"Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS)" guideline for Solar Rooftop & Grid Tied Solar Power projects.

 

• IDCOL has recently decided to provide financial and technical supports to solar rooftop and grid-tied solar power plants in Bangladesh, which will play an important role in achieving Government’s target of 10% supply from renewable sources by 2020 as stipulated in Renewable Energy Policy, 2018. At the request of the Government, the World Bank and KfW are considering credit support to IDCOL for financing Rooftop and Grid-Tied Solar Power Plants.

 

• IDCOL considers identifying and mitigating environmental & social risks as imperative under its all projects and programs. Accordingly, IDCOL developed two separate environmental & social (E&S) guidelines namely Environmental and Social Safeguard Framework (ESSF) and Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF).  ESSF deals with infrastructure projects financed by IDCOL while ESMF is used for renewable energy projects/programs. However, the scope of ESMF does not include solar rooftop and grid-tied solar power projects.

 

• Consequently, as per suggestion of the World Bank, IDCOL has developed a separate E&S guideline titled “Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS)” particularly for grid connected solar and rooftop solar projects in line with the environmental and social risks associated with those projects.
• This document outlines the principles upon which the ESMS is based on, the laws and policies to be followed, the organizational framework and capabilities of IDCOL, environmental and social risks associated with these projects (solar rooftop and grid-tied solar power project), impacts of those in their areas of influence and ways to prevent/minimize those risks or processes to mitigate and manage their adverse impacts. All these aspects are discussed in detail in different chapters of the document.
• Chapter 2 discusses the principles of ESMS. The document is guided by five principles rooted in IDCOL’s Environment and Social Policy Statement which are: (i) to mainstream environmental, health/safety and social considerations with a view to avoid or minimize adverse environmental impacts on people and environment; (ii) to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations; (iii) to avoid/minimize land acquisition and resettlement; (iv) to ensure justified and upfront payments and benefits in case of resettlement; and (v) to protect interests of vulnerable groups and tribal communities.
• Based on these policy statement, several principles have been adopted which have been categorized into the following:

 

• environmental and social risks, impact assessment and management
• environmental health and safety
• biodiversity conservation
• conservation of world heritage
• resettlement
• gender equality and social inclusion
• ethnic communities/ tribal people
• stakeholder engagement
• Grievance redress mechanism

 

• Chapter 3 discusses about relevant laws and policies which include the following:
  • The Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act (ECA), 1995
  • Environment Conservation Rules (ECR), 1997
  • The Bangladesh Environment Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2010
  • Renewable Energy Policy of Bangladesh, 2008
  • Guidelines for the Implementation of Solar Power Development Program, 2013
  • Remote Area Power Supply System (RAPSS) Guideline, 2007
  • Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006
  • Bangladesh Factories Act, 1965
  • The Building Construction Act, 1952
  • The Acquisition and Requisition of Immovable Property Ordinance, 1982
  • OP 4.01 Environmental Assessment of the World Bank

 

• Chapter 4 covers organizations capacity and competency of IDCOL in ensuring compliance with the requirements stipulated in ESMS during implementation and operation of solar rooftop and grid connected solar projects.
• Chapter 5 discusses in detail about the processes and methodologies to be followed in identifying the potential environmental and social risks associated with implementation of solar rooftop and grid-tied projects. It also discusses the possible impacts of those risk and ways to prevent/minimize those risks or processes to mitigate their adverse impacts.
• Notably, large scale grid connected solar and rooftop solar projects fall under Red and Orange A categories, respectively as per Environment Conservation Rules, 1997 of Bangladesh and fall under Category B (limited adverse environmental and social impacts) as per the World Bank’s Safeguard Policies OP/BP 4.01 Environmental Assessment. The projects under these categories require development of ESIA/ESA and periodic monitoring of environmental and social impacts of the projects.

 

• The ESMS establishes a mechanism to determine, assess, mitigate and manage future potential environmental and social impacts from the activities of solar rooftop and grid connected solar projects during implementation as well as operation.

