PROJECT : MIDELT SOLAR POWER COMPLEX PROJECT – PHASE I

COUNTRY : KINGDOM OF MOROCCO

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (ESIA) SUMMARY

Appraisal

Team

Team Leader Adama MOUSSA, Principal Electrical Engineer RDGN1/COMA

Team Members

Succès MASRA, Principal Economist and Financial

Analyst

PERN1/COCM

William DAKPO, Regional Procurement Coordinator SNFI1/RDGN

Modeste KINANE, Principal Environmentalist SNSC

Mamadou YARO, Regional Financial Management

Coordinator

SNFI2/RDGN

Patrice HORUGAVYE, Chief Socio-Economist SNSC

Vincent CASTEL, Chief Economist RDGN1/COMA

Wadii RAIS, Financial Analyst, COMA

Iman SERROKH, Disbursement Assistant FIFC3/COMA

Acting Sector

Division Manager

Adama MOUSSA RDGN1

Resident

Representative

Yacine FAL COMA

Regional Director-

General

Mohamed EL AZIZI RDGN

Sector Director Ousseynou NAKOULIMA PERN

AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK GROUP

1

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (ESIA) SUMMARY

Project : Noor Midelt Solar Power Complex – Phase I Project No.: P-MA-FF0-004

Country: Kingdom of Morocco Department:

Category: 1

Introduction

This document is a summary of the Framework Environmental and Social Impact Assessment

(ESIA) of the NOOR Midelt Solar Power Complex Project - Phase I. The detailed design of the

NOOR Midelt project’s power plants will be provided by the projects selected following an

international competitive bidding, which explains why this assessment is a framework ESIA

covering: (i) the entire site and related infrastructure (water and road infrastructure, power supply

for water infrastructure (22kv line); and (ii) all the different technological options. Following their

selection, the developers will submit specific ESIA/ESMP for each power plant, taking into

account the specificities of each plant and will be based on the specific proposal of the developer

to whom the project has been awarded. This framework ESIA was submitted to the National EIA

Committee which declared the project’s environmental acceptability and issued it on 12 January

2016.

In accordance with the African Development Bank’s Integrated Safeguards System (ISS) and

national requirements, this project is classified in Category 1. This summary was prepared in

compliance with the AfDB’s environmental and social impact assessment guidelines and

procedures for projects in the aforementioned category.

The project description and rationale are presented first, followed by the legal and institutional

framework in Morocco. A brief description is then given of the main physical conditions in the

project area through its physical, biological and human components. The technological options are

available and compared in terms of technical, economic, environmental and social feasibility. The

most significant positive and negative impacts on the bio-physical and human environments

(socio-economic) are then presented. It should be noted that these are anticipated impacts,

irrespective of the type of solar power plant and those concerning related infrastructure.

Enhancement and mitigation measures are then proposed to increase the benefits and/or prevent,

minimize or offset the negative impacts along with the monitoring programme followed by a

presentation of public consultations held as well as complementary initiatives relating to the

project. Finally, the executing agency’s existing capacities are analyzed.

1. Project Description and Rationale

1.1. Project Rationale

This project is part of the Moroccan solar power programme (the NOOR programme) estimated at

US$9 billion and whose objective is to develop, by 2020, electric power generation capacity of at

least 2000 MW through large-scale integrated solar power projects covering several sites. The

Ouarzazate (580 MW), Laayoune (80 MW) and Boujdour (20 MW) site development works are

ongoing and expected to be completed in 2018. The development of renewable energy projects in

Morocco, especially relating to wind or solar power, is combined with industrial integration (local)

to strengthen green job-creating sectors and contribute to the emergence of national expertise in

that area.

2

These projects will enable the country to: (i) reduce its energy dependency and supply industrial

units with electric power at competitive prices; (ii) develop new industrial sub-sectors through

strong local project integration (technical assistance is being provided in order to map these sub-

sectors); and (iii) honour commitments made by Morocco under COP 21 and 22. The Bank is also

envisaging technical assistance to promote power efficiency and renewable energy experience

sharing between Morocco and Africa.

