected. None affected. None affected.

Land use -Houses -Farming

-Houses -Farming

Line would pass through CDC oil palm plantation for whole length

Line would pass through CDC oil palm plantation for whole length


Line would pass near the “Wovia beach” which is a popular local amenity.



Line will prevent access to the beach during construction.

None. None. None.

Economic/ Technical


Access difficult along the wayleave for installation of tower and stringing of cables.

Easier access. Easier access.

Compensation Compensation expensive and complicated due to number of properties in the wayleave.

Compensation expensive and complicated due to number of properties in the wayleave.

Compensation relatively less expensive than options 1 and 2.

Compensation relatively less expensive than options 1 and 2.


September 2003


Page 67

SECTION:SL3 - SL4



Other issues None None Line longer than option 4, therefore more expensive.

None

Decision Taken Option rejected Option rejected Option rejected Option selected Reason for rejection/ selection Greatest impact on houses

and popular local amenity. Significant impact on houses and on the Government Technical College.

Longer than option 4, therefore more expensive to build.

Avoids all houses. Easier maintenance.


September 2003


Page 68


SECTION:SL4 - SL9 Implications (positive and negative)




Line would pass above approx. 91 houses, including high rise buildings.




- Churches - Schools - Reservoirs of water. - Sports facilities

Sokolo Market Two Government high schools.

None affected.

Visual impact

Greatest visual impact as line would pass through an urban area.

Visual impact where line passes over a CDC workers camp.

Line would be visible from the main road.

Line would be visible from the main road.

Cultural property

None affected. None affected. None affected. None affected.

Land use - Houses - Farming - Woodland or grassland

CDC oil palm plantation Houses and titled lands.

- CDC oil palm plantation - Houses (although fewer than option 2) and titled land

- Farmland - Grassland/scattered woodland


Line would pass through the town of Limbe.



None. None. None. None.

Economic/ Technical


Easy access. Easy access. Easy access.

Compensation Compensation expensive and more complicated due to number of properties in the wayleave.

Compensation expensive and more complicated due to number of properties in the wayleave.

Compensation relatively less expensive and complicated compared to options 1 and 2.

Compensation relatively less expensive and complicated compared to options 1 and 2.

Other issues None. Two wide angles would have to be created, one at

None. None.


September 2003


Page 69

SECTION:SL4 - SL9 Implications (positive and negative)


SL4 and the other near the road to follow the direction of the road. This would be technically more complicated and more expensive.

Decision Taken Option rejected Option rejected Option rejected Option selected Reason for rejection/ selection Greatest impact on houses. Large impact on houses.

Expensive option due to need to create 2 wide angles.

Impact on houses. Avoids all houses. More accessible for maintenance


September 2003


Page 70



September 2003


Page 71

4 BASELINE CONDITIONS

4.1 INTRODUCTION

Chapter four considers the baseline environmental and social conditions at the proposed site of the LPP. The location of the LPP is shown in Figure 1.1. The proposed site of the LPP comprises:

(a) the site of the new power generation plant and associated substation adjacent to the

SONARA oil refinery at Cape Limboh near Limbe, south-west Cameroon; and

(b) 11.6km of linear development from the site of the power generation plant at the SONARA refinery through the village areas of Mokoundange, Bobende, Ngeme, Wovia, Mokindi, Botaland and Limbe/Mile 2 to the existing Limbe substation.

The information presented in this section is based on data from the following sources: Existing project literature; Literature search; Maps from the Cartographic Institute on Yaoundé; Information collected from relevant Ministries and Departments in Cameroon; Consultation; and Site visits and surveys.

As far as has been possible the information collected has been derived from official sources or from the staff of AES-SONEL.

4.2 SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT

4.2.1 Human beings

The proposed power plant site is located adjacent to the SONARA oil refinery at Limboh Point, off the main N3 road which runs from Douala, to the east of the project site, to Idenao which is located to the west of the project site (Figure 4.1). The site is located approximately 20km to the north-west of the town of Limbe and approx. 70km south-west of Douala, the main commercial centre of Cameroon. Along the access road to the power plant site there are approx. 30 residential properties for the SONARA oil refinery workers. These are located approx. 900m to the north west of the power plant site. There is also a (SONARA owned) guesthouse and an athletic club approx. 650m to the north west of the power plant site. To the west of this site, there are a number of villages including: Village Mile 6 (approx. 1km); Cameroon Development Corporation Camp (approx. 3km), comprising 6 houses and

approx. 70 residents; Batoke village (approx. 3km), comprising approx. 6 000 inhabitants, including an

orphanage (10 children), five primary schools, one secondary school and two hotels; Bakingili (approx. 12 kms), with a hotel on the beach with 74 rooms.

The route of the transmission line passes near the villages of Mokoundange, Bobende, Ngeme, Wovia, Mokindi, Botaland and Limbe/Mile 2. There are no structures located within the 45metre wide wayleave.


September 2003


Page 72

Household surveys have been being undertaken by consultants Limbe Botanical and Zoological Gardens to identify the socio-economic characteristics of affected persons along the transmission line route. Information from these surveys indicates that 60% of the affected population is comprised of non-indigenes, i.e. people who are not from the local area in most of the villages along the transmission line. The exception to this is the area near Mile 2, which has a fairly homogenous population of Bamilekes and Bassas. Average household size ranges from 3-10 people and 70 % of the affected people are married with the men acting as the household heads. The main occupations in the area affected by the transmission line include farming, petty trading and the civil service. Detailed results of the household survey are provided in the Compensation Action Plan, which is provided as a separate volume to this EIS.

4.2.2 Civil administration

Since August 1983, the National Territory of Cameroon has been divided into a number of different administrative levels:

Provinces - under the authority of Governors; Divisions - under the authority of senior divisional officers; Subdivisions (or ‘arrondissements’) - under the authority of subdivisional officers; Districts - under the authority of district heads; Villages.

The study area is located within the Southwest Province and administrative issues are addressed by a local council. In addition to the civil structure, there is a local administrative unit headed by a traditional chief.

4.2.3 Air quality

Air quality is not systematically recorded in Cameroon. Land use is therefore likely to provide the main background input into the determination of air quality in the study area.

The SONARA oil refinery is the closest source of other potentially significant anthropogenic emissions to air. The refinery has a refining capacity of 2 million tonnes of crude oil per year (SONARA publication, date unknown). The refinery is also known to operate three 3MW diesel fuel engines. However, data on precise emissions are not available. Mount Cameroon, located 26km to the north east of the site, may be a significant source of sulphur dioxide in the local area, however there is no data available regarding ambient level from this active volcano. Volcanic gases usually consist of steam, followed in abundance by carbon dioxide and compounds of sulphur and chlorine.

4.2.4 Noise

Indicative ambient noise levels were measured by Environmental & Engineering Services (EES) consultants in August 2002 at the three noise-sensitive receptors within the vicinity of the power generation plant site: residential properties along the access road to the site, the athletic club and the guesthouse (Figure 4.2). This was undertaken as part of the initial site selection process for the power plant site (section 3.9).


September 2003


Page 73

At each noise-sensitive location, three sites were selected and ambient sound level readings taken. The sound level measurements generally consisted of 5-minute samples at each location during both daytime and nighttime hours. The results included a time history for each 5-minute recording, a determination of the overall equivalent sound level (Leq), an amplitude distribution, and a percentile plot. Table 4.1 indicates an estimate of the background sound pressure level at each noise-sensitive receptor based on the measurement results received from EES. These estimates take into account the measured equivalent sound level, Leq and the measured 90-percentile sound level, L90.

The purpose of this survey was to provide indicative readings to compare potential power plant sites with each other. The readings do not therefore:

provide an insight into the daily trends of the acoustical environment, and therefore

do not indicate how the ambient sound levels within the areas surrounding the generation plant site locations vary throughout a typical day; or

indicate the operating status of the SONARA refinery facility.

Table 4.1 Estimate of representative background sound pressure levels at the noise-sensitive receptors based on a summary of the measured ambient sound pressure levels

Representative background sound

pressure level (based on sound level et each survey location)

(dBA) Residences (southwest of site 2) 46 Residences (southeast of site 2) 50 Guesthouse (northeast of site 2) 46 Athletic club (east of site 2) 54

4.2.5 Cultural heritage

From the site surveys and consultation with local Chiefs and villagers undertaken to date, it is understood that there are no sites of cultural heritage either within or immediately adjacent to the power plant site. A single grave has been identified within the wayleave for the transmission line.

4.2.6 Land use

The power generation plant site is an unused area. The site is owned by the Government, and was leased to SONARA. It is located outside the fenceline of the oil refinery and is a greenfield site, which has not previously been developed for industrial purposes. No buildings have existed on the site. The site is patrolled regularly by SONARA security guards and has therefore not been farmed by local communities. A small area of the site has been used on occasion by the Cameroon army as a firing practicing range for approximately 6 people (Photo 4.1).

The main land use adjacent to the power generation plant site is the SONARA refinery (Photo 4.2). This refinery has been operational since 1981 and has an operational capacity of 2 million tonnes per year. The refinery processes crude oil and supplies finished petroleum products such as butane, high octane gasoline, jet fuel, gas oil and fuel oil to the national market. A Port was constructed and became operational in 1995, since then SONARA has exported its products to Europe the United States of America


September 2003


Page 74

and South America. The Port can provide for the safe berthing of vessels of 30 000 to 90 000 tonnes (SONARA publication, date unknown). Along the access road to the site the main land use is residential (SONARA workers properties). There is a SONARA-owned guesthouse and athletic club located to the west of the site on Beach Mile 6 (Figure 4.2). Land use along the transmission line route is predominantly commercial palm plantations (Photos 4.3 and 4.4) owned by the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC); this comprises approx. 5.7 kms of the route. Surveys along the transmission line route indicate that approximately 0.67km is owned by Chantier Naval (the navy) and 1km of the route is currently owned by SONARA. The remaining 4.23kms of the line route comprises village land and individually owned land. Local plantations include crops such as pear trees, bananas, yams, cassava and groundnut (Photo 4.5).

4.2.7 Traffic and transport

The refinery is located off the N3, the main road from Douala, to the east, to Idenao in the south-west peninsular of Cameroon. An existing track provides access to the proposed site, which is tarmac for approximately half its length; residential properties are situated adjacent to this track near the main road. A separate entrance road serves the refinery and its dedicated port.

A traffic survey was undertaken in April and May 2003 between Douala and Cape Limboh. The roads were divided into sections to undertake the traffic survey, as indicated in the sketch in Appendix E and in Figure 1.1. Table 4.2 provides a summary of the road conditions from Douala to the power plant site.

Table 4.2 Summary of road conditions from Douala to Cape Limboh

Section of road

Conditions Other key features

A-A1 Customer check point to Wouri Bridge

Tarmac Very good road condition

None identified

B-B1 Market junction to roundabout 4

Roadworks underway Surface being tarmaced

None identified

C-C1 Roundabout 4 to roundabout Deido

Tarmac Good road condition

None identified

D-D1 Roundabout Deido to Wouri bridge

Tarmac Deep potholes

Two petrol stations with significant associated traffic movements

E-E1 Wouri Bridge (N3)

Tarmac Many deep potholes and poor road condition

Heavily congested

F-F1 Bonaberi Old Street (N3)

Tarmac in places Many deep potholes

Many small businesses along the road, located close to the road. Two colleges.

F-F2 Bonaberi New Street (N3)

Tarmac Relatively good road condition.

Many small businesses along the road, located close to the road side.

G-G1 Texaco station to Bekoko roundabout

Tarmac Relatively good road condition, except where the road crosses the railway line there are a number of

Slow moving traffic. Location of many coach and bus stops.


September 2003


Page 75

Section of road

Conditions Other key features

deep potholes H-H1 Bekoko roundabout to

Tiko Tarmac Good road condition

None identified

I-I1 Tiko to Moutenguene Tarmac Good road condition

Church

J-J1 Mountenguene to Limbe substation


Schools Church Market

K-K1 Limbe substation to SONARA site


2 Schools Market Church

Full details of the traffic survey are provided in Appendix E.

4.2.8 Recreation and amenity

There is a guesthouse and an athletic club located approx. 650m to the north west of the proposed plant site. Beach Mile 6 is a bay located immediately to the west of the power plant site (Photo 4.6). This beach is popular with locals at weekends.

Along the route of the transmission line, the main amenities are listed in Table 4.3.

Table 4.3 Main amenities along the transmission line route

Amenity

Location Details

Rocky Hotel Botala Situated adjacent to main road 14 beds For locals and tourists 1 star

Royal Hotel and casino

Ngeme Currently under construction by Beneficial Life The hotel will comprise: - approx. 365 bedrooms - restaurant - nightclub Construction has currently stopped on the hotel; it is due to start again in June 2003.

Catholic School

Ngeme Primary school Approx. 300 pupils Hours: 07:00 – 15:00, Monday to Friday

First International Inn Hotel

Bobende 39 beds tourist hotel 2 star

Government Bilingual High School

Mile 2 Secondary school Approx. 2000 pupils Hours: 07:00 – 15:00, Monday to Friday

Government High School

Mile 2 Secondary school Approx. 3000 people Hours: 07:30 – 14:30, Monday to Friday


September 2003


Page 76

4.3 NATURAL AND PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

4.3.1 Climate

The climatic zones in Cameroon are shown in Figure 4.3. The climate of south-west Cameroon is a tropical monsoon climate, very wet and warm with one short, less humid season from December to March. The average annual rainfall is from 2000 to almost 10000mm and Cape Debundscha (to the west of the site) has the highest precipitation in Africa with an annual average total of 9,800mm.

There are two meteorological stations in the area at Debundscha and Ekona; these are maintained by the Provincial Service of Meteorology.

Air temperature varies seasonally from 27 to 32 degrees C; relative humidity is fairly steady at 75 to 85%, influences by the area’s maritime location. Sunshine hours are short for most of the year due to cloud cover and rainfall.

The Guinea Monsoon controls the general wind direction from the south-west. Wind speeds are typically in the range of 0.5 to 2 m/sec. The wind is responsible for the near-saturation humidity.

4.3.2 Geology and soils

The geology of Cameroon is shown in Figure 4.4. Western Cameroon lies on the junction of the West African and Congo continental plates. Stresses and instability in this area have resulted in the formation of a series of volcanoes of which Mount Cameroon is the largest in West and Central Africa. Most soils in the study area are therefore of volcanic origin, either Andosols on sloping ground derived from basaltic lavas and associated igneous rocks, or various subdivisions of Fluvisols on river, estuarine and marine alluvium.

Sandy beaches and rocky shores are common along the outer coast of Cameroon around Mount Cameroon between Limbe and Idenau. Rocks are volcanic and beaches are generally black sand. Shorelines are relatively steep with narrow intertidal areas. Superficial sediments off the coast of Cameroon are primarily mud, largely deltaic sediments from the Niger River and smaller local rivers. Sediment loads are generally high during the rainy season, which extends from April to October.

A site investigation was undertaken by the National Civil Engineering Laboratory (LABOGENIE) for AES-SONEL in March 2003. A total of 20 percussive boreholes and 10 trial pits were undertaken. The proposed power generation plant site is underlain by predominantly volcanic rocks. Two petrographic units were observed:

Consolidated deposits of loose volcanic materials: lahar, volcanic breccia and

Ignimbrites. Unconsolidated pyroclastic materials ejected in a molten state characterised by

reddish pozzolan.

The site soils are superficially made up of silty scoriae and volcanic Breccia/ash which are generally brownish in colour and contain various proportions of volcanic blocks; the underlying formation is made up of alternate layers of volcanic ash/Breccia and/or volcanic agglomerate (predominantly basaltic boulders) of varying thickness.


September 2003


Page 77

The proposed site is a greenfield site that has not been previously developed for residential, agricultural or industrial purposes. Consultation with SONARA has indicated that they have not used the plant site for storage or other activities. The risk of contamination at the site is therefore considered to be low.

4.3.3 Topography

The study area is dominated by the presence of Mount Cameroon, West and Central Africa’s highest volcano (4,095m), which is to the north of the power plant site. A dome 50km long and 35km across the mountain starts at the sea and first rises to a small subsidiary peak of 1713m called Etinde or Small Mount Cameroon.

The power plant site is approximately 11m above sea level (ASL), rising to 13m towards the north of the site.

The topography along the transmission line route rises from approx. 13m ASL at the power plant site to 50m ASL around Mokoundange. The topography then undulates gently between 30-80m along the remainder of the line, with the exception of several noticeable hills at Mokindi and Mile 2, where the land rises to over 110m.

4.3.4 Hydrology and drainage

Drainage in south-west Cameroon is characterised by semi-permanent and permanent streams which can more than triple their volume during the rainy season. The most important streams are the Sanje, Limbe and Ombe. These streams discharge large quantities of inland sediment and organic matter into the Atlantic Ocean.

There are no existing drainage channels across the proposed plant site. A number of seasonal drains cross some of the potential access roads to the transmission line route.

4.3.5 Water resources and quality

Water resources

There are no watercourses or ponds on the power generation plant site. The water resource requirements of the SONARA site are provided by wells that have been drilled into the groundwater supply.

There are no permanent watercourses that dissect the transmission line site.

Water quality

High precipitation and numerous coastal rivers provide large quantities of warm and low salinity sea water in the area. Inflows from large rivers have a major influence on water quality in the Bight of Biafra. The large suspended sediment load from these rivers contributes to the high natural turbidity of the coastal waters.

The main discharges into the sea in the vicinity of the power plant generation site are a result of natural drainage from the SONARA oil refinery site.


September 2003


Page 78

4.3.6 Flora and fauna

The south-west Province of Cameroon is recognised as being rich in biodiversity. To identify the floral and faunal status of the project site, Limbe Botanical and Zoological Gardens (LBZG), a Cameroonian ecological and socio-economic consultancy based in Limbe, were commissioned to undertake a walkover ecological survey of both the proposed plant site location and of the transmission line route. Qualified ecologists from LBZG undertook a rapid botanical survey (RBS) of the sites on 22-23 November 2003.

The rapid botanical survey provides qualitative information on vegetation types. A wildlife survey was also undertaken using the Rapid Faunal Assessment (RFA) method along the transmission line route. This comprises direct and indirect observations using indices of presence such as vocalization, prints, droppings, and nests to determine the presence of mammals, birds and insects.

The list of plant and animal species found along the line route were compared with the list of protected species in Cameroon and the IUCN Red data species list (IUCN 1997) as well as the World Conservation Monitoring Centre (1995) list of threatened tree species to assess conservation value.

Power plant site

The natural vegetation at the power plant site is almost absent due to intensive and repeated human activities. The vegetation was classified into the following types:

(a) Herbaceous scrub land – this type is dominant in the site and is characterised by

herbaceous plants and a few shrubs. The most prominent species are Chromolaena odorata punctuated with some invasive species like Lantana camara. Other common species observed included Pueraria phaseoloides, Ipomea involucrata, Imperata cylindrica and adissotis rotundifolia.

(b) Grassy areas – this type of vegetation was observed along footpaths and abandoned

tracks within the site. It is characterised by the dominance of species like Cyperus dubius, Panicum maximum and Pennisetum purpurem.

(c) Temporal inundated area – this was observed at the western edge of the site and was

characterised by the abundance of Cyperus dubius and Pennisetum purpurem. (d) Degraded Atlantic Forest – this is composed of a tree line of degraded forest along

the coastline, forming the southern limit of the site. This type is characterized by three dominant species: Manilkara zapota, Terminalia catappa and Trema orientalis. There was also a small area by the coast to the south comprising of some fruit trees: Mangifera indica, Psidium guajava and Persea Americana.

From the observed habitat types, it was concluded that there are no threatened habitats or species on the plant site. There were also no locally important medicinal species. The species observed here were considered to be found abundantly elsewhere in the region.

Transmission line route

Natural vegetation is almost absent along the route of the transmission line due to intensive and repeated human activities such as subsistence farming, fallows and CDC palm plantations.


September 2003


Page 79

The CDC plantations are monoculture crops of Elaeis guineesis (oil palm).

Subsistence farmlands were dominated by food crops such as Zea mays (maize), Arachis hypogea (groundnuts), Musa sapientum (banana), Manihot esculenta (cassava), Xanthosoma saggitifolia (cocoyams). There were also occasional fruit trees such as Dacryoides edulis (plum), Magnifera indica (mango) and Psidium guajava (guava).

The dominant species identified in the fallows included: Chromolaena odorata, Pueraria phaseoloides, Ipomea involucrata, Panicun paniculatum, Costus afer, Alchornea cordifolia, Mallotus oppositifolius, Pennisetum purpereum, Piper umbellatum, Rinorea dentata, Allophylus africana and Oplismenus hirtellus. These species are indicative of land which has been under fallow for a period of at least on year.

Isolated trees indicative of secondary forests, such as Albizia zygia, Cecropia cecropioides, Ficus exasperata, Ficus mucuso and Spondias mobin were also recorded along the transmission line.

The RBS and RFS did not identify any threatened habitats or plant or animal species. The floral and faunal species in the study area were typical of the local area.

There are no protected sites within the vicinity of the proposed project. The full results of these surveys are provided in Appendix F.

4.3.7 Marine ecology

There are no data readily available for the marine ecology directly off the coast at the proposed power plant site. Information for the Gulf of Guinea however indicates that this Gulf is rich in marine life, including deep sea and coastal fisheries, sea birds, sea turtles and marine mammals.

Extensive mangroves occur along the coast and provide critical habitat for many crustaceans, molluscs, fish and birds. Several beaches provide important nesting sites for the green and Olive Ridley turtles as well as three other turtle species. Correspondence with Limbe Botanic and Zoological Gardens (July 2003) indicates that no turtles or turtle nests have been sighted either at the power plant site or in the Limbe area.

Pelagic fish communities are widely distributed from the estuaries to offshore up to 10 nautical miles. White shrimp (Parapenaeopsis altantica, Palaemon hastatus) fall within the nearshore and are fished in the artisan fishery, while pink shrimp (Panaeus duorarum) are found more offshore and are fished by trawlers of the semi-industrial fishery.

Massive reef formation is virtually absent, occurring as very minor formations off the Bioko chain. However, numerous rocky bottom areas have rich coral communities - areas known to be important include Malabo, Principe, Sao Tom and Annoban Islands in the Gulf of Guinea. These small coral communities provide important spawning and feeding areas for many important fish species. A number of rare and endemic species are known to exist (UNEP/IUCN, 1988).


September 2003


Page 80

4.3.8 Landscape

The SONARA oil refinery buildings, towers and process equipment dominate the landscape around the power plant site (Photos 4.2 and 4.6). The refinery is clearly visible from the main road and borders the proposed power plant site. The refinery also has a port, and there are often large tankers moored at this port dominating the seascape.

The landscape along the transmission line route is typically cultivated land, dominated by palm plantations forming part of the CDC estate (Photo 4.3 and 4.4). The remaining land is characterised by local plantation crops such as bananas and maize, with most of this land currently being burnt in preparation for planting (Photo 4.5). The local plantations intersect the CDC plantations at intervals along the transmission line route. The land along the transmission line route is gently undulating, rising to peaks on occasion. Inland from the transmission line route, looking north, the landscape is dominated by Mount Etinde and Mount Cameroon. Towards Mile 2 the landscape is more open, as shown in Photos 4.7 and 4.8.

4.3.9 Natural hazards

The power plant area is located within a major fault zone referred to as “The Cameroon fault line”, orientated at 30ON. Mount Cameroon, an active volcano lying on this fault line, last erupted in June 2000. The historical activity of the volcano has consisted of moderate explosive and effusive eruptions from both the summit and flank vents. AES-SONEL has held discussions with the technical director of SONARA, Mr YENWOO, who indicated that prior to the government locating the refinery at the present site it undertook studies into the threat of a volcanic eruption at the site. Although the studies were not available, he stated that they indicated that the topography of the surrounding land prevents lava flows from a volcanic eruption from reaching the SONARA site, and thus the LPP site. He specifically mentioned Little Mount Cameroon and other smaller hills between the refinery and Mount Cameroon that would provide protection from lava flows. Additionally, AES-SONEL held discussions with Samuel N. AYONGHE, Associate Professor, Environmental Geology at Buea University. He is Chairman of the National Scientific Committee for Monitoring Eruptions of Mount Cameroon; Coordinator, Mount Cameroon Volcano Monitoring Project, University of Buea and the President of the Geoscience Society of Cameroon. Professor AYONGHE indicated that it is highly unlikely that lava could flow to the refinery and LPP site as the surrounding topography would prevent this. Consultation with SONARA indicates that Cape Limboh has not experienced coastal flooding since it was constructed. Photo 4.9 shows the natural rock protection at the edge of the disused land with the coast.

4.3.10 Man-made hazards The principal man made hazard in the study area is the SONARA oil refinery. SONARA has extensive safety measures in place to deal with emergency fires, including a fire brigade with several mobile units. The Mobil units supplement the fire water system that is installed throughout the refinery. This system is kept under pressure by a large fire water storage tank. It is served by an electric pump and a diesel back-up. SONARA requires contractors who work on-site to undergo safety training and to follow rigorous safety procedures. Many of the procedures that it has adopted are derived from the procedures of Total who assists in managing the refinery. This includes spill


September 2003


Page 81

prevention and clean-up procedures. It is therefore not anticipated that there is a major risk of impact from an accident at the SONARA refinery site.


September 2003


Page 82



September 2003


Page 83

5 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

5.1 INTRODUCTION

Chapter 5 provides a description of the Limbe Power Project components, considering the construction, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning stages of all elements of the project.

5.2 COMPONENTS OF THE LIMBE POWER PROJECT

The LPP comprises the following elements:

(a) a power generation plant, equipped with 5 engines of 17MW each for a total of

85MW gross installed capacity, using heavy fuel oil, and associated structures, to be located adjacent to the SONARA oil refinery at Cape Limboh, near Limbe, south-west Cameroon;

(b) approximately 11.6km of new 90kV single circuit overhead transmission line

between the new power generation plant site at Cape Limboh and the existing Limbe 90/30kV substation;

(c) a high voltage (90kV) substation located next to the new power generation plant; and

(d) extension of bays at the existing Limbe 90/30kV substation so as to connect the

90kV line to the grid. These elements of the project are described in turn below.

5.3 POWER GENERATION PLANT AND ASSOCIATED WORKS

5.3.1 Location

The power generation plant will be located adjacent to the SONARA refinery at Cape Limboh, south-west Cameroon. The site is shown in Photos 5.1a-c and 5.2. A site layout is provided in Figure 5.1 and Photos 5.1b and c provide a photomontage illustrating the site structures and layout in 3D.

5.3.2 Nature of the works

The power generation plant element of the project will be implemented on a turn-key basis, comprising the engineering, procurement, transportation, erection on site (including civil works), installation, testing, commissioning and guarantee of 80MW minimum guaranteed power generation plant.

5.3.3 Power generation plant equipment

The power plant equipment comprises:

5 diesel generator units (17MW at 11kV each); Unit fuel oil system; Air intake and exhaust system; Cooling system; Lubricating oil system; Starting air system;


September 2003


Page 84

Common fuel oil system; Fire fighting system; Electrical system; and Control, instrumentation and communication system.

Photos 5.3a-i show a typical power generation unit and associated equipment similar to that which will be installed as part of the LPP.

5.3.4 Ancillary equipment

Details of buildings/equipment in association with the power plant that will be required are set out in Table 5.1. Where available, preliminary dimensions are given; these may change slightly in the final design.

Table 5.1 Ancillary Equipment

Preliminary Dimensions Equipment Number

Volume

(m3) Area Height

(m) Heavy fuel oil buffer tank One 2000 - - Heavy fuel oil day tank One 200 7.25m

radius 13.3

Light fuel oil tank One 500 - - Clean lube oil tank One 55 - - Used lube oil tank One 16 - - Lube oil service tank One 16 - - Fuel treatment house One - - - Oily water collecting sump Two - - - Waste oil tank (sludge) One 80 - - Oily water buffer tank One 55 - - Treated water storage tank (potable water) One 30 - - Fire water tank One 240 - - Cooling radiator 25 - 76 x 38m 6 Switchyard One - 60 x 30m - Power house One - 46.8 x 36m 13 Workshop, control and administrative buildings

- - 29.3 x 36 m -

5.3.5 Key activities and programme

The key activities and programme for the power plant are shown in Table 5.2. A detailed programme is provided in Figure 1.4.

Table 5.2 Power plant key activities and programme

Activity

Approximate Period

Engineering, Procurement and Manufacturing Months 1-5 Transportation of equipment Months 4-7 Site preparation, civil works and construction Months 3-7 Installation of equipment Months 5-10


September 2003


Page 85

Activity

Approximate Period

Testing and commissioning Months 7-12 Final plant take over Month 12 Decommissioning Year 25

The commencement date for this programme is scheduled for the second half of June 2003. This programme is subject to change, and will depend on the availability of the financing from the lending institutions. The completion of the LPP will be staged, with the first unit being operational in April 2004.

5.3.6 Engineering, procurement and manufacturing

The contractor will be responsible for engineering, manufacturing and/or procuring the power plant and associated components. The majority of the components for the power plant site will be manufactured and procured internationally, as they are not available for purchase in Cameroon. Concrete and aggregates will be procured locally. Other local procurement will include foodstuffs and miscellaneous supplies and services.

Materials and equipment will be stored at the power plant site. The contractor will ensure that the site is secure from the general public.

5.3.7 Transportation of equipment Equipment and materials procured outside of Cameroon will be delivered by ship to either the Port of Douala, to a location on the coast near the site, or the Port of Limbe. Photo 5.3i shows typical transportation for a power unit. The heaviest equipment (engines, generators, etc) will likely be delivered near the site, to minimize the impact on traffic as a result of road transportation. From the landing point, the material and equipment will be transported by road to the site. Consultation with the contractor indicates that there will be an estimated 100 heavy goods vehicle deliveries from landing point to the site.

Materials and equipment procured locally or nationally will be transported directly to the power plant site, most likely by road.

5.3.8 Site preparation, civil works and construction

5.3.8.1 Construction overview

The following activities will be undertaken during construction: Civil works to prepare the site; Delivery and installation of plant; Installation of and connection to the transformer; Erection of fuel supply tanks and interconnecting pipe work; Installation of fire water tanks and fire protection system; Installation of oily waste separator; Installation of drainage facilities; Installation of a fence around the site; Connection to grid; and Landscaping.


September 2003


Page 86

The civil works will include the full detailed design, preparation of construction drawings, site levelling, construction, completion and maintenance of main and any ancillary buildings, equipment supports, associated structures, foundations and services, cableways and ducts and trenches. The contractor will prepare comprehensive method statements for all major construction activities and submit these to AES-SONEL for approval 30 days prior to the commencement of the relevant activity.

Site preparation will include earthworks and the removal of soil/rock to level the site and to install the foundations and services for the power plant and associated equipment. No piling is required.

The following operations will require water during construction: concrete mixing, flushing, testing and filling of cooling systems and fire fighting system. Water will be delivered from the refinery.

The contractor is responsible for supplying potable water, waste disposal facilities and sanitary facilities during construction. The electricity during construction will be provided by AES-SONEL by the means of a connection to the existing 30 kV system near the site.

It is anticipated that construction activities will be undertaken within normal working hours. Due to the tight schedule, some activities may be undertaken out of the normal working hours; this will be agreed with AES-SONEL.

5.3.8.2 Access roads

No new access roads will be constructed except for a short (approx. 600m) extension from where the existing access track to the power plant site ends. The access track to the site from the main road is shown in Photos 5.1a and 5.4.

5.3.8.3 Labour force

The labour force during the construction and commissioning phases of the power plant and associated components are the responsibility of the contractor. The contractor is likely, and will be encouraged by AES-SONEL, to use local sub-contractors and local people where skills levels permit for civil works, electrical and mechanical works, and transportation of equipment to the site. Consultation with the contractor indicates that a peak construction work force of approximately 350 local people will be needed during the eleven month construction period; this work force will be employed on a temporary basis.

5.3.8.4 Health and safety

The contractor is required to prepare and submit a detailed Health and Safety Plan for the construction period prior to the start of construction. This will be reviewed and approved by AES-SONEL prior to the start of construction.

5.3.8.5 Site security

Site security during construction is the responsibility of the contractor, and will comprise security fencing, gates and a gatehouse. The contractor’s recommendations for site security during construction must meet the approval of AES-SONEL.


September 2003


Page 87

5.3.9 Testing and commissioning

All systems will undergo a full functional and safety test to ensure that they are fit for purpose. The contractor will be responsible for functional testing, commissioning, performance testing and reliability testing of the complete plant.

Testing and commissioning will require 24 hour operations.

5.3.10 Operation and maintenance

After commissioning, control of the power plant will pass to AES-SONEL. Operation and maintenance of the power plant will be based on the AES Corporation’s existing corporate policy. Until more efficient capacity is installed and depending on hydrology, the plant is expected to operate in the intermediate load to baseload range during the dry season (November to March). During the wet season, the plant is expected to be primarily in a standby mode but will likely operate during some periods around a maximum of 4-5 hours per day. The thermal input of the plant is 8066 kJ/kWh and the fuel burn is 3.45 tonnes of HFO/hour per engine. The efficiency of the plant is 44.6%. The diesel generators will be housed within a building (as illustrated indicatively in Photo 5.3a). There will be one mutliflued stack, with the provisions for manual (i.e. non-continuous) monitoring. The stack height is 80m. A typical exhaust stack is shown in Photo 5.3h.

5.3.10.1 Services to be supplied by SONARA

The following services can be provided by SONARA from the refinery site during the operation of the plant: Diesel oil; Heavy fuel oil; Potable water; Firewater/service water.

All of these resources will be pumped or delivered by gravity to the power plant site from the refinery.

5.3.10.2 Water requirements during operation

The total amount of water likely to be required during operation is approx. 4000 litres a day. This is required for the following operations: Domestic use; Cooling water make up (very small amounts); Fire fighting system in an emergency.

This water will be supplied from the existing facilities at the refinery and possibly from AES-SONEL’s own wells.

5.3.10.3 Surface water and storm water drainage

The Design Specification for the power plant states that surface water drainage should be installed to drain the site and discharge into the sea via an outfall from the site. Where


September 2003


Page 88

oily surfaces are drained, the water will pass through an oil/water separator fitted with oil detectors and automatic isolation valves. The discharge from the oil/water separator will contain no visible oil or grease, i.e. less than 10ppm.

All new buildings will be provided with roof drainage for the disposal of storm water and will be connected to the site’s storm water drainage system.

5.3.10.4 Oily water drainage

In accordance with the Design Specification, the contractor is required to ensure that oily water drainage is provided for all areas where oily waste may occur e.g. oil unloading areas, oil and fuel storage compound drainage, car parking areas, etc. To minimise the potential for the drainage of oil into surface water, all oil tanks will be bunded. The boundary will be designed to contain 110% of the largest tank’s contents to avoid spillage in case of tank failure. The total volume of oil stored on the site is provided in Table 5.1. In addition, the Design Specification states that water/liquid retaining structures will be in accordance with BS 8007 “Design of Concrete Structures for Retaining Aqueous Liquids” as appropriate or equivalent international or Cameroon standard.

5.3.10.5 Sewage system

As specified in the contract with the Wartsila, foul water will go to a septic tank. The waste from the septic tank will be disposed of in an environmentally acceptable manner by a licensed contractor approved by AES-SONEL. The procedures for the disposal of this waste will be contained in the operational site environmental management plan, and will also be the requirement of any contract signed between AES-SONEL and a licensed contractor.

5.3.10.6 Wastes HFO will be centrifuged in the fuel oil treatment plant to remove sludge, metallic particles and water. The collected sludge will be forwarded to the waste oil tank. Waste from the oily water sumps will also be collected and stored in the waste oil tank. Wastes in the waste oil tank will be periodically removed by road tanker by a licensed contractor approved by AES-SONEL to an approved disposal site. AES-SONEL has identified the following options for the disposal of wastes (Table 5.3) and is currently entering into discussions with operators to identify the most appropriate method of waste disposal for the LPP. Table 5.3 Licensed waste disposal operators in Cameroon Operator Location Description

Hysacam Makepe, Douala

Limbe Municipal landfill – combustible and non-combustible, non-hazardous materials; paper, plastic and metal cans/containers, broken glass, etc.