 

• The Solar roof-top project will not impact any building of heritage significance (for example, mosque, heritage sites or cultural sites) in Bangladesh or cause any loss to biodiversity or natural habitats. There will be no land acquisition resulting involuntary resettlement or will not create any social conflicts (like; Tribal peoples/Small Ethnic Community issues). However, there may be situations where a neighboring property’s tree (including protected species) may hinder the solar panel operation which needs to be cut down. Also, Neighboring properties may be affected due to sunlight reflection from the panels - If the panels are angled towards windows, doors or a balcony. If the reflection affects the neighbor’s for a prolonged period of the year, it may become a source of grievance. This project does not create any impact on the physical environment like air, water (surface & ground water) and noise. The availability and use of personal protective equipment to follow the environmental health and safety compliances would need to be closely monitored continuously during the constructional and operational phases.
• The Grid-Tied Solar Power Project shall be appraised based on the step-by step process beginning with the primary environmental and social screening stage which measures the impacts requiring appropriate mitigation measures. An Environmental impacts assessment need to be carried out considering present environmental setting of the project area, and nature and extent of the proposed activities. Potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed project activities are classified as:

1. Impacts during pre-construction- associated with the land use only
2. Construction phase- the major impact associated with the biological environment, physical environment (like; air, noise, water, soil quality) and human environment.
3.  Impacts during operation phase- main impact is associated with heat generation. The heat may be transferred by convection, radiation and conduction method.

 

 

Summit Barisal Power Limited (SBPL) has been awarded to design, engineer, manufacture, finance, construct, complete, permit, test, commission, insure, own, operate and maintain a 110 MW Power Plant to generate and supply electricity to Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) for a period of 15 years as an Independent Power Plant (IPP). Considering the importance of the project to meet the power demand, Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) along with some other multilateral financial institutions is considering to finance the project.

According to the Environment Conservation Rules, 1997 of Bangladesh Government, industrial projects in Bangladesh have been categorized into four classes—Green, Amber A, Amber B and Red. Considering the magnitude of generating pollution, power plant project has been classified as Red Category project. So, SBPL project has fallen into Red category. According to the Safeguard Policy statement, 2009 of Asian Development Bank (ADB), power plant project of about 110 MW capacity falls into category B due to the localized impact. As a part of environmental compliance, there is a requirement for preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) according to ECR, 1997 of Department of Environment (DOE) and Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) report according to SPS, 2009 of ADB. The content of IEE of ADB is almost similar to EIA of DOE, except the public consultation aspects as is required by ADB. SBPL has already engaged Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS) to prepare the IEE according to the requirement of ADB as well as the DOE.

NOx, SOx, noise and lube oil are the main issues to consider from environmental pollution perspective of the said power plants. As a guiding standard, SBPL has to comply with the national standards of Bangladesh. Where national standards are not available, SBPL has to comply with the best practices like ‘Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines of IFC’.

 

IDCOL is careful about maintaining environmental and social safeguards. It encourages all, having any complain or observation regarding any matter of the Projects, to contact IDCOL management.

 

For the Environmental Impact Assessment Report please click on the link below:

 

 

Summit Narayangonj Power Unit-II Limited (SNPU2L) has been awarded to design, engineer, manufacture, finance, construct, complete, permit, test, commission, insure, own, operate and maintain a 55 MW Power Plant to generate and supply electricity to Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) for a period of 15 years as an Independent Power Plant (IPP). Considering the importance of the project to meet the power demand, Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) along with some other multilateral financial institutions is considering to finance the project.

According to the Environment Conservation Rules, 1997 of Bangladesh Government, industrial projects in Bangladesh have been categorized into four classes—Green, Amber A, Amber B and Red. Considering the magnitude of generating pollution, power plant project has been classified as Red Category project. So, SNPU2L project has fallen into Red category. According to the Safeguard Policy statement, 2009 of Asian Development Bank (ADB), power plant project of about 110 MW capacity falls into category B due to the localized impact. As a part of environmental compliance, there is a requirement for preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) according to ECR, 1997 of Department of Environment (DOE) and Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) report according to SPS, 2009 of ADB. The content of IEE of ADB is almost similar to EIA of DOE, except the public consultation aspects as is required by ADB. SNPU2L has already engaged Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS) to prepare the IEE according to the requirement of ADB as well as the DOE.

NOx, SOx, noise and lube oil are the main issues to consider from environmental pollution perspective of the said power plants. As a guiding standard, SNPU2L has to comply with the national standards of Bangladesh. Where national standards are not available, SNPU2L has to comply with the best practices like ‘Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines of IFC’.

 

IDCOL is careful about maintaining environmental and social safeguards. It encourages all, having any complain or observation regarding any matter of the Projects, to contact IDCOL management.

 

For the Environmental Impact Assessment Report please click on the link below: