environmental assessment report · the report is developed following the adb guidelines to the best...

Environmental Assessment Report Initial Environmental Examination (Hikkaduwa PSS Site) Project Number: 39419 August 2010

SRI: Clean Energy and Access Improvement Project (formerly Sustainable Power Sector Development Project)

Prepared by Lanka Electricity Company (Private) Limited for the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Prepared by [Author(s)]

[Firm]

Prepared by Lanka Electricity Company (Private) Limited for the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The draft summary initial environmental examination is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB’s Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in nature.

ENVIRONMENT ASSESMENT REPORT

Initial Environmental Examination – Hikkaduwa PSS Site August 2010

CLEAN ENERGY AND ACCESS IMPROVEMENT PROJECT Prepared by Lanka Electricity Company (Private) Limited Colombo, Sri Lanka

Initial Environmental Examination Report – Hikkaduwa PSS Site August 2010

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ABBREVATIONS

ADB - Asian Development Bank

EIA - Environmental Impact Assessment

EMP - Environmental Management Plan

IEE - Initial Environmental Examination

PIU - Project Implementation Unit

EA - Executing Agency

GIS - Gas Insulated Switchgear


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Contents

PREFACE ............................................................................................................................................... 4

1 INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................... 5

1.1 INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ...................................................................................... 6

2 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT ......................................................................................... 7

2.1 SCOPE AND OUTCOME OF THE PROJECT ....................................................................................... 7

2.2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ................................................................................................................ 9

2.3 TYPE OF PROJECT AND THE CATEGORY .................................................................................... 12

2.4 NEED FOR THE PROJECT ............................................................................................................ 13

3 STUDY METHODOLOGY, SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS .................................................. 14

4 RAPID ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ......................................................................... 15

5 DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT ........................................................................... 16

5.1 PHYSICAL RECOURSES .............................................................................................................. 16

5.2 ECOLOGICAL RESOURCES ......................................................................................................... 17

5.3 SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES OF THE PROJECT AREA .................................................... 18

6 POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND PROPOSED MITIGATION

MEASURES .......................................................................................................................................... 19

6.1 PROJECT SITING ........................................................................................................................ 19

6.2 POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF PSS AND MITIGATORY MEASURES ........................ 19

6.3 POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT MEASURES ....................................................... 22

7 LEGAL REQUIREMENTS OF SRI LANKA ......................................................................... 23

7.1 NATIONAL REGULATORY FRAMEWORK .................................................................................... 23

7.2 ENVIRONMENTAL APPROVAL PROCEDURE ............................................................................... 23

8 INSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

24

8.1 PUBLIC COMPLAINS HANDLING PROCEDURE. ........................................................................... 25

8.2 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING PLAN ...................................................... 25

9 PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE ................................... 34

9.1 PRE CONSTRUCTION PUBLIC CONSULTATION MEETING ........................................................... 34

10 FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS .............................................................................. 35

10.1 IDENTIFIED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF THE PROJECT ..................................................... 35

11 CONCLUSIONS ......................................................................................................................... 36


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List of Figures Figure 2.1 Map of new PSS locations ................................................................................................... 8 Figure 2.2 Map of the location – Hikkaduwa ...................................................................................... 10 Figure 2.3 Arial view of the location – Hikkaduwa ............................................................................ 10 Figure 2.4 Ground view 1 of the location – Hikkaduwa ..................................................................... 11 Figure 2.5 Ground view 2 of the location – Hikkaduwa ..................................................................... 11 Figure 2.6 Plan view - Hikkaduwa ...................................................................................................... 11 Figure 5.1 Different types of aquifers in Sri Lanka ............................................................................ 17

List of Tables Table 2.1 Scope of the proposed PSS ..................................................................................................... 7 Table 5.1 Population Statistics on project areas (Source: Economic and Social Statistics of Sri Lanka

2008) .................................................................................................................................................... 18 Table 5.2 Population Statistics on project areas - Religion (Source: Economic and Social Statistics of

Sri Lanka 2008) .................................................................................................................................... 18 Table 5.3 Population Statistics on project areas - Ethnicity (Source: Economic and Social Statistics of

Sri Lanka 2008) .................................................................................................................................... 18 Table 8.1 Environmental Monitoring Plan ........................................................................................... 32 Table 8.2 Cost Estimates for the Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan ............................... 33


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Preface The Government of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka has received a loan

from Asian Development Bank (ADB) towards the cost of Clean Energy and Access

Improvement Project. Part of the project consist of Construction of Five New GIS

Primary Substations which the Lanka Electricity Company (Private) Limited (LECO)

acting as the Implementing Agency.

LECO has carried out the Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) on the projects

sites except the Hikkaduwa Site in the planning stage of the project and submitted the

Revised IEE report to ADB on October 2009.

The below given content is IEE the report on Hikkaduwa Primary Substation Site.


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1 Introduction

The project proponent Lanka Electricity Company was set-up in 1983 to take-over

badly maintained local authority distribution networks in view of enhancing power

quality. ADB funded this mission from the out set funding 4 projects by which the

LECO network is developed. The requirement of enhanced capacity is in need to

supply the load growth in these areas.

At present LECO is engaged in power distribution mainly in the western coastal areas

of Sri Lanka. The franchised area is divided geographically into seven branches. The

system is served by 29 primary substations which transform electricity from 33kV to

11kV. And the distribution system consists of 1157 km 11kV circuits and 3933 km

400V circuits. LECO’s installed distribution capacity is 369 MW with annual

electricity sales of 1045GWh serving 469,000 customers. The franchise area is

approximately 289 km2. LECO purchases electricity metered at 11kV level at an

agreed price from CEB and sell at the national electricity price.

The last substations project in LECO area was implemented 10 years ago. After this

project, no capacity expansion has taken place in these areas. This has severely

affected the LECO distribution capacity and LECO is compelled to decline all new

connections leading to socio-economic impact in the most economically active area of

the country. Further, LECO is forced to disconnect loads during the productive hours

due to the non-availability of optional load transfer arrangements during planned

maintenance. Frequent blackouts have been a common incidence in these areas which

were served with a high quality supply for the last 27 years. The demand of restoring

this situation at this prime economic zone of Sri Lanka is of utmost urgency.

LECO wishes to propose three new 33/11kV, 2X5MVA substations in Katunayake,

Kotikawatta, Hikkaduwa and two 33/11kV, 2X10MVA Primary Substation in

Kiribathgoda and Nawala. The project is formulated based on LECO five year load

forecast and load flow study. The land area required is approximately 1000 sq.m.

The plots of land are identified as close as possible to the load centre and have already


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purchased at commercial rates. During purchase of land it was ensured that those are

environmentally suitable for a primary substation.

The project will enhance the capacity availability of LECO to provide supply to the

suppliers in its franchised area. The reliability of the system will be restored at the

previously operated values and the losses will cease to escalate.

1.1 Initial environmental assessment

This environmental assessment has taken place at the initial phases of the project

preparations envisaging submission for ADB funding. The October 2009 submission

of IEE report did not include the environmental assessment of Hikkaduwa site due to

un-availability of a land. This report includes the said environmental assessment of

Hikkaduwa site.

The report is developed following the ADB guidelines to the best possible extent.

The lands of the extents approximately 1000 square meters were purchased by LECO

at commercial rates in compliance with LECO procurement guidelines.


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2 Description of the Project

The socio-economic justification of this project is described in section 1 of this report.

The planned capacity enhancement to relieve the above described power shortages

experienced by these prime areas of Sri Lanka and to serve the forecasted load growth

for next ten years, is proposed herewith.

2.1 Scope and outcome of the project

2.1.1 Summery Scope

Table 2.1 summarise the planned capacity enhancements by the proposed primary

substations. The Sri Lanka map with physical locations of each substation is shown

in Figure 2.1.

GRID SUBSTATION PROPOSED

CAPACITY

LAND EXTENT

PURCHASED

Katunayaka 2×5 MVA 1000m2

Kiribathgoda 2×10 MVA 1000m2

Nawala 2×10 MVA 1000m2

Kotikawatta 2×5 MVA 1000m2

Hikkaduwa 2×5 MVA 1500m2

Table 2.1 Scope of the proposed PSS


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Figure 2.1 Map of new PSS locations

2.1.2 Detailed Scope of Hikkaduwa Primary Substation

Capacity and the transformer configuration: 10MVA capacity in 2×5 MVA

transformers

Incomming bay configuration: 2×33kV GIS incoming feeder bays, 1250A, 25kA

short circuit level.

Feeder Bay configuration: 4×11kV GIS outgoing feeder bays, 630A, 25kA short

circuit level. 2×33kV and 2×11kV GIS transformer feeder bays with transformer

protection facility.

Busbar configuration: Single 33kV GIS busbar with bus coupler and single 11kV

GIS busbar with bus coupler.


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2.2 Project Description

The Engineering, Procurement and Construction aspects of all the five Primary

substations are similar in nature apart from the difference in the Kiribathgoda and

Nawala Primary Substation capacity. Thus all four PSS are described in the below

subsection.

The project will establish four primary substations in Katunayake (2x5 MVA),

Kiribathgoda (2x10 MVA), Nawala (2x10 MVA), Kotikawatta (2x5 MVA) and

Hikkaduwa (2x5 MVA) towns in order to relieve the existing over-load substations in

the areas of Katunayake, Seeduwa, Dalugama, Dalupitiya, Ethulkotte, Nugegoda and

Hikkaduwa. The available funds will be utilized to procure equipment and associated

construction, installation and commissioning works of the project including all local

and foreign costs.

All five substations are packaged to a single contract package with parallel

implementation.

Land area involved for each substation is 1000m², which is bought over at

commercial prices by LECO. The ownership, resettlement and all access

requirements are satisfied for the proper implementation and functioning of the

project prior to purchase of the land.

(i). Hikkaduwa

Location

Facing the Suduweli road off Sri Sumangala road. Between Hikkaduwa town and

Nalagasdeniya Junction on Beddegama road. Approximately 1km from Hikkaduwa

town.


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Figure 2.2 Map of the location – Hikkaduwa

Figure 2.3 Arial view of the location – Hikkaduwa


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Pan Photographs – Hikkaduwa PSS

Figure 2.4 Ground view 1 of the location – Hikkaduwa

Figure 2.5 Ground view 2 of the location – Hikkaduwa

Figure 2.6 Plan view - Hikkaduwa


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2.3 Type of Project and the Category

This project consists of building five new Primary Substations in small land extents of

1000m2 approximately.

According to the clause 142 of Environmental Assessment Guidelines, Asian

Development Bank, 2003, this project can be classified as follows due to minimal

environmental impact associated with the project:

Project Type: Power Distribution Category: B


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2.4 Need for the project

2.4.1 Distribution capacity scarcity in LECO licensed area

At present LECO is served by 29 primary substations which transform electricity

from 33kV to 11kV. Most of these substations were constructed under ADB loans.

The last substations project in LECO area was implemented 10 years ago. After this

project, no capacity expansion has taken place in these areas. 9 out of these 29

primary substations, at present, are loaded above 90%. Another 18 substations are

loaded above their designed firm capacity (50%). Only two substations are operating

below their firm capacity.

There are 4 substations out of those 9 critically loaded substations, which have

already exceeded their rated capacities. LECO is compelled to decline all new

connections leading to socio-economic impact in these most economically active area

of the country. Further, LECO is forced to disconnect loads during the productive

hours due to the non-availability of optional load transfer arrangements during

planned maintenance. Frequent blackouts have been a common incidence in these

areas which were served with a high quality supply for the last 27 years. The demand

of restoring this situation at this prime economic zone of Sri Lanka is of utmost

urgency.

2.4.2 Policy Focus

The National Energy Policy of Sri Lanka, 2006 in clause 2.1, 2.3 and 2.8 states;

Providing Basic Energy Needs: Energy requirements to fulfil the basic needs of the

people, and to enhance their living standards and opportunities for gainful economic

activity will be adequately and continually satisfied at the lowest possible cost to the

economy.

Enhancing the Quality of Energy Services: The quality of energy services will be

ensured through imposition of appropriate quality standards and regulatory

interventions.

Promoting Energy Efficiency and Conservation: Energy supply systems will be

efficiently managed and operated while also ensuring efficient utilization and

conservation of energy.


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3 Study Methodology, Scope and Limitations

The lands for the project are already procured though LECO funds under LECO

company procurement guidelines.

The literature of this study is extracted extensively from the experience of LECO staff

involved with design and land procurement activities as well as the site visits carried

out during the environmental study.

This study is limited to the information available by the time of concluding this study

and development of this report (May 2010).


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4 Rapid Environmental Assessment

The ADB guidelines and the standard formats are used as the protocol of carrying out

the Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA). The proposed Primary Substation is

within the premises already purchased by LECO; the number of potential

environmental impacts identified is limited to the listed below.

Project Siting: The primary substation to be constructed is not within any of the

environmental sensitive land spaces such as natural reserves, cultural heritage sites,

protected area, Wetland, Mangrove, Estuarine or special area for protected

biodiversity.

Potential Environmental Impacts: The construction activities in identified site may

create local air pollution due to earth filling, noise and vibration due to construction

and social disturbance due to construction vehicles.


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5 Description of the Environment

5.1 Physical Recourses

5.1.1 Geology and soils

The project site is located in the Galle districts. The geology of the sites is described

below

The land area is filled by latterite soil. The soil is generally reddish with gravel. The

approximate depth of ground water level is at one to two meters depth from existing

ground level.

5.1.2 Climate

Weather in the project areas stays evenly hot and humid throughout the year, with no

distinct seasons apart from two rainy seasons. Heavy monsoon rains occur between

May and July (South West Monsoon), and again between October and December,

(North East Monsoon) resulting in a mean annual precipitation of 2345 mm

approximate.

The average annual air temperature in the project area is ranged between 220

Celsius(C) and 310 C.

The air quality of the project areas tends to deviate from site to site and time. The air

pollutants in the project area are well within the range of standards.

5.1.3 Hydrology and water resources

Water resources in the project area are represented by surface water (rivers and lakes)

and ground water. The ground water in the project area is classified as shallow

aquifers on costal sand as shown on the island aquifer diagram below.


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Figure 5.1 Different types of aquifers in Sri Lanka

5.2 Ecological Resources

5.2.1 Flora

The flora existing in the proposed site is predominantly home garden vegetation

common in the area. No endangered flora exists in the site. The results of the audit

carried out of the existing flora of the sites are presented in Table 5.1.

Site Plant (Scientific name)

Hikkaduwa Caryota urens

Terminatici catappa L

Colocasia esculenta

Cocos nucifera


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5.2.2 Fauna

The protect sites are limited to a land space approximately 1000 square meters. Thus

the audit of fauna is not possible to be carried out in this space and such activity is not

practical.

5.3 Social and Cultural Resources of the Project Area

The main benefit of the proposed primary substations is the quality improvement of

the electricity supply provided to the area in terms of power reliability and power

quality. In this aspect, the improvement of the power quality would benefit the present

communities already electrified and enable further electrification of more households

and new industries. The section below discuses the Social and Cultural resources of

the area around the Hikkaduwa site .

The population statistics of the three districts are summarized below;

Districts Population as at

2001

Percentage of

Population w.r.t the

Country Total

Population Density

(per km2)

Galle 990,500 5.28 637

Table 5.1 Population Statistics on project areas (Source: Economic and Social

Statistics of Sri Lanka 2008)

The Population statistics on Religion and Ethnicity of the three districts are

summarized below;

Population by Religion %

Districts Buddhist Hindus Muslims Christians Others

Galle 94.1 1.6 3.6 0.7 0.00

Table 5.2 Population Statistics on project areas - Religion (Source: Economic and

Social Statistics of Sri Lanka 2008)

Population by Ethnicity %

Districts Sinhalese Sri Lankan

Tamils

Indian

Tamils

Moors Burgers Malays Others

Galle 94.3 1.2 0.9 3.6 0.0 0.0 0.0

Table 5.3 Population Statistics on project areas - Ethnicity (Source: Economic and

Social Statistics of Sri Lanka 2008)


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6 Potential Environmental Impacts and Proposed Mitigation Measures The potential environmental impacts discussed in this section are identified by the

Rapid Environmental Assessment process. The protocol used is the ADB guidelines

for Rapid Environmental Assessment and the Rapid Environmental Assessment

checklist for Transmission Projects.

6.1 Project Siting

The Hikkaduwa primary substations are to be built in LECO owned land procured

through standard procurement procedure at commercial rate. There are no specific

environmental concerns as any relocation of people or significant clearing of

vegetation is not involved. The land of concern is already cleared and covered with

shrubs and home garden vegetations.

6.2 Potential Environmental Impacts of PSS and Mitigatory

Measures

6.2.1 Environmentally sensitive area

The proposed primary substation site will encroach into protected area not

environmentally sensitive zone of the country. There is no envisaged environmental

impact to the water hydrology or the existing waterways. The land is adjoining a

storm water canal and neither the primary substation construction nor the operation

will hinder the water flow of this water way.

6.2.2 Storm Water

The proposed primary substation will have a properly designed storm water collection

and drainage system including the gravel seepage surfaces, covered drains with proper

gulley system which will output the storm water collection at the primary substation

surface to the road side drainage system or existing waterways as permitted by the

geography of the site.


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6.2.3 Water Quality

There is no spillage of chemicals or other potential pollutant to the water resources

during the normal operation of the primary substation. During an emergency there is

a possibility of a leakage of transformer oil from the power transformers located at

site. Thus the transformer foundations are designed to comprise of a containment pit

so that the entire volume of transformer oil available in each transformer can be held

within the foundation. Thus in a rare event of spillage, transformer oil does not

interface with the primary substation ground surface or the water resources of the

vicinity.

6.2.4 Air Pollution

There is no activity associated with air pollution such as rock crushing. The GIS

equipment is associated with SF6 pressure gauges and protection interlocks with

indications so that even minute leakage of SF6 is immediately detected and corrected.

Further the PSS commissioning test protocol include SF6 gas leakage testing of each

GIS interface of the PSS equipment panel so that SF6 gas used for insulation is

ensured to be well sealed within the compartments.

6.2.5 Noise and Vibration

During the civil construction there is a possibility of earth filling. Since the

associated soil volumes are small the equipment employed will be small compactors

and lorries commonly used in public building construction sites and road construction

sites. Thus the associated noise levels would be within the acceptable limits

stipulated in the Sri Lanka’s noise regulations published in the Government Gazette

dated 21st May, 1996, under the environment Act No 47 of 1980 applicable to the

respective locations and as quoted below.

During construction: Day time 75dB(A),

Night time 50dB(A)

During Operation: Low noise areas Day time 50dB(A),

Night time 50dB(A)

Medium noise areas Day time 63dB(A)

Night time 50dB(A)

Silent Zones Day time 50dB(A)


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Night time 45dB(A)

During the operation of the PSS, only source of noise will be the operational 50Hz

hum of the transformer which is controlled in compliance with IEC standards and

measured during the type test of the transformer as per IEC 60551.

6.2.6 Social conflicts due to the civil roads for construction

The proposed site is accessed from a main B class road with less than 100m

provincial roads. The construction activities envisaged in PSS is very small and no

heavy transportation involved activities such as piling and major filling is required.

The civil contractors will be instructed to use covered lorries for construction material

transport which is anyway a legal requirement of Sri Lanka and reduce any damages

to the public roads. In an event of such damage the road will be repaired by the

contractors under the supervision of LECO.

6.2.7 Health Hazards

There is no health hazard envisaged during the construction or operation of these

Primary Substations. The exposure to electromagnetic fields is negligible since the

electrical designs of the substations are carried out with the proper high voltage

clearance as per IEC standards. Further since the substation is GIS, most of the high

voltage surfaces are encapsulated within metal clad enclosures solidly grounded.

6.2.8 Risks of Accidents

The risk of accident to project staff, operational staff or the general public due to fire,

electric shock, explosion etc. are minimised by

a. selection of GIS switchgear, Transformers and other substation equipment

complying to international standards with proper type test certificates and

functional test equipment from reputed manufacturers who has experience of

providing such equipment for primary substations.

b. Implementation of safety awareness protocol during the operations of the

primary substations, and

c. Provision of proper site safety guidelines with safety equipment such as fire

extinguishers, warning tapes and barriers during the construction phase of the

project.


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6.2.9 Waste disposal and Removal

The generation of waste by a Primary Substation is negligible during construction as

well as operational phases. During the construction major waste generation is by the

packing material and any scrap material associated with civil works. The packing

material will be disposed by the means approved by the local government and scrap

material will be sold to re-cycling agents. During the operational phase, the major

waste generation is by the waste transformer oil during oil filtration. The waste

transformer oil will be transported to CEB central stores and disposed as per the

methods approved by the Central Environmental Authority.

6.3 Potential Environmental Enhancement Measures

In the proposed land, the scope of project includes construction of periphery wall

acting as a physical and noise barrier between the primary substation and the adjacent

privately owned land to both ensure noise reduction and access control.


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7 Legal requirements of Sri Lanka

7.1 National Regulatory Framework

The Central Environmental Authority was established by National Environment Act

No 47 of 1980 which was twice amended as Acts No 56 of 1988 and 53 of 2000.

National Environmental (Protection and Quality) Regulations No 1 of 1990

establishes the procedure for the application of an environmental license for an

industry. Further this regulation specifies the quality limits for the discharge of

effluents from industrial and other activities.

Further National Environmental approval procedure for prescribed projects by a

project approving agency is stipulated in National Environment (Procedure for the

Approval of Projects) Regulations No 1 of 1993. Further this act established the list

of prescribed projects for which a prior Environmental approval (EIA/IEE) is

mandatory. This procedure is amended by Amended Regulations published in year

2000 (Procedure for Approval of Projects) which established a list of

industries/operations for which such an Environmental approval is required.

National Environmental (Noise Control) Regulations No 1 of 1996 stipulates the

national Noise control regulations and standards.

7.2 Environmental Approval Procedure

The construction of Primary substations is not a prescribed project under Regulation

No 1 of 1993. Thus no formal EIA or IEE is required by the national regulatory

framework.

However the approval from the local authority for the construction project is required.

LECO will timely apply for such approval and liaise with the local authorities towards

approval.


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8 Institutional Requirements and Environmental Management Plan

The project will be managed by the project implementation unit headed by a project

manager, who is a senior engineer of LECO. There will be a project engineer, and

project supervisor for each construction site to handle the construction work. Further

there will be a social and environmental officer to specifically handle and coordinate

problems related to the environmental and social aspects of the project. LECO

through their project implementation unit will bear the full responsibility of the

environmental monitoring and management activity discussed in this IEE to achieve

best environmental practices in compliance and exceeding the requirements of

National Environmental Guidelines as well as ADB Environmental Guidelines.

The IEE would be made available to the Project manager, project implementation unit

as well as to the contractor. The selected contractor/s is responsible for implementing

appropriate mitigation measures. And project implementation unit will conduct

monthly reviews and audits to monitor the project during implementation, to examine

compliance with the conditions stipulated in the approval issued. Further it will

coordinate all environment-related issues and activities, and the LECO will provide

the necessary manpower and financial resources for the same.

The Lanka Electricity Company (LECO) has past experience in handling the projects

similar to this nature. The last power system expansion project funded by ADB

(sector loan (No. 1414 SRI (SF)) was done in 1996 to 2000, consisted with

implementation of five primary substations and LECO distribution system

development. The LECO as an executing agency had good reputation to carry out the

project with proper environmental measures. Further LECO worked with ADB with

its Secondary Towns Power Distribution project I and II under Loan No 732-SRI (SF)

and 870-SRI (SF). This too included Distribution system expansion, rehabilitation and

capacity augmentation.


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8.1 Public Complains Handling Procedure.

LECO attributes highest priority to the public concerns associated with any of their

projects both during the construction and operation phases. Any complaints and

concerns of public either affected or others will first be dealt by the LECO site staff.

If the concerns demand augmentation of the construction related activities, the

mitigatory measures will be implemented through the contractors. If otherwise which

demands governmental interventions and procedural action then the complaints will

be channelled to the respective government divisional secretaries.

8.2 Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan

The direct responsibility of implementing the provisions of this IEE, the conditions

stipulated by the CEA in project approval, governmental orders through DS and any

local authority regulations is with the LECO project manger. LECO will facilitate

and coordinate this activity through their operational division as and when required.

Table 8.1 shows the comprehensive environmental management plan as per the ADB

standard format.


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Project activity Potential impact Proposed mitigation measure

Parameter to be monitored

Measurement and frequency

institutional responsibility

Implementation schedule

Pre – Construction

Grid substation augmentation and the new SCC

Disturbance to people occupying land adjacent to the GS, owing to land filling and construction

Maintain adequate clearance between the dwellings and retaining structures to be built at two GS where land filling is required

Proximity to houses and other buildings

During the design LECO

Before the GS augmentation structural layout is finalized

Additional storm water releases

Examine the capacity of existing storm water outlets to carry the additional volume, release storm water only to designated drains or water ways, as instructed by the local authority

Volume and direction of storm water release

During the design LECO

Before the GS augmentation structural layout is finalized

GS Equipment specifications and design parameters

Release of harmful chemicals and gases

Polly Chlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) will not be used in substation transformers or any other equipment.

Transformer design, and coolants and operating media used in all GS

Exclusion of PCBs in transformers stated in tender specification

During tendering and tender evaluation

GS location and design

Displacement/ Relocation of housing

Select a land with no buildings or houses, preferably

House and other buildings to be demolished/relocated

During land selection and route selection for each

LECO Before the line route and GS locations finalized


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state-owned land transmission

GSS location Exposure to noise

Design and location of transformers to comply with Sri Lanka noise regulations, noise levels specified in bid docs.

Expected noise emissions based on substation design

During factory tests and after commissioning

LECO

Before the GS locations and transformer locations are finalized

Escape of polluting materials

Environmental pollution

Transformers designed with oil spill containment pit, and with emergency oil release and storage system.

Equipment specifications with respect to potential pollutants, and compliance with design specifications

During commissioning tests and compliance checking of civil works

LECO During design of the GSS

GSS to include storm water drainage and sewage disposal systems to avoid surface water pollution.

Substation storm water discharge sewage design

Bid documents to mention detailed specifications, and compliance checking after construction.

LECO

During design and construction of GSS.

Explosions/ Fire Hazards to life

Design of GSS to include fire detection and control systems and firewalls.

Substation design compliance with fire prevention and control codes in Sri Lanka

Bid documents to mention detailed specifications, and Compliance checking after construction.

LECO

During design and construction of GSS.

Provision of fire fighting equipment to be located close to transformers.

Construction Equipment layout Noise and Construction Construction Construction LECO Throughout the


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and installation vibrations caused during construction actives

techniques and machinery selection seeking to minimize ground disturbance.

techniques and machinery used by contractors

techniques and machinery creating minimal ground disturbance, before commencement of site work

construction period

Mechanized construction

Noise, vibration and operator safety

Construction equipment to be well maintained.

Construction equipment status, hours of operation, maintenance

Observations during site visits, as frequently as required

LECO Throughout the construction period

Temporary blockage, loss of service of utilities

Loss of power supply to local areas, when distribution lines crossing the new transmission lines are switched off

Minimize the duration of line shutdown by careful programming of work

Total hours of power shutdown

Regularly during the period of stringing the conductors.

LECO and Contractor

Throughout the construction period

Site clearance at GSS

No impact to the external environment

Debris to be disposed of in accordance with local authority regulations and advise

Method and location disposal of debris

When the site is cleared by the contractor

LECO and Contractor

Throughout the construction period

Storage of chemicals and materials

Contamination of receptors (land, water, air)

Transformer oil will be securely stored above high flood level, until the transformer(s) are filled-up.

Location of transformer; spill reports (type of material spilled, amount in m3) and action taken to control and clean up spill

Examined by the project engineer at each site visit

LECO and Contractor

Construction period

Provision of facilities for

Contamination of receptors (land,

Construction workforce

Amenities for workforce facilities

sanitation, water supply and waste

LECO and Contractor

Construction period


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construction workers

water, air) temporary facilities to include proper sanitation, water supply and waste disposal facilities.

disposal facilities once each new facility

Encroachment in to farmland

Loss of agricultural productivity

Avoid period of cultivation in paddy fields and chena land

Land area of active agriculture lost at each tower footings and along the transmission corridor

Monthly report of the status

LECO and Contractor

Construction period

Uncontrolled erosion/ silt runoff

Soil loss, downstream siltation at sites adjoining GSS

Staged compaction of filling at two GSS, covered gravel stockpile and loose material

Visual observation of run off and siltation of storm water drains

Monthly report of the status

LECO and Contractor

Construction period

Nuisance to nearby properties

Losses to neighbouring land uses/ values

Contract specifying careful construction practices.

Contract

Incorporating good construction management practices, regularly during construction

LECO and Contractor

Construction period

Health and safety

Injury and sickness of workers and members of the public

Contract provisions specifying minimum requirements for construction camps

Contract clauses (number of incidents and total lost-work days caused by injuries and sickness)

Contract clauses compliance- once every quarter

LECO and Contractor

Construction period

Contractor to prepare and implement a health and safety plan.


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Contractor to arrange for health and safety training sessions

Inadequate construction stage monitoring

Likely to increase damages, lost time

environmental monitoring personnel and project engineers/ other staff

Training schedules and training coverage

Number and coverage of programs attended by each person

LECO and Contractor

Construction period

Implementation of effective environmental monitoring and reporting system using checklist of all contractual environmental requirements

Respective contract checklists and remedial actions taken thereof.

Submission of duly completed checklists of all contracts for each site, once prepared to be used thereafter

Appropriate contact clauses to ensure satisfactory implementation of contractual mitigation measures.

Compliance report related to environmental aspects for the contract

Submission of duly completed compliance report for each contract- once

Operation and Maintenance

Transformer Oil spillage

Contamination of land/ nearby water bodies

Substation transformers located within secure and impervious sump areas with a storage capacity of at least 100% of the capacity of

Transformer oil sump checked through physical measurement of volume and visual inspection

Oil sump volume and permeability once after completion,

LECO During operations


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oil in transformers and associated reserve tanks.

Inadequate provision of staff/ workers health and safety during operations

Injury and sickness of staff/ workers

Careful design using appropriate technologies to minimize hazards

Usage of appropriate technologies (lost work days due to illness and injuries)

Preparedness level for using these technologies in crisis - once a year

LECO

Included in design and monitored throughout operation

Safety awareness rising for staff.

Training/awareness s programs

Number of programs and percent of staff/ workers covered in safety once a year

Preparation of fire emergency action plan and training given to staff on implementing emergency action plan Provide adequate sanitation and water supply facilities

Provision of facilities Complaints received from staff, regularly

Electric shock hazards

Injury/ mortality y to staff and public

Careful design using appropriate technologies to minimize hazards

Usage of appropriate technologies (number of injury incidents, lost work days)

Preparedness level or using these technologies in crisis - once a year technologies in crisis - once a month

LECO

Included in design and monitored throughout operation

Security fences around substations

Maintenance of fences Report on

maintenance - every 2 weeks

Appropriate warning signs on facilities

Maintenance of warning signs

Electricity safety awareness raising in Project areas

Training/awareness s programs for all Concerned parties

Number of programs and Percent of total


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persons covered - once a year

Operations and maintenance staff skills less than acceptable

Unnecessary environmental losses of various types

Adequate training in O&M to all relevant staff of substations Maintenance crews.

Training/ awareness programs for all relevant staff

Number of programs and percent of staff covered-once a year

LECO Throughout operation Preparation and

training in the use of O&M manuals and standard operating

Inadequate periodic environmental monitoring. Environmental monitoring.

Diminished ecological and social values.

Staff to receive training in environmental monitoring of project operations and maintenance activities.

Training/ awareness s programs for all relevant staff

Number of programs and percent of staff covered-once a year

LECO Throughout operation

Noise related Nuisance to neighboring properties

Substations sited and designed to ensure noise will not be a nuisance.

Noise levels (dB(a))

Noise levels at boundary nearest to properties and consultation with affected parties if any - once a year

LECO Throughout operation

Table 8.1 Environmental Monitoring Plan


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Item Sub-Item Total Cost (LKR million)Mitigatory measures described in this IEE

Sub items in Environmental Monitoring Plan

6.00

Implementation, Monitoring and Auditing

0.50

Sub-Total 6.50 Contingency to account for any unforeseen requirements

10% 0.65

Total =7.15

Table 8.2 Cost Estimates for the Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan


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9 Public Consultation and Information Disclosure

The proposed site for the primary substations is owned to LECO and has no significant

public impacts. But the substation site is located in a residential area. Thus if public

needs any information regarding the construction and operation of the primary

substations, then such clarification requests are directed to LECO, specially if those are

related to the land associated matters by adjacent neighbours. If further clarifications

are required then such would be provided though the DS upon written request from the

public concerned. LECO will provide all necessary information as directed by the DS

limited to the contractual and information disclosure requirements.

9.1 Pre Construction Public Consultation Meeting

At the time of this report, pre construction public consultation meetings with the

affected parties were carried out by LECO.

The public were given all necessary information regarding the construction of Primary

Substations, its locations, suitability and selection of the locations, construction works

to be carried out, procedure to be adhering for any public complaints and

environmentally mitigation measures to be carried out with the project. Further,

explained the benefit of the proposed primary substations to the quality improvement of

the electricity supply provided to the area in terms of power reliability and power

quality and the national importance of the project. No specific comments were received

during these consultation meetings regarding the project site locations and its negative

impact to the neighbouring people. Full description of these meetings is presented in

the annexed document on Customer Consultative Meetings.


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10 Findings and Recommendations

This IEE study is conducted in view of identifying the potential environmental risks

and mitigatory plans related to such.

Project Justification:

The LECO licensed areas are presently undergoing capacity limitations due to the

overloading of the respective primary substations. This has hindered the social and

economic growth of these prime areas of the country. This project is the first phase of

the capacity enhancement of LECO which alleviate Galle area capacity problems.

10.1 Identified Environmental Impacts of the project

No major environmental impacts are identified in this IEE associated with the

construction of the proposed primary substation. The small quantities of earth filling

associated will not create environmental impact provided that managed carefully. The

accesses to all lands are though the public roads which do not need any augmentations

or new constructions. No relocation of assists owned to members of public is required.

The standard practice of PSS design will be adopted in ensuring the transformer oil

spillage control and provision of proper electromagnetic clearances. Further

international standards associated with transformer noise limits will be ensured in

procurement through the type and factory testing of the power transformers. LECO

will implement the safety practices during construction and CEB will implement their

health and safety standards during the operation of the primary substation.


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11 Conclusions

The proposed project is a Power Transmission Project classified under ADB

environmental classification to Category B. There will be no involuntary relocation of

private or public property. There are no major environmental impacts associated with

the constructional and operational phases of this project. The careful management of

the project construction activity and thereafter the implemented asset this project will

environmentally acceptable and compatible with any other similar primary substation

construction project.

environmental assessment report · the report is developed following the adb guidelines to the best...

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