Bocom/Bocam International

Bonaberi-Douala Hazardous wastes – including clinical wastes, waste pharmaceuticals, waste oils/water and hydrocarbons/water mixtures. Disposal mainly


September 2003


Page 89

by incineration. Nettoycam Near Douala Hazardous wastes Mobil

Douala AES-SONEL currently has a contract with Mobil to collect waste oils, rags and filters from existing facilities. The waste oil is recycled at Bocom International and then sold to Cimencam for use in their ovens. Mobil stores the rags and filters before they are sent to Bocom for incineration.

AES-SONEL will ensure that all contracts signed with licensed waste operators require the operator to dispose of waste in accordance with AES-SONEL and/or World Bank requirements.

5.3.10.7 Site security The site will be fully secure with barbed wire fencing and will have one principal entry/exit with a guardhouse.

5.3.10.8 Accidental release measures

The fuel tank area will be fully bunded and able to contain at least 110% capacity of the largest single tank. Facilities will be available to contain oil and protect the environment in the event of a catastrophic failure (e.g. explosion) of the transformer.


AES-SONEL staff will operate and maintain the plant once it has been commissioned. It is estimated that 30 permanent operating staff will be required.


AES-SONEL corporate Health and Safety procedures will be in place and enforced for operation and maintenance.

5.3.11 Decommissioning

At the end of the useful life of the power station, in approximately 25 years, the plant may be decommissioned in accordance with legislative guidelines and technology current at that time, or the plant may be re-engineered and re-permitted if required. The key factors that determine when the plant is to be decommissioned are the economics of maintaining the plant to ensure that it remains safe to operate, compliance with environmental requirements and reliability, together with the cost of fuel. Decommissioning will therefore be reviewed on an annual basis once it is evident that the plant is nearing the end of its working life.

The extent of dismantling, demolition and site clearance will depend upon the future use of the site. The need for soils surveys and any subsequent remediation works will also be considered in the light of the intended use of the site and its history of contamination.

The whole plant may be decommissioned at one time or it may be decommissioned piecemeal over a prolonged period. The decommissioning phase is likely to take place over several months.


September 2003


Page 90

Independently validated plant closure/demolition methodologies have been developed for power plants that are at the end of their useful life. This methodology covers demolition of the plant and buildings of any contaminated and hazardous material from the site. When demolishing the power plant, it will be a matter of policy to ensure that the site is left with no environmental risks.

A competent contractor (or contractors) will be appointed to undertake dismantling, disposal and demolition. Lead contractors will be nominated and will produce safety plans for the work.

Stored materials suitable for reuse will be sold and taken from the site.

The plant must be made safe for work in accordance with the normal safety procedures, such as the issue of permits to work. The plant will be permanently disconnected from sources of energy or danger, such as electricity, gas and water supplies.

The plant will be made safe for dismantling by draining and venting water and gas stored in vessels and pipework, and purging pipes and vessels of gases. Closed vessels, pipes and other areas which could have hazardous gases present will be tested to ensure that they are safe before entry is permitted.

Any stored substances, hazardous and non-hazardous, will be removed from site for disposal. Only relatively small quantities of potentially hazardous substances will be stored and used at the power station. These substances include fuel oil, lubricating oils and chemicals for cooling water dosing. No significant problems are anticipated in dealing with any of these substances. Appropriate handling precautions will be documented and practiced at the power station.

Interiors of plant items that could possibly be contaminated will be surveyed and tested for hazardous materials before work is permitted in them or they are dismantled.

Once the plant is completely disconnected, drained, purged and tested, as appropriate, it will be certified as being out of commission and handed over to a competent contractor to complete the dismantling and demolition work.

It is probable that most of the plant and equipment will be at the end of its useful operating life, will be obsolescent or obsolete, will be unsuitable for further use and will need to be dismantled for recycling. Decisions on reuse of plant items, recycling of materials or the disposal to waste will be made at the time of decommissioning in the light of technology then available, economic considerations and legislation. Much of the plant on site will be made suitable for recycling. In addition a large proportion of the buildings will be constructed of pre-fabricated steel and will therefore also be of interest to a scrap metal merchant. After the removal of the main items of plant and steel buildings the remaining buildings will be demolished to ground level. All underground structures will be either removed or made safe.

Disposal of all waste materials, whether hazardous or not, will only be via appropriate and authorized routes.

A full environmental departure audit will be carried out. This will examine, in detail, all potential environmental risks existing at the site and make comprehensive recommendations for remedial action to remove such risks. Following completion of the


September 2003


Page 91

demolition, a final audit will be carried out to ensure that all remedial work has been completed. The audit reports will be made available to future users of the site.

Prior to AES-SONEL (or the operator at the time) closing down the plant, the relevant authorities will be notified as to the date of the closure and the results of the departure audit submitted.

The site will be returned to a condition suitable for reuse.

5.4 DESCRIPTION OF THE TRANSMISSION LINE

5.4.1 Location

The transmission line will be routed from the new substation at the power plant site adjacent to the SONARA refinery at Cape Limboh to the existing AES-SONEL substation at Limbe (Figure 4.1).


The new transmission line between the plant substation and the Limbe substation will comprise approximately 11.6km of 90kV single circuit overhead line. The detailed design and specification for the transmission line components has been developed and provided by AES-SONEL. The contractor (a different contractor to the power plant contractor) will be responsible for procuring and constructing the transmission line equipment and associated components.

5.4.3 Main equipment

The main equipment associated with the transmission line is provided in Table 5.4.

Table 5.4 Main equipment for transmission line

Equipment

Description Number/Dimensions

Suspension towers Steel lattice 30 Small angle towers Steel lattice 2 End and large angle towers Steel lattice 9 Conductors (i.e. wires) Aluminium alloy (amelec), 366

mm2 3 phases

Earth wire Steel 94mm2 and incorporated fibre optic cable N4

1

Insulator chains Glass 3 per tower

5.4.4 Ancillary equipment It is anticipated that the following vehicles and plant will be required during construction to construct the transmission line:

Trucks for unloading materials and equipment at each tower site; Mobile cranes; Cable stringing pullers; Cable stringing tensioners;


September 2003


Page 92

Cable reel carriers; Line winders; Concrete mixers.


The key activities in the construction of the transmission line system include:

Design (AES-SONEL’s responsibility); Procurement and manufacturing; Transportation of equipment to the site; Construction; Testing and commissioning; Operation and maintenance; and Decommissioning.

These are discussed in turn below.

The proposed programme for the transmission line works is provided in Figure 1.4. The programme for the transmission line works is critical to the optimum timing for the project and it will be essential to have this infrastructure in place prior to completion and commissioning of the LPP.

5.4.6 Procurement and manufacturing

The contractor will be responsible for manufacturing and/or procuring the transmission line components. A major proportion of the transmission line components will be manufactured and procured outside of Cameroon e.g. tower steel and components, conductors and insulators, as they are not available for purchase in Cameroon. Concrete and aggregates will be procured locally. Other local procurement will include foodstuffs and miscellaneous supplies and services.

Materials and equipment will be stored at a secured site by the contractor.

5.4.7 Transportation of equipment to the site Equipment and materials procured outside of Cameroon will be delivered by ship to either the Port of Douala or the Port of Limbe. These materials and equipment will be transported by road to the storage site.

Materials and equipment procured locally or nationally will be transported directly to the storage site.

The total anticipated traffic movements form the substation to the site, including deliveries and the movement of light/personal vehicles, are not currently available.

5.4.8 Construction


Construction activities will involve the following: Site survey; Route clearance and access;


September 2003


Page 93

Civil works (i.e. excavation of the foundations, setting of tower templates and concreting of foundations);

Assembling of towers; Tower erection; Mounting of the insulator strings; Conductor and earth wire stringing; Sagging of conductors and earth wire; Mounting of accessories; Earthing of towers; and Inspection and commissioning.

The contractor will undertake the above activities. The contractor is likely to start at one end of the line and work through to the other end.

The clearance of the 45m-wide wayleave will be undertaken by hand clearance and mechanical means e.g. bulldozers. No chemicals will be used. All vegetation cleared will be left within the wayleave and no soils will be left exposed. Crop owners will be given the opportunity to harvest annuals where possible and take away perennials before the wayleave is cleared.

Tower foundations comprise four concrete footings for each tower. Tower foundations will be excavated mechanically. A concrete pad will be constructed at the bottom of the excavation, and each foot of the tower erected within the concrete, using wood for shuttering. After 2 days, the wood used for shuttering will be removed, and the excavation will be back-filled with spoil to the original ground level, then consolidated. The wood used for shuttering will be left within the wayleave once extracted.

The towers will be assembled on site (approx. 1 day at one site) and erected using a crane (approx. 1 day at one site). Angle towers are used at points where the local topography demands it. Suspension towers are used between angle towers. Towers are typically 25m in height. Figure 5.2 provides a sketch of an indicative tower.

Once the towers are erected, the conductors and earth cables will be strung and tensioned with specialized equipment to achieve the design sag. The total construction time at a tower is approximately 1 week.

No use of chemicals (e.g. cable oils or pesticides) will be required on site during construction. Water will be required during construction of the foundations for the concrete. Water will be procured by the contractor for the construction period and is likely to be delivered by water tankers.


Access to the transmission line wayleave will be gained by the use of existing public highways and access roads. No new roads will need to be constructed. Photo 5.5 shows the road condition of a typical access road to the transmission line wayleave.


The labour force during the construction of the transmission line is the responsibility of the contractor. The contractor is likely, and will be encouraged by AES-SONEL, to use local sub-contractors and local people where skills permit for civil works, tower erection


September 2003


Page 94

and transportation of equipment to the site. It is anticipated that up to 50 Cameroon staff may be required for the construction of the transmission line and the work at the new and existing substations.


The contractor is required to prepare a Health and Safety plan prior to the start of construction. This will be reviewed and approved by AES-SONEL prior to the start of construction on site.

5.4.8.5 Site security Construction equipment will be stored at a site to be secured and guarded by the contractor.

5.4.9 Testing and commissioning

A number of tests will be undertaken to ensure that the line performs as per the specifications. The contractor will be responsible for functional testing and commissioning of the transmission line.


5.4.10.1 Operation and maintenance overview

After commissioning, ownership of the transmission system will pass to AES-SONEL. AES-SONEL’s operation and maintenance of the transmission line will be based on their existing corporate policy.

The main activities to be carried out during the operating life of the transmission line include surveillance of the condition of the transmission line and wayleave, routing and emergency maintenance and repairs, and vegetation control.

Growth of vegetation in the wayleave will be controlled to ensure safe and reliable operation of the line; vegetation above 4m in height within the wayleave will be cut down.

AES-SONEL will be responsible for controlling future land uses within the wayleave. No structures or crops will be permitted within the wayleave.


AES-SONEL staff will operate and maintain the transmission line once it has been commissioned.

5.4.10.3 Health and safety AES-SONEL corporate Health and Safety procedures will be in place and enforced for operation and maintenance.


September 2003


Page 95

5.4.10.4 Site security

The towers will be made safe from climbing by the erection of barbed wire around the towers.


The lifespan of the towers is typically 50 years. It is anticipated that the transmission line will be continuously maintained and repaired, and will be operated for several decades. Because of its long life cycle, the circumstances under which it might ultimately be decommissioned and abandoned are difficult to foresee. Towers may be upgraded and/or renewed based on cost/benefit analysis and new technologies. However, if decommissioning is undertaken the following generic approach may be adopted.

Conductors and wires would be lowered to the ground, and all cables would be spooled and removed from the site for salvage. The towers would then be dismantled and removed from the site for salvage.

The disposal or otherwise of the tower foundations would depend upon the intended future land use. This would need to be decided at the time of decommissioning. The decommissioning process would be undertaken in accordance with environmental laws and standards in place at the time of decommissioning.

5.5 DESCRIPTION OF THE SUBSTATIONS

5.5.1 Location

The new substation will be located at the power plant site, adjacent to the SONARA refinery at Cape Limboh. Modifications will also be carried out at the existing AES-SONEL substation at Limbe to accommodate the new 90kV transmission line and connect the power plant to the existing grid. Photo 5.6 shows the existing substation at Limbe.


The generated power will be sent to the network via a high voltage substation, equipped with two step-up 11/90kV, 60MVA power transformers, two transformer protection bays and a line bay.

The Limbe 90/30kV substation will be extended to include the 90kV incoming line bay. It will also be necessary to add a 90kV busbar and a transformer protection bay to the existing substation.

These works form part of the Contract for the transmission line works, and therefore will be undertaken by the same contractor. No polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) or Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) will be used in the construction, operation or decommissioning of the substations.

5.5.3 Limbe substation equipment

The existing substation is equipped with:


September 2003


Page 96

1 x 90 kV incoming line bay; 1 x 90/30 kV, 36 MVA transformer - there is no equipment for transformer

protection; 1 x control/command building equipped with LV control protection equipment and

30 kV distribution equipment.

The following equipment will be installed at this site as part of the LPP:

Addition of a 90kV busbar system, with Almelec 366mm2 cables and supporting steelwork;

Down lead from the last tower, and loading gantry; 90 kV incoming line bay; 90 kV transformer protection bay; Extension of earth grid and overhead ground wire, and connection to earth of new

equipment; Interfacing cable; Battery and LV systems; Site lighting extension.

5.5.4 New substation equipment

The following equipment will be required as part of the construction of the new substation:

Down lead from the last tower, and loading gantry; 90kV incoming line bay; 2 90kV transformer protection bays; Installation of 2 11/90 kV, 60 MVA power transformers; Earthing of the transformers; Busbar system; Earthing grid; Overhead ground cable; Substation and equipment steelwork; Earthing of equipment and metallic structures; AC and DC low voltage systems; Interfacing cabling; Site lighting.


The main activities for the substations are: Design, procurement, manufacturing; Transportation of equipment to the sites; Testing and commissioning; Operation and maintenance; and Decommissioning.

These are discussed in turn below. The current programme is set out in Figure 1.4.


September 2003


Page 97

5.5.6 Design, procurement, manufacturing The contractor will be responsible for manufacturing of and/or procuring the substation components. The majority of substation components will be manufactured and procured internationally as they are not available for purchase in Cameroon. Concrete will be procured locally. Other local procurement will include foodstuffs and miscellaneous supplies and services.

Materials and equipment for the modifications to the Limbe substation will be stored at this substation. Materials and equipment for the new substation will likely be stored at the power plant site.

5.5.7 Transportation of equipment to the sites Equipment and materials procured outside of Cameroon will be delivered by ship to either the Port of Douala or the Port of Limbe. These materials and equipment will be transported by road to the storage sites.

Materials and equipment procured locally or nationally will be transported directly to the storage sites.

5.5.8 Construction


Activities during modifications at Limbe substation and construction of the new substation at the power plant site include:

Civil works; Drilling and excavation of footings; Installation of foundations and other support structures; Primary drainage system; Erection of steel structures; Erection of equipment; Construction of control building at the power plant site; Installation of wiring and control cables; and Landscaping.

The contractor is required to prepare comprehensive method statements for all major construction activities and submit these to AES-SONEL for review at least 30 days prior to the commencement of the relevant activity.


Access to Limbe substation and the power plant site will be gained by the use of existing public highways and access roads. No new roads will need to be constructed.


The labour force during the modification of Limbe substation and the construction of the new substation by the power plant is the responsibility of the contractor. The contractor is likely, and will be encouraged by AES-SONEL, to use local sub-contractors and local people for civil works, electrical works and transportation of equipment to the site. It is


September 2003


Page 98

anticipated that up to 50 Cameroon staff may be required for the construction of the transmission line and the work at the new and existing substations.


The contractor is required to prepare a detailed Health and Safety plan prior to the start of construction. This will be reviewed and approved by AES-SONEL prior to the start of construction on site.

5.5.8.5 Site security Limbe substation is a secure site. Security at the power plant site during construction will be the responsibility of the contractor and details for site security will be approved by AES-SONEL prior to the start of construction on site.

5.5.9 Testing and commissioning The contractor will be responsible for functional testing and commissioning of the new substations and works at the existing substation.


5.5.10.1 Operation and maintenance overview

Operation and maintenance of the substations will be in accordance with AES-SONEL’s corporate policy.


AES-SONEL staff will operate and maintain the substations once they have been commissioned. No additional staff will be required.

5.5.10.3 Health and safety AES-SONEL corporate Health and Safety procedures will be in place and enforced for operation and maintenance.

5.5.10.4 Site security The new substation will be secure from the general public.


The substations will be designed to a life expectancy of 25 years. It is anticipated that the substation elements associated with the power plant will be continuously maintained and repaired and will operate for the life of the power plant and transmission line. The decision on whether to decommission or upgrade will depend on the development of the system as a whole. Under a typical decommissioning process, all steel work would be lowered to the ground, the cables spooled, and all components including transformers removed for salvage. Transformer oil would be drained and recycled. The decommissioning process would be undertaken in accordance with environmental laws and standards in place at the time of decommissioning.


September 2003


Page 99

6 CONSULTATION

6.1 INTRODUCTION

It is the requirement of the EIA process for significant new developments that an extensive consultation exercise is carried out to inform the local population, statutory bodies and local organisations and interested parties about the proposal. This is to allow the EIA team to explain to the public and others how the project may affect them, and receive feedback on particular concerns that they may have, in order that subsequent studies undertaken and actions can reflect those concerns.

A Consultation Plan was prepared as part of the EIA, and is provided in Appendix G. This was approved by the IFC in December 2002. Chapter 6 presents the results of the consultation exercise undertaken as part of the LPP.

A separate volume to this EIS, the Compensation Action Plan (September 2003), addresses the issues relating specifically to consultation and negotiation for those affected parties who own land and/or crops in the wayleave for the transmission line.

6.2 CONSULTEES

Three different types of consultees were identified to reflect the nature of the project: those associated with the proposed power generation plant site; those associated with the transmission line route; and those having an interest in the project, statutory and non-statutory (generic

consultees).

These consultees are outlined in Table 6.1.

Table 6.1 Consultees to the Limbe Power Project

Consultee type

Consultees

Power generation plant site the club house and guesthouse in the vicinity of the proposed power generation plant site.

Residents along the access road to the power plant site. Local Chiefs. SONARA.

Transmission line site CDC (Cameroon Development Corporation), commercial plantation owner along the route of the transmission line.

Chantier Naval (navy). Local land/crop owners/tenants along the transmission line route. Villagers in the villages near the transmission line route. Private and public organisations near the transmission line route. Local chiefs.

Generic Provincial Delegate of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MINEF) based in Buea.

Limbe Senior Divisional Officer. NGOs. Other interest parties. ARSEL (Argence de Regulation de Sectuer Électricité, set up under

the Electricity Act to regulate the industry). AES-SONEL has set up a working team with ARSEL to address all aspects of AES-SONEL’s operation. ARSEL has been informed of developments in


September 2003


Page 100

Consultee type

Consultees

the LPP through this team, and has therefore not been considered further with respect to consultation for the EIA.

6.3 CONSULTATION METHODOLOGY

The objectives of public consultation were to:

Disseminate general project and programme information to affected persons and

interested parties; Provide AES-SONEL with an opportunity to record comments/opinions of affected

persons/interested parties, and where possible to address these issues within the EIA; Provide information and answer questions regarding the location of the power

generation plant and the transmission line and substation works; Discuss and address areas of concern/confusion; Comply with IFC safeguard policies on Consultation and Disclosure; Comply with the requirements of EIB for Environmental Statements; Comply with the Government of Cameroon’s requirements for environmental impact

assessment.

A number of different methods of communication and consultation were employed, which are outlined in Table 6.2.

Table 6.2 Methods of communication and consultation

Method Consultees

Reason

Methods of communication: Letters

Divisional officers Sensitization.

Advert/ Messengers

Affected persons Interested parties NGO(s)

To advertise public meeting(s). All posters have been prepared in French and English.

Methods of consultation: Meetings

Provisional Delegate of MINEF Compensation Commission CDC Chantier Naval Affected persons NGO(s) Local Chiefs

Agree Terms of Reference of EIA. Sensitization. Address specific issues relating to affected persons for the power plant site and the transmission line route. To communicate how affected persons issues will be/have been addressed. To request meetings.

Public Meeting

Affected persons Interested parties NGOs

To communicate the EIA scope of works. To ensure that all affected persons and interested parties have the opportunity to be involved in the communication process and to ensure that their views are made publicly. To communicate how affected persons issues will be/have been addressed.

Surveys Affected persons along the route of the transmission line.

To inform about compensation issues and to record socio-economic details of affected persons.


September 2003


Page 101

6.4 CONSULTATION APPROACH

The Consultation programme is set out in the Consultation Plan in Appendix G. Consultation has been undertaken at the following main stages, as shown in Table 6.3.

Table 6.3 Consultation approach

Period

Reason for consultation

Development of the scope of works To agree the scope of works for the EIA with the funding consortium and MINEF.

During EIA/ Project development To inform people that the project is being undertaken.

To record any concerns. To allow the project to be designed and the EIA

scoped so as to reduce any adverse impacts to an acceptable level.

On completion of EIA To inform people of the outcome of the EIA for the LPP.

To communicate how issues/concerns have been addressed.

To record, and where necessary act upon any further issues/concerns.

6.5 CULTURAL SENSITIVITY

AES-SONEL has followed Cameroon protocol and used culturally appropriate methods for undertaking public consultation activities. In all instances, French and English have been used for consultation purposes. In addition, where required local languages have been used in correspondence and in the dissemination of information. Pictoral representation has been used to reach the illiterate population and appropriate channels for communication and organisation of village meetings have been used, based on the implementation of general advice of AES-SONEL employees, Local Chiefs, the Senior Divisional Officer of Limbe and the Provincial Delegate of MINEF.

Wherever appropriate, letters of notification have been sent to Divisional Officers and meetings held with Local Chiefs. Meetings have been scheduled at times and locations that best accommodated consultees.

6.6 CONSULTATION RECORD

A record of all consultations and the response to consultee comments and issues is provided in Table 6.4. Photos 6.1 to 6.3 show consultation being undertaken with villagers and NGOs, respectively.

6.7 DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION

This EIS will be submitted to the IFC for posting on the World Bank Infoshop. The Executive Summary of the EIS will be available in English and French at AES-SONEL offices and, if appropriate, the Provincial Delegate’s office for review.


September 2003


Page 102

6.8 FUTURE CONSULTATION

Although this EIS reports on the consultation undertaken as part of the EIA, it is recognised that consultation is an ongoing process. AES-SONEL will therefore ensure that consultees continue to be kept well informed during construction and, where appropriate, operation of the LPP. Throughout the project, consultation and sensitization has been, and will continue to be undertaken by AES-SONEL personnel.

AES-SONEL Limbe Power ProjectEnvironmental Impact Statement

September 2003


Page 103

Table 6.4 Record of consultation taken to date

Person/ Organisation

Dates and Time

Method of communication

Reason for communication Specific concerns/issues raised by consultee

Response/action from AES-SONEL team

- Limbe Senior Division Office - Limbe Divisional Chief of Service for lands - Limbe/ Divisional Officer - first assistant DO

May 2002 Dec 2002 Jan 2003 Feb 2003 Mar 2003

Meetings and letters

Sensitization of local government to the LPP

To request the setting up of the Compensation Commission

To discuss compensation process and schedule

Survey work coordination

Need for effective coordination of the Compensation Commission.

Need to ensure all members of the Compensation Commission are fully briefed.

AES-SONEL organised numerous meetings to ensure that the Compensation Commission was set up and all members were aware of their responsibilities and the tight timescale for the project.

AES-SONEL has prepared a method for the internal management of the compensation process. This information is provided in a separate volume: Compensation Action Plan.

Senior Division Chief of Environment, MINEF

Feb 2003 Mar 2003

Meetings Discuss MINEF approval process for the EIA and contents of the Terms of Reference

No specific issues raised. Terms of Reference submitted to Senior Division Chief of Environment in February 2003. This TOR is provided as Appendix B to this EIS.

CDC May 2002 Nov 2002 Jan 2003

Letters Meeting

To provide information on the LPP

To initiate discussions on location of wayleave in CDC land

To discuss compensation issues

Issue of tree cutting and damage to adjacent trees during clearance of the wayleave.

Further meetings were organised by AES-SONEL.

The method for compensation is addressed in the Compensation Action Plan.

SONARA Ongoing Letters Meetings

Discuss use of land adjacent to the SONARA operations

Negotiate supply of fuel and water

No specific issues raised. No specific response required.


September 2003


Page 104


Dates and Time




Compensation: what compensation would be available and how titled, untitled and customary land would be addressed.

The method for compensation is addressed in the Compensation Action Plan.

Employment opportunities. Concern that the works will

provide employment opportunities for workers from large towns outside of the study area.

AES-SONEL recommended that local villagers organised themselves to identify labourers in the villages and register their names, and skill level, with the local Chief who should maintain a record to pass on to the contractors. This issue is addressed in sections 8.2.2, 8.3.2. 9.2.2 and 9.3.1 of this EIS.

AES-SONEL has used local people to clear the 1m wide strip of the wayleave for the compensation commission work.

Concern over damage to crops and vegetation as a result of the clearance of the wayleave.

The contractor will be expected to work within the 45m-wide wayleave. This issue is addressed in section 8.3.1.

Residents at Mokoundange, Bebende, Limbola, Ngeme

Dec 2002 Village meeting Introduction to LPP Description of project Details of surveys being

undertaken Explanation of

compensation process Safety issues before, during

and after construction Employment opportunities

Concern over supply of potable water and request that AES-SONEL provide potable water to the villages.

The compensation available at an individual and community level, including community projects if applicable, will be addressed by the AES-SONEL socio-economic team in accordance with the methodology set out in the Compensation Action Plan.


September 2003


Page 105


Dates and Time




Route of the line.

The route of the line has been selected to minimise impact on local communities - see section 4.10.

Employment opportunities. Opportunities to gain economic

benefits through demand for food, drinks, etc.

AES-SONEL recommended that local villagers organised themselves to identify labourers in the villages and register their names, and skill level, with the local Chief who should maintain a record to pass on to the contractors. The issue of increasing local employment opportunities is addressed in section 8.2.2, 8.3.2. 9.2.2 and 9.3.1 of this EIS.

AES-SONEL has used local people to clear the 1m wide strip of the wayleave for the compensation commission work.

The contractors will be expected to ensure that, wherever possible, local economic benefits arise as a result of their activities - see sections 5.3.6, 5.4.6, 8.2.2 and 8.3.2.

Compensation issues, including compensation for ancestral land.

Population invited to meetings on valuation of land and crops to ensure compensation process is fair and equitable. This process is addressed in the Compensation Action Plan.

Residents at Wovia, Botaland, Mokindi, Mile 2

Dec 2002 Village meetings Introduction to LPP Description of project Details of surveys being

undertaken Explanation of

compensation process Safety issues before, during

and after construction Employment opportunities

Expressed their appreciation of being consulted.

No response required.


September 2003


Page 106


Dates and Time




Project affected persons at: Mukindi and Botaland

Mar 2003 Village meeting Sensitization for valuation of land, crops and socio-economic survey

No issues raised. Population invited to meetings on valuation of land and crops to ensure compensation process is fair and equitable. This process is addressed in the Compensation Action Plan.

Where and how will waste be disposed of.

See sections 8.2.3, 8.3.7, 9.2.7 and 9.3.6 on waste

Consultation with affected persons.

See Compensation Action Plan, and section 6 of this document.

Compensation for affected persons.

See section 8.3.1 of this document and Compensation Action Plan.

Sensitization of the people and workers on HIV/AIDS prevention.

See sections 8.2.2 and 8.3.2 on raising awareness of the prevention of HIV/AIDS.

Impact on climate change. Air pollution and what measures

would be employed to reduce pollution.

See section 9.2.1 on air quality.

Surveys to identify environmental impacts.

See chapters 8-10.

Project affected persons at: Mokundange, Bobende and Ngeme

Mar 2003 Village meeting Sensitization for valuation of land, crops and socio-economic survey

AES-SONEL’s commitment to environmental management.

See section 11 on AES-SONEL’s commitment to environmental management.

NGOs Apr 2003 Presentation and questions and answer session

Presentation on the details of the project

Good cooperation of all concerned.

All survey works and valuation of land and crops have been completed and signed by all members of the Compensation Commission.

DO/ Sub-commissions of survey, land, and crops valuation,

Apr 2003

Consultation as part of field work for compensation in

Survey, valuation of land and crops by the survey team, land valuation team, and crops valuation team

Lack of land owners in the field to undertake the compensation valuation of land and crops indicated insufficient sensitization

All survey works and valuation of land and crops have been completed and signed by all members of the Compensation


September 2003


Page 107


Dates and Time




socio-economic survey team, Local Chief and affected persons at Botaland and Moukindi

Botaland and Mokindi

at these villages. Commission. Additional meeting held to

finalise the reference number of the different plots for land and crops.

DO/ Sub-commissions for land and crops valuation, socio-economic team, Local Chief and affected persons at Ngeme and Bobende

Apr 2003 Consultation as part of field work for compensation in Ngeme and Bobende


Lack of land owners in the field to undertake the compensation valuation of land and crops indicated insufficient sensitization at these villages

All works of survey and valuation of land and crops have been completed and signed by all members of the Compensation Commission.

Additional meeting held to finalise the reference number of the different plots for land and crops.

DO/ Sub-commissions for land and crops valuation, Local Chief and affected persons at Mokoundange, Chantier Naval and SONARA area

Apr 2003 Consultation as part of field work in Mokoundange, Chantier Naval and SONARA area


- AES-SONEL team contacted each affected persons individually by visiting them in their homes and work places. This approach has been positive in engaging support and interest in the LPP.

DO/ Sub-commissions for land and crops valuation and AES, Local Chief and affected persons at Cape Limboh, SONARA

May 2003 Consultation as part of field work for compensation. Radio announcements to encourage land and crop owners to be in the field for the survey work

Sensitization of people in Cape Limboh of the LPP. Survey, valuation of land and crops by the survey team, land valuation team, and crops valuation team.

Insufficient sensitisation was identified as a problem due to the lack of land owners in the field to undertake the compensation valuation of land and crops.

AES decided to undertake further sensitization in May 2003, so that all affected persons would be available to complete the surveys and valuation.


September 2003


Page 108


Dates and Time




DO/ Sub-commissions for land and crops valuation, Local Chief and affected persons at Mile 2

Apr 2003 Consultation as part of field work for compensation in Mile 02


This survey work was successful in engaging local land and crop owners at Mile 2.

The line corridor has been surveyed to permit the counting and valuation of CDC palm trees. The form has been signed by the members of the sub-commissions.

DO/ Sub-commissions for land and crops valuation and AES

May 2003 Radio announcement was undertaken at Mile 2

To further sensitize land and crop owners in order to survey, valuation of land and crops by the survey team, land valuation team, and crops valuation team following further sensitization.

- -


September 2003


Page 109

7 IMPACT ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY

7.1 INTRODUCTION

Chapter 7 outlines the methodology for the impact assessment. This chapter also provides compliance screening of the project against the IFC and EIB requirements and consistency with International Treaties and Conventions ratified by Cameroon.

Chapters 8-10 address the environmental impacts, mitigation measures and residual impacts associated with the Limbe Power Project (LPP), as follows:

Chapter 8 Impacts and mitigation measures during Construction Chapter 9 Impacts and mitigation measures during Operation Chapter 10 Impacts and mitigation measures during Decommissioning.

Each chapter considers the impacts of the power generation plant site (and new substation) and the transmission line site separately. Chapter 11 presents a summary of the environmental impacts and mitigation measures. It also presents the Environmental Action Plan, which records those activities that are required as mitigation, as well as monitoring requirements, and the responsibilities for implementing these measures.

7.2 METHODOLOGY

In line with standard environmental impact assessment (EIA) practice and the funding consortium’s guidelines, the environmental assessment covers the direct effects and any indirect, secondary cumulative, short, medium and long-term, permanent and temporary, positive and negative effects of the development during construction, operation and decommissioning. The likely significance of the impact is based on the following:

(a) the identification and prediction of the magnitude of any impact on a receptor (e.g.

human beings, community facilities etc) or environmental resource (elements of the existing natural or built environment which are essential, or of value, to the functioning of human or natural systems) as a result of the project, and

(b) the identification of the importance (/sensitivity) of that receptor or environmental

resource.

The overall significance of the impact is determined using Table 7.1.

Table 7.1 Methodology for assessing the significance of an impact

Implications of significance rating: High

A serious impact which, if not mitigated, is potentially sufficient by itself to prevent the implementation of the project.

Medium

An important impact which requires mitigation. The impact is insufficient by itself to prevent the implementation of the project but which in conjunction with other impacts may prevent its implementation.

Low

An acceptable impact which for which mitigation is desirable but not essential; the impact by itself is insufficient even in combination with other low impacts to prevent construction.


September 2003


Page 110

I M P O R T A N C E O F R E C E P T O R O R R E S O U R C E

High 5

4

Medium 3

2

Low 1

High 5

HIGH

4

Medium 3

MEDIUM

2

EX

TE

NT

(M

AG

NI

TU

DE

)

OF

I

MP

AC

T

Low 1

LOW

7.3 KEY ISSUES

The impacts of the new substation have been considered alongside the impacts at the power plant site. The impacts related to the modifications of the existing substation at Limbe, where significant, are considered with the transmission line impacts. Due to the minor scale of the works required at this site and to the location of the works within an AES-SONEL substation, it is anticipated that these works will have minimal impacts.

Table 7.2 sets out the key project issues that have been identified based on consultation and as a result of the environmental impact assessment process, including the outcome of specialist surveys. Each of the key issues, and other potential impacts, is addressed in the subsequent chapters to the EIS. Following on from the evaluation of impacts, measures to avoid, minimise and mitigate key potential environmental impacts that could result from construction, operation and decommissioning activities of the projects have been identified. The mitigation measures proposed to minimise environmental impacts have been separated into those that are specified in the Design Specifications and those that have been identified as part of the EIA process. The contractors will be required to implement the measures proposed in this EIS; this will be agreed as part of their contracts. As such, the mitigation measures identified in this EIS have been written in such a way to facilitate transfer into contract documentation. An evaluation of the residual, i.e. remaining, impacts after implementation of the mitigation measures has also been undertaken.

Table 7.2 Summary of key impacts of the Limbe Power Project

Phase of project Power generation plant and

associated step-up substation site Transmission line site

Construction phase Traffic and Transport Socio-economic and local

community impacts Waste Noise

Resettlement and compensation

Socio-economic and local community impacts


September 2003


Page 111

Phase of project Power generation plant and associated step-up substation site

Transmission line site

Air quality Soils Water quality and resources Public and occupational health

and safety

Traffic and transport Soils Public and occupational

health and safety Noise Air quality Waste Water quality and

resources Operation phase Socio-economic and local

community impacts Air quality Wastes Noise Water quality and resources Landscape and visual impact Public and occupational health

and safety


Land use Public and occupational

health and safety Landscape and visual

impact

Decommissioning phase General decommissioning activities: Traffic and transport Air quality and noise Public and occupational health

and safety Wastes

General decommissioning activities: Traffic and transport Air quality and noise Public and occupational

health and safety Wastes

7.4 COMPLIANCE SCREENING

7.4.1 Compliance with Cameroon laws, policies and regulations

Table 7.3 sets out the compliance of the project will the main Cameroonian laws, and associated decrees, that are relevant to the LPP.

Table 7.3 Compliance of the LPP with Cameroon laws, policies and regulations

Law

Compliance status and rationale

The Regulation of the Electricity Industry (‘Electricity Act’), Law No 98/022 of 24 December 1998 and relevant associated decrees

Complies: the Limbe Power Project has been undertaken in accordance with relevant legislation to which AES-SONEL must adhere to.

Relating to Environmental Management Law No 96/012 of 5 August 1996, and relevant associated decrees

Complies: an Environmental Impact Assessment has been undertaken for this project, in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Management Law.

Relating to code on working conditions, Law No 92/007 of 14 August 1992

Complies: Contractors shall be required to adhere to all Cameroon laws and regulations relating to working conditions. This will be specified in their contracts.

Relating to establishments classified as dangerous, unhealthy or obnoxious Law No 98/015 of 14 July 1998

Complies: an Environmental Impact Assessment has been undertaken for this project, in accordance with the requirements of this Law.

Concerning regulations governing water management, Law No 98/005 of 14 April 1998, and relevant associated

Complies: the contractors will be required to undertake all necessary precautions to protect surface waters, including provisions during construction and


September 2003


Page 112

Law

Compliance status and rationale

decrees. operation to avoid contamination of water resources. This will be specified in their contracts. Aqueous wastes will comply with World Bank standards.

Order No 039/MTS/INI, Regulates general occupational health and safety

Complies: Contractors will be required to prepare Health and Safety Plans prior to construction on site. Operation and maintenance manuals will be produced in English and French for operation of the plant. AES-SONEL will undertake all works in accordance with their Health, Safety and Environment procedures.

7.4.2 Compliance with International Finance Corporation policies and procedures

The applicable IFC policies and a brief statement indicating the overall project compliance (for the generation plant and the transmission line) with each policy are provided in Table 7.4. FMO indicated that they would review the EIA process on the basis of the guidelines set by the World Bank/IFC.

Table 7.4 Compliance of the LPP with the IFC Safeguard Policies and Guidelines

Safeguard Policy Compliance status and rationale

OP 4.01 Environment Assessment

Complies: An environmental assessment has been undertaken in accordance with the requirements for a Category A project. This has been undertaken in liaison with the IFC.

Natural habitats OP4.04

Complies: A walkover ecological survey of the power plant site and transmission line route has indicated that there are no species or habitats of conservation value.

Pest Management OP4.09

Complies: No significant pest management activities will be undertaken. Clearance of vegetation for the wayleave of the transmission line will be undertaken manually. No chemical or biological treatment will be used.

Forestry OP4.36

There are no areas of forest at or adjacent to the power generation plant site or the transmission line route, therefore not applicable.

Safety of Dams OP4.37

Not applicable.

International Waterways OP7.50

Not applicable.

Indigenous Peoples OD4.20

Complies: No indigenous peoples, according to the definition used in OD4.20, are to be affected by the LPP. This has been confirmed through the household surveys undertaken by Limbe Botanical and Zoological Gardens (see section 4.2.1) as part of the compensation process, and is reported in full in the Compensation Action Plan.

Involuntary Resettlement OD4.30

Complies: a Compensation Action Plan (separate volume) has been prepared which sets out the methodology for undertaking compensation for affected persons along the transmission line route. No structures will be affected by clearance of the wayleave. Affected persons owning land and/or crops will be compensated at fair market or replacement value. A household survey has been undertaken to determine impact of loss on project affected persons, and to identify appropriate methods to mitigate impacts. There are no affected persons at the power plant site as the land is


September 2003


Page 113

Safeguard Policy Compliance status and rationale currently vacant.

Cultural Property OPN11.03

Complies: there are no sites of cultural property either within or directly adjacent to the power plant site (section 4.2.5). There is a single grave within the wayleave of the transmission line; measures will be taken to ensure that no damage occurs to this grave as a result of clearance of the wayleave or construction of the transmission line (section 8.3.12).

Child and Forced Labour Policy statement

Complies: No child or forced labour will be used as part of the LPP. This will be stipulated in contractors contracts.

Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook: Thermal Power - guidelines for new plants

Complies: the emissions guidelines have been taken into account in the design of the LPP. The compliance with these guidelines is discussed in Chapters 8 and 9 of this document.

Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines for Electric Power Transmission and Distribution

Complies: The Right-of-Way alignment has been such to minimise environmental and social impact, and land acquisition is being undertaken in accordance with resettlement guidelines (see Involuntary Resettlement above). The contractors will be responsible for producing a construction Health and Safety Plan. AES-SONEL will produce an operational Health and Safety Manual for the new plant and associated equipment, based on existing AES-SONEL Health and Safety policy. This manual will take due regard of the guidelines set out in this document.

General Health and Safety Guidelines

Complies: The contractors will be responsible for producing a construction Health and Safety Plan. AES-SONEL will produce an operational Health and Safety Manual for the new plant and associated equipment, based on existing AES-SONEL Health and Safety policy. This manual will take due regard of the guidelines set out in this document. AES-SONEL is also in the process of drafting a business Environmental and Social Management System, which will have procedures which are applicable to the LPP.

7.4.3 EIB compliance

The EIB requires that the project is undertaken in accordance with the European Union EIA Directive and specific EIB guidance on environmental assessment. This project has been undertaken in such a manner to comply with the:

EIB Environmental Statement document EIB Environmental Procedures document.

The compliance of the LPP with specific legislative requirements is addressed under the relevant issue in Chapters 8-10.

7.4.4 Compliance with international treaties

The compliance of the project with international treaties is set out in Table 7.5.

Table 7.5 Compliance of the LPP with international treaties International Convention Compliance status

The Convention on Climate Change (Rio de Janeiro, 1992)

The burning of HFO will result in the emission of gases, including carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is controlled by the plant’s efficiency and fuel used. Annual emissions of


September 2003


Page 114

International Convention Compliance status carbon dioxide have been calculated and are provided in Appendix H.

The Convention on Biological Diversity (Rio de Janeiro, 1992)

Complies: the project does not result in the loss of habitat or species of high conservation value.

The African Convention on Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (Algiers, 1968)

Complies: Full consideration was given to ecological, as well as economic and social factors in the formulation of the LPP. The route of the transmission line has been optimized to reduce its impact on the environment and on people.

The Bamako Convention (1991) Complies: the design of the project, including the technology used to reduce air emissions, has been such to ensure that there is no importation, sale or transportation of toxic and dangerous wastes.

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (1987)

Complies: the LPP will not produce or emit ozone-depleting compounds.


September 2003


Page 115

8 CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES

8.1 INTRODUCTION

Chapter 8 considers the environmental impacts of the LPP during construction. It addresses potential impacts on all resources and receptors so that the scale of overall impact of the project can be elicited. The chapter has been separated into:

Power generation plant impacts - those impacts associated specifically with the

power plant and associated structures, and new substation at the plant site. Transmission line impacts - those impacts associated specifically with the

transmission line and connection into the existing substation at Limbe.

8.2 POWER GENERATION PLANT SITE


8.2.1.1 Potential impacts

Potential impacts on traffic and transport during construction will arise as a result of additional traffic movements associated with the transportation of equipment to the plant site, from workforce movements to and from the site and as a result of the removal of wastes from the site. Impacts can occur in the form of: Disruption of transport links, including delays and congestion brought about by an

increase in overall traffic numbers due to construction traffic movements. Conflict with other road users, including pedestrians and public transport (buses,

taxis, etc.) as a result of delivery of equipment and plant to the site. Specific annoyance due to additional heavy goods vehicle movements.

Localised disruption as a result of the construction of new roads.

Risk of accidents along delivery roads and on the site.

8.2.1.2 Approach to assessment

No Cameroonian standards or World Bank guidelines with respect to assessing the significance of changes in traffic flow on road networks have been identified. In order to assess the potential impact of traffic if roads were used to transport the equipment to the site, a traffic survey was undertaken between February and April 2003 to: Assess baseline traffic flows (i.e. those which would occur in the absence of the

proposed development); Identify sensitive receptors along potential transport routes;

Identify roads and bridges in poor condition;

Identify periods during which deliveries should be avoided.

The scope of works for the traffic survey is provided in Appendix E.


September 2003


Page 116

The baseline traffic flows were then compared to the traffic flows predicted to occur as a result of the movement of vehicles associated with the construction of the plant site. The significance of this impact was based on: the anticipated increase in traffic during construction, the type of construction traffic, and whether there are sensitive receptors such as schools and residential properties along the potential transport routes.

8.2.1.3 Baseline traffic flows

The results of the traffic survey are provided in Appendix E. The roads leading from the Port of Douala to the proposed power plant site were divided into sections to undertake the traffic survey; a map indicating each section, and the location of the traffic survey points, is provided in the Appendix E. The road conditions and sensitive receptors along each survey section are provided in Table 4.2 and the results of the traffic survey counts are provided in Figure 8.1. The road surfaces along the majority of the roads from Douala to the project site are in good condition. Survey sections identified as in poor condition and as significantly congested were: Section B-B1, Market junction to Roundabout 4 Section D-D1, Roundabout Deido to Wouri bridge Section E-E1, Wouri Bridge Section F-F1, Bonaberi Old Street Section F-F2, Bonaberi New Street.

As Figure 8.1 shows, the main traffic on roads is motorbikes and cars. The majority of the larger vehicle movements such as coaches and HGVs occur in and around Douala and Bonaberi (A-A1, E-E1 and F-F1 and F2). In general, more traffic was recorded during weekdays than at weekends, although the difference between these two periods was only noticeable at section D-D1 and G-G1.

8.2.1.4 Impact assessment

Consultation with Wartsila (the power plant contractor) (May 2003) indicated that approx. 100 HGV movements would be required to transport the generation plant and other heavy/bulky equipment to the power plant site; this will take place over a period of approx. one week. In addition, there will be general construction-related traffic, in particular associated with the civil works at the site. The total construction period on site is approx. 10 months. The contractor is required by the Design Specification to identify a preferred route to deliver equipment to the site. Details are not currently available on the likely delivery route; options include the delivery to Douala Port and then road transport to the site, delivery by ship to the Port of Limbe and then delivery by road to the site or delivery by ship to the port facilities at SONARA or a site nearby. However, there are currently no docking and unloading facilities in Limbe or at the SONARA port. Delivery by railway is not an option as there are no rail networks between the ports and the site. The impact assessment considers the potential effect of delivery of the plant and equipment to the Port at Douala and subsequent delivery by road transportation as a result of approx. 100 HGV movements within one week; potential impacts are set out in Table 8.1.


September 2003


Page 117

Table 8.1 Potential impacts as a result of road delivery from Douala to the project site

Survey section

Main impacts Significance of impact before

mitigation

Key recommendations

A-A1 Temporary increase in traffic in area associated with significant traffic movements to and from the Port

Low -

B-B1 Additional congestion if roadworks are still underway

Medium Confirm roadworks are complete before use of this road; if they are not, consider alternative route

C-C1 Temporary increase in traffic Low - D-D1 Increase in congestion, especially in

vicinity of petrol stations Potential impact on poor road condition

High Avoid delivery during rush hours

E-E1 Increase in congestion Potential impact on poor road condition

High Alternative routes to the site e.g. sea should be considered

F-F1 Increase in congestion Potential impact on poor road condition Potential impact on safety due to small businesses located close to edge of road

High Route should be avoided

F-F2 Increase in congestion Potential impact on safety due to small businesses located close to edge of road

Medium Road in better condition compared to F-F1, therefore recommended route through Bonaberi

G-G1 Increase in congestion Medium Avoid delivery during rush hour

H-H1 No major impacts identified Low - I-I1 No major impacts identified Low Avoid delivery during

Church hours J-J1 No major impacts identified Low Avoid delivery during

school and Church hours K-K1 Potential safety impacts due to

location of schools Increase in traffic at this site over a longer period as provides main access to the site

Medium Presentation to schools on road safety Avoidance of delivery to the site during the hours that the schools start and finish

Access road to the site

Disruption and safety impact on local residents along access road

Medium Speed restrictions on vehicles using the access road

Most traffic will occur around the project site, where the roads are in good condition and relatively wide. The main sensitive receptors between Limbe substation and the project site (K-K1) are the schools and pedestrians along the main road. Without mitigation measures, the impact on public safety could be significant. Approx. 600m of new track will need to be constructed to extend the existing access track to the new power plant site; this will have minimal impact on existing traffic as a result of increased movement of construction vehicles to construct the track.


September 2003


Page 118

The contractor has commissioned an independent survey of transportation to the site. This identified the following: Two bridges out of 14 between Douala and Limbe cannot take the spread load of

road convoys; Existing berth facilities at SONARA are not adequate to receive heavy loads; The head clearance of roads between Douala and Limbe is limited to a maximum of

5m. The survey recommended that a Roll on Roll off (RoRo) facility using a floating pontoon at a military-owned site be used. This site is approx. 800m from the power plant site. As Table 8.1 indicates, delivery of heavy equipment to a port in the vicinity of the plant site will significantly reduce the impacts associated road traffic between Douala and Limbe. This will still result in short term local impacts on traffic and potential impacts on sensitive receptors in the vicinity of the power plant site.

8.2.1.5 Mitigation measures

The contractor is required as part of the Design Specification to undertake the following mitigation measures:

Identify a preferred route to deliver equipment to the power generation plant site.

The preferred route will be agreed with AES-SONEL prior to any deliveries. Advise AES-SONEL of the movement of abnormal loads and provide full details of

such loads to AES-SONEL. In addition to the above, the contractor will be required to prepare a Traffic Method Statement (TMS). This statement will: Identify the preferred route to the site, taking into consideration the results of the

traffic survey results as set out above; Detail the delivery schedule of HGVs and other significant traffic movements; Identify any significant environmental impacts associated with the preferred route; Outline the mitigation measures to be undertaken, taking into account measures set

out in the EIS and local Cameroon legislation; Details method for implementation of the TMS.

The TMS will be approved by AES-SONEL prior to delivery of equipment to the site. It is recommended that heavier equipment be delivered to a site closer to the construction site to minimise impacts on road traffic in and around Douala. However, if road transportation is used from Douala Port to the power plant site, the following sections should be avoided: Roadworks at B-B1 F-F1 (Bonaberi Old Street).

To minimise disturbance and damage at the power plant site

The following mitigation measures will be implemented:


September 2003


Page 119

AES-SONEL has undertaken consultation with power plant stakeholders to inform

them of project details. A further consultation meeting will be undertaken by AES-SONEL following publication of the EIS and prior to the start of significant deliveries to the site.

The contractor will restrict delivery hours of HGVs along the access route to the

plant site to daylight hours to minimise disturbance to residents, unless otherwise agree with AES-SONEL.

The contractor will designate speed limits on all traffic accessing and egressing the

site and along the access road to the site. To avoid the risk of accidents

The following mitigation measures will be implemented: The contractor will avoid delivery of HGVs in the vicinity of the two schools at Mile

2 and the school at Ngeme village between the hours of 6:30 – 7:30 and 14:30 – 15:30, unless otherwise agreed with AES-SONEL.

The contractor will restrict deliveries of HGVs to daytime hours along unlit roads,

unless otherwise agreed by AES-SONEL. The contractor will develop procedures for on-site traffic movement and parking at

the site. The contractor will arrange for the training and testing of heavy equipment operators

and drivers, with records kept of all training. The contractor will erect warning signs along all access roads also used by the

general public, and by the two schools at Mile 2 and the school at Ngeme. AES-SONEL will arrange for a presentation about traffic safety to be given to

school staff and students at the two schools at Mile 2 and the school at Ngeme. The contractor should arrange to be present at this presentation.

To mitigate the construction of new road: The contractor is required as part of the Design Specification to undertake the following mitigation measures: Permanent roads will be designed and constructed to comply with the requirements

of the local highways authority. Design loads will take into account of the abnormal and heavy loads which occur during power station construction and operation.

Road markings and signs will be in accordance with relevant Cameroon standards.

8.2.1.6 Residual impacts

The mitigation measures proposed above will be incorporated into all contract documentation. If the equipment requiring HGVs are delivered by road from Douala, the residual impact on traffic will be of medium significance during the delivery period, as will the impact associated with periods of the construction that also require


September 2003


Page 120

significant traffic movements. Delivery of equipment by HGV from a port or landing facility closer to the plant would significantly reduce the impact on traffic and transport between Douala and Limbe. The main impact in the study area itself will be along section K-K1 between Limbe substation and the power plant site as this is the only road access to the site.

8.2.2 Socio-economic and local community impacts


Construction activities can potentially have a positive socio-economic impact by the provision of temporary employment opportunities and an improvement in local economies generated by an increased demand for local goods and services.

Conversely, construction activities can also have a negative impact on local communities through the impact of an influx of construction workers, which may place pressure on local resources, affect social dynamics and culture, and exacerbate health problems, etc.


The assessment of the significance of the positive or negative impact on socio-economics is based on the number of workers likely to be employed, where these workers are recruited from, their cultural background and the period over which new workers will be in the area and thus potentially improve or put undue pressure on local resources.

Although exact details of the construction workforce are not available at present, consultation with the contractor (Wartsila) indicates that Cameroon sub-consultants and people from the local area will be used where skills permit to undertake construction works at the power plant site. It is likely that up to 350 staff from Cameroon will be employed temporarily during the construction period, in jobs such as transportation, electrical work and civil and mechanical works. This will provide significant benefits in terms of temporary employment opportunities. This will also have a positive knock on effect on the local economy through the purchase of local foodstuffs and goods by the temporary construction workforce throughout the construction period (approx. 11 months). The significance of these benefits will depend on the number of national as opposed to local workforce numbers employed and consequent likely increase in the demand for products. Although a workforce of 350 would represent a significant temporary influx to the small villages in the vicinity of the power plant site, it is likely that a significant proportion of the temporary workforce would be employed locally. Furthermore, as temporary staff will be required for a number of different jobs, the 350 workforce will be required throughout the duration of the construction period (approx. 11 months) and not at any one time, thus reducing the overall impact on local resources and on local communities. With any influx of temporary workers there is a significant risk of spreading HIV/AIDS; specific measures will need to be undertaken by the contractor to minimise this risk.


To maximise employment opportunities, the following mitigation measures will be implemented:


September 2003


Page 121

The contractor should ensure that local people are employed where skills permit.

The contractor will be required to prepare a statement of intent detailing: how local employment opportunities will be addressed and the procedure for application for jobs.

Local Chiefs have been advised by AES-SONEL to prepare a list of people

available, and their skills, for construction employment opportunities. The contractor will be responsible for liaison with local Chiefs to obtain this information.

The contractor will ensure that no child labour is used, in accordance with the IFC

policy (Table 2.7).

To minimise the pressure on local resources and local communities due to influx of construction workers, the contractor is required as part of the Design Specification to undertake the following mitigation measures:

To be responsible for arranging and providing all living accommodation, services

and amenities required by his employees.

In addition, the following mitigation measures will be undertaken: The contractor should seek to secure accommodation for temporary workforces at

the AES-SONEL training centre at Ombe. If further accommodation is required the contractor should prepare a brief statement

of their intended accommodation plans for temporary workforce, to be agreed with AES-SONEL.

The contractor should make provision for local residents to benefit from selling the

workforce food and other services such as laundry, transport, retail goods etc. wherever possible.

To ensure that local levels of HIV/AIDS are not exacerbated, the contractor will

brief employees on health risks. This should be included as an action within the Health & Safety Plan prepared by the contractor.


The mitigation measures proposed will be included in the contractor’s contract. As a result of the mitigation measures proposed overall it is considered that there will be a minor temporary negative impact on local resources as a result of the influx of temporary workers. Moreover, the measures will have a positive impact of medium significance as they will result in the employment of local workers and indirectly will have a positive effect on the local economy through the consumption of local foodstuffs and other materials and services. No new roads or accesses will be opened up, and the areas surrounding the LPP site are cultivated lands, therefore the problems of increasing bushmeat hunting that may occur in more remote regions as a result of an influx of workers is not considered to be a significant issue for the LPP.


September 2003


Page 122

8.2.3 Wastes


The following wastes are likely to be generated at the power generation plant site:

Clearance and excavation wastes: clearance of site vegetation and removal of soils, inert construction materials and residues, spoil, etc.

General construction wastes: reject and excess material, drainage from wastewater

and site run-off, containers etc. Hazardous wastes: The power plant site was identified as being used occasionally

for rifle practice so there may be some unexpended riffle ammunition at this site. Other hazardous wastes may result from spillages from construction equipment.

Other wastes: from offices, food preparation wastes, sanitation etc.

8.2.3.2 Assessment of impacts

The largest volume of waste will be generated as a result of the excavation of the site for the foundations of the plant, ancillary equipment and the substation, resulting in the generation of approximately 6500m3 of excavated material. It is the intention of the contractor to reuse excavated wastes on site wherever possible, for example through the filling of the earthworks around the tank yard (2500m3), thus minimising the impact of wastes generated. Details of the intended disposal of the remaining wastes are not currently available from the contractor. It is therefore possible that some wastes may be removed from the site. Due to the nature of the site and the works to be undertaken, general construction wastes and hazardous wastes are predicted to be low. Septic tanks will be installed on the site for the construction period. During the civil works, the period when the largest workforce numbers will be on site, it is possible that these tanks could supply a workforce of up to 350 people, although this total number is unlikely to occur at any one time during this period. Sewage wastes will be removed from the site and disposed of in an appropriate manner by an approved contractor. In addition, there may be some unexpended riffle ammunition at this site which would need to be removed prior to the start of construction on site. However, given the size of firing range (Photo 4.1) it is unlikely that this will result in a significant impact.


The contractor is required by the Design Specification to undertake the following mitigation measures:

Before earthworks commence at the power plant site, the site will be thoroughly

inspected by the contractor and any ammunition found shall be disposed of in an appropriate manner, to be agreed with AES-SONEL or his representative.

The contractor will be responsible for ensuring that all waste arising from the works

is deposited, treated, kept, disposed of and carried in accordance with the provisions of relevant national and local environmental protection acts and also in accordance with any additional instructions decreed by AES-SONEL.


September 2003


Page 123

The burning of waste will not be permitted.

The contractor will ensure that only a waste carried conversant with the above will

transport all waste arising from the Works. For the control of substances hazardous to health, no dangerous or noxious waste

products, chemicals or materials will be disposed of, on or off the site without the approval of the appropriate authorities. The contractor will be responsible for the disposal of all normal, hazardous or controlled waste in a manner strictly in accordance with current legislation and any consent given to AES-SONEL or the contractor by the relevant authority.

In addition, the following mitigation measures will be implemented: The contractor will ensure that waste arising are kept to a minimum and are re-used

on site where appropriate.

No waste other than inert waste will be disposed of on site, at the approval of AES-SONEL.

No solid or liquid waste will be disposed of directly to a watercourse or to the sea. The contractor will be required to have and to promote a policy of a clean worksite

and good disposal practices, with advice and training available to its workforce achieve this.


With the adoption of the above mitigation measures, the impacts of wastes generated during the construction of the power plant site are predicted to be of low significance.

8.2.4 Noise


During construction, activities such as the use of equipment, the preparation of the site and traffic movements have the potential to generate noise impacts.

8.2.4.2 Assessment methodology

To assess the impact of construction activities at the power plant site, an impact assessment was undertaken by Spectrum Acoustic Consultants (Appendix I). The following presents a summary of this assessment. In order to assess the environmental noise impact of a proposed industrial development, it is generally accepted that predicted noise levels from the development need to be compared with existing background levels at particularly sensitive residential locations close to the site. A preliminary noise survey undertaken by consultants EES reported that the properties that will be most affected by noise from the proposed power plant are:


September 2003


Page 124

Location A Guesthouse approximately 650m NW of the centre of the proposed power plant. The land rises, then drops between Location A and the proposed site, thereby providing significant acoustic screening between the site and this receptor. Location B Residential properties approximately 900m NW of the centre of the proposed power plant. The land drops between the residences and the site, and it is assumed there is no significant acoustic screening between the site and this receptor. There are other commercial and residential properties in the area, but these are a greater distance and/or more acoustically screened from the proposed site than the above. Sample results of the background noise survey at Locations A and B from the preliminary noise survey undertaken by EES are given in Appendix I for reference, and derived typical background (LA90) noise levels for each area are summarised in Table 8.2.

Table 8.2 Representative background noise levels derived from background noise survey (dB re 2 x 10-5 Pa) sample background noise levels at Locations A and B

Location Representative Background Noise Level (LA90)

A 46 dB B 45 dB


Noise generation during the construction process is inevitable. However, with the nearest housing being approximately 650m from the site, the impact of construction activity on residents is likely to be small, particularly as the noisier activities are likely to be confined to the daytime. To provide information on potential construction work noise levels, Table 8.3 gives predictions of noise levels at the nearest sensitive residential location based upon data contained in British Standard BS5228: Noise Control on Construction and Open sites. Predicted construction activity noise levels at other residential locations around the site will typically be lower than those shown in Table 8.3 due to increased distance and/or screening.

Table 8.3 Predicted noise levels from some construction activities at housing (dB re 2 x 10-5Pa) (Location A)

Construction Activity Activity LAeq (10m)

Distance Attenuation

(650m)

Screening Correction

LAeq at Position 1

Clearing Site, Excavation and Construction

Tracked Loaders 80 -36 -5 39 Tracked Excavators 87 -36 -5 46 Dossiers 92 -36 -5 51 Dump Trucks 81 -36 -5 40


September 2003


Page 125

Construction Activity Activity

LAeq (10m)

Distance Attenuation

(650m)

Screening Correction

LAeq at Position 1

Concrete pump 83 -36 -5 42 Diesel Generator 74 -36 -5 33 17m3/min compressor 90 -36 -5 49

Typical acceptability criteria LAeq(12 hour)

65-70

The above calculations include a correction for acoustic screening offered by the land between the proposed site and Location A. During the noisiest phases of the project, the noise level is likely to be no greater than an Leq (12 hour) of 44 dB(A), with a maximum Leq (5 mins) of 54 dB(A), from all sources, at the nearest residential properties. Such construction noise levels should not significantly impact upon pre-existing daytime ambient LAeq levels, due to current noise predominantly from road traffic.

8.2.4.4 Mitigation measures The contractor is required by the Design Specification to undertake the following mitigation measures: All construction equipment will meet the specifications for noise suppression

required by local regulations and standards, the World Bank Group and EU regulations, and be well maintained by the contractor.

The contractor will undertake noise monitoring at the sensitive receptors once during

commissioning with engines at full load to test that noise levels of the plant are compliant with the design specification. The contractor is required to take such measures as are required to assure that noise levels are within the specified standards.

In addition, the following mitigation measures will be implemented: The contractor will be required to ensure that construction activities do not cause

significant noise nuisance impacts, as measured by the number of complaints received.

The contractor will restrict the movement of noisy vehicles to daytime hours, except where otherwise agreed with AES-SONEL.

The contractor will limit noisy activities to daytime periods only, except where otherwise agreed with AES-SONEL.


With the adoption of the above mitigation measures, the impacts of noise generated during the construction of the power plant site are likely to be minimal.

8.2.5 Air quality


Dust and air borne contaminants


September 2003


Page 126

The use of construction equipment and vehicles will result in the emission of dust and fugitive emissions, and contaminants adhering to dust particles. These may arise from:

On-site earth-moving operations for foundations and excavation; Use of construction equipment; Vehicles movement over bare ground in dry weather; Dust being blown off vehicles and spillage from vehicles; Wind blowing over bare ground within and adjacent to the construction site.

Odour

The use of construction equipment and vehicles will result in the emission of dust and fugitive emissions and contaminants from construction plant and vehicles that may give rise to odour.


The potential for dust to be emitted during construction is strongly dependent on the type of activities taking place, on wind speed and on whether winds carry emitted particles towards sensitive receptors, such as residential properties. The proposed plant site has been selected to minimise the impact on sensitive receptors. The nearest sensitive receptors to the power plant site are the guesthouse and the SONARA athletic club approx. 650m to the north west of the site. Residential properties along the access road are approx. 900m to the north west of the site (Figure 4.2). Dust and air borne contaminants

Construction traffic will result in the production of emissions of NOx, PM10, hydrocarbons and CO2. The magnitude of the emissions will depend on the number and type of vehicles used; details of the type of construction traffic are not currently available. There is also the potential for the emission of fugitive gases (notably volatile organize compounds (VOCs) and methane (CH4) from the use of equipment at the site during construction. The dominant wind direction is from the south west; there may be some limited dust and air borne contaminants blown in the direction of the SONARA residential properties to the north west of the site. However, all these properties are separated from the proposed plant site by bushes and trees, which will act as a barrier to dust and air-bourne contaminants. The emissions from construction activities may, however, have a temporary adverse impact by covering this vegetation, especially during dry weather. The main air quality nuisance is likely to arise from the movement of traffic along the access road in the vicinity of the residential properties. It is estimated that approximately 100 HGV movements to the site will take place during a period of approx. one week to deliver the plant units and associated equipment to the site. There will also be a number of movements of vehicles to and from the site during the civil works (approximately 5 months duration). Emissions from construction vehicles and construction equipment will be short term and temporary in nature; the impact of these emissions is expected to be insignificant.


September 2003


Page 127

Odour

There are unlikely to be any significant odours from the construction of the power generation plant.


The contractor is required by the Design Specification to undertake the following mitigation measures: The contractor will take precautions to keep all existing and new temporary and

permanent roadways clear of any spillage from construction traffic. Any such spillage, including excessive earth or any other materials brought in on the wheels to tracks of site vehicles or traffic, should be cleared immediately.

In addition, the following mitigation measures will be implemented: The contractor will maintain construction equipment in good running condition.

When practical, engines should be switched off when not in use. Where appropriate, the contractor will enforce a maximum speed limit over all

unmade surfaces. Where appropriate, the contractor will cover loads of friable material during

transportation. Where appropriate, the contractor will manage stockpiles to limit erosion and

emissions of dust. Where practicable, site roads and construction vehicle tyres will be wetted to reduce

dust generation. A washing bay with appropriate drainage will be provided for this purpose.


With the adoption of the above mitigation measures, the impacts on air quality generated during the construction of the power plant site are predicted to be minimal.

8.2.6 Soils


The preparation of the power plant site could have an adverse impact on soils through topsoil compaction, rutting and mixing as a result of:

excavation of the site for civil works; and the movement of equipment on site during construction.

Contamination of soils may also arise through the spillage of lubricants, oils and machine fuel during construction activities.



September 2003


Page 128

The main impact on soils will be as a result of the excavation of the site for the foundations of the site; approximately 6500m3 of soil and rock will be excavated for this purpose. The superficial soils are fairly shallow and these are volcanic in origin (section 4.3.2) so are not soils sensitive to disturbance. The impact on soils during construction is therefore anticipated to be insignificant. The potential risk of contamination of soils as a result of spillages, especially those associated with refuelling may be high if not controlled.


To minimise the impact on soils, the following mitigation measures will be implemented:

The contractor will be responsible for ensuring that construction activities are

restricted to designated work areas to avoid damage and disturbance outside of the power plant site.

Existing access roads will be used to reach the sites wherever available.

The contractor will strip and store topsoil separately from subsoil.

To minimise the potential contamination of soils, the following mitigation measures will be implemented: The contractor will locate temporary storage tanks on impervious bases and will use

drip trays during refuelling of equipment.

The contractor will have available on site all equipment and materials required to execute a clean up.


The overall impact on soils at the power plant site is anticipated to be low. The significance of the impact of contamination on soils, with the above mitigation measures, is also anticipated to be low.

8.2.7 Water quality and resources


Construction of the power plant could have an impact on water quality as a result of alteration of the existing drainage characteristics of the site during site preparation and construction. Contamination of water resources could also result from the spillage of lubricants, oils and machine fuel during construction activities and from the disturbance of soils and dust which is washed off into local water courses. Increased demand for water during construction could put pressure on local water resources.


There are no local watercourses across the proposed plant site therefore the direct impact on water quality will be minimal. Due to the topography of the site, surface water will


September 2003


Page 129

drain naturally to the sea. The marine communities off Port Limboh will have been influenced by drainage from the refinery since its operation in 1981, therefore natural drainage from the site into the sea during construction is unlikely to change the water quality significantly. Water will be required during construction for some construction activities, such as dust suppression measures, and for potable water supply. The supply of water during construction is the responsibility of the contractor. The refinery has its own water source, which may be used by the contractor during construction. The use of the refinery water will not put pressure on the local potable water resources.

8.2.7.3 Mitigation measures The contractor is required by the Design Specification to undertake the following mitigation measures: The contractor will agree arrangements for the disposal of aqueous effluents during

construction and commissioning phases with AES-SONEL. All oil tanks will be bunded to contain 110 per cent of the largest tank’s contents.

In addition, the following mitigation measures will be undertaken: The contractor will locate temporary storage tanks on impervious bases and use drip

trays during refuelling of equipment. Any temporary refuelling tanks must be bunded.

The contractor will have available on site all equipment and materials necessary to execute clean up.


With the adoption of the above mitigation measures, the impacts on water resources and water quality generated during the construction of the power plant site are predicted to be low.

8.2.8 Public and occupational health and safety


Potential public and occupational health and safety impacts will arise from the following:

Construction activities undertaken by construction workers; Delivery of equipment to the site; Official visitors; Unofficial access by the public.


The proposed plant site is located in an area of undeveloped, disused land currently leased by SONARA; it is located outside the boundary of the operational refinery however is patrolled regularly by refinery security guards and as such is not used by the general public. The closest residential properties to the site are approx. 900m to the


September 2003


Page 130

north west, along the access road to the site; SONARA workers occupy these properties. There are therefore unlikely to be any significant public health and safety issues at the site, the main impact on the public being associated with the movement of HGVs to and from the site; this is addressed in section 8.2.1. Without mitigation measures, all construction sites present a risk to occupational health and safety; the mitigation measures in place for this project are set out below in section 8.2.8.3. The site was also previously used as an occasional practice range by the army, therefore there may be some unexpended rifle ammunition on the site. However, given the small scale of the range with appropriate mitigation measures this does not present a significant risk.


The contractor is required by the Design Specification to undertake a number of Health and Safety measures, including the following: The contractor will comply with all relevant international and local standards, acts,

regulations, codes and statutory instructions with respect to Health and Safety. The contractor will also comply with the Health Safety Environment (HSE)

procedures of AES-SONEL. The contractor will submit a Health and Safety plan (for the construction period), to

be approved by AES-SONEL prior to start of construction. The contractor will be responsible for managing, supervising and monitoring health

and safety on site, and that of any sub-contractors. The contractor will provide qualified first aid cover for minor treatment and will

ensure that at least two persons amongst the site staff are trained in first aid. A suitable facility will be maintained to cater for first aid requirements. The first aid equipment will include a defibrillator, and two members of site staff will be trained in its correct use.

The contractor will fence off the site and take all reasonable precautions to safeguard

the health and safety of all persons, employees or general public, from all construction and construction related activities.

The contractor will propose methods for security of sites, to be approved by AES-

SONEL prior to construction. The contractor will provide adequate and appropriate training.


With the implementation of the contractor’s construction Health and Safety Plan, audited by AES-SONEL, the occupational health and safety risks associated with the construction of the power plant site will be minimised. The overall impact on occupational and public health and safety is predicted to be of low significance.


September 2003


Page 131


8.2.9.1 Potential impact Potential impacts on flora and fauna during construction will be limited to the following:

Direct loss of habitat as a result of the footprint of the plant and substation site and

the construction laydown area. Disturbance and/or damage to habitats and species as a result of construction

activities e.g. through smothering of plants by dust, movement of vehicles and construction workers to and from the site.


The proposed plant site is located in an area of disturbed, disused land. The construction of the plant will result in the permanent loss of approximately 4 hectares of vegetation. The rapid botanical survey undertaken by LBZG in November 2002 indicated that there are no sensitive habitats or plant species within the power generation plant site (section 4.3.6). Therefore, although a large area of habitat will be permanently lost the overall significance of the impact is low due to the low conservation value of the habitat within the site area.

8.2.9.3 Mitigation measures The Contractor is required by the Design Specification to undertake the following mitigation measures: Damage to the natural environment of the area during construction must be kept to a

minimum and special care will be taken to avoid permanent damage. Bushes and trees will not be cut except where necessary for the execution of the

Works and then only after the sanction of AES-SONEL has been obtained. The contractor will undertake landscaping within the boundary of the power plant

site, using natural plant species. Landscaping will be to the approval of the AES-SONEL project Environmental Manager.


There will be a minor impact on flora and fauna due to the permanent loss of approximately 4 hectares of habitat as a result of the clearance of the plant site. The mitigation measures proposed will ensure that the natural vegetation adjacent to the site is not disturbed, thus retaining a vegetation basis for local species of mammal, birds and insects. Overall, the significance of the impact on flora and fauna will be low.

8.2.10 Landscape and visual impact

8.2.10.1 Potential impact The plant may have an adverse visual impact as a result of tall construction equipment affecting views to the site from properties and amenity sites.


September 2003


Page 132

8.2.10.2 Impact assessment The power plant site adjacent to the refinery site has been selected to minimise overall visual impact to sensitive receptors. The main construction equipment that will potentially be visible during construction will be the equipment to move the plant and substation into place. However, as the plant is located adjacent to the SONARA oil refinery site, the potential for additional adverse impacts to landscape and visual character during construction will be limited. Views into the site from the nearest sensitive receptors (the guesthouse, the athletic club and residential properties along the access road) are screened by trees and shrubs around the perimeter of the site (Photos 5.1a and 5.2). In addition, views into the site from the access road residential properties (Photo 5.4) are restricted due to the lower topographic position of the plant site in relation to the access road. The only other view into the site is from Beach Mile 6 to the north west of the site. This beach is mainly used at weekends by locals (approx. 75 people). Furthermore, as Photo 4.6 shows, views into the site are restricted from trees and bushes around the perimeter of the site and the existing views from this beach are influenced by the existing oil refinery structures. There will therefore be only a minimal additional impact from tall construction equipment for limited periods during the total construction period on site of approx. 11 months.

8.2.10.3 Mitigation measures The following mitigation measures will be implemented: The contractor will ensure that all existing trees and bushes outside the boundary of

the power plant site are not damaged or destroyed as a result of construction activities.


The construction of the power plant will not result in a significant incremental deterioration in views in the vicinity of the site as the trees around the perimeter of the power plant site limit the potential visual impact and the skyline is heavily dominated by the existing SONARA oil refinery structures.

8.2.11 Land use

8.2.11.1 Potential impact Potential sources of impact on land uses arise as a result of the land take for construction purposes and as a result of the movement of traffic to and from the site affecting adjacent land uses.

8.2.11.2 Impact assessment As the proposed plant site is on disused land, construction of the site will not have a direct impact on land use. Construction traffic is unlikely to have an impact on the activities of the SONARA refinery, as construction traffic will use a different access road to that used by the


September 2003


Page 133

refinery. Construction traffic could have an impact on local residents located along part of the access road to the site (Photo 5.4). This is addressed in section 8.2.1.

8.2.11.3 Mitigation measures The mitigation measures associated with the movement of construction vehicles are addressed under Traffic and Transport in section 8.2.1.5.


Overall, the residual impact on land use will be low.


8.2.12.1 Potential impact

Potential impacts may arise as a result of the direct loss of recreational and amenity features at the site or indirectly as a result of disturbance from the movement of construction traffic.

8.2.12.2 Impact assessment The plant is located within land leased by SONARA from the government. The only sites of recreation within the vicinity of the plant site are a SONARA-owned guesthouse and athletic club (over 650m from the boundary of the proposed site). There may be some temporary disturbance to access to these sites during deliveries along the access road the site, although the impact of traffic movements is likely to be minor.

8.2.12.3 Mitigation measures Mitigation measures to minimise this potential impact are discussed under section 8.2.1, Traffic and transport.


The construction of the power plant is not predicted to have a significant impact on recreation and amenity.


8.2.13.1 Potential impact

Potential impacts may arise from site excavation that may disturb or damage cultural heritage.

8.2.13.2 Impact assessment The plant is located within an area of disused, overgrown vegetated land leased by SONARA from the government. Consultation with SONARA has indicated that there are no sites of cultural heritage at or immediately adjacent to the proposed site. Although the construction site itself is predominantly volcanic rock, there may be some potential archaeological finds along the coastline of this site.


September 2003


Page 134

8.2.13.3 Mitigation measures Consultation will be undertaken with the Ministry of Culture to determine the potential importance of the site for archaeology. The recommendations of the Ministry of Culture will be taken into account during excavation of the site.


The construction phase of the plant site is unlikely to have an impact on cultural heritage.

8.3 TRANSMISSION LINE

8.3.1 Resettlement and compensation


Clearance of a wayleave for the transmission line will have an impact on landowners and/or crop owners within this corridor (crop owners may be land owners or tenants). The public utility granted for the transmission line route does not make a distinction between a wayleave and right of way. The width of the wayleave depends on the line voltage; the Cameroon standard for a 90kV line is 30m wide in total. To account for potential future expansion at the power plant site, including a new transmission line, a 45m width (in total) will be cleared for the LPP so that the cumulative impacts of construction of any future transmission lines will be minimised. The impacts associated with the full 45m are addressed below.


Under Cameroon law, all legal owners of land and crops are entitled to compensation for losses. In accordance with the procedures set forth in the public utility decree awarded for the transmission line, a Compensation Commission comprising of local government representatives, affected community members, and representatives from AES-SONEL has been set up.

In accordance with IFC guidelines, Project Affected Persons (PAPs) have been defined as persons who loose assets as a result of the project, whatever the extent of loss. Lost assets may be land rights, structures, crops, or a combination of these. It is recognised that not all PAPs have to relocate as a result of the project. To address the requirements of Cameroon legislation and the IFC guidelines, AES-SONEL has created a dedicated socio-economic team that will coordinate and address all compensation-related activities.

AES-SONEL will ensure that the compensation process is transparent and fair. To this effect, a methodology for the compensation process, based on the IFC’s Resettlement Action Plan document, was presented to the IFC in March 2003. This set out the methodology for:

identifying and recording PAPs; recording area of land/crops to be affected; valuation of land/crops; establishing the socio-economic impact of losses on PAPs; and payment of compensation,

in accordance with Cameroonian legislation and the requirements of the IFC.


September 2003


Page 135

The methodology proposed for the LPP was reviewed and approved by the IFC in April 2003. This methodology has since been updated by AES-SONEL to reflect the work that has been undertaken since this period, and is presented as a separate volume to the EIS: ‘Compensation Action Plan’ (August 2003). A summary of the number of affected persons only is provided below.

Project-affected persons

The proposed transmission line route was selected to minimise impact on local communities (see section 3.10 for an analysis of alternative route lines). The total land acquired for the wayleave is 522,000m2. The Compensation Commission visited the route of the line in April and May 2003, and recorded the number of PAPs along the wayleave; although final numbers are still being processed, the records indicate that a total of about 336 persons will be affected. This comprises 172 land owners, including the government parastatals - CDC, SONARA and Chantier Naval and 164 identified crop owners (including CDC). CDC is the single most affected land owner along the transmission line wayleave. It is important to note that the crop owners are not necessarily the same individuals who own the land where the crops are planted. No public facilities are affected as a result of the transmission line route.

To assess the significance of the impact of the project on PAPs, a household survey was undertaken by socio-economic specialists from LBZG. The results of this survey will be used to assess the contribution of land and/or crops currently within the wayleave to the PAPs’ economic base, the outcome of which will be used to assess whether losses will have a significant impact on their overall economic base. The outcome of the survey will also be used to identify suitable mitigation measures should a PAPs economic base become non-viable as a result of the loss of land and/or crops. Results of the survey are presented in the Compensation Action Plan (August 2003). The initial results of this survey indicate that 51% of the affected persons are male and 49% are female. It also shows that 60% of the affected population is comprised of non-indigenous people to the area - although the area near Mile 2 has a fairly homogenous population of Bamilekes and Bassas. The main occupations in the affected area are farming, petty trading, and civil service. Compensation rates AES-SONEL will compensate all legal owners (including organisations and individuals) of land and crops. The valuation process will seek to establish appropriate compensation figures so that the affected population is able to restore their standards of living to levels “at least as good as or better than” than they were prior to the project.

In 1981 the government of Cameroon established rates of compensation for crops. Due to the lapse in time since these rates were calculated, it has been determined that the government rates are not sufficient to satisfy the current fair market value of the affected crops or their full replacement cost. In order to satisfy the laws of Cameroon, government rates of compensation will be calculated. In addition to this, to determine the “full replacement cost” of all lost assets, an independent valuator has been commissioned by AES-SONEL. The independent valuator will prepare a report detailing the outcome of the valuation exercise. The results of this report will be used for payment of compensation.

AES-SONEL will compensate legal owners of land according to the rates as determined by the Compensation Commission and which will be consistent with laws of Cameroon.


September 2003


Page 136

Payment of compensation

The Compensation Action Plan (August 2003) sets out the methods of payment for compensation. AES-SONEL will endeavour to pay compensation to all those entitled to receive compensation prior to the loss of land/ crops. Recording of compensation process On completion of the compensation process, the Compensation Commission will prepare a report detailing the compensation process, which will be signed by all members of the Commission; this satisfies the requirements under Cameroon legislation.

8.3.1.3 Mitigation measures Measures to minimise the impact on PAP’s are set out in the Compensation Action Plan. To mimimise additional damage to land and/or crop owners, the contractor will restrict construction works to within the 45m wide wayleave.


The LPP will have an impact on a total of about 336 PAPs. This number should be viewed in the context of much larger schemes normally associated with new transmission lines or other major projects requiring land take; furthermore, PAPs with legal ownership to land and crops will be compensated to market value or replacement costs. Initial results of the household survey indicate that there is unlikely to be a significant impact on PAPs, however these results are still being reviewed. Taking a precautionary approach, the construction of the transmission line route could have an impact of medium significance.


8.3.2.1 Potential impacts In addition to the socio-economic impact associated with loss of land and crops due to the clearance of the wayleave, the construction of the transmission line could have a positive socio-economic impact by the provision of temporary employment opportunities and a temporary improvement in local economies generated by an increased demand for local goods and services. Conversely, construction activities can also have a negative impact on local communities through the impact of an influx of construction workers, which may place pressure on local resources, and affect social dynamics and culture, and exacerbate health problems, etc.


The assessment of the significance of the positive or negative impact on socio-economics is based on the number of workers likely to be employed, where these workers are recruited from, their cultural background, and the period over which new workers will be in the area and thus potentially improve or put pressure on local resources.


September 2003


Page 137

Details are not currently available on the number of local staff likely to be employed. However, it has been assumed that the contractor will employ Cameroon sub-consultants and local people to construct the transmission line and transport equipment to the site. The transmission line works are therefore likely to have a positive benefit in terms of temporary employment opportunities. There will be some improvement in local economies, mainly through the purchase of local foodstuffs and goods by the temporary construction workforce throughout the construction period (approx. 5 months). However, actual benefits will depend on the number of national as opposed to local workforce numbers employed and associated likely increase in demand for products. The potential spread of HIV/AIDS is a significant public health issue. Where possible, temporary workers will be employed from the local area, reducing the influx of workers to the local area. Even though it is unlikely that the works will result in a significant influx of workers from outside the local area, the risk of spreading HIV/AIDS is a significant health risk that will need to be addressed by the contractor.

8.3.2.3 Mitigation measures To maximise employment opportunities, the following mitigation measures will be implemented: The contractor should ensure that local people are employed where skills permit.

The contractor will be required to prepare a statement of intent detailing: how local employment opportunities will be addressed and the procedure for application for jobs.

Local Chiefs have been advised by AES-SONEL to prepare a list of people and their

skills available for construction employment opportunities. The contractor will be responsible for liaison with local Chiefs to obtain this information.

The contractor will ensure that no child labour is used, in accordance with the IFC

policy (Table 2.7).

To minimise the pressure on local resources and local communities due to influx of construction workers, the contractor is required as part of the Design Specification to undertake the following mitigation measures:

To be responsible for arranging and providing all living accommodation, services

and amenities required by his employees.

In addition, the following mitigation measures will be undertaken: The contractor should seek to secure accommodation for temporary workforces at

the AES-SONEL training centre at Ombe (approx. 15 km away). If further accommodation is required the contractor should prepare a brief statement

of their intended accommodation plans for the temporary workforce, to be agreed with AES-SONEL.

The contractor should make provision for local residents to benefit from selling the

workforce food and other services such as laundry, transport, retail goods etc. wherever possible.


September 2003


Page 138

To ensure that local levels of HIV/AIDS are not exacerbated, the contractor will

brief employees on health risks. This should be included as an action within the Health & Safety Plan prepared by the contractor.


The mitigation measures proposed will be included in the contractor’s contract. As a result of the mitigation measures proposed overall it is considered that there will be a minor negative impact on local resources as a result of the influx of temporary workers. Moreover, the measures will have a positive impact of medium significance as they will result in the employment of local workers and indirectly will have a positive impact on the local economy through the consumption of local foodstuffs and other materials and services.



Potential impacts on traffic and transport during construction will arise as a result of additional traffic movements associated with the following:

Transportation of equipment for the transmission line to the site.

Workforce movements to and from the site.

Removal of wastes from the site.

Impacts can occur in the form of: Disruption of transport links, including delays and congestion brought about by an

increase in overall traffic numbers due to construction traffic movements. Conflict with other road users, including pedestrians and public transport (buses,

taxis, etc.) as a result of delivery of equipment and plant to the site. Specific annoyance due to additional heavy goods vehicle movements.

Risk of accidents along delivery roads and on the site.

8.3.3.2 Approach to assessment

There are no known Cameroonian standards or World Bank guidelines with respect to assessing the significance of changes in traffic flow on road networks. To assess the potential impact of traffic if roads were used to transport the equipment to the site, a traffic survey was undertaken between February and April 2003 along roads, to:

Assess baseline traffic flows (i.e. those which would occur in the absence of the

proposed development); Identify sensitive receptors along potential transport routes; Identify roads and bridges in poor condition; Identify periods during which deliveries should be avoided.

The scope of works for the traffic survey is provided in Appendix E.


September 2003


Page 139

The potential impacts of the delivery of transmission line equipment to the site, and proposed mitigation measures, are the same as those identified under section 8.2.1 for the transmission line site. This section therefore focuses on the potential impacts associated with the delivery of the transmission line equipment along access roads to the transmission line construction sites.


Details of the number and type of vehicles required to deliver the transmission line structures to the storage location (potentially Limbe substation) and the wayleave are not currently available. The contractor is also responsible for identifying access roads to the wayleave; this information is not currently available and therefore only access roads that may potentially be used can be considered; as a result, the potential impact may be overestimated. It can be anticipated that the delivery of the towers and associated construction equipment to the wayleave will result in a short term (approx. one week at any one tower site), temporary significant impact where sensitive receptors are located either adjacent to the line route or along an access road to the wayleave. The main sensitive receptors in the vicinity of the transmission line route that could be affected by a temporary increase in traffic are: Houses along the access road and within close proximity to the wayleave at

Mokoundange village; Houses along the potential access road at Bobende, Mokindi and Botaland villages; School at Ngeme; Schools at Mile 2.

The location of these sites is shown in Figures 4.1 and 4.2.

8.3.3.4 Mitigation measures The contractor will be required as part of the contract to identify a preferred route to the site. In addition, the following mitigation measures will be implemented: The contractor will prepare a Traffic Method Statement (TMS). This statement will: identify the preferred route to the site, taking into consideration the results of the

traffic survey undertaken by AES-SONEL (section 8.2.1); detail the delivery schedule of HGVs and other significant traffic movements;

identify any significant impacts associated with the preferred route;

outline the mitigation measures to be undertaken, taking into account the measures

set out in this EIS and local Cameroon legislation; and detail the method for implementation of the TMS.

This TMS will be agreed with AES-SONEL prior to the delivery of equipment to the site.


September 2003


Page 140

To minimise disturbance and damage at the transmission line site

The following mitigation measures will be implemented: AES-SONEL has undertaken consultation with power plant stakeholders to inform

them of project details. A further consultation meeting will be undertaken by AES-SONEL following publication of the EIS and prior to the start of construction on site.

The contractor will avoid using access roads where residential properties are close to

the road. The contractor will restrict delivery hours of HGVs along the access tracks to the

transmission line site where there are residential properties to daylight hours to minimise disturbance to residents, unless otherwise agree with AES-SONEL.

The contractor will designate speed limits on all traffic accessing and egressing the

wayleave and along access tracks in the vicinity of residential properties and other sensitive receptors.

To avoid the risk of accidents

The following mitigation measures will be implemented:

The contractor will avoid delivery of HGVs in the vicinity of the two schools at Mile

2 and the school at Ngeme village between the hours of 6:30 – 7:30 and 14:30 – 15:30, unless otherwise agreed with AES-SONEL.

The contractor will restrict deliveries of HGVs to daytime hours along unlit roads,

unless otherwise agreed by AES-SONEL. The contractor will develop procedures for on-site traffic movement and parking at

the sites. The contractor will arrange for the training and testing of heavy equipment operators

and drivers, with records kept of all training. The contractor will erect warning signs along all access roads also used by the

general public, and by the two schools at Mile 2 and the school at Ngeme. AES-SONEL will arrange for a presentation about traffic safety and project schedule

to be given to school staff and students at the 2 schools at Mile 2 and the school at Ngeme. The contractor should arrange to be present at this presentation.


The mitigation measures proposed above will be incorporated into all contract documentation. The residual impact on traffic and transport during construction will be of medium significance at the identified sensitive receptors. This may be reduced if the contractor does not use these access roads to undertake the works.


September 2003


Page 141

8.3.4 Noise


During construction, the proposed project has the potential to generate noise impacts through noise sources associated with construction activities such as the use of equipment, the preparation of the site and traffic movements.

8.3.4.2 Impact assessment The assessment of the significance of the impact of construction activities on noise nuisance is based on the likely increase in baseline noise levels as a result of the equipment used and the likely impact of these increased noise levels at the nearest sensitive receptors. Baseline noise levels are not available for the transmission line site. The main sources of noise during the construction of the transmission line will be the construction of the foundations for the towers and the erection and stringing of the towers. The movement of construction vehicles to and from the wayleave may also result in noise nuisance where there are residential properties along the access roads. The proposed transmission line route has been selected to minimise the impact on sensitive receptors. The majority of towers are therefore located away from sensitive receptors such as residential properties, so the impact on background noise levels will be minimal. There is only one site where the transmission line will be constructed within close proximity of residential properties; this is at Mokoudange village, where the closest house is located 20m from the edge of the wayleave. It is likely that residents in this area will experience increased noise levels for a period of approximately one week. Identification of access roads to be used during the construction of the transmission line is the responsibility of the contractor so details are not currently available. However, on the basis of the existing tracks that provide access to the route, the following sensitive receptors may experience a temporary increase in noise levels due to their proximity to access tracks:

Catholic school at Ngeme Houses along the access route at Bobende village. Houses along access routes at Mokindi and Botaland villages. The two government schools at Mile 2.


The following mitigation measures will be implemented: All equipment will meet the specifications for noise suppression required by local

regulations and standards, the World Bank Group and EU regulations, and be well maintained by the contractor.

The contractor will be required to ensure that construction activities do not cause significant noise nuisance impacts, as measured by the number of complaints received.

The contractor will restrict the movement of noisy vehicles to daytime hours, except where otherwise agreed with AES-SONEL.


September 2003


Page 142

The contractor will normally limit noisy activities to daytime periods, except where

otherwise agreed with AES-SONEL. The mitigation measures associated with traffic are addressed under section 8.3.3.4.


With the adoption of the above mitigation measures, the impacts of noise generated on sensitive receptors is likely to be low. The main noise impacts will be at the village of Mokoundange, where the transmission line route passes within 20m of a residential property. However, the impact will be restricted to a period of approximately a week.

8.3.5 Air quality

8.3.5.1 Potential impacts Dust and air borne contaminants

The use of construction equipment and vehicles will result in the emission of dust and fugitive emissions, and contaminants adhering to dust particles. These may arise from:

On-site earth-moving operations for foundations and excavation; Use of construction equipment; Vehicles movement over bare ground in dry weather; Dust being blown off vehicles and spillage from vehicles; Wind blowing over bare ground within and adjacent to the construction sites.

Odour

The use of construction equipment and vehicles will result in the emission of dust and fugitive emissions and contaminants from construction plant and vehicles that may give rise to odour.


The potential for dust to be emitted during construction is strongly dependent on the type of activities taking place, on wind speed and on whether winds carry emitted particles towards sensitive receptors, such as residential properties and local crops. The proposed line route has been selected to minimise impacts on local communities (section 3.10). Dust and air borne contaminants The residential properties at Mokoudange may experience an increase in dust during the excavation and construction of the foundations of the towers. However, dust arisings are likely to be minor due to the small area to be excavated, the short construction period at this site (approx. one week) and the location of CDC plantation palms between the towers and the properties at Mokoundange. Properties located along access roads to the wayleave may experience some increased levels of dust for the duration of the construction works (approx. one week in any one tower location) as a result of HGV movements. The significance of this impact will


September 2003


Page 143

depend on the access road used by the contractor. Increased levels of dust may also have an impact on commercial and local plantation crops where these are located in close proximity to towers or adjacent to access roads.

The nearest properties to the transmission line route, and potential access roads to the wayleave, that could be affected by air quality, are indicated in Table 8.4. This table also identifies the significance of the impact at these sites before mitigation; a high significant impact being recorded where the receptor would be exposed to air quality impacts as a result of both construction activities and HGV movements.

Table 8.4 Sensitive receptors to construction related air quality

Sensitive receptor Impact details Significance of

impact before mitigation

Residential properties at Mokoundange village, where the closest house is located 20m from the edge of the wayleave

Line route construction activities

Medium

Catholic school near the access road at Ngeme village

Construction traffic Low

Houses along the access route at Bobende village


Houses along access routes at Mokindi and Botaland villages


The two government schools at Mile 2


Local plantation crops along access route Line route construction activities

Medium

CDC palm plantations Line route construction activities

Medium

Construction traffic will result in the production of emissions of NOx, PM10, hydrocarbons and CO2. The magnitude of the emissions will depend on the number and type of vehicles used. Although exact details are not currently available, it can be assumed that HGVs will be required to deliver the towers, cables and equipment to string the cables to the site. There is also the potential for the emission of fugitive gases (notably volatile organize compounds (VOCs) and methane (CH4) from the use of equipment at the site during construction. Emissions from construction vehicles and construction equipment will be temporary in nature. The impact of these emissions is expected to be insignificant.

Odour

There are unlikely to be any significant odours form the construction of the transmission line.


The following mitigation measures will be implemented: The contractor will take precautions to keep all existing and new temporary and

permanent roadways clear of any spillage from construction traffic. Any such


September 2003


Page 144

spillage, including excessive earth or any other materials brought in on the wheels to tracks of site vehicles or traffic, should be cleared immediately.

The contractor will maintain construction equipment in good running condition.

When practical, engines should be switched off when not in use. Where appropriate, the contractor will enforce a maximum speed limit over all

unmade surfaces. Where appropriate, the contractor will cover loads of friable material during

transportation. Where appropriate, the contractor will manage stockpiles to limit erosion and

emissions of dust. Where practicable, the contractor will ensure that site roads and construction vehicle

tyres are wetted to reduce dust generation. A washing bay with appropriate drainage. will be provided for this purpose.


With the adoption of the above mitigation measures, and the short construction period at each tower, the impacts on air quality generated during the construction of the power plant site are likely to be minimal.

8.3.6 Waste

8.3.6.1 Potential impacts The following wastes are likely to be generated at the transmission line site:

Clearance and excavation wastes: clearance of site vegetation and excavation of

soils, inert construction materials and residues, spoil, etc.

General construction wastes: reject and excess material, drainage from site run-off, etc.

Hazardous wastes: spillages from construction equipment.

8.3.6.2 Assessment of impacts The clearance of the 45m wide wayleave will result in the production of vegetation wastes. All vegetation cleared will be left within the wayleave and will not be cleared from the site. Waste will also be generated at the transmission line site as a result of excavation for the foundations of the towers. This will result in around 200m3 of excavated material. Some of this excavated soil will be used to backfill the foundations. The remaining soil will be spread across the wayleave. In addition to the soil, the wood used for shuttering the foundations will be removed from the foundations once the concrete has set and will be left within the wayleave. There will be no offices or sanitary facilities provided on the site.


September 2003


Page 145

Without mitigation measures, there could be significant contamination of soils as a result of spillages from machinery. Refuelling of equipment etc. will likely take place at the storage site, thus minimising the potential for contamination along the transmission line site.

8.3.6.3 Mitigation measures The contractor is required by the Design Specification to undertake the following mitigation measures: The contractor will dispose of excavated materials in line with Cameroon law/ good

practice.

The contractor will be responsible for ensuring that all waste arising from the works is deposited, treated, kept, disposed of and carried in accordance with the provisions of relevant national and local environmental protection acts and also in accordance with any additional instructions decreed by AES-SONEL.

The burning of waste will not be permitted.

The contractor will ensure that only a waste carried conversant with the above will transport all waste arising from the Works.

In addition, the following mitigation measures will be implemented: The contractor will ensure that waste arisings are kept to a minimum and are re-used

on site where appropriate.

Any hazardous waste will be kept separate and disposed of in a manner to be agreed with AES-SONEL or his representative.

No solid or liquid waste will be directly disposed of to a watercourse or to the sea.

No waste other than inert waste will be disposed of on site.


The main wastes will be inert or biodegradable wastes such as vegetation clearance brash, and these will be left in the wayleave. With the adoption of the above mitigation measures, the residual wastes generated during the construction of the transmission line are predicted to be low.

8.3.7 Soils

8.3.7.1 Potential impacts The preparation of the transmission line route could result in topsoil compaction, rutting and mixing as a result of:

excavation for the tower foundations; and the movement of equipment on site during construction.

Contamination of soils may also arise through the spillage of lubricants, oils and machine fuel during construction activities.


September 2003


Page 146


The main impact on soils will be as a result of the excavation of the site for the foundations of the transmission line towers and the movement of equipment along the centre of the wayleave. About 200m3 of soil will be excavated for this purpose. The majority of these soils are within the CDC plantation. The potential for spillages will only occur during the use of the equipment, as it is not anticipated that refuelling will be undertaken within the wayleave.


To minimise the impact on soils, the following mitigation measures will be implemented:

The contractor will be responsible for ensuring that construction activities are

restricted to the 45m wayleave to avoid damage and disturbance outside of the power plant site.

Existing access roads or tracks will be used to reach the sites.

The contractor will strip and store topsoil separately from subsoil.

To minimise the potential contamination of soils, the following mitigation measures will be implemented: The contractor will locate temporary storage tanks on impervious bases and will use

drip trays during refuelling of equipment to avoid contamination of soils.

The contractor will have available on site all equipment and materials required to execute a clean up.


The overall impact on soils along the transmission line route is predicted to be low.


8.3.8.1 Potential impacts Construction of the transmission line could have an impact on water quality as a result of alteration of the existing drainage characteristics during site preparation and construction. Contamination of water resources could also result from the spillage of lubricants, oils and machine fuel during construction activities and from the disturbance of soils and dust which is washed off into local water courses. Increased demand for water during construction could put pressure on local water resources.

8.3.8.2 Impact assessment There are no local watercourses across the proposed transmission line route. There are four local drains which cross the transmission line within Mile 2 (Tower 31 to 32, Tower


September 2003


Page 147

35 to 36, Tower 37 to 38 and Tower 38 to 39); these are seasonal drains and only flow during the wet season. The only requirement for water during construction will be for the mixing of cement. This water will be supplied by water tankers and will not put pressure on local water supplies.


To minimise the impacts on the four drains if any construction activities take place during the wet season, the following mitigation measures will be implemented:

The contractor will make provision to protect the drain from sedimentation as a

result of construction works.

To minimise the potential impact of construction activities on surface water quality, the following mitigation measures will be implemented:

The contractor will have available on site all equipment and materials necessary to

execute a clean up. The contractor will incorporate measures to protect surface water and drainage

features, for example fencing off of work areas and routing of all site drainage to silt traps.

The contractor will ensure that areas susceptible to erosion will be properly sloped

and compacted to reduce the effect of runoff. Vegetation cleared during construction will be left in the wayleave to reduce

potential runoff of sediment from the site.


With the adoption of the above mitigation measures, the impacts on water quality and water resources during the construction of the transmission line are predicted to be low.


8.3.9.1 Potential impacts Potential public and occupational health and safety impacts will arise form the following:

Construction activities undertaken by construction workers; Delivery of equipment to the sites; Official visitors; Unofficial access by the public.


Public health and safety will be particularly important along the transmission line route as the public has access to the wayleave. The route of the transmission line was selected to minimise impacts on local communities and for the most part (approx. 5.7km) passes through CDC palm plantations. However, there are several locations where the transmission line route and access roads pass close to residential properties and public


September 2003


Page 148

amenities, and therefore poses an increased risk to the general health and safety of the public; these locations are set out in Table 8.5.

Table 8.5 Sensitive receptors located close to the transmission line route and access roads

Location

Potential impact Significance of impact without

mitigation Residential properties at Mokoundange village

Easy public access to wayleave and construction activities within the wayleave.

High

Catholic school at Ngeme Bobende village Mokindi village Botaland village

Located along access roads therefore increased risk of traffic accidents. Number of large vehicle deliveries to each tower site however is expected to be small, and the contractor may use not all access roads.

Medium

The two government schools at Mile 2

Although the transmission line is located on the other side of the road, it is close enough to potentially raise interest of the children.

Medium

Without mitigation measures, all construction sites present a risk to occupational health and safety; the mitigation measures in place for this project are set out below in section 8.3.9.3.


The following mitigation measures will be implemented: The contractor is required by the Design Specification to produce a Project

Implementation Plan that will include a Health and Safety Plan.

The contractor will comply with all relevant international and local standards, acts, regulations, codes and statutory instructions with respect to health and safety.

The contractor will also comply with the Health Safety Environment (HSE)

procedures of AES-SONEL. The contractor will be responsible for managing, supervising and monitoring health

and safety on site, and that of any sub-contractors. The contractor will be responsible for taking all reasonable precautions to safeguard

the health and safety of all persons, employees or general public, from all construction and construction related activities.


With the implementation of the contractors construction Health and Safety Plan, audited by AES-SONEL, public and occupational health and safety risks associated with the construction of the power plant site will be minimised.


September 2003


Page 149


8.3.10.1 Potential impacts Construction of the transmission line will have an impact on landscape and visual aesthetics due to:

Clearance of vegetation (in particular tall, dense vegetation).

Presence of construction equipment such as winches.

Erection of towers.


The significance of the visual impact of construction activities along the transmission line route is dependent on the change in the landscape character from that which exists and proximity of the works to sensitive receptors such as residential properties. Table 8.6 lists the villages and other potential sensitive receptors in the vicinity of the transmission line route and access roads, and indicates the visual impact that may be experienced at these sites. A high visual impact can be expected if there are direct views of the construction site and of HGVs. A medium visual impact would be associated with views affected mainly as a result of traffic movements and a low visual impact would be associated with no or minor visual impact as a result of infrequent traffic movements.

Table 8.6 Visual impacts along the transmission line route

Key receptors along the transmission line route

Approx. distance from

site, m

Description of visual impacts Sensitivity of the

receptor to visual impact (before

mitigation) SONARA residential properties (along power plant site access road)

Within 100m Movement of heavy goods vehicles

Erection of the towers General construction

equipment

Medium

Residents at Mokoundange village

Closest house = 20m from

edge of wayleave

Loss of palm plantations Movement of heavy goods

vehicles Erection of the towers General construction

equipment

High

Residents at Bobende 150m No residential properties with direct views to the transmission line wayleave

Movement of heavy goods vehicles

Low

Residents at Ngeme 200m No residential properties with direct views to the transmission line wayleave


Low


September 2003


Page 150


Approx. distance from

site, m

Description of visual impacts Sensitivity of the

receptor to visual impact (before

mitigation) Residents at Mokindi 250m No residential properties

with direct views to the transmission line wayleave


Low

Residents at Botaland 250m No residential properties with direct views to the transmission line wayleave


Low

Residents at Mile 2 400m Erection of the towers General construction

equipment Movement of heavy goods

vehicles

Medium

Government high schools at Mile 2

50m Erection of the towers General construction

equipment Movement of heavy goods

vehicles

Medium

Visual impacts during construction will be temporary and for a short time period (i.e. approx. 1 week at any one tower location).


The following mitigation measures will be implemented: The contractor will ensure that workers and equipment remain within designated

working areas and access will only be allowed along designated access roads to avoid additional damage to adjacent vegetation, crops and/ or residential properties.

No felling of trees or crops will be permitted outside of the wayleave, without prior

permission of AES-SONEL.


The visual impact during construction is predicted to be minor at most locations, due to the length of the line that is located within CDC palm plantations away from views from local properties or from the main road. However, there will be a minor, short-term (approx. 1 week) temporary impact experienced at SONARA residential properties, Mokoundange and for the local community at Mile 2.



Potential impacts on flora and fauna during construction may include:


September 2003


Page 151

Direct loss of habitat as a result of clearance of the wayleave for the construction of the transmission line;

Disturbance and/or damage to habitats and species as a result of construction

activities e.g. through smothering of plants by dust, movement of vehicles and construction workers outside the site area, runoff from the site.


Based on the preliminary surveys of the 1metre centreline of the wayleave surveyed, only a small amount of natural vegetation (less than 1km of the route) would be permanently lost. Drainage from the transmission line construction site may also result in an adverse impact on flora and fauna as a result of runoff with high sediment/chemical levels from construction equipment. No refuelling of equipment is anticipated on site therefore the impact will be low. The rapid botanical survey undertaken by LBZG in November 2002 indicated that there are no sensitive habitats or plant species along the transmission line route (section 4.3.6). The overall significance of the impact is low due to the low conservation value of the habitat within the transmission line route.

8.3.11.3 Mitigation measures To avoid additional impact on flora and fauna, the following mitigation measures will be implemented:

The contractor will restrict clearance of vegetation to the 45m wayleave. Workers

will be restricted from working outside of the designated working area. No plants and trees outside of this area will be removed without prior permission of AES-SONEL.

The contractor will use drip trays under all equipment where drips of fluids are likely to occur. These trays should be integral parts of the items they serve and provided with readily accessible drain plugs.

8.3.11.4 Residual impacts There will be a minor impact on flora and fauna due to the permanent loss of a small quantity of vegetation as a result of the clearance of the transmission line route.

8.3.12 Cultural heritage 8.3.12.1 Potential impacts

Potential impacts may arise from site excavation for tower supports that may disturb or damage cultural heritage.


From site surveys and consultations undertaken to date it is understood that there is a single grave within the wayleave. The grave is located on National Land and is not held


September 2003


Page 152

in title. This grave is not located on or adjacent to any of the tower structures and therefore it is not anticipated that the construction of the transmission line would have a significant adverse impact on this grave.


Following consultation in the field during the Compensation Commission surveys, and to minimize disturbance to the grave as well as the family of the deceased, AES-SONEL will not move the grave. The contractor will be required to ensure that the grave is not disturbed during construction works. AES-SONEL will ensure that the contractor is aware of the location of the grave and ensure that there is no damage to this grave during construction. If cultural properties are found during further survey work currently being completed or during construction the following protocol will be followed: Investigate the feasibility of moving the line to avoid affecting the cultural property. If this is not feasible, all necessary efforts to protect, move, and (if necessary) restore the cultural properties will be made. If cultural properties are found mitigation measures will be developed in collaboration with the Provincial Delegation of the Ministry of Culture in Limbe.


With careful management of the construction process to ensure that there is no disturbance to this grave during construction, construction of the transmission line is unlikely to have an impact on cultural heritage.


8.3.13.1 Potential impacts Potential impacts on recreation and amenity may arise as a result of:

Loss of recreation and amenity features within the wayleave;

Disturbance and/or damage to recreation and amenity features as a result of the

construction works and movement of construction traffic.

8.3.13.2 Impact assessment There are no formal recreational facilities located within the wayleave or within the immediate vicinity of the transmission line. There is a hotel under construction at Ngeme (Figure 4.2), however this hotel is unlikely to be operational prior to the completion of the transmission line construction phase. There are two schools located at Mile 2 on the north side of the main road (Figure 4.2). The transmission line passes across the road from the north to the south side at Tower 6. Construction activities are unlikely to have a direct impact on the schools, although indirect impacts as a result of increased traffic may occur - these are addressed in section 8.3.3.

8.3.13.3 Mitigation measures No mitigation measures are identified.


September 2003


Page 153

8.3.13.4 Residual impacts Overall, the construction of the transmission line will not have a significant impact on recreation and amenity.

8.3.14 Land use The impact on land use has been considered under Resettlement and Compensation, section 8.3.1.


September 2003


Page 154



September 2003


Page 155

9 OPERATIONAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES

9.1 INTRODUCTION Chapter 9 addressed the impacts and mitigation measures proposed during the operation of the LPP. Greater details are provided for key impacts associated with both the power plant site and the transmission line site. The chapter has been separated into:

Power generation plant impacts - those impacts associated specifically with the

power plant and associated structures and the new substation. Transmission line impacts - those impacts associated specifically with the

transmission line and connection into the existing substation at Limbe.

9.2 POWER GENERATION PLANT SITE

9.2.1 Air quality

9.2.1.1 Potential impacts During operation, the combustion of heavy fuel oil (HFO) will give rise to emissions of sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide and particulate matter. These emissions are of potential concern to human health and local ecology, and in relation to their potential contribution to greenhouse gas levels. Sulphur dioxide has been directly linked to acid rain which has been responsible for alteration of certain aquatic ecosystems, damage to vegetation, and deterioration of building materials. Sulphur dioxide is also detrimental to health as it is known to aggravate asthma, lung and heart disease. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, with increased levels in the atmosphere being linked to global warming. It is expected that the plant will only operate two thirds of the year giving a total of 243 000 te/annum. This can be compared to the national emissions of Cameroon of 4,700,000 te per annum (based on 1999 data provided by the Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Centre) due to fossil-fuel burning cement production, and gas flaring. This total does not therefore include domestic wood burning. Oxides of nitrogen are one of the components of photochemical smog and high levels of NO2 are thought to increase the risk of respiratory diseases and contribute to heart, lung, liver and kidney damage and eye irritation. High NOx levels also cause damage to vegetation. High particulate emissions can be detrimental to vegetation, be responsible for health problems and are aesthetically displeasing.

9.2.1.2 Assessment methodology Consultants PB Power undertook a study on the impacts of the operation of the power plant on air quality. The results of this assessment are provided in Appendix H.

9.2.1.3 Impact assessment The results of the impact assessment, including cumulative impacts, are provided in Appendix H.


September 2003


Page 156


The mitigation measures associated with air quality are set out in Appendix H. A summary of the mitigation and monitoring requirements as set out in Appendix H is provided below: The contractor is required by the Design Specification to ensure that the following emissions limits are not exceeded:

NOx emissions shall not exceed 2000 mg/Nm3 Particulate matter emissions shall not exceed 50 mg/Nm3.

Sulphur dioxide emissions will be controlled by limiting the sulphur content of the fuel to 0.7%. In the medium to long term, it may be feasible to convert the power station to operating on natural gas (section 3.8). This would lower the nitrogen dioxide emission levels from the plant from 2000 mg/mNm3 to just 500 mg/Nm3, reducing the above increments to ambient air quality by a factor of 4. Sulphur dioxide emissions would cease as the sulphur content of natural gas is negligible. The contractor has been required to ensure that conversion of the plant to natural gas is possible. AES-SONEL will undertake an ambient air quality monitoring programme using a network of diffusion tubes to monitor long term (i.e. annual) levels of nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide. The tubes will be exposed for a period of a month and then taken analysed in a laboratory. Diffusion tubes are an absolute sampling method needing only knowledge of tube dimensions and the diffusion coefficient in air of the compound being studied to predict the sampling rate. It has been proposed to local authorities that up to 10 monitoring sites be maintained. These would include locations where the impact from the proposed plant is expected to peak, i.e. the villages of Etume, Bobende, Lower Boando, Mokunda and Ekonjo. In addition, the village of Batoke, being the closest to the proposed site would also be considered. The monitoring programme would aim to start in the immediate future, in order to obtain data regarding background conditions. The programme would continue for a period of two years following commissioning and this could be extended should the relevant authorities require. The results of the monitoring will be compared against EU and World Bank guidelines.

9.2.1.5 Residual Impacts The modelling exercise has shown that the emissions from the proposed plant are not expected to result in exceedences of the air quality guidelines at any of the sensitive receptors in the area, where people may be exposed to changes in air quality due to the operation of the power station. Full details are provided in Appendix H. The air quality assessment provided in Appendix H also concludes that plumes from Mount Cameroon would only coincide with that from the power plant at locations over the sea and that the cumulative impact of emissions from the power plant with that from the refinery in a landward direction would only occur when the wind was blowing from a direction of 225o. The meteorological data indicates that winds from the 225o sector occur for less than 19% of a typical year and therefore at these times the refinery may contribute to some extent to sulphur dioxide levels at points where the power station contribute. It is very unlikely however that the maximum ground level concentration due to the refinery


September 2003


Page 157

would coincide with the maximum ground level concentrations from the power plant due to differences in the dispersion characteristics of the plumes.


9.2.2.1 Potential impacts Potential impacts associated with operation of the plant are: Improvement in electricity supply;

Employment opportunities, both directly at the site and indirectly through improved

electricity supply to the southern region of Cameroon.

9.2.2.2 Impact assessment There is currently an imbalance between demand and the ability to supply electricity for reasons outline in section 1.2. Operation of the LPP will provide generation capacity to address the current electricity demand-supply deficit in the southern interconnected system, and in particular will address the urgent need for new generation capacity by the next dry season. The installation of approximately 80MW of HFO burning plant will improve system reliability and allow AES-SONEL to significantly reduce the level of load shedding experienced in recent years, especially during the dry season. This will result in benefits to both the local economy by providing local grid support in the Limbe area and to the Cameroon economy by providing a more reliable electricity supply to the southern interconnected system, which serves the capital Yaoundé and the main commercial centre of Douala. The costs of the project will not be directly passed onto the customers (section 1.2.7). Furthermore, the improvement in system reliability will significantly reduce the need to run private diesel generators that are currently being used by customers during load-shedding periods. This will have a positive impact on air quality through the reduction of air emissions in urban areas and will reduce the cost of electricity for customers currently running diesel generators at their own expense. The size of 80MW does not reflect the entire capacity shortfall, as this is limited by capacity constraints within the existing transmission infrastructure, the immediate requirement for a solution and by economics. Operation of the plant may also result in employment opportunities, both directly at the station and indirectly through improved electricity supply to the southern region of Cameroon.

Due to the skilled nature of the operation, highly experienced AES-SONEL staff will be needed to operate the power plant site. It is anticipated that approx. 30 permanent staff will be required, who will likely be recruited internally. The may also be some employment opportunities in the local area associated with cleaning security, etc at the site, and an improvement in the local economy associated with demand from the new workforce at the site.

9.2.2.3 Mitigation measures The following mitigation measures will be implemented: AES-SONEL will make every effort to recruit local people where their skills are

appropriate for the job.


September 2003


Page 158


The LPP will have a positive impact on socio-economics, of medium significance. Seen in the context of the overall business strategy for the improvement of the electricity infrastructure, this project plays a major part in meeting short-term electricity demand.

9.2.3 Wastes

9.2.3.1 Potential impacts Operation of the plant will result in the generation of general plant wastes and commercial wastes. These wastes, if not treated properly, may result in the contamination of the site, pose a health risk to workers, and/or be dumped illegally.


Wastes arising from the plant processes are: Heavy fuel oil sludge; Waste lubricating oil; Oily water wastes; and Sewage.

A waste oil tank will hold the waste HFO sludge, the waste lubricating oils and the oil water sump wastes. At full operation, the expected sludge/waste oil produced will be approx. 15m3/ day. The contents of this tank will be removed from the site by road tanker approx. every two weeks during full operation. AES-SONEL has identified licensed operators for the disposal of wastes, including hazardous wastes, and is currently entering into discussions with these operators to identify the most appropriate method of waste disposal for the LPP. The operators identified as appropriate by AES-SONEL are listed in section 5.3.10.6. As specified in the contract with Wartsila, foul water will go to a septic tank. The waste from the septic tank will be disposed of in an environmentally acceptable manner by a licensed operator approved by AES-SONEL. The procedures for the disposal of this waste will be contained in the operational site environmental management plan, and will be incorporated into any contract between AES-SONEL and a licensed operator.

9.2.3.3 Mitigation measures The following mitigation measures will be implemented: All wastes will be disposed of in accordance with Cameroon legislation.

Waste oils will be pumped to oil storage tanks. An operator approved by AES-

SONEL in the handling of oil wastes will then remove the oil wastes. All relevant consignments of waste for disposal will be recorded, indicating their

type and other relevant information, prior to being sent off-site.

AES-SONEL will include in any operational contract that the operator must comply with AES-SONEL and/or World Bank guidelines with regard to the disposal of wastes to licensed sites. AES-SONEL will audit the operator’s practices.


September 2003


Page 159


Due to the intended operating regime of the plant (Chapter 5), the total generation of waste for removal from the site will be of medium significance.

9.2.4 Noise

9.2.4.1 Potential impacts During operation the main sources of noise are likely to be the exhaust stacks, exhaust diffuser, air inlet, turbine building and main transformers. High noise levels as a result of operation of the plant are a health concern to the workers while external noise at the plant boundary is a disturbance to the local community.

9.2.4.2 Assessment methodology Spectrum Acoustic Consultants undertook a noise impact assessment in May 2003 to assess the potential impacts on noise as a result of operation of the power plant. The details of this survey are provided in Appendix I. A summary of this assessment is provided below. To predict environmental noise contributions from the proposed power plant a computer based Environmental Noise Model was set up based on the octave band sound power levels of each identified major noise source, with corrections applied to account for distance to environmental location, directivity, ground effects and atmospheric attenuation, together with any screening due to land topography or other items of on-site or adjacent plant and buildings. The noise model calculation procedures used are generally in accordance with EEMUA Noise Procedure Specification 1404 and ISO 9613-2. The process involved for this model is provided in Appendix I.

9.2.4.3 Assessment of impacts The model has been used to simulate the proposed options for equipment and noise control treatment. In each case the overall dB(A) noise level has been predicted for the two critical positions at which background noise measurements were taken, and at the nearest industrial location. These are: Location A Guesthouse approximately 650m NW of the centre of the proposed power plant. The land rises, then drops, between Position A and the proposed site, thereby providing significant acoustic screening between them. Location B Residential properties approximately 900m NW of the centre of the proposed power plant. The land drops between the residences and the site, and it is assumed there is no significant acoustic screening between them. Location C Site boundary of the adjacent SONARA Refinery, approximately 100m NE of the centre of the proposed plant.


September 2003


Page 160

Details of the computer noise model and noise data provided by the power plant design engineers, used in the model, are provided in Appendix I and summarised below.

The predicted noise levels from the proposed power plant at the 3 receptors locations are shown in Table 9.1.

Table 9.1 Predicted LAeq noise levels from the proposed power plant at nearby residential and industrial locations (dB re 2 x 10-5Pa)

Residential Location Predicted LAeq level from

the World Bank

proposed power plant LAeq Noise Criteria A. Guesthouse 45 45 B. Residences 42 45 C. SONARA Refinery 66 70

9.2.4.4 Mitigation measures Noise control treatments have been incorporated into the scheme to mitigate against any

adverse effects of noise on the community; these are identified in Appendix I and summarized below.

The following mitigation measures will be undertaken:

The contractor will be responsible for ensuring that the final design of the project is such that the routine operating sound level from the plant will comply with World Bank group noise regulations.

Computer simulation: Because the design will require detailed acoustic design work,

it will be necessary for the designers to utilise a computer simulation of environmental noise to the community. This will involve each noise source being modelled and the total noise level being predicted at housing and checked to ensure it complies with the specified limits, throughout the design phase.

Site layout and orientation: The final arrangements of layout and orientation will be subject to detailed designs and equipment selection. However, particularly noisy sources will be directed wherever possible away from the nearest residential properties.

Tonal and impulsive quality: The impact of a noise will automatically increase when

tones, whines or impulses are noticed in the audible noise. Care has been taken, therefore, both to identify particular sources on the plant and to ensure that these will be adequately silenced.

Equipment choice: Where options become available for selecting intrinsically quiet

equipment, these will be taken up wherever practicable.

Noise control treatment: In addition to the benefits of selecting intrinsically quiet equipment, a package of proprietary noise control treatments has also been considered in the proposed scheme. The package comprises treatments broadly as follows, although the final noise data on selected equipment items may mean variations in the nature and extent of such treatments:


September 2003


Page 161

a) Diesel engine generators to be housed in building with walls of sandwich type

construction to provide appropriate level of acoustic insulation. b) Silencers fitted to all diesel engine combustion air intake apertures. c) Silencers fitted to all diesel engine exhaust gas outlet ducts. d) All other auxiliary equipment purchased so as not to cause the overall project

noise criteria to be exceeded.

Noise monitoring: AES-SONEL will monitor noise levels at the sensitive receptors (Location A: guesthouse and Location B: residential properties) once during operation of the plant in the first year after commissioning. The results of this monitoring will be reviewed against World Bank guidelines. If the results are not sufficient to determine whether noise levels are within World Bank guidelines, a second monitoring period will be undertaken to confirm the initial results. Monitoring of LA90 and LAeq will be undertaken for 10 minute continuous periods, three times during the day and three times during the night at the two sensitive receptors. Unrepresentative noise sources during each monitoring period will also be recorded. Since the power plant contractor is required to meet noise level standards and confirm compliance through a test, it is not expected that noise will be an issue during operation.

AES-SONEL will set up a complaints procedure to record complaints and detailing

corrective measures to be implemented. 9.2.4.5 Residual impacts

This Environmental Noise Impact Assessment demonstrates that the World Bank noise criteria can be achieved, and describes the noise abatement methods that are being incorporated into the plant design in order to do so.



Operation of the power plant will have the potential to cause impacts to water quality as a result of: Surface water drainage: generation of uncontaminated drainage such as

stormwater and uncontaminated runoff. Oil/water drainage: generation of potentially contaminated water from runoff from

machine areas and wash-down area, accidental spills. Foul water drainage: generation and disposal of sanitary waste from the

workforce. In terms of water resources, use of water during operation of the plant could put pressure on local water supplies.

9.2.5.2 Impact assessment Surface water drainage


September 2003


Page 162

A surface water drainage system will be designed by the contractor that will effectively drain the site and discharge into the sea via an outfall. Although there will be an increase in runoff from the hard surfaces at the site, the overall impact is likely to be low in relation to the high rainfall and runoff totals experienced in this area. Impacts to seawater quality are not anticipated to be significant. Oil/water drainage Without mitigation measures, the impact of oily water drainage on the water quality of the sea could be high. The risk of oil contaminated surface water drainage is minimised as the HFO and diesel oil will be transferred to the plant site via pipes with adequate protection to prevent leakages. In addition, HFO and diesel oil storage tanks will be located within a bunded area at the generation plant. The contractor will design and install an oily wastewater drainage system which will effectively drain all areas where oil spillages could occur. The design will incorporate bunded areas and an oily water collecting sump. Where roads and hardstandings are drained, the water will be passed through an oil/water separator fitted with oil detectors and automatic isolation valves. Foul water drainage Foul water will drain directly to a septic tank and will not be deposited of to sea. The above measures will ensure that water quality of the receiving body (the sea) is not significantly adversely affected during operation. Water resources Water is required during the operation of the plant for: Domestic use; Cooling water make up (very small amounts); Fire fighting system in an emergency.

The total amount of water likely to be required during operation is approx. 4000 litres a day. Although this is a significant amount of water, it will only be required when the plant is operational, i.e. predicted for 6 months of the year. Furthermore, the nature of the design of the power plant, i.e. the use of cooling radiators, minimizes the impact on water requirements. Water will be supplied from an existing source at the refinery and so will not put pressure on local water resources.


The contractor is required by the Design Specification to undertake the following mitigation measures that will address water quality during operation: All aqueous emissions will be in compliance with local Cameroon and World Bank

Group standards. This will be monitored through (a) visual inspections of the clean


September 2003


Page 163

water drainage at least once a week for oil or grease and (b) water quality sampling of the clean water drainage once a month during operation of the plant.

Where site roads and hardstanding are drained, the water will pass through an oil/water separator fitted with oil detectors and automatic isolation valves. The discharge of the oil/water separator will contain no visible oil or grease.

All buildings will be provided with roof drainage for disposal of stormwater and connected to site stormwater drainage system.

The oily wastewater drainage system design will include bunded areas and an oily water sump. Facilities will be provided to contain oil in the event of a catastrophic failure of the transformer. Bunds provided in transformer compounds, oil storage areas etc will have an impounding capacity of 1.25 times the largest possible oil spillage that could occur.

Drip trays will be provided under all equipment where drips of fluids are likely to

occur.

All oil tanks will be bunded to contain 110% of the largest tank’s contents. In addition, the following mitigation measures will be implemented: An Emergency Oil Spill Plan, outlining measures for addressing oil spills, will be

developed by AES-SONEL.

9.2.5.4 Residual impacts The mitigation measures proposed as part of the design and operation of the power plant and site will ensure that the overall impact on water quality and water resources during operation will be low.



The proposed power generation plant and associated structures, including a substation, has the potential to cause impacts to the landscape and visual aesthetics of the area.

9.2.6.2 Impact assessment The landscape assessment has focused on land use, landscape and visual impacts of the proposed power plant. The power plant site comprises an overall site of approx. 4 hectares, although the whole site will not be used for the LPP. The area is currently disused land adjacent to the SONARA site. The southern and western boundary of the area of disused land lies adjacent to the sea, with port facilities associated with the SONARA refinery located on the south-eastern boundary. The SONARA refinery site borders the east of the disused land. The disused land itself is overgrown with vegetation, with trees and shrubs along its seaward and northern boundaries. As the adjacent site is industrial in nature it is not anticipated that landscape character will be altered significantly as a result of the power plant site and substation.


September 2003


Page 164

The height of the main structures is set out in Table 9.2 and 3D photomontages provided in Photos 5.1b and c. Associated structures will extend over an area of approx. 4 hectares. Potentially sensitive receptors include the guesthouse and the athletic club, which are the closest properties to the site, local residents along the access road and visitors to Beach Mile 6, located further west along the coastline (Figure 4.2).

Table 9.2 Height of main structures at the power plant site

Structure

Dimensions (m) Height (m)

Radiator 76 x 38 6 Power House 48 x 13 13 HFO tank 7.25 radius 13.3 Stack - 80

Due to the topography of the site in relation to the surrounding land (the plant site is lower than the surrounding land to the east and north), and the trees and shrubs along the northern boundary and the perimeter of the site on the seaward side, there are no totally open views in to the site. The visual impact from the guesthouse, the athletic club and the residential properties will therefore be minimal.

Although the top of the tallest structures will be partially visible from Beach Mile 6 (Photo 4.6) these views are already influenced by the refinery structures, which are at a higher elevation than the power plant site. Due to the existing industrial views from Beach Mile 6, visual impacts as a result of the operation of the power plant are not considered to be significant. The power plant stack will be visible from most angles, however this is shorter than the refinery stack at 92m so the cumulative visual impact as a result of the LPP is considered to be minimal.

9.2.6.3 Mitigation measures The contractor is required by the Design Specification to undertake the following mitigation measures to minimise visual impact: The layout, building colours, architectural design, landscaping with appropriate

planting and finishing of the works shall be designed to reduce impacts on the skyline and shall be to the approval of AES-SONEL.

In addition, the following mitigation measures will be implemented: AES-SONEL will ensure that the trees and bushes outside the boundary of the site

are not damaged or disturbed as a result of the operation of the plant.

9.2.6.4 Residual impacts Given the substantial intrusion of the oil refinery situated adjacent to the proposed site, the topography of the site in relation to the surrounding land, the tall vegetation restricting views into the site and the height of the LPP structures in relation to the refinery structures, the residual visual impact is considered to be low.


September 2003


Page 165


9.2.7.1 Potential impacts Operation of the plant could have an impact on the general public and workers through general operation activities and as a result of accidental spills and fires.

9.2.7.2 Impact assessment The site will be secure from the general public, therefore the risk to the general public during operation of the plant and substation will be minimal. Appropriate warning signs, in French and English, will also be provided at the site where there is a risk to health and safety. Working within the power plant and substation poses a risk to AES-SONEL workers if no mitigation measures were employed. Fuel will be delivered to the site via a pipe from the refinery source, therefore the risk of spills is limited to the pipe route and the power plant site itself. Due to the topography of the site, contaminated runoff from the site in the event of an emergency will drain towards the sea and will therefore not directly affect local properties, which are located to the north west of the site. Without provisions to address emergency spills, the impact on occupational health and safety would be significant. The fuel will be delivered in the pipes at a temperature of 70oC. To minimize the significant potential adverse impact of this process on occupational health and safety, delivery pipes will be insulated and sufficient warning signs will be erected. Operational staff will also be appropriately trained to operate the fuel delivery system. A comprehensive fire detection and protection system will be installed to cover all equipment on site that could constitute a fire risk. In addition to the measures integrated into the design of the power plant and substation site, AES-SONEL will prepare a Health and Safety Plan for the site in accordance with corporate strategy. In addition to the general operation-related health and safety issues, there is a potential for adverse impact to human health and safety as a result of natural disasters and major hazards.

Consultation with SONARA has indicated that the site has not flooded in the 20 years since the site has been operational, and the overall flood risk is considered to be low. Natural disasters that may occur at the site are volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Although this could cause a significant adverse impact, any impact needs to be put in the context of the much larger impact that would arise from the effect of an earthquake or volcanic eruption at the SONARA oil refinery. The risk associated with natural disasters and major hazards having a direct impact at the site is therefore considered to be low relative to the overall impact of a natural hazard at the Cape Limboh site.

9.2.7.3 Mitigation measures The contractor is required by the Design Specification to undertake the following mitigation measures:


September 2003


Page 166

The contractor will be responsible for functional testing, commissioning,

performance, testing and reliability testing of the complete plant. The contractor will be responsible for separate training sessions for operating and

maintaining the plant. A fully detailed programme for the plant operating and maintenance personnel will be agreed between the contractor and AES-SONEL.

The contractor will provide a fire detection and protection system to international

standards. In addition, the following mitigation measures will be implemented: AES-SONEL will prepare an Operation and Maintenance manual in French and

English. AES-SONEL will ensure that the operational site is secure from unauthorized

persons and a gatehouse will be manned by security staff. Where appropriate, AES-SONEL will provide suitable clothing and hearing

protection. As assessment will be made to identify and assess the risk of a catastrophic event at

the site. Measures for emergency response procedures, e.g. in the event of an earthquake,

should be incorporated into the health and safety plan. AES-SONEL will prepare an Emergency Oil Spill Plan.

AES-SONEL will incorporate hazard management procedures into the operation

Health and Safety Plan.


With the adoption of sound health and safety practices in line with corporate policy, and the auditing and maintenance of the site, the residual impacts on health and safety will be low. In addition to these measures, AES-SONEL is currently preparing a business-wide Environmental and Social Management System that will be implemented at all AES-SONEL sites; this is addressed in greater detail in section 11.4.2.2.


9.2.8.1 Potential impacts The operation of the power plant has the potential to give rise to changes in road traffic levels on the roads within the vicinity of the plant as a result of worker vehicle movements, deliveries and the removal of wastes from the site.


September 2003


Page 167

9.2.8.2 Impact assessment The heavy fuel oil, diesel, potable water, fire water and demineralised water will all be pumped to the power plant site from the refinery thus avoiding the impact associated with the movement of HGVs to and from the site. The main source of potentially significant additional traffic during operation will be that of waste oil removal tankers and the plant site workers vehicles. The waste oil storage tank will be sized to take one month’s storage of waste oil generated at full output. The removal of this waste will result in approx. 1 tanker movement every 2 weeks during operation, i.e. for approx. 6 months of the year during the dry season. A permanent workforce of approx. 30 staff is expected at the plant site. It is unlikely that all operating staff will have cars, therefore the actual increase in personal vehicle movements is expected to be low.

9.2.8.3 Mitigation measures The following mitigation measures will be implemented: There will be speed restrictions on traffic entering and egressing the site and along

the access road to the site. Restriction of movement of HGVs to daylight hours where possible.


The overall increase in traffic movements as a result of the operation of the plant is considered to be minimal.


9.2.9.1 Potential impacts Operation of the plant could potentially have an impact on flora and fauna as a result of damage due to the movement of workers and vehicles on and around the site and long term impacts as a result of air emissions.

9.2.9.2 Impact assessment Emissions from the power plant during operation are addressed in section 9.2.1. The LBZG survey indicated that there are no sensitive habitats or species on the site (section 4.3.6), therefore the significance of any impact would be low. The plant site will be fenced and therefore all operations will take place within this boundary. There will be sufficient turning space within the plant site for vehicles. No movements outside of the site boundary are therefore anticipated.

9.2.9.3 Mitigation measures The following mitigation measures will be implemented:


September 2003


Page 168

Workers and operational vehicles will operate within the site boundary and designated site access roads to prevent damage to vegetation outside the site boundary.


The significance of the impact of the plant operations on flora and fauna is considered to be low.



Operation of the power plant could have an impact on recreation and amenity as a result of emissions from the plant or other general operations that may cause disturbance, and/or as a result of increased traffic movements.

9.2.10.2 Impact assessment The operation of the power plant could have a minor impact on the use of the guesthouse and athletic club through an increase in traffic. However, movement of traffic to and from the site will be limited primarily to that of workers vehicles and waste fuel tanker movements once every 2 weeks at full operation, as fuel and water will be pumped to the site from the refinery. These worker vehicle movements are unlikely to have a significant impact on current access to the guesthouse and athletic club along the road leading to the power plant site.

9.2.10.3 Mitigation measures No mitigation measures are proposed.

9.2.10.4 Residual impacts The operation of the power plant will have minimal impact on recreation and amenity.

9.2.11 Land use

9.2.11.1 Potential impacts Operation of the power plant could have an impact on land use by disturbing access to land uses through the operations themselves or indirectly through traffic movements.

9.2.11.2 Impact assessment The proposed site of the power plant is within an area of undeveloped land adjacent to the oil refinery boundary. As fuel and water will be pumped to the site from the refinery, movement of traffic to and from the site will be limited primarily to that of workers vehicles (less than 30) and waste fuel tankers approx. once every 2 weeks at full operation. These movements are unlikely to have a significant impact on current access along the road leading to the power plant site.



September 2003


Page 169


The operation of the power plant is unlikely to have an impact on existing land uses at or adjacent to the site.


9.2.12.1 Potential impacts Operation of the power plant could have an impact on cultural heritage as a result of emissions from the plant or other general operations that may damage cultural heritage.

9.2.12.2 Impact assessment There are no sites of cultural heritage in or adjacent to the proposed site


9.2.12.4 Residual impacts The operation of the power plant is unlikely to have an impact on cultural heritage.

9.3 TRANSMISSION LINE



Potential impacts associated with operation of the plant are: Improvement in electricity supply;

Employment opportunities, both directly at the site and indirectly through improved

electricity supply to the southern region of Cameroon.

9.3.1.2 Impact assessment The impacts associated with improved system reliability are discussed in section 9.2.2. Due to the skilled nature of the operation, AES-SONEL staff will be used to operate and maintain the transmission line site. There may be limited opportunities for local employment associated with clearance of the wayleave vegetation for maintenance purposes e.g. to maintain access for maintenance workers and to maintain the vegetation within acceptable height limits to avoid damage to the line from falling trees.

9.3.1.3 Mitigation measures The following mitigation measures will be implemented: AES-SONEL will make every effort to recruit local people where their skills are

appropriate for the job.


September 2003


Page 170

9.3.1.4 Residual impacts The LPP will have a positive impact on socio-economics, of medium significance. Seen in the context of the overall business strategy for the improvement of the electricity infrastructure, this project plays a major part in meeting short-term electricity demand. Maintenance of the line will also result in a periodic, temporary positive impact through employment of local contractors to maintain the wayleave.


9.3.2.1 Potential impacts The operation of the transmission line could result in an adverse impact on the general public and operational staff as a result of the following:

Induced effects from electromagnetic fields.

Risk of electrocutions.

Risk of fire generation from falling transmission lines and from lightening strikes.


Induced effects from electromagnetic fields

Electro-Magnetic Fields (EMF) can be produced wherever there is a voltage or a flow of electricity, and occur both naturally and as a result of man-made products. In recent years there has been much debate on the potential human health effects of EMFs, in particular in relation to electromagnetic forces generated by transmission lines. However, major research programmes throughout the world have not shown any proven causal link between ill health and EMFs. International bodies such as the World Health Organization, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) in the UK have investigated the issue and have concluded that there is no conclusive evidence of an established cause and effect link between EMFs and cancer.

Limits for electric and magnetic fields have been published by a number of authorities including the World Health Organisation (WHO), the ICNIRP and the NRPB. The two most frequently used guidelines are those produced by ICNIRP (supported by the WHO) and the NRPB. These limits are detailed in Table 9.3.

Table 9.3 NRPB and ICNIRP Guidelines

NRPB ICNIRP Electric (kV/m) Magnetic (µT) Electric (kV/m) Magnetic (µT)

Public 12 1600 5 100 Occupational 12 1600 10 500

The NRPB produced guidelines on restrictions on exposure to static and time-varying EMFs in 1993. Their recommendations are based on biological data relating to thresholds for well-established direct and indirect effects of acute exposure. These guidelines have been widely accepted in the UK. For both sets of guidelines, the recommendations to restrict exposure are based on the interactions of EMFs with body tissues and are termed basic restrictions. Compliance with the basic restrictions cannot,


September 2003


Page 171

however, be generally determined directly. Investigation levels (NRPB)/ Reference levels (ICNIRP) are therefore recommended as values of measurable field quantities for assessing whether compliance with the basic restrictions has been achieved. The current advice from the NRPB is that, apart from standard safety clearances, no special precautions near to power lines are necessary to guard against EMFs. At the EU level, a Council Recommendation to limit the exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields was adopted in July 1999, based on the guidelines of the International Commission on Non Ionizing Radiation Protection.

In addition to the guidelines above, some epidemiological studies show that average exposures of 0.4 µT or more are associated with a doubling of the risk of leukaemia in children under 15 years of age. The NRPB state that evidence is inconclusive. In relation to power lines the magnetic field encountered in any particular circumstance will relate mainly to the circuit current, the line geometry and the distance from the line. In most situations for high voltage power lines at 132 kV and above, average field levels of 0.4 µT or above might be encountered at ground levels at distances of up to several tens of metres away from the line (NRPB, 2002). All overhead power lines produce EMFs. These fields are usually greatest directly under the lines and fall rapidly with distance to the sides of the line. With 400 kV power lines, electric fields may reach a few thousand volts per metre. The field strength decreases rapidly away from the line and is at typical ambient levels of up to 10 volts per metre at about 100m distance. Magnetic fields beneath HV power lines depend on the current flowing. They can, theoretically, reach 100 microtesla at ground level, but in practice are rather lower than this. They fall off rapidly with distance and reach typical background levels within two or three hundred metres of the power line. Table 1.3 outlines some of the levels quoted in the literature. Table 9.4 indicates that EMFs produced as a result of the 132kV transmission line is likely to be well within the guidelines as recommended by both NRPB and ICNIRP. The EMFs as a result of a 90kV line can be expected to be lower than those for the 132 kV line, and therefore are not considered to have an impact on human health.

Table 9.4 Typical levels under power lines

Organisation Description Electric field

(volts per metre) Magnetic field (µT)

WHO - may be as high as 12kV/m

may be as high as30 µT

Electricity Association Services Ltd.

Smaller steel pylons (132 kV): Maximum field (under line) Typical Field (under line) Typical field (25m to side)

4000 1000-2000 100-200

40 0.5-2 0.05-0.2

NRPB Immediately beneath 132kV power line 25m from centreline

7 0.5

Source: Electric and Magnetic Fields (the facts), electricity Association, October 2001.

Risk of electrocutions and fires The transmission line may have an adverse impact on the local communities as a result of the risk of fire generation from falling transmission lines and from lightening strikes.


September 2003


Page 172

There is also a risk of electrocutions from the general public climbing up pylons and trying to connect illegally to the line. The transmission line route follows existing transmission lines and telegraph poles and therefore will not increase the risk associated with bird strike and low flying aircraft.

9.3.2.3 Mitigation measures EMFs

To minimise the impact of EMFs, the following mitigation measures will be implemented:

The transmission line will be designed to ensure that EMF levels are within accepted

guidelines for occupational and human health exposure. Residential properties and other permanent structures such as schools and shops will

not be permitted within the wayleave. Risk of fires, etc.

To minimise the risk of fires etc, the following mitigation measures will be implemented:

During the consultation process by AES-SONEL, villagers will be warned of the

risks of climbing pylons. The contractor will ensure that appropriate measures are undertaken to minimise

climbing of pylons, such as the provision of barbed wire and warning signs on the pylons.

The contractor will ensure that the pylons are adequately earthed and that earthing

cables are used.

Regular maintenance will be undertaken by AES-SONEL. 9.3.2.4 Residual impacts

On the basis of EMF guidelines, no adverse effects on human health and welfare are expected from the operation of the transmission line. The risk of accidents associated with the transmission line will be reduced through the mitigation measures proposed; the residual impact is therefore low.


9.3.3.1 Potential impacts A new overhead transmission line could have a significant adverse visual impact as a result of the line and the tower structures, and indirectly as a result of the clearance of the vegetation and crops within the wayleave to accommodate the line.

9.3.3.2 Impact assessment The extent of the impact on the character of the landscape and visual impact will depend on the nature of existing land uses and whether there are any sensitive views that will be


September 2003


Page 173

altered by the removal of vegetation (especially taller vegetation) and the new transmission line structures. The line has been routed to minimise the impact on local residents. There are 44 towers that will be erected along the 11.6kms of the line route, of approx. 25m height. Most of these towers will be located within CDC plantation crops. However, there will be some locations where a visual impact will occur; a sketch of a typical transmission line tower is provided in Figure 5.2. Table 9.5 indicates the impact along the preferred route of the line. A high visual impact would be experienced if the project resulted in direct view of towers and loss of vegetation screening the view from residential properties. A medium visual impact would be associated with the loss of views in less sensitive locations, e.g. due to the presence of other overhead structures, or due to the loss of vegetation but no direct view of the towers from residential properties or areas used for amenity purposes. A low visual impact would be where the new line or clearance of vegetation does not alter existing views from potentially sensitive receptors.

Table 9.5 Visual impacts along the transmission line route


Approx. distance from site

(m)

Description of main visual impacts Significance of impact

before mitigation

From power plant site to first tower

Within 100m

Limited visual impact from some residential properties along the access road.

View of transmission line from the main road, where the line crosses the main road.

Medium

Mokoundange village (Pylons 1/00 to 2/00)

Closest house = 20m from edge of

wayleave

Direct view of towers and transmission line from houses

Loss of palm plantations

High

Bobende 150 No residential properties with direct views to the transmission line site

Low

Ngeme 200 No residential properties with direct views to the transmission line site

Low

Mokindi 250 No residential properties with direct views to the transmission line site

Low

Botaland 250 No residential properties with direct views to the transmission line site

Low

Limbe/Mile 2 50 Direct views of transmission line and structures from local plantations, from the two government schools and from the main road. However, there is an existing transmission line along the road at Mile 2, as well as telephone poles and wires.

Medium

For the most part, the impacts of the transmission line are considered to be low as the route passes within CDC palm plantation crops and is therefore obscured from view. The most significant visual impact is at Mokoundange village due to the close proximity of the houses at this location. The other visual impact will be at Mile 2, where the landscape is more open (Photo 4.8) and therefore the line and structures will be more visible. However, views at Mile 2 are already influence by telegraph poles and lower voltage lines, so the additional impact is considered to be low. Furthermore, the


September 2003


Page 174

transmission line has been routed to be adjacent to existing lines wherever possible, minimising any additional visual impact at Mile 2.

Residential properties at the other villages along the route are at least 100m from the site and would not have direct views of the new transmission line.


The transmission line has been located to avoid proximity to houses and villages, and therefore to minimise visual impact on these receptors. To minimise the potential additional adverse visual impact, the following measures should be employed: Where possible, the line has been routed adjacent to other lines to limit the visual

intrusion in the area. Existing tracks will be used for operation and maintenance purposes.

Regrowth of natural vegetation to a height of 4m will be permitted in the wayleave.


Due to the fact that the majority of the transmission line is routed within CDC plantation crops, the visual impact of the line and structures on sensitive receptors such as residents will be minimal. The regrowth of natural vegetation to a height of 4 m in the wayleave will minimise the visual impact where plantation trees have been cleared in close vicinity of houses at Mokoundange. Residual visual impacts will remain at Mile 2, although the significance of these impacts is considered to be low in relation to the existing landscape and views in this area.

9.3.4 Land use

9.3.4.1 Potential impacts Potential impacts on land use as a result of the transmission line were discussed under section 8.3.1, resettlement and compensation.

9.3.4.2 Impact assessment Although some activities may occur in the wayleave following construction of the line, the wayleave remains the property of AES-SONEL and therefore any land uses undertaken either legally or illegally within the wayleave may be prevented by AES-SONEL for maintenance or operational purposes.

9.3.4.3 Mitigation measures AES-SONEL will inform local residents through the consultation exercise that the planting of crops or building of structures within the wayleave is not permitted. Land and crop owners will be provided with appropriate levels of compensation as set out in the Compensation Action Plan (separate volume to this EIS).

9.3.4.4 Residual impact Although there will be an impact on land use as activities that took place within the wayleave prior to the construction of the project will not be permitted, all owners of crop


September 2003


Page 175

and land that was within the wayleave will have been compensated for this permanent loss. Given the small length of transmission line route, and the lengths of this which relate to local community and individual affected persons, the residual impact will be low.


9.3.5.1 Potential impacts The operation of the transmission line has the potential to give rise to changes in road traffic as a result of operation and maintenance movements.

9.3.5.2 Impact assessment The operation of the transmission line will result in the occasional vehicle movements associated with maintenance of the line. Maintenance staff will use existing access tracks to access the site, and are likely to use AES-SONEL vehicles. No wastes will be removed from the site, therefore there will be no additional generation of traffic movements.

9.3.5.3 Mitigation measures The following mitigation measures will be implemented: Maintenance staff will use existing access tracks to gain access to the wayleave.


The overall impact on traffic and transport as a result of the operation of the transmission line is predicted to be low.


9.3.6.1 Potential impacts The clearance of vegetation cover for the wayleave could result in an increased potential for runoff of sediment-loaded water into local streams and rivers during the rainy season.

9.3.6.2 Impact assessment The main impact is likely to arise as a result of runoff from the wayleave. However, the loss of tree and dense shrub cover will probably allow herbs to germinate rapidly and apart for some slowness in growth in the dry season, their growth will protect against erosion. Furthermore, the cleared vegetation will be left on the site and so will minimise sediment runoff. There are no local watercourse within the vicinity of the transmission line site. The only potential impact may be on the four drains that cross the transmission line. There are no demands for water supply during operation of the transmission line.



September 2003


Page 176

Vegetation cleared during construction will be left in the wayleave to reduce potential runoff of sediment from the site.

Natural regrowth of vegetation to a height of 4m will be permitted in the wayleave to

protect the soil and reduce runoff. 9.3.6.4 Residual impacts

The residual impact on water quality and resources is predicted to be low.


9.3.7.1 Potential impacts Potential impacts on flora and fauna may arise as a result of clearance of vegetation for maintenance purposes.

9.3.7.2 Impact assessment Vegetation greater than 4m high will be cleared within the wayleave periodically for maintenance purposes. However, as this vegetation will be regrowth vegetation of little conservation value, the impact is low. As section 9.3.1 indicates, the electrical and magnetic currents form the operation of the transmission line will not be sufficient to cause harm to flora and fauna.


No further clearance of vegetation outside the wayleave will be undertaken for

operation or maintenance purposes.

9.3.7.4 Residual impacts The significance of the impact of operation of the transmission line on flora and fauna is minimal.

9.3.8 Wastes

9.3.8.1 Potential impacts Wastes may arise from the operation of the transmission line as a result of the clearance of vegetation in the wayleave for maintenance purposes.

9.3.8.2 Impact assessment The maintenance of the transmission line will result in occasional generation of waste from the clearance of vegetation within the wayleave for maintenance purposes. This vegetation will be left within the wayleave and therefore will not be transported off site.



September 2003


Page 177

Vegetation cleared within the wayleave for maintenance purposes will be left on site.


The residual impact of waste generation will be low.


9.3.9.1 Potential impacts The operation of the transmission line could have an impact on recreation and amenity as a result of maintenance operations that may cause disturbance and/or as a result of increased traffic movements.

9.3.9.2 Impact assessment There are no existing sites of formal recreation along the transmission line route. A hotel is being constructed at Ngeme. The wayleave for the transmission line is over 300m from this site, with CDC palm plantations separating the view from the hotel to the transmission line site. The operation of the transmission line will therefore not have an impact on recreation. There are two schools near the T-junction of the road to Limbe, at Mile 2. The transmission line passes on the other side of the road to the schools, so there will be no direct impact on these amenities during operation.



Operation of the transmission line will have a minimal impact on recreation and amenity.

9.3.10 Noise

9.3.10.1 Potential impacts The operation of the transmission line could result in the emissions of noise giving rise to noise nuisance.

9.3.10.2 Impact assessment Emissions of noise during the operation of the transmission line will not be significant enough to generate noise nuisance, based on the actual noise emitted during operation of the line and the distance of the nearest receptors from the line.




September 2003


Page 178

The operation of the transmission line will not result in significant impact on noise levels at sensitive receptors.

9.3.11 Air quality

9.3.11.1 Potential impacts No potential impacts on air quality have been identified.

9.3.11.2 Impact assessment No impacts on air quality have been identified.


9.3.11.4 Residual impacts Operation of the transmission line is unlikely to have an impact on air quality.

9.3.12 Soils

9.3.12.1 Potential impacts The operation of the transmission line has the potential to impact on soils as a result of maintenance activities to gain access to the site and in the periodic clearance of vegetation within the wayleave exposing soils to rainwater erosion.

9.3.12.2 Impact assessment Clearance of the vegetation greater than 4m height within the wayleave for maintenance purposes is unlikely to have an impact on soils as the vegetation will be cleared by hand and left on site. As section 9.3.1 indicates, there is unlikely to be an impact on soils, and organisms living within these soils, as a result of electricity and magneticity arising from the operation of the line.


No mitigation measures are proposed.

9.3.12.4 Residual impacts Operation of the transmission line is unlikely to have an impact on soils.


9.3.13.1 Potential impacts Potential impacts on cultural heritage may arise as a result of disturbance during maintenance.


September 2003


Page 179


From site surveys and consultation undertaken to date it is understood that there is one grave within the wayleave of the transmission line.

9.3.13.3 Mitigation measures AES-SONEL will ensure that due regard is given to this grave when undertaking periodic maintenance of the line. This will be included in the site operational environmental management plan.

9.3.13.4 Residual impacts With the proposed mitigation measure, operation of the transmission line is unlikely to have an impact on cultural heritage.


September 2003


Page 180



September 2003


Page 181

10 DECOMMISSIONING IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES

10.1 INTRODUCTION Chapter 10 briefly comments on the impacts associated with decommissioning of the LPP. The main activities associated with decommissioning of the LPP have been described in greater detail in sections 5.3.11, 5.4.11 and 5.5.11.

10.2 DECOMMISSIONING OF THE LIMBE POWER PROJECT All plant and equipment shall be designed for an operating life of at least 25 years. The main impacts associated with the decommissioning of the power plant unit and the transmission line are those associated with disturbance caused by HGV movements to remove wastes, occupational health and safety associated with the removal of structures and equipment, and the potential risk of pollution in so doing, and the generation and safe disposal of wastes. An assessment of potential impacts would be undertaken by AES-SONEL, or a contractor commissioned by AES-SONEL, prior to decommissioning. This assessment would include the identification of suitable mitigation measures to minimise the impact of decommissioning activities. All decommissioning activities would be undertaken in line with applicable Cameroon and international laws and standards in practice at the time.


September 2003


Page 182



September 2003


Page 183

11 SUMMARY OF IMPACTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLAN

11.1 INTRODUCTION Chapter 11 provides a summary of the environmental and social impacts associated with the LPP and addresses the cumulative impacts of the project. It also presents the Environmental Action Plan, which details the mitigation measures that will be undertaken as part of the implementation of the LPP, the requirement for monitoring, the organisation/body responsible for the action and the period for which the action should be taken.

11.2 SUMMARY OF IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES A summary of the impacts, significance of the impacts and mitigation measures as described in chapters 8, 9 and 10 is set out in Table 11.1, Table 11.2 and Table 11.3. A summary of the impacts without mitigation and residual impacts (i.e. impacts remaining after mitigation measures have been implemented) for the construction and operation phases of the power plant and transmission line is provided in Table 11.4 and Table 11.5 respectively.

11.3 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS Cumulative impacts are incremental effects that result from an action when added to other past, present and reasonable foreseeable future actions. It considers the multiple effects that the LPP may have on the environment over spatial and temporal boundaries. The main potential cumulative impact during construction of the project is the increase in traffic and influx of temporary workers if the power plant site works and transmission line works are undertaken at the same time. It is the responsibility of the two contractors, Wartsila and Alstom, to liaise with each other with regard to traffic movements. The contractors will also each be required to prepare a TMS to ensure that the programme for the delivery of the main equipment at each site does not coincide, and therefore avoid cumulative impacts associated with HGC movements in particular between Limbe and the sites. Although there may be a net increase in influx of temporary workers, these workers will be located at different sites and the total numbers at any one time is not considered to significantly increase the overall impact on the local community. Consultation with MINEF indicates that there are no known major developments planned within the project study area that they are aware of. The only known development that may result in incremental construction-related impacts is the construction of the Royal Hotel at Ngeme (Figure 4.2). Liaison with the security guard at this site indicates that construction will resume on this hotel in June 2003, although no completion date is currently available. There may be a minor net increase in traffic movements along the access road to this site in the event that this road is used by Alstom to access the transmission line site at the same time that construction resumes on the hotel. Any incremental increase in traffic, however, will be minor as deliveries to the site for the LPP would only take place over a period of approximately one week. These potential impacts will be managed through the development and implementation of the TMS. Consultation with FMO indicates that there is a proposal to construct a shipyard to the east of the SONARA refinery, approx. 500 to 1000m from the proposed site of the LPP power plant. It has only been possible to obtain information relating to this project from


September 2003


Page 184

a non-technical summary (September 2001) available on the Chantier Naval et Industriel du Cameroon website. This provides a description of the project and refers to the construction and operation of a power plant for the facility. No details of the timing of this project are provided, however it is understood that it is unlikely to be constructed before March 2004, i.e. during the same period as the LPP construction. Should the construction of the two projects coincide, this could result in some additional impacts related to construction traffic. It is unlikely that dust generated by the construction activities associated with the LPP would impact on the same areas affected by the Shipyard 500 to 1000m to the east of the refinery. Again, should construction activities coincide the movement of HGVs will be managed through the LPP contractors’ TMS. Additionally, it is unlikely that this project would include a power plant other than a small unit of emergency supply. A large unit would require the cooperation of AES-SONEL as the local electric utility. AES-SONEL has not been contacted regarding a new independently owned power plant. The transmission line route has been located such to minimise the impact on the local community. Project affected persons will receive compensation to meet World Bank/IFC requirements. In virtually all cases this compensation will be in excess of Cameroonian government mandated levels of compensation. During operation, the main potential for adverse cumulative impacts is the combination of emissions from the LPP with those from the SONARA refinery. The air quality assessment provided in Appendix H concludes that the cumulative impact of emissions from the power plant with that from the refinery in a landward direction would only occur when the wind was blowing from a direction of 225o. The meteorological data indicates that winds from the 225o sector occur for less than 19% of a typical year and therefore at these times the refinery may contribute, to some extent, to sulphur dioxide levels at points where the power station contribute. It is very unlikely however that the maximum ground level concentration due to the refinery would coincide with the maximum ground level concentrations from the power plant due to differences in the dispersion characteristics of the plumes and the low levels that the power plant is expected to contribute to sulphur dioxide ambient concentration levels. There may also be a potential for cumulative impacts with the shipyard near to the refinery, if built. Without information regarding the emissions from the shipyard, it is impossible to assess any cumulative impacts. Based on the assumption that a power plant at the shipyard would likely be a thermal plant utilizing distillate or heavy fuel oils, cumulative impacts would only occur when the wind is from the east or west. During this time, the plumes from the shipyard power plant would coincide with those from the LPP. With a westerly wind it is possible that the plumes from both plants would coincide in the direction of Limbe. However, the Air Quality Assessment reports that the contribution of the proposed LPP to ground level concentrations at Limbe are well below the guidelines. Should the shipyard facility contribute similar levels, the guidelines are unlikely to be exceeded (section 9 of Appendix H). Positively, the location of the LPP plant adjacent to the SONARA oil refinery offers a number of synergies through the provision of shared facilities such as fuel oil and water supply, thus minimising the impact associated with the construction of new facilities. In addition, the selected site will have a lower cumulative impact than would be associated with developing generation capacity at a number of other possible locations as the Limbe site will provide an opportunity in the medium term to develop the site for gas-based power generation. The Limbe site is in a good location to land offshore gas (studies indicate that all gas reserves of any significance are located offshore), and also provides opportunities for future synergies with the oil refinery in its processing. Furthermore,


September 2003


Page 185

the infrastructure developed at this site as a result of the LPP, including the clearance of a 45m wide wayleave to accommodate future transmission line expansion, will reduce the impact associated with the development of gas at an alternative location. The LPP will therefore contribute towards the development of AES-SONEL’s Business Development Plan in the medium term, facilitating the development of more environmentally benign generation capacity in the future. The most significant cumulative benefits of the LPP are associated with the provision of generation capacity to address the current electricity demand-supply deficit in the southern interconnected system. In particular, the project will address the urgent need for new generation capacity in the next dry season with the lowest possible generation cost available in the near term. The installation of approximately 80MW of HFO burning plant will result in a diversification of the sources of generation capacity (currently heavily reliant on hydro power), and thus will improve system reliability and allow AES-SONEL to significantly reduce the level of load shedding experienced in recent years, especially during the dry season. This will result in benefits to both the local economy by providing local grid support in the Limbe area and to the Cameroon economy by providing a more reliable electricity supply to the southern interconnected system, which serves the capital Yaoundé and the main commercial centre of Douala. The costs of the project will not be directly passed onto the customers. Furthermore, the improvement in system reliability will significantly reduce the need for customers to use private diesel generators that are currently operated during periods of load shedding. This will have a positive impact on air quality through the reduction of air emissions in urban areas and will reduce the costs to the customer associated with the running of private generators.


September 2003


Page 186

Table 11.1 Summary of impacts and mitigation measures during construction

CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS

Nature of Impact Environmental Issue

Description of Impact

Direct/ Indirect (D/ID)

Timescale (ST/MT/ LT)

Reversible/ Irreversible (R/IR)

Effect Significance of Impact before Mitigation

Mitigation Significance of Impact after Mitigation (Residual Impact)

POWER GENERATION PLANT SITE (AND NEW SUBSTATION) Traffic and transport

Disruption of transport links during the works caused by construction traffic, especially on roads in and around Douala if road transportation from Douala Port is the preferred delivery option to the site.

D ST R Negative High The contractor is required as part of the Design Specification to undertake the following mitigation measures: • Identify a preferred route to deliver equipment to the

power generation plant site. The preferred route will be agreed with AES-SONEL prior to any deliveries.

• Advise AES-SONEL of the movement of abnormal loads and provide full details of such loads to AES-SONEL.

In addition to the above, the contractor will be required to prepare a Traffic Method Statement (TMS). This statement will: • Identify the preferred route to the site, taking into

consideration the results of the traffic survey undertaken by AES-SONEL (section 8.2.1);

• Detail the delivery schedule of HGVs and other significant traffic movements;

• Identify any significant impacts associated with the preferred route;

• Outline the mitigation measures to be undertaken, taking into account the measures set out in this EIS and local Cameroon legislation;

• Detail the method for implementation of the TMS. The TMS will be approved by AES-SONEL prior to the

Medium


September 2003


Page 187









delivery of equipment to the site.

Traffic and transport cont.

Disruption and damage caused by increased traffic at and within the immediate vicinity of the power plant site

D ST R Negative High The following mitigation measures will be implemented: • AES-SONEL will undertake a further consultation

meeting with power plant stakeholders following preparation of the EIS and prior to the start of significant construction activities on site.

• The contractor will restrict delivery hours of HGVs along the access route to the plant site to daylight hours to minimise disturbance to residents, unless otherwise agree with AES-SONEL.

• The contractor will designate speed limits on all traffic accessing and egressing the site and along the access road to the site.

Medium

Risk of accidents along delivery roads and on the site

D LT IR Negative High The following mitigation measures will be implemented: • The contractor will avoid delivery of HGVs in the

vicinity of the 2 schools at Mile 2 and the school at Ngeme village between the hours of 6:30 – 7:30 and 14:30 – 15:30, unless otherwise agreed with AES-SONEL.

• The contractor will restrict deliveries of HGVs to daytime hours along unlit roads, unless otherwise agreed by AES-SONEL.

• The contractor will develop procedures for on-site traffic movement and parking at the site.

• The contractor will arrange for the training and testing of heavy equipment operators and drivers, with records kept of all training.

Medium


September 2003


Page 188









• The contractor will erect warning signs along all access roads also used by the general public, and by the two schools at Mile 2 and the school at Ngeme.

• AES-SONEL will arrange for a presentation about traffic safety to be given to school staff and students at the 2 schools at Mile 2 and the school at Ngeme. The contractor should arrange to be present at this presentation.


Disruption and disturbance caused as a result of the construction of approx. 600m of new road to extend access to the power plant site.

D ST R Negative Low The contractor is required as part of the Design Specification to undertake the following mitigation measures: • Permanent roads will be designed and constructed to

comply with the requirements of the local highways authority. Design loads will take into account of the abnormal and heavy loads which occur during power station construction and operation.

• Road markings and signs will be in accordance with relevant Cameroon standards.

Low


Employment opportunities.

D ST R Positive Low The following mitigation measures will be implemented: • The contractor should ensure that local people are

employed where skills permit. The contractor will be required to prepare a statement of intent detailing: how local employment opportunities will be addressed and the procedure for application for jobs.

• Local Chiefs have been advised by AES-SONEL to prepare a list of people available, and their skills, for employment construction opportunities. The contractor will be responsible for liaison with local Chiefs to obtain this information.

Medium


September 2003


Page 189









• The contractor will ensure that no child labour is used, in accordance with the IFC policy (Table 2.7).

Pressure on local resources and local communities due to influx of construction workers.

ID ST R Negative Medium The contractor is required as part of the Design Specification to undertake the following mitigation measures: • To be responsible for arranging and providing all living

accommodation, services and amenities required by his employees.

In addition, the following mitigation measures will be undertaken: • The contractor should seek to secure accommodation for

temporary workforces at the AES-SONEL training centre at Ombe.

• If further accommodation is required the contractor should prepare a brief statement of their intended accommodation plans for the temporary workforce, to be agreed with AES-SONEL.

• The contractor should make provision for local residents to benefit from selling the workforce food and other services such as laundry, transport, retail goods etc. wherever possible.

• To ensure that local levels of HIV/AIDS are not exacerbated, the contractor will brief employees on health risks. This should be included as an action within the Health & Safety Plan prepared by the contractor.

Low

Wastes

Arisings of waste from excavation during site preparation and

D ST IR Negative Medium The contractor is required by the Design Specification to undertake the following mitigation measures: • Before earthworks commence at the power plant site,

Low


September 2003


Page 190









need to dispose of waste. Interceptor sewage wastes comprising sludge from drainage interceptors. Wastes from offices, workers, etc. Potential small amounts of unexpended rifle ammunition wastes at the power plant site.

the site will be thoroughly inspected by the contractor and any ammunition found will be disposed of in an appropriate manner, to be agreed with AES-SONEL or his representative.

• The contractor will be responsible for ensuring that all waste arising from the works is deposited, treated, kept, disposed of and carried in accordance with the provisions of relevant national and local environmental protection acts and also in accordance with any additional instructions decreed by AES-SONEL.

• The burning of waste will not be permitted. • The contractor will ensure that only a waste carried

conversant with the above will transport all waste arising from the Works.

• For the control of substances hazardous to health, no dangerous or noxious waste products, chemicals or materials will be disposed of, on or off the site without the approval of the appropriate authorities. The contractor will be responsible for the disposal of all normal, hazardous or controlled waste in a manner strictly in accordance with current legislation and any consent given to AES-SONEL or the contractor by the relevant authority.

In addition, the following mitigation measures will be implemented: • The contractor will ensure that waste arisings are kept to

a minimum and are re-used on site where appropriate. • No waste other than inert waste will be disposed of on


September 2003


Page 191









site, at the approval of AES-SONEL. • No solid or liquid waste will be disposed of directly to a

watercourse or to the sea. • The contractor will be required to have and to promote a

policy of a clean worksite and good disposal practices, with advice and training available to its workforce to achieve this.

Noise Noise impacts

associated with construction activities such as use of equipment, the preparation of the site and traffic movements, at properties along the access road to the site.

D ST R Negative Medium The Contractor is required by the tender document to undertake the following mitigation measures: • All construction equipment will meet the specifications

for noise suppression required by local regulations and standards, the World Bank Group and EU regulations, and be well maintained by the contractor.

• The contractor will undertake noise monitoring at the sensitive receptors once during commissioning with engines at full load to test that noise levels of the plant are compliant with the design specification.

In addition, the following mitigation measures will be implemented: • The contractor will be required to ensure that

construction activities do not cause significant noise nuisance impacts, as measured by the number of complaints received.

• The contractor will restrict the movement of noisy vehicles to daytime hours, except where otherwise agreed with AES-SONEL.

Low


September 2003


Page 192









• The contractor will limit noisy activities to daytime activities, except where otherwise agreed with AES-SONEL.

Air quality Disturbance through noise, dust, traffic movements and emission of fugitive gases and dust which could affect local residents along access road to the power plant site.

D ST R Negative Medium The contractor is required by the Design Specification to undertake the following mitigation measures: • The contractor will take precautions to keep all existing

and new temporary and permanent roadways clear of any spillage from construction traffic. Any such spillage, including excessive earth or any other materials brought in on the wheels to tracks of site vehicles or traffic, should be cleared immediately.

In addition, the following mitigation measures will be implemented: • The contractor will maintain construction equipment in

good running condition. When practical, engines should be switched off when not in use.

• Where appropriate, the contractor will enforce a maximum speed limit over all unmade surfaces.

• Where appropriate, the contractor will cover loads of friable material during transportation.

• Where appropriate, the contractor will manage stockpiles to limit erosion and emissions of dust.

• Where practicable, site roads and construction vehicle tyres will be wetted to reduce dust generation. A washing bay with appropriate drainage will be provided for this purpose.

Low

Soils Impact on soils D/ID MT/ LT IR Negative Medium The following mitigation measures will be implemented: Low


September 2003


Page 193









through the excavation of topsoil and subsoil for foundations and the movement of equipment on sites during construction.

• The contractor will be responsible for ensuring that construction activities are restricted to designated work areas to avoid damage and disturbance outside of the power plant site.

• Existing access roads will be used to reach the sites. • The contractor will strip and store topsoil separately

from subsoil.

Contamination of soils.

D MT IR Negative High The following mitigation measures will be implemented: • The contractor will locate temporary storage tanks on

impervious bases and will use drip trays during refuelling of equipment avoid contamination of soils.

• The contractor will have available on site all equipment and materials required to execute a clean up.

Low

Water quality and resources

Impact on existing local watercourses and drainage from site preparation works.

- - - - No impact No local watercourses or existing local drainage channels across the site, therefore no impact anticipated.

No impact

Impact on surface waters through spillage of lubricants, oils and machine fuel and disturbance of soils and dust which is washed

ID ST/MT IR Negative Medium The contractor is required by the Design Specification to undertake the following mitigation measures: • The contractor will agree arrangements for the disposal

of aqueous effluents during construction and commissioning phases with AES-SONEL.

• All oil tanks will be bunded to contain 110% of the largest tank’s contents.

Low


September 2003


Page 194









into local water courses.

In addition, the following mitigation measures will be undertaken: • The contractor will locate temporary storage tanks on

impervious bases and use drip trays during refueling of equipment. Any temporary refuelling tanks must be bunded.

• The contractor will have available on site all equipment and materials necessary to execute clean up.

Public and occupational health and safety

Potential risk to general public and workers from increased noise, movement of vehicles etc.

D ST-LT R/ IR Negative Medium The contractor is required by the Design Specification to undertake a number of Health and Safety measures, including the following: • The contractor will comply with all relevant

international and local standards, acts, regulations, codes and statutory instructions with respect to Health and Safety.

• The contractor will also comply with the Health Safety Environment (HSE) procedures of AES-SONEL.

• The Contractor will submit a Health and Safety plan, to be approved by AES-SONEL prior to start of construction.

• The contractor will be responsible for managing, supervising and monitoring health and safety on site, and that of any sub-contractors.

• The contractor will provide qualified first aid cover for minor treatment and will ensure that at least two persons amongst the site staff are trained in first aid. A suitable facility will be maintained to cater for first aid requirements. The first aid equipment will include a

Low


September 2003


Page 195









defibrillator, and two members of site staff will be trained in its correct use.

• The contractor will fence off the site and take all reasonable precautions to safeguard the health and safety of all persons, employees or general public, from all construction and construction related activities.

• The contractor will propose methods for security of sites, to be approved by AES-SONEL prior to construction.

• The contractor will provide adequate and appropriate training.

Flora and fauna

Permanent loss of less than 4 hectares of vegetation. No protected habitats or species.

D LT IR Negative Medium The contractor is required by the Design Specification to undertake the following mitigation measures: • Damage to the natural environment of the area during

construction must be kept to a minimum and special care will be taken to avoid permanent damage.

• Bushes and trees will not be cut except where necessary for the execution of the Works and then only after the sanction of AES-SONEL has been obtained.

• The contractor will undertake landscaping within the boundary of the power plant site, using natural plant species. Landscaping will be to the approval of the AES-SONEL project Environmental Manager.

Low

Landscape and visual

Visual impact of construction activities from Beach Mile 6, to the west of the power plant site.

D LT R Negative Low The following mitigation measures will be implemented: • The contractor will ensure that all existing trees and

bushes outside the boundary of the power plant site are not damaged or destroyed as a result of construction activities.

Low


September 2003


Page 196









Land use

Disruption to activities of the guesthouse, athletic club and local residents along access road to the site as a result of traffic movements.

ID ST R Negative Low See Traffic and Transport above. Low


Disruption during construction activities to the guesthouse and athletic club.

ID ST R Negative Low • AES-SONEL has undertaken consultation with power plant stakeholders to inform them of project details. A further consultation meeting will be undertaken by AES-SONEL following preparation of the EIA and prior to the start of construction on site.

Low

Cultural heritage

No sites of cultural heritage in or adjacent to site.

ID LT IR Negative Low The following mitigation measures will be implemented: • AES-SONEL will consult with the Ministry of Culture

to identify the archaeological potential of the site. • A suitable qualified archaeologist will undertake a

review of the archaeological potential at the site. • The contractor will be required to take into account the

recommendations of the Archaeologist.

N/A

TRANSMISSION LINE Resettlement and Compensation

Loss of land and/or crops affecting a total of approx. 334 persons.

D LT IR Negative High AES-SONEL has prepared a Compensation Action Plan (August 2003) to manage the compensation process along the route. As part of the compensation process, the following measures will be undertaken: • The identification of all project-affect persons • Socio-economic survey of affected persons to establish

Low


September 2003


Page 197









economic impact of loss • Determination of compensation rates based on

Cameroon government and independent valuators assessment

• Compensation for loss of land and/or crops at market or replacement cost values

• Provision for additional assistance to vulnerable persons In addition, the following mitigation measures will be implemented: • The contractor will restrict construction works to within

the 45m wayleave. Socio-economic and local community impacts

Employment opportunities

D ST R Positive Low The following mitigation measures will be implemented: • The contractor should ensure that local people are

employed where skills permit. The contractor will be required to prepare a statement of intent detailing: how local employment opportunities will be addressed and the procedure for application for jobs.

• Local Chiefs have been advised by AES-SONEL to prepare a list of people available, and their skills, for construction employment opportunities. The contractor will be responsible for liaison with local Chiefs to obtain this information.

• The contractor will ensure that no child labour is used, in accordance with the IFC policy (Table 2.7).

Medium

Socio-economic and local

Pressure on local resources and local communities

ID ST R Negative Medium The contractor is required as part of the Design Specification to undertake the following mitigation measures: • To be responsible for arranging and providing all living

Low


September 2003


Page 198









community impacts cont.

due to influx of construction workers.

accommodation, services and amenities required by his employees.

In addition, the following mitigation measures will be undertaken: • The contractor should seek to secure accommodation for

temporary workforces at the AES-SONEL training centre at Ombe.

• If further accommodation is required the contractor should prepare a brief statement of their intended accommodation plans for temporary workforce to be agreed with AES-SONEL.

• The contractor should make provision for local residents to benefit from selling the workforce food and other services such as laundry, transport, retail goods etc. wherever possible.

• To ensure that local levels of HIV/AIDS are not exacerbated, the contractor will brief employees on health risks. This should be included as an action within the Health & Safety Plan prepared by the contractor.

Traffic and transport

Disruption of transport links during the works caused by construction traffic, in particular if road transport from Douala Port to the

D ST R Negative Medium

• The contractor will prepare a Traffic Method Statement (TMS). This statement will:

• identify the preferred route to the site, taking into consideration the results of the traffic survey undertaken by AES-SONEL (sections 8.2.1 and 8.3.3);

• detail the delivery schedule of HGVs and other significant traffic movements;

• identify any significant impacts associated with the

Low


September 2003


Page 199









site is the preferred route

preferred route; • outline the mitigation measures to be undertaken, taking

into account the measures set out in this EIS and local Cameroon legislation;

• detail the method for implementation of the TMS. This TMS will be agreed with AES-SONEL prior to the delivery of equipment to the site.

Disruption caused by increased traffic at the transmission line site

D ST R Negative Medium The following mitigation measures will be implemented: • AES-SONEL will undertake consultation with

transmission line stakeholders following preparation of the EIS and prior to the start of construction on site.

• The contractor will avoid using access roads where residential properties are adjacent to the road wherever possible.

• The contractor will restrict delivery hours of HGVs along the access tracks to the transmission line site where there are residential properties to daylight hours to minimise disturbance to residents, unless otherwise agree with AES-SONEL.

• The contractor will designate speed limits on all traffic accessing and egressing the wayleave and along access tracks in the vicinity of residential properties and other sensitive receptors e.g. schools.

Low



D LT IR Negative Medium The following mitigation measures will be implemented: • The contractor will avoid delivery of HGVs in the

vicinity of the 2 schools at Mile 2 and the school at Ngeme village between the hours of 6:30 – 7:30 and 14:30 – 15:30, unless otherwise agreed with AES-

Low


September 2003


Page 200









SONEL. • The contractor will restrict deliveries of HGVs to

daytime hours along unlit roads, unless otherwise agreed by AES-SONEL.

• The contractor will develop procedures for on-site traffic movement and parking at the sites.

• The contractor will arrange for the training and testing of heavy equipment operators and drivers, with records kept of all training.

• The contractor will erect warning signs along all access roads also used by the general public, and by the two schools at Mile 2 and the school at Ngeme.

• AES-SONEL will arrange for a presentation about traffic safety and project schedule to be given to school staff and students at the 2 schools at Mile 2 and the school at Ngeme. The contractor should arrange to be present at this presentation.

Noise Noise impacts associated with construction activities such as use of equipment, the preparation of the site and traffic movements, at properties within the vicinity of the transmission line route or along

D ST R Negative Medium The following mitigation measures will be implemented: • All equipment will meet the specifications for noise

suppression required by local regulations and standards, the World Bank Group and EU regulations, and be well maintained by the contractor.

• The contractor will be required to ensure that construction activities do not cause significant noise nuisance impacts, as measured by the number of complaints received.

• The contractor will restrict the movement of noisy vehicles to daytime hours, except where otherwise

Low


September 2003


Page 201









access tracks to the route.

agreed with AES-SONEL. • The contractor will limit noisy activities to the daytime,

except where otherwise agreed with AES-SONEL. Air quality Disturbance

through noise, dust, traffic movements and emission of fugitive gases and dust which could affect local residents along access tracks to the transmission line site in particular at Mokoundange, and have an impact on crops

D ST R Negative Medium The following mitigation measures will be implemented: • The contractor will take precautions to keep all existing

and new temporary and permanent roadways clear of any spillage from construction traffic. Any such spillage, including excessive earth or any other materials brought in on the wheels to tracks of site vehicles or traffic, should be cleared immediately.

• The contractor will maintain construction equipment in good running condition. When practical, engines should be switched off when not in use.

• Where appropriate, the contractor will enforce a maximum speed limit over all unmade surfaces.

• Where appropriate, the contractor will cover loads of friable material during transportation.

• Where appropriate, the contractor will manage stockpiles to limit erosion and emissions of dust.

• Where practicable, the contractor will ensure that site roads and construction vehicle tyres are wetted to reduce dust generation. A washing bay with appropriate drainage will be provided for this purpose.

Low

Wastes

Arisings of waste from excavation during site preparation and need to dispose of

D ST IR Negative Medium The contractor is required by the tender document to undertake the following mitigation measures: • The contractor will dispose of excavated materials in

line with Cameroon law/good practice. • The contractor will be responsible for ensuring that all

Low


September 2003


Page 202









waste.

waste arising from the works is deposited, treated, kept, disposed of and carried in accordance with the provisions of relevant national and local environmental protection acts and also in accordance with any additional instructions decreed by AES-SONEL.

• The burning of waste will not be permitted. • The contractor will ensure that only a waste carried

conversant with the above will transport all waste arising from the Works.

In addition, the following mitigation measures will be implemented: • The contractor will ensure that waste arisings are kept to

a minimum and are re-used on site where appropriate. • Any hazardous waste will be kept separate and disposed

of in a manner to be agreed with AES-SONEL or his representative.

• No solid or liquid waste will be directly disposed of to a watercourse or to the sea.

• No waste other than inert waste will be disposed of onsite.

Soils Impact on soils through the excavation of topsoil and subsoil for foundations and soil erosion due to clearance of

D/ID MT/ LT IR Negative Medium The following mitigation measures will be implemented: • The contractor will be responsible for ensuring that

construction activities are restricted to the 45m wayleave to avoid damage and disturbance outside of the transmission line route.

• Existing access roads or tracks will be used to reach the sites.

Low


September 2003


Page 203









vegetation and the movement of equipment on sites during construction.

• The contractor will strip and store topsoil separately from subsoil.

Soils cont. Contamination of soils.

ID MT/LT IR Negative High The following mitigation measures will be implemented: • The contractor will use drip trays during refuelling of

equipment to avoid contamination of soils. • The contractor will have available on site all equipment

and materials required to execute a clean up.

Low


Impact on drains which cross the line at: - Tower 31 to 32 - Tower 35 to 36 - Tower 37 to 38 - Tower 38 to 39

D MT R Negative Medium The following mitigation measures will be implemented: • The contractor will make provision to protect the drains

from sedimentation as a result of construction works.

Low

Impact on surface waters through spillage of lubricants, oils and machine fuel and disturbance of soils and dust which is washed into local water courses.

ID ST/MT IR Negative Medium The following mitigation measures will be implemented: • The contractor will have available on site all equipment

and materials necessary to execute clean up. • The contractor will incorporate measures to protect

surface water and drainage features, for example fencing off of work areas and routing of all site drainage to silt traps.

• The contractor will ensure that areas susceptible to erosion will be properly sloped and compacted to reduce the effect of runoff.

• Vegetation cleared during construction will be left in the

Low


September 2003


Page 204









wayleave to reduce potential runoff of sediment from the site.



D ST-LT R/ IR Negative High The following mitigation measures will be implemented: • The contractor is required by the Design Specification to

produce a Project Implementation Plan that will include a health and safety plan.

• The contractor will comply with all relevant international and local standards, acts, regulations, codes and statutory instructions with respect to health and safety.

• The contractor will also comply with the Health Safety Environment (HSE) procedures of AES-SONEL.

• The contractor will be responsible for managing, supervising and monitoring health and safety on site, and that of any sub-contractors.

• The contractor will be responsible for taking all reasonable precautions to safeguard the health and safety of all persons, employees or general public, from all construction and construction related activities.

Low

Landscape and visual impact

Reduced visual character as a result of clearance of tall vegetation and presence of large construction equipment.

D LT/ ST R Negative Medium The following mitigation measures will be implemented: • The contractor will ensure that workers and equipment

remain within designated working areas and access will only be allowed along designated access roads to avoid additional damage to adjacent vegetation, crops and/ or residential properties.

• No felling of trees or crops will be permitted outside of the wayleave, without prior permission of AES-SONEL.

Low

Flora and Permanent loss of D LT IR Negative Medium The following mitigation measures will be implemented: Low


September 2003


Page 205









fauna vegetation located within the wayleave (less than 1km). Temporary and permanent damage to vegetation outside the wayleave. No protected habitats or species.

• The contractor will restrict clearance of vegetation to the 45m wayleave. Workers will be restricted from working outside of the designated working area. No plants and trees outside of this area will be removed without prior permission of AES-SONEL.

• The contractor will use drip trays under all equipment where drips of fluids are likely to occur. These trays should be integral parts of the items they serve and provided with readily accessible drain plugs.

Land use See Resettlement above.

- - - - - - -


Potential disturbance to two local schools near the T-junction to Limbe, mainly as a result of increased traffic movements.

ID ST R Negative Medium See Traffic and Transport above. Low

Cultural heritage

A single grave is located within the transmission line wayleave.

D LT IR Negative Medium The following mitigation measures will be implemented: • The contractor will be required to ensure that the grave

is not disturbed during construction works. AES-SONEL will ensure that the contractor is aware of the location of the grave and ensure that there is no damage to this grave during construction.

• If further cultural properties were to be found during construction mitigation measures will be developed in

Low


September 2003


Page 206









collaboration with the AES-SONEL Environmental Manager.

KEY: ST – Short term; MT - Medium term; LT – Long term; N/A - Negligible/Not Applicable


September 2003


Page 207

Table 11.2 Summary of impacts and mitigation measures during operation

OPERATIONAL IMPACTS




Timescale (ST/MT/LT)



Mitigation Significance of Impact after Mitigation

POWER GENERATION PLANT SITE (AND NEW SUBSTATION) Air quality

Emissions of gases – carbon dioxide, SO2, NOx and particulate matter, which could affect human health and flora and fauna in the vicinity of the plant site.

ID LT IR Negative High The contractor will design the plant such that during operation of the plant the following emissions limits are not exceeded: • NOx emissions should not exceed 2000mg/Nm3 • Particulate matter emissions should not exceed 50

mg/Nm3 Sulphur dioxide emissions will be controlled by limiting the sulphur content of the fuel to 0.7%.

Low

Socio-economics and local community impacts

Provision of increased security of electricity supply in the dry season.

D LT IR Positive Low The operation of plant will provide additional generation capacity, improve system reliability and minimise load shedding. This will benefit the Cameroon economy.

High


D LT R Positive Low The following mitigation measures will be implemented: • AES-SONEL will make every effort to recruit local

people where their skills are appropriate for the job.

Medium

Wastes

Generation of general plant wastes (heavy fuel oil sludge oil, waste lubricating oil), and sewage.

D LT R Negative High The following mitigation measures will be implemented: • All wastes will be disposed of in accordance with

Cameroon legislation. • Waste oils will be pumped to oil storage tanks. An

operator approved by AES-SONEL in the handling of oil wastes will then remove the oil wastes.

• All relevant consignments of waste for disposal will be

Medium


September 2003


Page 208

OPERATIONAL IMPACTS








recorded, indicating their type and other relevant information, prior to being sent off-site.

• AES-SONEL will include in any operational contract that the operator must comply with AES-SONEL and/or World Bank guidelines with regard to the disposal of wastes to licensed sites. AES-SONEL will audit the operator’s practices.

Noise

Disturbance to local residents along the access road to the site from increase in noise levels during operation of plant.

D LT IR Negative Medium The following mitigation measures will be implemented: • The contractor will be responsible for ensuring that the

final design of the project is such that the routine operating sound level from the plant will comply with World Bank group noise regulations.

• The designer will use a computer simulation of environmental noise to the community. This will involve each noise source being modelled and the total noise level being predicted at housing and checked to ensure it complies with the specified limits, throughout the design phase.

• The final arrangements of layout and orientation will be subject to detailed designs and equipment selection. Particularly noisy sources will be directed wherever possible away from the nearest residential properties.

• The impact of a noise will automatically increase when tones, whines or impulses are noticed in the audible noise. Care has been taken, therefore, both to identify particular sources on the plant and to ensure that these will be adequately silenced.

• Where options become available for selecting intrinsically quiet equipment, these will be taken up

Low


September 2003


Page 209

OPERATIONAL IMPACTS








wherever practicable. • AES-SONEL will monitor noise levels at the sensitive

receptors (Location A: guesthouse and Location B: residential properties) once during operation of the plant in its first year. A second monitoring period will be undertaken if required to confirm the initial results.

• AES-SONEL will set up a complaints procedure to record complaints and detailing corrective measures to be implemented.


Impacts on water resources as a result of: Surface water drainage, contaminated drainage (e.g. oil/water drainage and drainage) and sewage.

ID LT R/IR Negative High The contractor is required by the Design Specification to undertake the following mitigation measures that will address water quality during operation: • All aqueous emissions will be in compliance with local

Cameroon and World Bank Group standards. This will be monitored through (a) visual inspections of the clean water drainage at least once a week for oil or grease and (b) water quality sampling of the clean water drainage once a month during operation of the plant.

• Where road sand hardstanding are drained, the water will pass through an oil/water separator fitted with oil detectors and automatic isolation valves. The discharge of the oil/water separator will contain no visible oil or grease.

• All buildings will be provided with roof drainage for disposal of stormwater and connected to site stormwater drainage system.

• The oily wastewater drainage system design will include bunded areas, oil interceptors and traps. Facilities will be provided to contain oil in the event of a catastrophic

Low


September 2003


Page 210

OPERATIONAL IMPACTS








failure of the transformer. Bunds provided in transformer compounds, oil storage areas etc will have an impounding capacity of 1.25 times the largest possible oil spillage that could occur.

• Drip trays will be provided under all equipment where drips of fluids are likely to occur.

• All oil tanks will be bunded to contain 110% of the largest tank’s contents.

In addition, the following mitigation measures will be implemented: • An Emergency oil spill plan will be developed by AES-

SONEL. Landscape and visual

Limited visual impact from properties closest to the plant site. Visual impact of plant from Beach Mile 6 to the west of the site.

D LT IR Negative Medium The contractor is required by the Design Specification to undertake the following mitigation measures: • The layout, building colours, architectural design,

landscaping with appropriate planting and finishing of the works shall be designed to reduce impacts on the skyline and shall be to the approval of AES-SONEL.

In addition, the following mitigation measures will be implemented: • AES-SONEL will ensure that the trees and bushes

outside the boundary of the site are not damaged or disturbed as a result of the operation of the plant.

Low


Risks to general public from operation of the site.

D LT IR Negative Medium The contractor is required by the Design Specification to undertake the following mitigation measures: • The contractor will be responsible for functional testing,

commissioning, performance, testing and reliability

Low


September 2003


Page 211

OPERATIONAL IMPACTS








Risks to operational workers from exposure to noise and emissions from the plant, operation of dangerous elements of the plant.

testing of the complete plant. • The contractor will be responsible for separate training

sessions for operating and maintaining the plant. A fully detailed programme for the plant operating and maintenance personnel will be agreed between the contractor and AES-SONEL.

• The contractor will provide a fire detection and protection system to international standards.

In addition, the following mitigation measures will be implemented: • AES-SONEL will prepare an Operation and

Maintenance manual in French and English. • AES-SONEL will ensure that the operational site is

secure from unauthorized persons and a gatehouse will be manned by security staff.

• Where appropriate, AES-SONEL will provide suitable clothing and hearing protection.

• AES-SONEL will prepare an Emergency oil spill plan. • AES-SONEL will incorporate hazard management

procedures into the operation Health and Safety Plan. Traffic and transport

Movement of less than 30 workers vehicles to and from site. Movement of approx. 1 waste oil tanker every 2 week.

D LT IR Negative Low The following mitigation measures will be implemented: • There will be speed restrictions on traffic entering and

egressing the site and along the access road to the site • Restriction of movement of HGVs to daylight hours

where possible.

Low


September 2003


Page 212

OPERATIONAL IMPACTS








Flora and fauna

Potential disturbance/ damage to remaining vegetation.

D LT IR Negative Low The following mitigation measures will be implemented: • Workers and operational vehicles will operate within the

site boundary and designated site access roads to prevent damage to vegetation outside the site boundary.

Low


Disturbance through movement of operational traffic in vicinity of guesthouse, athletic club and residential properties

D LT R Negative Low See Traffic and Transport above N/A

Land use

The operation of the new plant will not affect the current use of the substation or other land uses in the area

- - - - N/A No mitigation measures required. N/A

Cultural heritage


- - - - N/A No mitigation measures required. N/A

TRANSMISSION LINE Socio-economic and local

Provision of increased security of electricity

D LT IR Positive Low The operation of project will provide additional generation capacity, improve system reliability and minimise load shedding. This will benefit the Cameroon economy.

High


September 2003


Page 213

OPERATIONAL IMPACTS








community impacts

supply in the dry season.


D LT R Positive Low The following mitigation measure will be implemented: • AES-SONEL will make every effort to recruit local

people where their skills are appropriate for the job.

Low


Risk to human health through EMFs

ID LT IR Negative Medium The following mitigation measures will be implemented: • The transmission line will be designed and to ensure that

EMF levels are within accepted guidelines for occupational and human health exposure (section 9.3.1).

• Residential properties and other permanent structures such as schools and shops will not be prohibited within the wayleave.

Low

Risk of electrocutions, fire generation from falling transmission lines and from lightening,

ID/ D LT IR Negative Medium The following mitigation measures will be implemented: • During the consultation process by AES-SONEL,

villagers will be warned of the risks of climbing pylons. • The contractor will ensure that appropriate measures are

undertaken to minimise climbing of pylons, such as the provision of barbed wire and warning signs on the pylons.

• The contractor will ensure that the pylons are adequately earthed and that earthing cables are used.

• Regular maintenance will be undertaken by AES-SONEL.

Low


Visual impact of transmission line pylons and wires. Reduction of views as a result of clearance of

D LT IR Negative Medium The following mitigation measures will be implemented: • Where possible, the line has been routed adjacent to

other lines to limit the visual intrusion in the area. • Existing tracks will be used for operation and

maintenance purposes. • Regrowth of natural vegetation to a height of 4m will be

Low in most places


September 2003


Page 214

OPERATIONAL IMPACTS








vegetation, particularly important where near sensitive receptors such as houses.

permitted in the wayleave.

Land use Land uses cleared during construction will not be permitted during operation

D LT IR Negative High The following mitigation measures will be implemented: • AES-SONEL will inform local residents through the

consultation exercise that the planting of crops or building of structures within the wayleave is not permitted.

Low

Traffic and transport

Occasional maintenance vehicles to the site approx. one vehicle two times a year.

D LT IR Negative Low The following mitigation measures will be implemented: • Vehicles will use existing access tracks to gain access to

the wayleave.

Low

Wastes Occasional clearance of vegetation from the wayleave to provide access for maintenance.

D ST R Negative Low The following mitigation measures will be implemented: • Vegetation cleared within the wayleave will be left on

site.

Low

Water resources and water quality

Increased potential for runoff of sediment-loaded water due to unprotected soils,

ID MT R Negative Low The following mitigation measures will be implemented: • Vegetation cleared during construction will be left in the

wayleave to reduce potential runoff of sediment from the site.

• Natural regrowth of vegetation to a height of 4m will be permitted in the wayleave to protect the soil and reduce

Low


September 2003


Page 215

OPERATIONAL IMPACTS








however there are only 4 ephemeral drains and no local watercourses within the vicinity of the transmission line.

runoff.

Flora and fauna

Permanent loss of vegetation. No protected species or habitats.

D LT IR Negative Medium The following mitigation measure will be implemented: • No further clearance of vegetation outside the wayleave

will be undertaken for operation or maintenance purposes.

Low

Wastes The maintenance of the transmission line will result in occasional generation of waste from the clearance of vegetation within the wayleave for maintenance purposes.

D LT R/IR Negative Medium The following mitigation measure will be implemented: • Vegetation cleared within the wayleave for maintenance

purposes will be left on site.

Low


The operation of the transmission line will not affect recreation and amenity.

ID ST R Negative Low No specific mitigation measures are proposed. Low


September 2003


Page 216

OPERATIONAL IMPACTS








Noise The operation of the transmission line could result in the emissions of noise giving rise to noise nuisance.

- - - - N/A - N/A

Air quality No potential impacts on air quality have been identified.

- - - - N/A - N/A

Soils The operation of the transmission line is unlikely to have an impact on soils.

- - - - N/A - N/A

Cultural heritage

There are no sites of cultural heritage along the transmission line.

- - - - Low The following mitigation measure will be implemented: • AES-SONEL will ensure that due regard is given to the

grave within the wayleave when undertaking periodic maintenance of the line. This will be included in the site operational environmental management plan.

N/A

KEY: ST – Short term; MT - Medium term; LT – Long term; N/A - Negligible/ Not Applicable


September 2003


Page 217

Table 11.3 Summary of impacts and mitigation measures during decommissioning

DECOMMISSIONING PHASE








GENERAL CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS RELEVANT TO THE PERMANENT POWER PROJECT Traffic and transport

Disruption of transport links during the works caused by construction traffic.

D ST R Negative High

Mitigation measures as per construction. Medium

Disruption caused by increased traffic at the power plant site and transmission line site

D ST R Negative High Mitigation measures as per construction. Medium


D LT IR Negative High Survey to identify potentially sensitive receptors along removal routes prior to decommissioning.

Medium

Wastes

Arisings of waste from excavation during site decommissioning and need to dispose of wastes. Wastes from offices, workers, etc.

D ST IR Negative High Wherever possible, the following waste hierarchy will be observed: Reduce, reuse, recycle, dispose. Wastes will be disposed of in accordance with Cameroonian law and regulations.

Medium


September 2003


Page 218









Noise Noise impacts

associated with activities such as use of equipment and traffic movements.

D ST R Negative Medium Contractors will be required to ensure that decommissioning does not cause significant noise impacts.

Low

Air quality Disturbance through noise, dust, traffic movements and emission of fugitive gases and dust.

D ST R Negative Medium Mitigation measures as per construction. Low

Soils Impact on soils through the removal of plant and the movement of equipment on sites during construction. Contamination of soils.

D/ID MT/ LT IR Negative Medium Mitigation measures as per construction.

Low


Impact on surface waters through spillage of lubricants, oils and machine fuel and disturbance of

ID ST/MT IR Negative Medium Mitigation measures as per construction.

Low


September 2003


Page 219









soils and dust which is washed into local water courses.



D ST-LT R/ IR Negative Medium Decommissioning activities to comply with all relevant international and Cameroonian laws and regulations. Health and safety plan developed prior to start of decommissioning.

Low

POWER GENERATION PLANT SITE (AND NEW SUBSTATION) Socio-economics and local community impacts


D ST R Positive Low Contractors will be required to ensure that local people are employed where skills availability permits.

Low

Pressure on local resources and local communities due to influx of construction workers.

ID ST R Negative Medium Mitigation measures will be assessed prior to decommissioning.

Low

Flora and fauna

Potential disturbance to vegetation outside the site boundary due to movement of workers and vehicles

D LT IR Negative Medium Impacts and mitigation measures to be assessed prior to decommissioning activities.

Low


September 2003


Page 220









Land use

Potential disruption to other land uses due to movement of decommissioning vehicles.

ID ST R Negative Medium Impacts and mitigation measures to be assessed prior to decommissioning activities.

Low


Potential minor impact.

D LT R Negative Medium No specific mitigation measures recommended. Low

Cultural heritage


- - - - N/A - N/A


Potential disruption to recreation and amenity due to movement of decommissioning vehicles.

ID ST R Negative Low Impacts and mitigation measures to be assessed prior to decommissioning activities.

Low

TRANSMISSION LINE Socio-economic


D ST R Positive Low Contractors will be required to employ local people where skills availability permits.

Low

Pressure on local resources and local communities due to influx of construction

ID ST R Negative Medium Mitigation measures as per construction. Low


September 2003


Page 221









workers. Flora and fauna

Potential disturbance to vegetation outside the site boundary due to movement of workers and vehicles

D LT IR Negative Medium Impacts and mitigation measures to be assessed prior to decommissioning activities.

Low

Land use Potential disruption to other land uses due to movement of decommissioning vehicles.

ID ST R Negative Medium Impacts and mitigation measures to be assessed prior to decommissioning activities.

Low


Potential minor impact.

D LT R Negative Medium No specific mitigation measures recommended. Low

Cultural heritage


D LT IR Negative Low Due regard to be given to the grave within the wayleave during decommissioning activities, for example by roping off the area during works.

Low


Potential disruption to recreation and amenity due to movement of decommissioning vehicles.

ID ST R Negative Low Impacts and mitigation measures to be assessed prior to decommissioning activities.

Low

KEY: ST – Short term; MT - Medium term; LT – Long term; N/A - Negligible/ Not Applicable


September 2003


Page 222

Table 11.4 Summary of environmental impacts associated with the power plant, substation and associated structures, with and without mitigation

KEY Negative impact of high significance Positive impact of low significance Negative impact of medium significance Positive impact of medium significance Negative impact of low significance Positive impact of high significance No impact NOTE: Where there are several different impacts associated with a resources or receptor, the highest impact has been represented the table.

Resource or receptor potentially affected POWER PLANT SITE

Wat

er q

ualit

y an

d re

sour

ces

Soils

Tra

ffic

and

T

rans

port

Air

qua

lity

Noi

se

Was

te

Publ

ic a

nd

occu

patio

nal h

ealth

an

d sa

fety

Soci

o-ec

onom

ic a

nd

loca

l com

mun

ity

impa

cts

Lan

d us

e

Lan

dsca

pe a

nd

visu

al im

pact

Rec

reat

ion

and

amen

ity

Flor

a an

d fa

una

Cul

tura

l her

itage

Construction impacts without mitigation

Construction impacts with mitigation (residual impacts)

Operation impacts without mitigation

Operation impacts with mitigation (residual impacts)


September 2003


Page 223

Table 11.5 Summary of environmental impacts associated with the transmission line and associated structures, with and without mitigation

KEY Negative impact of high significance Positive impact of low significance Negative impact of medium significance Positive impact of medium significance Negative impact of low significance Positive impact of high significance No impact NOTE: Where there are several different impacts associated with a resources or receptor, the highest impact has been represented the table.

Resource or receptor potentially affected TRANSMISSION LINE

Res

ettle

men

t and

C

ompe

nsat

ion

Wat

er q

ualit

y an

d re

sour

ces

Soils

Tra

ffic

and

T

rans

port

Air

qua

lity

Noi

se

Was

te

Publ

ic a

nd

occu

patio

nal

heal

th a

nd sa

fety

Soci

o-ec

onom

ic

and

loca

l co

mm

unity

im

pact

s

Lan

d us

e

Lan

dsca

pe a

nd

visu

al im

pact

Rec

reat

ion

and

amen

ity

Flor

a an

d fa

una

Cul

tura

l her

itage

Construction impacts without mitigation

Construction impacts with mitigation (residual impacts)

Operation impacts without mitigation

Operation impacts with mitigation (residual impacts)


September 2003


Page 224

11.4 ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLAN The Environmental Action Plan (EAP) details the specific plan for implementing the mitigation measures identified in chapters 8 and 9 of this EIS, the organisation/body responsible for the action and period for which the action should be taken, and the need for short, medium or long term monitoring. It has been prepared on the basis of the information available at the time of writing. The following principles have been used in the preparation of the EAP: Compliance with relevant legislation, standards, codes, and practices in the

application of safe technologies; Minimisation of impacts on the environment and human beings;

Performance of all activities in a safe and effective manner and maintenance of all

equipment in good operating condition for the protection of the health and safety of all persons and to conserve the environment and property;

Focus on environment risk prevention;

Focus on occupational and public health, safety; and

The undertaking of all necessary precautions to control, remove, or otherwise correct

any leaks and/or spills of hazardous materials, or other health and safety hazards.

The EAP is separated into construction and operation sections, and is provided in Tables 11.7 to 11.10 respectively. Figure 11.1 indicates the documents that are required as part of the Environmental Action Plan.


September 2003


Page 225

Figure 11.1 Environmental Action Plan requirements

11.4.1 Dates for delivery of plans

The timing for the delivery of the plans required as part of the EAP during construction and operation is set out in Table 11.6.

Table 11.6 Delivery dates for construction and operation plans

Document

Delivery date

Construction - power plant site Health and Safety Plan 30 days from Notice to Proceed, and prior

to commencing site work Emergency Oil Spill Plan 30 days from Notice to Proceed, and prior

to commencing site work Environmental Plan 30 days from Notice to Proceed, and prior

to commencing site work Traffic Method Statement August 2003

Construction – transmission line site Health and Safety Plan 30 days from Notice to Proceed, and prior

to commencing site work. Environmental Plan 30 days from Notice to Proceed, and prior

to commencing site work.

Construction Environmental Plan

Contractor Responsibility (Wartsila and Alstom)

Waste management procedures

Soil management procedures

Noise management procedures

Water quality & resource management procedures

Flora and fauna management procedures

Accommodation procedures

Air quality management procedures

Employment of local people statement of intention

Traffic Method Statement

Construction Health and Safety Plan

Emergency Oil Spill Plan

Environmental Action Plan (EAP)

AES-SONEL Responsibility

Compensation Action Plan

Consultation Plan

Operation Health and Safety Plan

Hazard management procedures

Business Environmental & Social Management Plan

Site Environmental Management Plan

Operation Emergency Oil Spill Plan


September 2003


Page 226

Document

Delivery date

Traffic Method Statement 30 days from Notice to Proceed, and prior to commencing site work.

Operation Health and Safety Plan Three months prior to commercial

operation* Emergency Oil Spill Plan Three months prior to commercial

operation*

Operation and Maintenance Plan Wartsila will prepare the O&M manual. The first draft is required to be delivered 6 months prior to take over*. The final version is 2 months subsequent to take-over.

Site Environmental Management Plan Two months prior to operation* * commercial operation will commence in March 2004.

11.4.2 Environmental management during construction

11.4.2.1 Contractor environmental management

On 3 June 2003, Wartsila was notified that they had won the tender for the engineering, procurement and construction of the power plant. A competitive procurement process for the transmission line was initiated on 23 May 2003 and AES-SONEL subsequently awarded the tender to Alstom.

Under the contracts signed, each contractor will be responsible for implementing the day-to-day construction related environmental management and mitigation measures specified in chapters 8 and 9 of this EIS. The contracts state specifically that the respective contractor is responsible for ensuring that it ‘complies at all times with the findings of the EIS identified as such and supplied by the Employer to the Contractor’. If the contractor fails to comply with the EIS, or fails to ensure that any of its sub-consultants comply with the EIS, then this is a clear breach of contract and work can be stopped.

As large international organisations, the contractors will be expected to have their own environmental management procedures in place. In addition to this, the contractors will be required by their contracts to take into account the actions set out in this EIS, as summarized in the EAP and the contract document so that the measures implemented are specific to the LPP. The EAP requires that each contractor prepare an Environmental Plan for the LPP. The Environmental Plan will detail procedures, in the form of method statements, for the management and mitigation, of the following: Accommodation procedures (if required); Statement of intention on employment of local people; Waste management procedures; Noise management procedures; Air quality management procedures; Soil management procedures; Water quality and resource management procedures; Procedures to manage impacts on flora and fauna


September 2003


Page 227

Cultural heritage (transmission line only).

These procedures will include the need for any monitoring to measure compliance, and the measures to be taken in the case of non-compliance. In addition, each contractor will be required to prepare the following separate documentation: Traffic Method Statement: this will include a strategy for delivering equipment’s and

persons to and from the construction areas, and measures to reduce accidents, in accordance with the mitigation measures identified in sections 8.2.1 and 8.3.3. A delivery schedule showing the periods of delivery for HGVs should also be provided.

Construction Emergency Oil Spill Plan: this will include information on the proper

handling of pollutant spills and the procedures to be taken in the event of a pollutant spill. It will also specify training of construction personnel. Specific pollution management measures will include, but not be limited to, those provided in sections 8.2.6, 8.2.7, 8.2.8, 8.3.7, 8.3.8 and 8.3.9.

Construction Health and Safety Plan: each contractor is required to prepare a Health

and Safety Plan in accordance with their contracts and the measures set out in sections 8.2.8 and 8.3.9.

The above plans will state the mitigation measures to be employed, the procedures for compliance and corrective action measures in the event of non-compliance.

The contractors will be responsible for preparing the Environmental Plan, Traffic Method Statement, Emergency Spill Oil Plan and Health and Safety Plan prior to the start of the relevant activity. The contractor will undertake all measures necessary to ensure that his staff and sub-contractors comply with the measures set out in the EAP, and will be responsible for ensuring their compliance with such Plans.

To facilitate implementation of these Plans, the EAP requires that each contractor should identify an appropriately qualified Site Environmental Officer (SEO), acceptable to AES-SONEL, who will be responsible for implementation of the measures set out in EAP. The SEO will be identified in the Environmental Plan. The SEO’s key responsibilities will include the following: ensuring that all environmental protection procedures are followed; co-ordination of environmental monitoring of site-related activities in respect of the

contractors obligations and take a proactive role in the event of any changes in the Environmental Plan;

liaison and reporting with the AES-SONEL Environmental Manager. 11.4.2.2 AES-SONEL environmental management

In order to ensure compliance of the project with the EIS, through the framework of the EAP, AES-SONEL will designate a project Environmental Manager (the “LPP Environmental Manager”) who will be responsible for ensuring that each contractor is fulfilling his obligations under their contract with regard to environmental issues. The project Environmental Manager’s key responsibilities will include the following:

point of contact for the construction contractor’s SEO;


September 2003


Page 228

ensure that all environmental protection procedures are followed as planned; review and approval of the construction contractor’s Environmental Plan, Traffic

Method Statement, Emergency Spill Oil Plan and Health and Safety plan; audit the contractors work on site and ensure that corrective action is taken as

appropriate; liaise with members of the public, local organisations and governmental and non-

governmental organisations as required; and report results of mitigation and monitoring activities to the lenders and other relevant

parties.

The Environmental Manager will have the authority to stop the work of the contractors, or any of their sub-consultants, if the contractors fail to comply with the EIS. The Environmental Manager will report directly to the LPP Project Director.

A number of other project activities will also need to be managed by AES-SONEL, as set out below. The Environmental Manager will be responsible for ensuring that these activities are undertaken. Consultation Plan

A Consultation Plan (Appendix G) has been developed, detailing the consultation to be undertaken as part of the LPP. This Plan was agreed with the IFC in December 2002. AES-SONEL has been actively implementing this Plan; consultation undertaken to date is described in chapter 6 of this EIS. Further consultation will be undertaken in accordance with the Consultation Plan following the preparation of this document. This will be the responsibility of AES-SONEL.

Compensation Action Plan

In order to compensate and mitigate effects on PAPs, AES-SONEL will implement the methodology set out in the Compensation Action Plan (August 2003). Household surveys and the valuation of crops were undertaken by Limbe Botanical and Zoological Gardens. On completion of the compensation process, the Compensation Commission will produce a report to detail this process, which will be signed by all members of the Commission; this satisfies the requirements under Cameroon legislation.

11.4.3 Environmental management during operation

AES-SONEL is the project sponsor and will ultimately have responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the LPP.

AES-SONEL is committed to executing its responsibilities in an environmentally responsible manner and in compliance with all applicable environmental laws, regulations, and guidelines. AES-SONEL will communicate its principles and intentions to each employee, as well as the nature of their individual environmental responsibilities, in line with corporate environmental policy. To address environmental issues, and related issues of health and safety within AES-SONEL in a coordinated and integrated way, and to comply with local legislation, AES-SONEL set up the ‘SHE’ group – ‘Safety, Health and Environment’ in January 2003. The remit of the SHE Group is to address issues of safety, health and environment throughout the whole company. It is structured such that there is a Health Coordinator, an Environmental Coordinator and a Safety coordinator, headed by a SHE leader.


September 2003


Page 229

The role of the SHE group in environmental management is to: Define environmental priorities with input from each business unit; Coordinate environmental activities company-wide Develop an environmental management system Conduct environmental audits and inspections Liaise with local authorities on environmental issues Review the environmental activities of the SHE committees.

In January 2003 an Environmental Policy was signed by the General Manager and posted to all locations via the SHE Coordinators. The environmental management of AES-SONEL facilities is being addressed in the development of a business-wide Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP). This document is currently in draft format. This ESMP will set out the procedures for management of the AES-SONEL business, including all sites. A site-specific Environmental Management Plan will be developed for the LPP during operation. Where not otherwise covered in the ESMP, the specific procedures for the LPP site identified in this EIS will be taken into account. AES-SONEL also recognises that environmental and social issues covered by the EAP during operation will change as the project proceeds. AES-SONEL accepts the responsibility of managing these changes in a pro-active manner on an ongoing basis; this will be undertaken as part of the review of the ESMP. In addition to a site-specific Environmental Management Plan in force at the site, AES-SONEL will prepare a Health and Safety Plan in accordance with corporate policy. Overall responsibility for this will rest with the SHE group.

11.4.4 Reporting lines and decision-making

Reporting the results of environmental monitoring allows the responsible agencies to identify if any mitigation measure is not being effective and will enable corrective action to be taken.

During construction, the contractors will have the responsibility to ensure environmental reporting procedures are being undertaken. After commissioning and handover, AES-SONEL will have ultimate responsibility to ensure that environmental reporting procedures are undertaken.

11.4.5 Environmental auditing

The contractors will be responsibility for the auditing of their staff and any sub-contractors employed by them for all activities related to the work specified in their contracts. AES-SONEL will be responsible for auditing the contractors’ performance against the EAP during construction, and for auditing AES-SONEL staff performance against the site-specific Environmental Management Plan during operation.

11.4.6 Change management

During the implementation of the project, change may be required to address unforeseen or unexpected conditions or situations. A change management process will be applied to ensure environmental and social issues are addressed as part of any significant changes


September 2003


Page 230

to project procedures, processes, design or activities. This will be undertaken as part of the site-specific Environmental Management Plan and will be the responsibility of the Environmental Coordinator under the SHE group.

11.4.7 Liaison with funding organisations

AES-SONEL will continue to liaise with the funding organisations throughout the development of the LPP.


September 2003


Page 231

Table 11.7 Construction Environmental Action Plan – Power generation plant and associated works

Construction Environmental Action Plan – Power generation plant and associated works Action/ Parameter to be monitored

Reason Method Period Location Follow-up Responsible for instigation

Responsible for execution

Environmental management Environmental management

Ensure compliance with EIS.

Appoint AES-SONEL project environmental manager (the “LPP Environmental Manager”) to monitor AES-SONEL and contractor performance against method statements and mitigation measures as set out in this EIS.

Construction Power plant site

Feedback to Contractor

AES-SONEL AES-SONEL

Preparation of an Environmental Plan


Provision of an Environmental Plan detailing the procedures to be undertaken by the contractor during construction to ensure compliance with the EIS. The Environmental Plan should include the procedures for all activities below, except where a separate document is expressly required from the contractor (for example, construction Health & Safety Plan).


Review and approval by LPP Environmental Manager prior to construction start

Wartsila Wartsila

Traffic and transport Prepare Traffic Method Statement

Public and worker safety. To minimise disruption.

The contractor will prepare a Traffic Method Statement (TMS) in accordance with mitigation measures specified in section 8.2.1 and Table 11.1 for power plant and associated works.

Construction All access roads and laydown areas

Review by LPP Environmental Manager prior to delivery start

Wartsila Wartsila

Review Traffic To ensure AES-SONEL to review contractors Construction All access LPP LPP


September 2003


Page 232




Method Statement

mitigation measures have been taken into account.

TMS against mitigation measures set out in the EIA.

roads and laydown areas

Environmental Manager


Implementation of and compliance with Traffic Management Statement


Visual inspection of site and traffic records in accordance with measures set out in the TMS.


Traffic complaints and corrective action procedure.

Wartsila Wartsila

Public highways: abnormal loads

Damage to highway structures

The contractor is required to undertake a survey of existing structures and present methods to avoid damage from delivery of abnormal loads to AES-SONEL, prior to delivery of abnormal loads.

Construction Highways identified for transporting abnormal loads

The contractor will make good any damage to structures and road surfaces caused by transporting heavy loads. AES-SONEL to approve proposals

Wartsila Wartsila

Presentation to local schools

To minimise risk of accidents and promote safety

AES-SONEL will arrange for a presentation about traffic safety to be given to school staff and students at the 2 schools at Mile 2 and the school at Ngeme.

Construction Two government schools at Mile 2 and the Catholic school at Ngeme

Review of contractors accident record books

LPP Environmental Manager


Socio-economics and local community impacts Consultation with affected

Dissemination of project

Residents and relevant authorities to be informed of project schedule

Construction Power plant affected

LPP Environmental

LPP Environmental


September 2003


Page 233




persons and interested parties

information. Public safety. Minimisation of disturbance.

and periods of delivery by village meeting following preparation of the EIA.

persons and interested parties

Manager Manager

Preparation of statement of intention on local employment opportunities to be included in Environmental Plan.

Provide employment opportunities locally wherever possible

The contractor should prepare a statement of intention on local employment opportunities in accordance with mitigation measures set out in section 8.2.2 and Table 11.1 for power plant and associated works.

Construction Local villages near the power plant construction site

Approval by LPP Environmental Manager

Wartsila Wartsila

Prepare statement of intention on accommodation procedures to be included in Environmental Plan

To minimise pressure on local resources and local communities Provide appropriate accommodation for incoming temporary workforce

The contractor should prepare a statement of intention on accommodation procedures in accordance with mitigation measures set out in section 8.2.2 and Table 11.1.

Construction Power plant site and adjacent towns and villages


Wartsila Wartsila

Use local goods etc wherever practical

Boost local economy and minimise impact of any influx of workers

Local goods should be purchased wherever possible, in accordance with the mitigation measures set out in section 8.2.2 and Table 11.1.

Construction Local villages near the power plant construction site

Wartsila Wartsila

Waste Waste Minimise The waste management procedures Construction Power plant Approval by LPP Wartsila Wartsila


September 2003


Page 234




management procedures to be included in Environmental Plan

environmental impact of generation and disposal of wastes on and off site.

will include: How wastes will be dealt with,

in accordance with the Design Specification and mitigation measures as specified in section 8.2.3 and Table 11.1;

How compliance will be monitored; and

Corrective action procedures.

construction site


Compliance with waste management procedures set out in Environmental Plan

Minimise environmental impact

Visual inspections and records to measure compliance in accordance with procedures set out in Environmental Plan.

Construction Power plant construction site

Maintain records and undertake follow-up corrective measures as required.

Wartsila Wartsila

Installation of foul water septic tank

Ensure compliance of Contractor with EIS requirements

LPP Environmental Manager to ensure that contractor has installed septic tank prior to construction through visual inspection.

Construction Power plant construction site


LPP Environmental

Manager

LPP Environmental

Manager

Noise Noise management procedures to be included in Environmental Plan

Public and occupational health

The Environmental Plan will include: Noise management procedures

in accordance with mitigation measures as specified in section 8.2.4 and Table 11.1.

A schedule of noisy activities. Method of measuring

compliance e.g. register of

Construction Power plant construction site and nearby properties


Wartsila Wartsila


September 2003


Page 235




complaints. Corrective action procedures.

Compliance with noise management procedures set out in Environmental Plan


Compliance measures as set out in Environmental Plan, including maintaining and reviewing register of complaints.

Construction Power plant construction site and nearby properties

Maintain and review records and undertake follow-up corrective measures as required

Wartsila Wartsila

Noise levels during operation of the plant

To test compliance of plant noise levels with World Bank guidelines

Noise monitoring at the sensitive receptors once during commissioning with engines at full load.

During commission-ing

Sensitive receptors – guesthouse 650m NW and residential properties 900m NW of power plant site

Review of results to ensure compliance. Corrective action as required.

Wartsila Wartsila

Air quality Procedures to minimise impacts on air quality to be included in Environmental Plan

Public and occupational health.

The Environmental Plan will include: Air quality management

procedures in accordance with mitigation measures as specified in section 8.2.5 and Table 11.1.

Method of measuring compliance.


Construction Power plant site and access routes


Wartsila Wartsila

Compliance with air quality

Public and occupational

Compliance with air quality management procedures set out in

Construction Power plant site and access

Maintain and review register

Wartsila Wartsila


September 2003


Page 236




management procedures set out in Environmental Plan

health. the Environmental Plan, including: Daily inspections of

construction areas for excessive nuisance dust to monitor compliance.

Spot visual inspections of exhaust and vehicle loads.

routes of complaints, and undertake follow-up corrective measures.

Soils Soil management procedures to be included in Environmental Plan

Maintain soils in good condition and minimise environmental impact

The Environmental Plan will include: Procedures for soil protection

in accordance with mitigation measures specified in section 8.2.6 and Table 11.1.





Wartsila Wartsila

Compliance with soil management procedures set out in Environmental Plan


Compliance with soils management procedures set out in the Environmental Plan, including visual inspections.


Maintain and review records and undertake follow-up corrective measures as required.

Wartsila Wartsila

Water quality and resources Water quality and resource management procedures to be included in Environmental

Erosion control The Environmental Plan will include: Procedures for water quality

and resources management in accordance with mitigation measures as specified in



Wartsila Wartsila


September 2003


Page 237




Plan section 8.2.7 and Table 11.1. Method of measuring

compliance. Corrective action procedures.

Compliance with water quality and resource management procedures set out in Environmental Plan


Compliance with resource management procedures set out in the Environmental Plan, including periodic visual inspections of the site.


Maintain and review records, and undertake follow-up corrective measures as required.

Wartsila Wartsila

Prepare separate construction Emergency Oil Spill Plan

Minimise environmental and health/safety impact in an emergency

Implement mitigation measures as specified in section 8.2.8 and Table 11.1.


Approval by AES-SONEL

Wartsila Wartsila

Implement construction Emergency oil spill plan

Minimise impact of accidental spills.

Implement the emergency oil spill plan in case of emergency.

Construction Power plant site and areas impacted

Requirements as set out in the emergency spill plan.

Wartsila Wartsila

Public and occupational health and safety Preparation of construction health and safety plan

Public and worker health and safety

Preparation of Health and Safety plan in accordance with the Design Specifications and in accordance with the mitigation measures as specified in section 8.2.8 and Table 11.1.

Construction Power plant site and associated access roads

Review of H&S Plan by LPP Project Director/Environmental Manager

Wartsila Wartsila

Review of H&S plan

Public and worker health

Review of H&S plan against AES-SONEL requirements

Construction Power plant site and

LPP Project Director/LPP

LPP Project Director/LPP


September 2003


Page 238




and safety associated access roads



Implementation of and compliance with construction H&S plan


Visual inspection of site and accident records in accordance with measures set out in the H&S Plan.

Construction Power plant site and associated access roads

Accident records and corrective action procedure.

Wartsila Wartsila

Flora and fauna/landscape and visual Design of power plant to design specification

Minimise visual impact

Design of plant in accordance with mitigation measures set out in the Design Specification and in accordance with section 8.2.10 and Table 11.1.



Wartsila Wartsila

Procedures to minimise damage to existing flora and fauna to be included in Environmental Plan

Minimise impact on existing vegetation to maintain a visual barrier between properties and the site

The Environmental Plan will include: Procedures to minimise

damage to flora and fauna in accordance with mitigation measures as specified in section 8.2.9 and Table 11.1.

Methods of measuring compliance, including visual inspections.

Construction Power plant site and immediately adjacent area

Review of procedures and corrective action procedure.

Wartsila Wartsila

Landscaping within plant site boundary

Improve aesthetics of site

Planting of native species within the power plant site boundary.

Construction Power plant site boundary

Approval of LPP Environmental Manager

Wartsila Wartsila

Cultural property Review archaeological potential of

Minimise impact on cultural

Employ qualified archaeologist to review archaeological potential of the site and recommend mitigation

Pre-construction

Power plant site

Implementation of recommendat-ions of

LPP Environmental

Manager

LPP Environmental

Manager


September 2003


Page 239




power plant site heritage measures if required. independent archaeologist


September 2003


Page 240

Table 11.8 Construction Environmental Action Plan – Transmission line and associated works

Construction Environmental Action Plan – Transmission line and associated works Action/ Parameter to be monitored



Environmental management Environmental management


Appoint LPP project environmental manager (the “LPP Environmental Manager”) to monitor AES-SONEL and contractor performance against method statements and mitigation measures as set out in the EIS.

All periods Transmission line route

Feedback to Contractor

AES-SONEL AES-SONEL

Preparation of an Environmental Plan


Provision of an Environmental Plan detailing the procedures to be undertaken by the contractor during construction to ensure compliance with the EIS. The Environmental Plan should include the procedures for all activities below, except where a separate document is expressly required from the contractor (for example, construction Health & Safety Plan).

Construction Transmission line route

Review and approval by LPP Environmental Manager prior to construction start

Alstom Alstom

Compensation and resettlement Compensation methodology

Minimise impacts on affected persons. Ensure transparent and equitable process of compensation.

Implement Compensation Action Plan.

All periods Affected persons along the transmission line route

Grievance, monitoring and evaluation procedures as described in the Compensation Action Plan

AES-SONEL and Compensation Commission

AES-SONEL and Compensation Commission


September 2003


Page 241




Socio-economics and local community impacts Preparation of household survey report

To report on the socio economic status of project affected persons and identify whether economic displacement will occur

Household surveys undertaken by qualified sociologists.

Construction Project affected persons along transmission line

LBZG LBZG

Consultation with affected persons and interested parties

Dissemination of project information. Public safety. Minimisation of disturbance.

Residents and relevant authorities to be informed of project schedule and periods of delivery by village meeting following preparation of the EIA.

Construction Project affected persons along transmission line and interested parties

AES-SONEL AES-SONEL

Preparation of statement of intention on local employment opportunities to be included in Environmental Plan.

Provide employment opportunities locally wherever possible

The contractor should prepare a statement of intention on local employment opportunities in accordance with mitigation measures set out in section 8.3.2 and Table 11.1 for the transmission line and associated works.

Construction Local villages near the transmission line route


Alstom Alstom

Prepare statement of intention on accommodation procedures to be included in Environmental Plan

To minimise pressure on local resources and local communities Provide appropriate accommodation

The contractor should prepare a statement of intention on accommodation procedures in accordance with mitigation measures set out in section 8.3.2 and Table 11.1.

Construction Transmission line site and adjacent towns and villages


Alstom Alstom


September 2003


Page 242




for incoming temporary workforce

Use local goods etc wherever practical

Boost local economy and minimise impact of any influx of workers

Local goods should be purchased wherever possible, in accordance with the mitigation measures set out in Chapter 8.3.2 and Table 11.1.

Construction Local villages near the transmission line route

Alstom Alstom

Traffic and transport Prepare traffic Method Statement


The contractor will prepare a Traffic Method Statement (TMS) in accordance with mitigation measures specified in section 8.3.3 and Table 11.1 for power plant and associated works.


Alstom Alstom

Review Traffic Method Statement

To ensure mitigation measures have been taken into account.

AES-SONEL to review contractors TMS against mitigation measures set out in the EIS.




Implementation of and compliance with Traffic Management Statement


Visual inspection of site and traffic records in accordance with measures set out in the TMS.


Traffic complaints and corrective action procedure.

Alstom Alstom

Public highways: abnormal loads

Damage to highway structures

The contractor is required to undertake a survey of existing structures and present methods to avoid damage from delivery of abnormal loads to AES-SONEL, prior to delivery of abnormal loads.

Construction Highways identified for transporting abnormal loads

The contractor will make good any damage to structures and road surfaces caused by

Alstom Alstom


September 2003


Page 243




transporting heavy loads. AES-SONEL to approve.

Presentation to local schools

To minimise risk of accidents and promote safety

AES-SONEL will arrange for a presentation about traffic safety to be given to school staff and students at the 2 schools at Mile 2 and the school at Ngeme.

Construction 2 government schools at Mile 2 and the Catholic school at Ngeme

Review of contractors accident record books



Noise Noise management procedures to be included in Environmental Plan


The Environmental Plan will include: Noise management procedures

in accordance with mitigation measures as specified in section 8.3.4 and Table 11.1.

A schedule of noisy activities. Method of measuring

compliance e.g. register of complaints.


Construction Transmission line route and nearby properties


Alstom Alstom

Compliance with noise management procedures set out in Environmental Plan


Compliance measures as set out in Environmental Plan, including maintaining and reviewing register of complaints.

Construction Transmission line route and nearby properties

Maintain and review records and undertake follow-up corrective measures as required

Alstom Alstom

Air quality Procedures to minimise

Public and occupational

The Environmental Plan will include:

Construction Transmission line route and

Approval by LPP

Alstom Alstom


September 2003


Page 244




impacts on air quality to be included in Environmental Plan

health. Air quality management procedures in accordance with mitigation measures as specified in section 8.3.5 and Table 11.1.



access roads Environmental Manager

Compliance with mitigation measures set out in Environmental Plan

Public and occupational health.

Compliance measures as set out in the Environmental Plan, including: Daily inspections of

construction areas for excessive nuisance dust to monitor compliance.

Spot visual inspections of exhaust and vehicle loads.

Construction Transmission line route and roads

Maintain and review register of complaints, and undertake follow-up corrective measures.

Alstom Alstom

Waste Waste management procedures to be included in Environmental Plan

Minimise environmental impact of generation and disposal of wastes on and off site.

The waste management procedures will include: How wastes will be dealt with,

in accordance with the Design Specification and mitigation measures as specified in section 8.3.6 and Table 11.1;

How compliance will be monitored; and




Alstom Alstom

Compliance with waste management procedures set out in


Visual inspections and records to measure compliance in accordance with procedures set out in Environmental Plan.


Maintain records and undertake follow-up corrective

Alstom Alstom


September 2003


Page 245




Environmental Plan

measures as required.

Soils Soil management procedures to be included in Environmental Plan

Maintain soils in good condition and minimise environmental impact

The Environmental Plan will include: Procedures for soil protection

in accordance with mitigation measures specified in section 8.3.7 and Table 11.1.



Construction Transmission line route and access roads


Alstom Alstom

Compliance with soil management procedures set out in Environmental Plan


Compliance with soils management procedures set out in the Environmental Plan, including visual inspections.


Maintain and review records and undertake follow-up corrective measures as required.

Alstom Alstom

Water quality and resources Water quality and resource management procedures to be included in Environmental Plan

Erosion control The Environmental Plan will include: Procedures for water quality

and resources management in accordance with mitigation measures as specified in section 8.3.8 and Table 11.1.





Alstom Alstom

Compliance with water quality and

Minimise environmental

Compliance with resource management procedures set out in

Construction Transmission line route and

Maintain and review records,

Alstom Alstom


September 2003


Page 246




resource management procedures set out in Environmental Plan

impact the Environmental Plan, including periodic visual inspections of the site.

access routes and undertake follow-up corrective measures as required.

Public and occupational health and safety EMFs Ensure

compliance with international guidelines

Design of transmission line to ensure that EMF levels are within accepted guidelines for occupational and human health exposure.

Construction Villages along transmission line route

Alstom Alstom

Preparation of Construction Health and Safety Plan


Preparation of Health and Safety plan in accordance with the tender documents and in accordance with the mitigation measures as specified in section 8.3.2 and Table 11.1.


Alstom Alstom

Review of construction H&S plan


Review of method statements and H&S plan against AES-SONEL requirements.


Alstom Alstom

Implementation of and compliance with construction H&S plan


Visual inspection of site and accident records.


Accident records and corrective action procedure.

Alstom Alstom

Flora and fauna/landscape and visual Procedures to minimise damage to existing flora and fauna to be included in Environmental

Minimise impact on existing vegetation. Minimise visual impact.

The Environmental Plan will include: Procedures for minimise

damage to flora and fauna in accordance with mitigation measures as specified in section 8.3.11 and Table 11.1.

Construction Transmission line route and immediately adjacent area

Corrective action procedure.

Alstom Alstom


September 2003


Page 247




Plan. Method of measuring compliance, including visual inspections.

Cultural heritage Ensure no damage to grave within the wayleave

No adverse impact to cultural heritage

contractor to ensure that the grave is not disturbed during clearance of the wayleave or construction of the transmission line, for example by roping off the area and informing site workers of area to be avoided.

Construction Site of grave Corrective action procedure.

Alstom Alstom

Ensure Contractor causes no damage to grave.

No adverse impact to cultural heritage

Inform contractor of location of grave.

Ensure through visual inspection that the contractor has taken adequate precautions to prevent disturbance or damage to the grave.

Construction Site of grave Corrective action procedure.




September 2003


Page 248

Table 11.9 Operation Environmental Action Plan – Power generation plant and associated works

Operation Environmental Action Plan – Power generation plant and associated works

Action/ Parameter to be monitored



Environmental management Preparation of site Environmental Management Plan

Ensure compliance with EIS

Preparation of site Environmental Management Plan in accordance with corporate policy

Operation All sites AES-SONEL AES-SONEL

Air quality Compliance with Cameroon, World Bank and EU air quality emissions and Cameroon and World Bank ambient air guidelines

Public and occupational health. Minimise impacts on flora and fauna.

Performance testing by contractor.

Operation Power plant site

Mitigation measures as required.

Wartsila Wartsila

Compliance with Cameroon, World Bank and EU air quality emissions and Cameroon and World Bank ambient air guidelines

Public and occupational health. Minimise impacts on flora and fauna.

Monitoring of ambient air quality monthly using air diffusions tubes, in accordance with the approach set out in section 9.1.2.4.


Mitigation measures as required.

AES-SONEL AES-SONEL

Socio-economics and local community impacts Employ workers from the local area wherever possible.

Provide employment opportunities locally

Implement mitigation measures as set out in section 9.2.2 and Table 11.2.

Operation Local villages near the power plant construction site

AES-SONEL AES-SONEL


September 2003


Page 249





Noise Compliance with Cameroon and World Bank noise guidelines and mitigation measures


Maintain and review register of complaints. Monitoring of noise levels at the sensitive receptors (Location A: guesthouse and Location B: residential properties) once during operation of the plant in its first year. Monitoring of LA90 and LAeq will be undertaken for 10 minute continuous periods, three times during the day and three times during the night at the two sensitive receptors. Unrepresentative noise sources during each monitoring period will also be recorded.

Operation Power plant site and sensitive receptors

Review of results against World Bank guidelines. If the results are not sufficient to determine whether noise levels are within World Bank guidelines, a second monitoring period will be undertaken. Corrective action as required.

AES-SONEL AES-SONEL

Water quality and resources Compliance with Cameroon and World Bank guidelines


Monitoring of compliance during operation of the plant: (a) visual inspections of the clean water drainage at least once a week for oil or grease (b) water quality sampling of the clean water drainage once a month.

Operation Clean water drainage at power plant site


AES-SONEL AES-SONEL

Control of pollutants

Minimise water pollution


Operation Power plant site and access routes

AES-SONEL AES-SONEL

Prepare Operation Emergency Oil Spill Plan

Minimise environmental and


Operation Power plant site and associated

Implementation of Emergency Oil Spill Plan and

AES-SONEL AES-SONEL


September 2003


Page 250





health/safety impact in an emergency

activities review/update of procedures following accidents.

Public and occupational health and safety Preparation and implementation of operational Health and Safety plan


Preparation of Health and Safety plan in accordance with AES-SONEL policy

Operation Power plant site and associated accesses

Maintain records and review of procedures following major accidents.

AES-SONEL AES-SONEL

Identification and implementation of hazard management procedures

Reduce and manage significant natural and man made hazards

Inclusion of AES-SONEL policy hazard management procedures in acc accordance with mitigation measures as specified in section 9.2.7 and Table 11.2 in the operation Health and Safety Plan.

Operation All sites Maintain records and review of procedures following major accidents.

AES-SONEL AES-SONEL

Waste Waste management procedures in accordance with Cameroon guidelines.





AES-SONEL AES-SONEL

Disposal of wastes Ensure waste is disposed of to a licensed tip

LPP Environmental Manager to review contracts between AES-SONEL and waste operators to ensure that the contract binds waste operator to disposing of waste in accordance with AES-SONEL and/or World Bank procedures.


Periodic review of waste operator contracts




September 2003


Page 251





Traffic and transport Minimise impact on local residents

Public safety Implement mitigation measures as specified in section 9.2.8 and Table 11.2.

Operation Power plant site access road

Record of all accidents and corrective action procedure

AES-SONEL AES-SONEL

Flora and fauna/ landscape and visual Avoidance of damage to flora and fauna outside site boundary

Minimise impact on flora and fauna


Operation Power plant site and adjacent land

Visual inspections and corrective action as required.

AES-SONEL AES-SONEL


September 2003


Page 252

Table 11.10 Operation Environmental Action Plan – Transmission line and associated works

Operation Environmental Action Plan – Transmission line and associated works Action/ Parameter to be monitored



Environmental management Preparation of site Environmental Management Plan


Preparation of site Environmental Management Plan in accordance with corporate policy.

Operation All sites AES-SONEL

AES-SONEL

Socio-economics Workers to be employed from the local area wherever possible.

Provide employment opportunities locally


Operation Local villages near transmission line route

AES-SONEL

AES-SONEL

Public and occupational health and safety EMFs Ensure

compliance with international guidelines

Residential properties and other permanent structures such as schools will be prohibited within the wayleave.

Operation Villages along transmission line route

Liaison with relevant planning authorities and visual inspections.

AES-SONEL

AES-SONEL

Preparation and implementation of Health and Safety Plan


Preparation of Health and Safety plan in accordance with AES-SONEL procedures.

Operation Transmission line site and access roads

Maintain records and review of procedures following major accidents.

AES-SONEL

AES-SONEL

Landscape and visual Natural vegetation regrowth

Minimise visual impact


Operation Transmission line route

AES-SONEL

AES-SONEL

Traffic and transport Minimise impact on local residents

Public safety Enforcement of speed restrictions along access roads to transmission line site in the location of properties

Operation Transmission line site access roads

Record of all accidents and corrective action

AES-SONEL

AES-SONEL


September 2003


Page 253

Operation Environmental Action Plan – Transmission line and associated works Action/ Parameter to be monitored



procedure Waste Waste management procedures




AES-SONEL

AES-SONEL

Water quality and resources Erosion control Minimise silt

pollution Allow natural regrowth of vegetation in accordance with mitigation measures as specified in section 9.3.7 and Table 11.2.


AES-SONEL

AES-SONEL

Flora and fauna/landscape and visual Minimal damage to existing flora and fauna

Minimise impact on existing vegetation


Operation Transmission line route and immediately adjacent area

Visual inspections and corrective action as required.

AES-SONEL

AES-SONEL

Land use Compliance with AES-SONEL policy on development in wayleave

Prevent risk to residents and to AES-SONEL assets.

Visual inspections. Operation Transmission line route

Corrective action as required.

AES-SONEL

AES-SONEL

Decommissioning Studies will be undertaken by AES-SONEL in line with the mitigation measures identified in Table 11.3 prior to any decommissioning activities.


September 2003


Page 254



September 2003


Page 255

12 CONCLUSIONS

12.4 AES CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

The AES Corporation is committed to executing its responsibilities in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. The AES Corporation has a long record of corporate social responsibility, and seeks to provide local community enhancements both outside of projects and as part of projects, where it is financially viable to do so. AES-SONEL is required to adhere to the AES corporate practices. AES-SONEL permits staff at each of its plants to tailor the local strategy to comply with corporate social responsibility. This is carried out at existing AES-SONEL facilities, and results in programmes such as encouraging young adults to undertake work experience at the plants, undertaking consultation with local communities on safety issues and participation in voluntary work to help build community centres. In relation to the LPP, AES-SONEL has sought to identify an immediate solution to the electricity generation capacity shortfall so that the negative impacts on the growth of the Cameroon economy are eliminated. The choice of the fuel type and site location has been affected by availability, cost and technical factors. At the same time, opportunities to minimise impacts in the long term have been considered in the selection of the LPP as the preferred option. As part of the project AES-SONEL has: Undertaken extensive consultation with all affected persons and interested parties; raised awareness of its activities and health and safety issues through the

consultation process; taken responsibility to inform local schools of safety issue relating to construction

works; has encouraged local Chiefs to prepare lists of potential staff to improve the

opportunities for temporary employment of the local community.

12.5 CAPACITY STRENGTHENING Due to the fact that the residual impacts of the LPP are, on the whole, of low significant and the nature of the operation of AES-SONEL under its Concession Agreement, it has not been necessary to assign Third Party institutions such as government environmental bodies direct responsibility for the implementation of mitigation measures. As such, the need to review the capacity of such institutions has not been necessary for the LPP. Of greater relevance in the context of this project, and the overall AES-SONEL business, is the strengthening of internal capabilities to develop and discharge its environmental responsibilities. AES-SONEL is committed to developing environmental policies and procedures at a corporate level and throughout its many operations, which is demonstrated in the development of a draft Environmental and Social Management System. This EIS complies with the policy currently being formalized by AES-SONEL. With regard to the LPP, AES-SONEL will ensure that the project Environmental Manager is appropriately trained to discharge the requirements of the EAP, and that operational staff are conversant with the requirements and have adequate training to undertake their environmental responsibilities. AES-SONEL will continue to liaise with ARSEL, the electricity regulator responsible for ensuring that AES-SONEL respects applicable environmental legislation in Cameroon, and with respect to the production of its business development plan. Future


September 2003


Page 256

requirements for institutional strengthening of AES-SONEL capabilities to facilitate the implementation of environmental actions would, where relevant, be determined in consultation with ARSEL.

12.6 CONCLUSIONS The LPP will provide generation capacity to address the current electricity demand-supply deficit in the southern interconnected system. In particular, the project will address the urgent need for new generation capacity in the next dry season with the lowest possible generation cost available given the time constraint. Non-generation alternatives such as demand management to address the deficit were considered, however were deemed to be inadequate solutions. The installation of approximately 80MW of HFO burning plant will result in a diversification of the sources of generation capacity (currently heavily reliant on hydro power) and will result in improved system reliability, allowing AES-SONEL to significantly reduce the level of load shedding experienced in recent years, especially during the dry seasons. This will result in benefits to both the local area by providing local grid support in the Limbe area and to the Cameroon economy by providing a more reliable electricity supply to the southern interconnected system, which serves the capital Yaoundé and the main commercial centre of Douala. The improvement in system reliability will also significantly reduce the need to run privately owned diesel generators that are currently being used by customers during load-shedding periods. This will have a positive impact on air quality through the reduction of air emissions in urban areas and will reduce the overall cost of electricity for customers currently running diesel generators by eliminating the need for them to purchase high cost fuel. The costs of the project will not have a direct effect on the electricity tariff that would increase the prices paid by the customers. The choice of the fuel type, plant type and site location has been affected by availability, cost and technical factors. At the same time opportunities to minimise environmental impacts in the short and long term have also been considered in the selection of the LPP as a preferred option. The HFO’s low sulphur content was a significant factor in selection. Also, with the fuel supply being available immediately adjacent to the plant and delivered by pipeline, the potential for spills is far less than if fuel had to be trucked to an alternative location. This site avoids the impact associated with significant movements of HGVs to deliver fuel that would be required with an alternative location further from the refinery fuel source. Additionally, the LPP should result in an increased demand for goods and services on the local economy from the large construction effort. The LPP will not cover the total shortfall in generation capacity predicted (based on the low flow probability case), due to technical and economic constraints of the site. It does however cover the shortfall based upon “average” rainfall conditions. In the long term, the Limbe site is good in that it provides opportunities for synergies with the refinery, such as combined fuel and water supply, and has the advantage of being highly suitable as a landing point for offshore gas. The infrastructure developed at this site could, in the future act as a catalyst for the introduction of natural gas as an additional source of fuel for electricity generation. The LPP is therefore seen as contributing towards the development of AES-SONEL’s Business Development Plan in the medium term and facilitating the development of more environmentally benign electricity generation in the future.


September 2003


Page 257

REFERENCES AES-SONEL (January 2003), Draft Business Development Plan. AES-SONEL (August 2003), Compensation Action Plan. Black & Veatch (November 2002), Screening document for the Permanent Power Project, Cameroon. AES-SONEL. Chantier Naval, proposed shipyard development: http://www.cnicyard.com/limbe_env_social_aspects.htm Environmental Engineering Services (2002), Acoustic evaluation of three prospective sites for a power generating plant - ambient acoustic readings. European Investment Bank (July 2002), Environmental Statement. European Investment Bank (July 2002), Environmental Procedures.

ICNIRP (1998), Guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying Electric, Magnetic and Electromagnetic Fields (up to 300 GHz), Health Physio, 74 (4); 494-522 (April 1998) International Finance Corporation, Procedures for Environmental and Social Reviews of Projects. Washington: IFC. International Finance Corporation (July 1998), Environmental Health and Safety Guidelines for Electric Power Transmission and Distribution. Washington: IFC. International Finance Corporation (July 1998), General Health and Safety Guidelines. Washington: IFC. Janssen, LHJM, van Wakerin, JHA, van Duren, H and Esmout, AJ (1988), Atmos. Environ. 22, 43, 1988. Mao, H, Wang, W-C, Liang, X-Z and Talbot, RW (2003). J Geophys. Res. 108 (D7), 4216. Ministry of the Environment and Forestry (February 1996), National Environmental Management Plan Volume I, Main Report, Republic of Cameroon. Ministry of the Environment and Forestry, Law No. 96/12 of 5 August 1996, Relating to Environmental Management, Republic of Cameroon. Ministry of Economy and Finances (November 2000), Statistical Yearbook for Cameroon, Department of Statistics and National Accounts, Republic of Cameroon. Ministere des Investissements Publics et de L’amenagement du Territoire (February 2000), Etudes socio-economiques regionales au Cameroun: Province du Littoral, Republique du Cameroun. SONARA publication, date unknown. SONEL 91983), Atlas du Potentiel Hydroelectrique du Cameroun.


September 2003


Page 258

Sturges, S D, Greenhouse Gas Emission Offsets: A global warming insurance policy, AES Corporation, AES internet site. World Bank (1991), Environmental Assessment Sourcebook, Volume III: Guidelines for Environmental Assessment of Energy and Industry Projects, Environment Department, World bank Technical Paper Number 154. World Bank (July 1988), General Environmental guidelines for thermal plant: guidelines for new plants, Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook. World Health Organisation (1993). Environmental Health Criteria 137: Electromagnetic Fields (300 Hz to 300 GHz). Geneva, Switzerland. Prepared for United Nations Environment Programme, World Health Organisation, International Radiation Protection Association, Environmental Health Criteria 137. Republic of Cameroon (1996), Administrative Map, 1: 500 000, INC (National Institute of Cartography), Yaoundé. Insitut de Recherches Geologiques et Minieres (date unknown), Equisse Geologique du Cameroun, supplied by Mr Ngako.


September 2003


Page 259

UNITS OF MEASURE Bcm Billion cubic meters KV Kilovolt KWh Kilowatthour M metres Mcuft Million cubic feet mg/Nm3 Milligrams per normal cubic meter MmBTU Million British Thermal Units MW Megawatt MWe Megawatts of electricity kV/m Kilo volts per metre µT Microtesla

��

Logbaba Substation

DeidoSubstation

Bekoko Substation

Location of Limbe Project

Drawing no.

Scale :

Contract No. Approved: Date:

FIGURE 1.1

3 JUNE 2003107030 KMP

Location Plan

AES Sonel

R:\Projects\107030_CAM\Data\Workspaces\legends_L.WOR AJS 03/06/03 ISG Dept (c) BVCs

��

Figure 1.1Source: Cameroon Map Carte routiere

1:500,000. I.N.C. Yaounde 1994Legend:

�� Extent of Traffic Survey

Hydropower station

225/90 kV substation 225/10.3 kV substation 90/15/30 kV substation

30/15 kV or 30/10 kV substation Electrified Location 225 kV Transmission Line 90 kV Transmission Line 30 kV Transmission Line

sonel Schém a gégraphiq e 1

Southern Interconnected Distribution System (Source: AES Sonel, 2000)

Details of 225 & 90 kV substations in Douala: KEY

Figure 1.2

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

Drawing no.

Scale :


FIGURE 4.1

1:50,000

3 JUNE 2003107030 KMPAES Sonel

R:\Projects\107030_CAM\Data\Workspaces\Figure4p1.WOR AJS 03/06/03 ISG Dept (c) BVCs

Legend:

Option 1 ( Rejected )



Option 4 ( Chosen )

Transmission Routes :

��

��

��

��

��Power Plant Sites

��

NOTE: Basemap scanned from 1:50,000 map. 1989.Reference : NB-32-IV Douala la.

Figure 4.1Alternative Transmission

Line Routes & Power Plant Sites

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

9/009/009/009/009/009/009/009/009/008/008/008/008/008/008/008/008/008/00 LIMBE

SUBSTATION

TO OMBE & DOUALA

TO IDENAU

ACCESS ROAD TO SITE

SONARA OIL REFINERY

N3 MAIN ROAD

MOKINDIMOKINDIMOKINDIMOKINDIMOKINDIMOKINDIMOKINDIMOKINDIMOKINDI

BOTALANDBOTALANDBOTALANDBOTALANDBOTALANDBOTALANDBOTALANDBOTALANDBOTALAND

a/00a/00a/00a/00a/00a/00a/00a/00a/00

b/00b/00b/00b/00b/00b/00b/00b/00b/00

1/001/001/001/001/001/001/001/001/00

2/002/002/002/002/002/002/002/002/002a/002a/002a/002a/002a/002a/002a/002a/002a/00 3/003/003/003/003/003/003/003/003/00

4/004/004/004/004/004/004/004/004/00

5/005/005/005/005/005/005/005/005/00 6/006/006/006/006/006/006/006/006/007/007/007/007/007/007/007/007/007/00

MOKOUNDANGEMOKOUNDANGEMOKOUNDANGEMOKOUNDANGEMOKOUNDANGEMOKOUNDANGEMOKOUNDANGEMOKOUNDANGEMOKOUNDANGE BOBENDEBOBENDEBOBENDEBOBENDEBOBENDEBOBENDEBOBENDEBOBENDEBOBENDE

NGEMENGEMENGEMENGEMENGEMENGEMENGEMENGEMENGEME

LIMBE / MILE 2

LIMBE / MILE 2

LIMBE / MILE 2LIMBE / MILE 2


LIMBE / MILE 2


Drawing no.

Scale :


FIGURE 3.1

1:40,000

3 JUNE 2003107030 KMP

Detailed Location Plan

AES Sonel


Legend:

��Power Plant Site

��

Transmission Line��

NOTE: Basemap scanned from 1:50,000 map. 1989.Reference : NB-32-IV Douala la.

Figure 3.1

Village Extents

Cameroon Development CorporationPalm Oil Plantations

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

GOVERNMENT BILINGUAL HIGH SCHOOL

ROYAL HOTEL & CASINO (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)SONARA WORKERS

RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES

GOVERNMENT HIGH SCHOOL

TO IDENAU

TO OMBE & DOUALA

FIRST INTERNATIONAL INN HOTEL

ACCESS ROAD TO SITE

SONARA OIL REFINERY

ROCKY HOTEL

BEACH MILE 6

LIMBE SUBSTATION

MOUNT ETINDE

N3 MAIN ROAD

Drawing no.

Scale :


FIGURE 3.2

1:50,000

3 JUNE 2003107030 KMP

Baseline Environmental Features

AES Sonel


Legend:

�� Power Plant Site

��

Transmission Line��

�� SchoolsNOTE: Basemap scanned from 1:50,000 map. 1989.

Reference : NB-32-IV Douala la.

Figure 3.2Cameroon Development CorporationPalm Oil Plantations

AES Sonel Limbe Power ProjectEnvironmental Impact Statement

June 2003

Black & VeatchProject 107030

Figure 8.1 Traffic counts

Traffic Counts - Weekends

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

A-A1

B-B1

C-C

1

D-D

1

E-E1

F-F1

F-F2

G-G

1

H-H

1

I-I1

J-J1

K-K1

Num

ber o

f veh

icle

s (b

oth

side

s)

Pedal Bikes Motor Bikes Cars Vans Buses/Coaches Lorries

Traffic Counts - Weekdays

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

A-A1

B-B1

C-C

1

D-D

1

E-E1

F-F1

F-F2

G-G

1

H-H

1

I-I1

J-J1

K-K1

Num

ber o

f veh

icle

s (b

oth

side

s)

Pedal Bikes Motor Bikes Cars Vans Buses/Coaches Lorries


September 2003

Black & Veatch

PHOTOS


September 2003

PHOTO 4.1 Rifle range at the proposed power plant site, Cape limboh

PHOTO 4.2 SONARA refinery adjacent to the proposed power plant site


September 2003

PHOTO 4.3 Cameroon Development Corporation Palm Oil Plantation

PHOTO 4.4 Cameroon Development Corporation Palm Oil Plantation


September 2003

PHOTO 4.5 Local Crops

PHOTO 4.6 View of the Proposed Power Plant site from Beach Mile 6


September 2003

PHOTO 4.7 Typical Landscape along the main road at Botaland (lookingeast towards Limbe substation)

PHOTO 4.8 Typical Landscape along the main road at Mile 2 (looking westtowards the refinery and plant site)


September 2003

PHOTO 4.9 Volcanic rock at edge of power plant site boundary with sea

PHOTO 5.1a Proposed power plant site (looking south)

PHOTO 5.1b Proposed power plant photomontage


September 2003

PHOTO 5.1b Proposed power plant photomontage

PHOTO 5.2 Proposed power plant site (looking west)


September 2003

PHOTO 5.3a Typical power house and associated structures (source:Wartsila)

PHOTO 5.3b Typical power house and associated structures (source:Wartsila)


September 2003

PHOTO 5.3c Power house and exhaust stack

PHOTO 5.3d Fuel treatment equipment


September 2003

PHOTO 5.3e Inside power house

PHOTO 5.3f Cooling radiators


September 2003

PHOTO 5.3g Fuel storage tanks

PHOTO 5.3h Stack


September 2003

PHOTO 5.3i Power unit transport

PHOTO 5.4 Access road to the power plant site looking across the mainroad to the power plant site


September 2003

PHOTO 5.5 Typical access road to the transmission line wayleave

PHOTO 5.6 Limbe substation


September 2003

PHOTO 6.1 Village level sensitisation


September 2003

PHOTO 6.2 Village level sensitisation

PHOTO 6.3 Public meeting (Douala)


September 2003

27152 v. 2 - world bank documents

Documents