1.2 Project Objectives

The project sector goal is to build national electric power generation capacity in order to improve

the security of supply and availability of electric power against a backdrop of sustainable

development. The project will help to sustain growth and improve the population’s living

conditions. Its goal is to reduce the country’s energy dependency and build national electric power

generation capacity by deploying electric power production from renewable energy sources. It will

help to: (i) mitigate the negative impact of energy imports on the general government budget and

on the trade balance; (ii) reduce vulnerability to fuel price fluctuations and to the volatility of these

prices; (iii) create a local industry in the solar power sector by manufacturing equipment; (iv)

strengthen national renewable energy expertise; and (iv) protect the environment.

The project’s specific objective is to develop in a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) context, two

power plants (NOORm I and NOORm II) using hybrid solar power technology, that is, a mix of

concentrated solar power (CSP1) (with a CSP capacity of 150 to 190 MW per plant) and

photovoltaic (PV) capacity. PV capacity will be optimized by the developer.

The project will also increase the use of PPP models in electric power generation from renewable

sources in Morocco.

1.3 Project Description

The Noor Midelt (NOORM) project consists in the construction of a solar power generation

complex with several tranches (plants). Its development is planned in several phases under a PPP

for private electric power generation in IPP2 form covering the design, financing, construction,

operation and maintenance of solar power plants over a 25-year period. The first phase ‘NOORM

First Phase’ of the project, the subject of this project, will comprise two (2) hybrid solar power

plants (mix between CSP and PV technologies). Each plant will have a CSP capacity of 150 MW

to 190 MW with a thermal power storage system that will allow its operation for at least five hours

without solar radiation (after sunset or during cloudy periods). The CSP technology could be of

the parabolic trough collector or solar tower type (see analysis in the section on the analysis of

alternatives for details).

The project comprises a single component described below.

1 Concentrated Solar Power 2 Independent Power Producer

3

Table 1: Project Component

Project Component (amounts in million UA)

Description Component Description

Electric Power

Infrastructure

NOORm

Power

Plant I

Design and development of two PV/CSP hybrid solar power plants (each with a CSP

capacity of 150 to 190 MW). The PV capacity will be optimized by the developer,

including site development, solar fields, power plants, electric power evacuation,

thermal power storage systems, thermal energy transfer systems, cooling systems,

environmental and social measures, technical assistance, engineering and

development, works control and supervision, project administration and

management, financial statement audits, monitoring and evaluation, etc.

NOORm

Power

Plant II

Total Project Cost 1.7 billion units of account (UA3), i.e. US$ 2.3 billion

The project will be financed by the AfDB, AFD, EIB, the World Bank, the Clean Technology

Fund and KfW, the European Commission and private developers (for equity contributions).

The project concerns the following related infrastructure:

Water Infrastructure: (I) Water intake at the Hassan II dam reservoir; (ii) Lifting

and de-sludging stations; (iii) Water pipe from the de-sludging station to the on-site

storage reservoir; (iv) electric power supply for water supply equipment (22kv line);

Road Infrastructure: (i) Improvement of main access road on an existing feeder

road from NR 13 to the site; (ii) Construction of a second access road from the

Hassan II dam to the site on an existing road;

Electric Power Infrastructure: Two 22kV power lines are planned to supply the

site and hydraulic structures, namely: (i) Line 1: linking the Zaïda sub-station to the

site via the national road and the right-of-way of the site access road. This line will

be extended to the site to provide redundancy; (ii) Line 2: Linking the Mibladene

sub-station to the site from the dam. The electric power facilities developed by

ONEE for the evacuation of energy generated by the plants (400 kV/225 kV lines,

establishment of sub-stations, extension of sub-stations, feeder lines, etc.) will be

the subjects of specific ESIA and procurement plans4 Other infrastructure will be

covered by this ESIA.

1.4 Project Location

The site of the future solar power complex (NOORM) is administratively located in Midelt province

on an Upper Moulouya plateau about 20 km north-east of the town of Midelt. It is accessible 30

km from National Road 13 linking Meknès to Midelt. The site’s low, flat profile is suitable for the

construction of a solar power complex. The site is also located about 11 km from the Hassan II

dam (400 million m3) from which the complex will be supplied with water. It should be noted that

the site is not far (about 10 km) from the Mibladen transformer sub-station (225 kV) which could

be used to evacuate part of the electric power generated by the complex.

3 At the May 2017 conversion rate: UA 1 = US$ 1.37102; UA 1 = EUR 1.25437 4 The land acquisition plan corresponds to the resettlement plan in accordance with the Bank’s involuntary resettlement policy

4

Figure 1: Map of Project Location in MIDELT Province

Figure 2: Map of Project Location on a 1/50,000 scale Topographic Map

5

2. Policy, Legal and Administrative Framework

2.1 Applicable National Regulatory Texts

Act No. 11- 03 governing environmental protection and development protection promulgated by

Dahir 1-03-59 (Royal Decree) of 10 Rabii I 1424 (12 May 2003), defines the principles and

directions of an environmental legal strategy for Morocco. This general law meets the need to

adopt a global, integrated approach that most closely matches the need for environmental

protection and the country’s economic and social development needs.

Dahir 1-03-60 of 12 May promulgating Act 12-03 governing environmental impact assessments

(Official Gazette No. 5118 of 19 June 2003). The Moroccan government has promulgated a

number of laws, currently in force, that include environmental protection and development, of

which the following may be mentioned:

Framework Act No. 99-12 establishing the National Environment and Sustainable

Development Charter;

Act No. 12-03 on environmental impact assessments, promulgated by Dahir No.1-

03-60 of 10 Rabii I 1424 (12 May 2003) and its enabling decrees.

Decree No. 2-04-564 of 5 Kaada 1429 (4 November 2008) establishing the

modalities for the organization and conduct of the public survey concerning projects

submitted for environmental impact assessments;

Decree No. 2-04-563 on the responsibilities and functioning of regional

environmental impact assessment committees;

Act No. 13-03 on air pollution control promulgated by Dahir no. 1-03-61 of 10

Rabii I 1424 (12 May 2003) and its implementing decrees;

Act No.10-95 on water, published in the Official Gazette on 20/09/1995 as amended

and supplemented by Act No. 19-98 and its implementing decrees;

Act No. 28-00 relating to solid waste management and disposal and its

implementing decrees;

Dahir No. 1-69-170 (10 joumada I 1389 /25 July 1969) on soil conservation and

restoration

Act no. 12-90 relating to Urban Planning and its implementing decree;

Act No.22-80 on the Conservation of Historical Monuments and Sites, Inscriptions,

Artifacts and Antiquities;

Act no. 65-99 relating to the Labour Code and its implementing decrees;

Dahir of 20 hija 1335 (10 October 1917) on forest conservation and exploitation;

6

Act 13-09 on renewable energy;

Decree No. 2-10-578 of 7 joumada I 1432 (11 April 2011) implementing Act 13-

09 on renewable energy;

Act 47 -09 on energy efficiency and its implementing decrees

Act 29-05 on the Protection of Flora and Fauna Species and Control of their Trade.

(Dahir 1-11-84 of 21 July 2011) ;

Dahir 1-60-063 (25 June 1960) on the development of rural settlements;

Decree 2-70-510 (8 October 1970) on preventive measures to be taken on-site;

Act 7-81 on expropriation in the public interest and temporary occupation (6 May

1982); and

Organic Law 113-14 on municipalities.

In accordance with environmental regulation approach adopted and presented in this paragraph,

the upper limits retained for emissions for the construction phase of the new NOOR-Midelt Solar

complex are based on the grids proposed in the Moroccan legal texts (implementing decrees and

draft decrees for release thresholds). In the case of some parameters (noise) not covered by existing

Moroccan regulations (see Annex 1), the complement is provided by the World Bank Group

Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines of April 2007.

According to the Dahir n ° 1-03-60 of May 12, 2003 promulgating law n ° 12-03 relating to the

environmental impact studies, the project is subject to the realization of an ESIA.

2.2 Institutional Framework

The main institutions concerned by the project are:

The Ministry of Mines and Energy is responsible for the preparation and

implementation of government energy and mining policy as well as the control of

other sectors within its remit. The MEMEE coordinates and acts as the secretariat

to CNEIE / CREIE. The role of the CREIE is to review environmental impact

assessments and prepare relevant documents on projects entrusted to it (projects

with an investment threshold below or equal to MAD 200 million, with the

exception of multiregional or cross-border projects). The CREIE gives its opinion

on the projects’ environmental acceptability. The CNEIE participates in the

preparation of EIA–related guidelines prepared by the government authority

responsible for the environment;

The Ministry Delegate in charge of the Environment at the Ministry of Energy,

Mines, Water and the Environment: The Environment Department’s mission is

to prepare and implement national environmental and sustainable development

policy by establishing efficient tools and measures, implementing concrete actions

7

and promoting a coordination culture that will foster a partnership and programme-

based approach;

The Water Basin Agency (ABH): Water Basin Agencies were established

pursuant to Act 10/95 governing water resources. In each water basin or series of

water basins, a public establishment with a moral personality and financial

autonomy called a ‘basin agency’ was established. The project area depends on the

Moulouya ABH. The mission of the ABH is to assess, plan, manage and protect

water resources and issue authorizations and concesssions relating to the water

public domain (WPD) in their areas of action. Under the Midelt project, an

authorization for withdrawals from the Hassan II dam reservoir must be obtained

from the ABH ;

The High Commission for Water Resources, Forestry and Desertification

Control (HCEFLCD) is responsible for: (i) Administering by delegation of the

Head of Government, property subjected to the Forest Regime as well as the

enforcement and control of related applicable legal and regulatory texts; (ii)

Protecting, enhancing, developing and promoting forest, alfa grass and silvo-

pastoral resources on land subjected to the forest regime; (iii) promoting and

implementing actions to expand and develop land suitable for forestry other than

State-owned forest land; (iv) Coordinating the preparation and implementation of

plans for the management of watersheds and complexes as well as nature reserves

and monitoring and evaluating them in consultation with the different ministerial

departments or other organizations concerned; (v) coordinating, in consultation

with the different ministries and organizations concerned, the implementation at the

national level, of the provisions of the different international conventions relating

to desertification control, forests, wildlife and its natural habitat, etc.

MASEN (Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy) was established in March 2010

to implement the Moroccan Solar Plan announced in Ouarzazate in 2009. MASEN is a

joint stock company (held by the State, the Hassan II Fund, the National Electricity and

Water Authority (ONEE) and the Energy Investment Company (SIE) and a dedicated

energy support public fund) The purpose of MASEN as defined under Act 57-09

establishing it, is to develop a programme of integrated electric power generation

projects from solar power for a total minimum capacity of 2000MW by 2020

comprising: (i) solar power plants; (ii) related outputs and activities that will contribute

to the development of the installation areas and the country. MASEN’s perimeter was

recently expanded pursuant to Act 37-16 to cover all renewable energy.

Special Project Companies: Following an international competitive bidding process,

one or two private consortia will be recruited to develop the two project power plants (NOORm I and NOORm II) as PPP for private electric power production in IPP

form. Two special project companies (SPC) will be established, that is,. one per

plant. The majority shareholders will be the private consortium (75%) and MASEN

through its MASEN Capital subsidiary (25%). Each special project company will

be responsible for the design, financing, construction, commissioning, operation

and maintenance over a five-year period of the plant for which it was established;

8

Provincial Employment Commission: a provincial commission will be established

by the Governor of the Province and its responsibilities will include: (i) recruitment

monitoring; (ii) ensuring that the recruitment process complies with established

practices; (iii) ensuring transparency and equity; (iv) sensitization and mobilization of

actors. This commission will include the local authorities, MASEN, ANAPEC as well

as the special project companies.

2.3 The Safeguard Policies of the African Development Bank (AfDB) applicable in the context

of this project

The Integrated Safeguards System (ISS) through the following operational safeguards (OS):

Operational Safeguard 1–Environmental Assessment: This operational safeguard

is triggered since it is an investment project automatically requiring an

environmental and social impact assessment;

Operational Safeguard 2 – Involuntary Resettlement: this safeguard is triggered

since the project will lead to economic resettlement (without the physical

displacement of people);

Operational Safeguard 3 – Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: This operational

safeguard is not triggered since the project will not affect any high potential

biodiversity or ecosystem service area;

Operational Safeguard 4 – Pollution prevention and control, hazardous materials

and resource efficiency: This operational safeguard is triggered by the risk of

pollution and various nuisances during works implementation.

Operational Safeguard 5 ‑ Labour conditions, health and safety: this operational

safeguard is triggered by the existence of risks to the health and safety of workers

relating to site operations.

The other relevant policies and guidelines remain applicable as soon as they are triggered in the

context of the ISS. These include:

The Bank’s Gender Policy (2001);

The Framework for Enhanced Engagement with Civil Society Organizations

(2012);

Policy on Disclosure and Access to Information (2012);

Handbook on Stakeholder Consultation and Participation in AfDB

Operations (2001)

Policy on Population and Strategies for Implementation (2002); and

Environmental and Social Assessment Procedures for the Bank’s Operations

(2015).

9

10

2.5. Other International Texts

Morocco has signed and ratified over sixty International and Regional texts in this area, the most

important of which are: (i) the Bern Convention (1979) on the Conservation of European Wildlife

and Natural Habitats, adopted in 1979, and ratified by Morocco on 25 April 2001; (ii) Bonn

Convention (1979). This global Convention established by the United Nations Environment

Programme (UNEP) has 70 contracting countries. Its Secretariat is located in Bonn, Germany. It

is a convention concerning the conservation of wild species of migratory animals; (iii) RAMSAR

Convention. This convention concerns wetlands of international importance especially for

waterfowl habitat. It was adopted at Ramsar (Iran) in 1971 and entered into force in 1975. It

constitutes a framework for international cooperation on the conservation of wetland biotopes.

Morocco ratified this Convention in 1980 and now, over 150 countries have adopted it; (iv)

Vienna Convention (1985) made it mandatory for countries to take appropriate measures to

protect the ozone layer. Morocco ratified the Vienna Convention in March 1996; (v) Rio de

Janeiro Convention (1992) on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international convention adopted

at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992; (vi) Framework Convention on Climate Change

(New York, 1992). The objective of this Convention is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations

in the atmosphere at a level that that will prevent dangerous human interference with the climate

system (vii) Kyoto Protocol on Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Kyoto, 1997) which calls for a

reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the context of the United Nations Convention on Climate

Change, whose participating countries have met annually since 1995. Morocco ratified the Kyoto

Protocol in 2002.

Studies have also been carried out taking into account the environmental and social safeguards of

other donors including the World Bank and EIB, etc.

3 Description of the Project Environment

3.1 Definition of the Study Area

The overall study area comprises two concentric areas around the site of the NOOR-Midelt solar

power complex project. There are, therefore, from the centre to the periphery of this area, the

Project site and the immediate and distant perimeters.

The immediate perimeter corresponds to a strip about 500 m wide around the property boundary

of the project installation site. Within this perimeter, a detailed analysis of the environment will be

conducted. In particular, this analysis will cover fauna/flora/habitats and a review of cadastral

documents. This zone comprises the areas likely to be affected by the works or operation of the

complex (plots for installing panels, mirrors, towers, access roads, the routing of underground

cables, and areas for setting up and assembling the different project components). In this

immediate perimeter, the following factors will be taken into consideration: (i) water resources

including water courses; (ii) soil; (iii) fauna and flora; (iv) noise; and (v) odour.

The distant perimeter corresponds to the area with potential larger-scale project impacts. In the

context of this environmental and social impact assessment, the distant perimeter of the assessment

area mainly corresponds to the area with landscaping and, especially, socio-economic impacts.

Indeed, all or part of the inhabitants of neighbouring douars will be directly or indirectly affected

by the project and its right-of-way at the local level. In this so-defined distant perimeter, the

following factors will be taken into consideration: (i) water resources, including water courses and

11

the Hassan II dam reservoir; (ii) fauna and flora; (iii) movements; and (iv) the main socio-

economic factors.

3.2 Main Physical Parameters

Location: The future Noor-Midelt Solar Power Complex Site is administratively located in Midelt

Province and covers a total area of 4400 ha. It is situated on an Upper Moulouya plateau about 20

kilometres north-east of the town of Midelt. The site is accessed from the national road NR 13

connecting Meknès and Midelt. The proposed project is composed of classified land under the

collectively-owned land regime. This consists of collective land covering about 2714 ha, belonging

to the Ait Oueflla and Ait Rahou Ouali ethnic communities and forested land covering about 1427

hectares of state-owned land of the forest administration. MASEN has already finalized the

procedure for the acquisition of land for the project site. This land will be acquired under the

acquisition plan prepared to complement the ESIA.

In addition to meeting project needs in terms of available land area, several technical and socio-

economic criteria contributed to the selection of this site: (i) the project area enjoys strong sunlight;

(ii) the site is close to the Hassan II dam (about 11 km) which meets its water needs; (iii) there are

possibilities for electricity connections; (iv) there is access via the NR 13; (v) the low, flat profile

of the land is suitable for the construction of a solar power plant; (vi) there are no dwellings on the

site; (vii) there are few stock breeding activities around the site due to the sparseness of vegetation

in its immediate vicinity; (viii) environmental constraints are minimal; (ix) no historical monument

is registered within a radius of 3km around the site; (x) the site is located outside any protected

nature or tourism area.

Topography and Geomorphology: vast plateaus dominate the study area and are divided into

two contrasting E-W strips: one to the north and the other to the south. The gentle and regular

topographic slope of about 2% descends from north to south. The project site is at an elevation of

between 1307 to 1477 m. It is crisscrossed by chaabas created by erosion caused by water run-off

and which provide natural drainage for rainwater to the water courses adjoining the plateau.

Geology and Pedology: The land targeted by the project is located on the Upper Moulaya sill, a

geological basement known for its very long-term geodynamic stability. From a lithological

standpoint, the main area is marked by the presence of three large formations: clayey siltstone,

basalt and granite, while there is a predominance of granite in the extension areas. The study area

contains brownish-red mountain and forest soils, chestnut soil, usually eroded, skeletic,

interspersed with rocky surfaces of the palaeozoic or of igneous origin. The north of the region is

composed of chestnut and light chestnut soil in bare and eroded areas with a crusty horizon, mainly

on Mesozoic rocks (Cretaceous and Jurassic) supporting stipa and alfa grass.

Climate: The Region has a semi-arid climate with a clearly pronounced cold winter season.

Average monthly temperatures vary from 6.2°C in January to 24.7°C in July. The prevailing winds

blow monthly from the South-West to North-East at speeds not exceeding 4 m/s. The months with

least sunshine are November, December, January and February (221 to 229 hours) and those with

most sunshine are May, June, July and August (at least 290 and 321 in July). In Midelt, the average

number of frosty days is fairly high. The first frosts occur fairly often in November and the last

ones in April. Frost is extremely rare in October and May. The annual number of frosty days was

between 17 in 1963 and 65 in 1971. Average annual relative humidity is only about 50%.

12

Air, Noise and Vibrations: On the whole, the study area does not contain any significant sources

of emissions of air pollutants. The distant perimeter is only exposed to low road pollution from

traffic on the NR 13 and RR 503. The project is far from urban areas and the nearest human

settlements are several miles from the site boundaries. During visits to the study area, no significant

source of noise was identified.

Water Resources: The study area is sterile from a hydrogeological standpoint and only a few

small surface aquifers were observed around the study area which are already tapped for drinking

water supply and subsistence farming purposes. Within the study area platform, tributaries form a

dense, but considerably attenuated network, which channels storm water as a homogeneous water

table towards the downstream part of the Sidi Ayad wadi. The entire network channels water to

the Moulouya wadi which passes about 11km south of the site.

Groundwater Quality: Most of the groundwater in the Upper Moulay is of high quality with dry

residues of between 200 and 500 to 700 mg/l and bicarbonated calcium-magnesium facies. Water

with the highest mineral content gathers in the Turonian limestone unit and in the conglomerates

and lake limestone unit of the Plio-Villafranchien era. The latter have slightly higher levels of

salinity (500 to 800mg/l), especially in the most arid sectors or downstream from ancient alluvial

deposit flows (Enjil and Aït Lahcen plains). Since dry residues reach 1 to 1.2 g/l in the waters of

the Lias aquifer in contact with underlying saliferous Triassic rocks and those of the Permo-

Triassic Age (Ahouli dome), in the latter case some waters may have dry residues of between 1

and 2 g/l.

Climate change and natural hazards: Flooding/high waters. Potential risk of overflowing of

the Sidi Ayad and Bou Tazart wadis on the Eastern and Western edges of the site as well as from

the network of chaabat crossing it. On the ground, this risk appears moderate in view of the

effective organization of run-off from the site plateau. Soil Swelling: Near the surface, quaternary

formations (0 – 6 m), in particular, the earthy-limestone member which causes instability of the

banks. Wind Action: whipping up of abrasive sand in sub-equatorial direction in particular in the

northern plateaus. Frost: the average annual number of frosty days is fairly high (38) with

considerable interannual variability. Linear Water Erosion: this is the most common form of

erosion in the study area. Undermining of Wadi Banks: areas of bank erosion have been

periodically identified on the edges of the site at the level of the Sidi Ayyad and Bou Tazart wadis.

Seismic Risk: the study area is in seismic zone 3 (RPS 2000). This zone is characterized by a

maximum horizontal acceleration at the level of the bedrock of 0.10 g and by a peak ground speed

of 0.10 m/s with a 10% probability of exceedance in 50 years.

3.3 Main Biological Parameters

Main plant formations: the surveys carried out as well as observations made in the region

concerned show that the vegetation comprises steppe formations distributed on the basis of

geomorphologic structures Thus, at the level of the channels Retama sphaerocarpa formations

have developed accompanied by Peganum harmala, Euphorbia rigida, Panicum turgidum and

Juncus rigidus (Juncus maritimus). The plain and hills contain two types of steppes: (i) the first,

of the grassy, cespitose type comprises Alfa grass (Macrochloa antiatlantica = Stipa tenacissima) ;

(ii) the second of the woody chamaephytic type comprising Launaea lanifera, Noaea mucronata,

Peganum harmala, Salsola vermiculata, Hammada scoparia and Astragalus armatus.

13

The zones in the environs of the study area site also contain, in addition to the types of vegetation

described above, many other formations, the most important of which are organized by

Salsolavermiculata, Astragalus armatus and Noaea mucronata.

Floristic Wealth: Based on current knowledge (from data compiled by the Botany Unit of the

Rabat Scientific Unit and which was used for the national biodiversity study, the region’s flora

comprises 67 taxa, 10 of which are endemic to Morocco and 2 endemic to Morocco-Algeria. These

taxa are broken down into 25 families. The Asteraceae, Poaceae and Fabaceae are the most

frequently represented in the region. The location of the photovoltaic park does not have any

particular impact on this flora.

The project site is not near any ecologically and biologically significant area (EBSA). The closest

EBSA to the project area is Jbel Ayachi located 40 km to the south of the site.

Birdlife: In view of the geographic position of the project site, located in the eastern north-south

migratory corridor and vice-versa, birds represent the most important component of this impact

assessment. The site is home to all the main traditional species of the steppe environment of the

eastern High Atlas, including elegant Ammomane, Ammomanes cincturus, the Thekla lark,

Galerida thekelae, the crested lark, Galerida crostata, the cream-coloured courser, Cursorius

cursor, the large desert lark, Alaemon alaudipes, the short-toed lark, lesser short-toed lark, wood

lark, corn bunting, black wheatear, European stonechat, raven, meadow pipit, skylark, little owl,

spotted sandgrouse, trumpeter finch, Bucanetes githagineus and the tawny eagle Aquila rapax. Of

the 82 species identified, 2 are listed on the IUCN Red List. These are: Chlamydotis undulada the

houbara bustard (in the vulnerable category) and Neophron percnopterus Egyptian vulture (in the

endangered category). The latter is a migratory species, a scavanger vulture which, like all vultures

flies and glides in circular paths at very high altitudes. This behavior means it will definitely not

collide with the solar plant facilities. Apart from these two species the rest are not classified on the

list or are classified as of ‘least concern’.

Of course, the site is located in the eastern corridor known for its major migratory bird routes,

especially of sparrows, but does not have any attractive environmental elements for these birds

(water courses and riparian vegetation, shrubby formations, sheltering cliffs, cropland…). Due to

this situation, the birds avoid landing in this location and, in general, overfly the site towards the

Upper Moulouya valley at a fairly high altitude.

Potential or confirmed reptiles or amphibious species on the project site and in its environs:

attraction of the site. Among main reptiles observed or reported on the site and in its environs,

25 taxa were listed: the Mauritanian toad, the green toad, the North African green frog, horseshoe

snake, Mauritanian viper, hooded snake, High Atlas mountain dwarf lizard, etc. All the reptile and

amphibious species on the site are classified by IUCN in the ‘LC’ category; least concern.

Mammals: Among the major mammals observed or reported on the site and in its environs, 15

taxa were listed: the hare (Lepus capensis), abundant on the site; the wild rabbit (Oryctolagus

cuniculus), rare on the site; the barbary squirrel (Atlantoxerus getulus), rare in the study sector; the

North African gerbil (Gerbillus campestris); the Rozet macroscelide Elephantulus rozeti), a

micromammal endemic to North Africa; diurnal fat sand rat (Psammomys obesus), abundant gerbil

species; wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus); grey mouse (Mus musculus); great jerboa (Jaculus

orientalis); weasel (Mustela nivalis), very rare mustelidae on the site; the African wildcat (Felis

libyca), very rare; Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) ; red mongoose (Herpestes sanguineus),

14

very rare on the site; Genet (Genetta genetta), very rare on the site. All these species benefit from

national regulations (considered as threatened) as set forth in the Protected Areas Master Plan. Only

the Algerian hedgehog (Erinaceus algirus) is listed in the IUCN Red List under the ‘VU’ vulnerable

category. The other species are classified in the ‘least concerned’ category.

3.4. Main Socio-Economic Parameters

The project site comprises 2 plots with a total surface area of 4,141 ha, both located in Midelt

Province. One main zone falls under the authority of the rural municipalities of Mibladene and Ait

Ben Yacoub and an extension zone is entirely located in Zaïda rural municipality. This

municipality is located on the north-east edge of the Province and is, therefore, adjacent to the

Enjil rural municipality which falls under the authority of Boulemane Province. This close

proximity will also have implications in the definition of the project’s socio-economic impact

areas.

Immediate Proximity Impact Area It is clear that, of the municipalities in which the project is set

up, Zaida municipality in Midelt is the main one affected. There are proposals for the addition of

the municipalities of Mibladen and Aïn Ben Yacoub, both located in Midelt province and Endjil

municipality belonging to the neighbouring province of Enjlil. Due to their location in the

immediate vicinity of the site, all these municipalities fall within the immediate proximity area.

The immediate proximity impact area currently has a population of 30,000 people almost half

of whom in the centre of Zaida and its rural hinterland. This area contains few human settlements

and the few village localities identified in the area that should be mentioned are: (i) Aït Ghiat: 490

people for 131 households; (ii) Agoudim: 420 people representing 84 households; (iii) Arbane:

360 people representing 72 households; (vi) Ahouli : 126 people representing 26 households; (vii)

Rahala Sidi Ayad: 432 people representing 52 households; and (viii) Aïn Dheb: 51 people

representing 15 households.

Extended environmental impact area: The project will become a pivotal economic element that

will have considerable spin-off in an entire sub-region characterized, on the one hand by an austere

physical environment and, on the other, by the weakness of its economic foundations and

structures. The two economically fragile provinces where the project is established, that is, Midelt

and Boulemane provinces, will be considered as the project’s wider impact area. The existing

situation in this area is reviewed below. It should, however, be noted that, despite its location in

the immediate geographic vicinity of Boulemane Province, most of the project activities will be

oriented towards Midelt Province.

Demography: According to the 2014 census; the two provinces in the project area have a

reconstituted population of 486,933 people, 60% of whom live in Midelt province. Since the latter

was only established in 2009 on the basis of municipalities drawn from Khénifra and Errachidia

provinces, it was necessary to carry out a meticulous reconstitution which provided accurate data

on the constituent municipalities and communes of Midelt province. This reconstitution was

confirmed by the findings of the 2014 General Population and Housing Census. The population of

the wider project impact area grew between 2004 and 2014 at an average annual rate (AAR)

slightly below the national average over the same period. This could be explained by its key

position straddling 2 economic regions and its fairly buoyant economic activity.

15

Transport Infrastructure: Midelt |Province is crossed by two national roads: the NR 13 from

Meknes to Azrou-Errachidia and the NR 15 to Missour. The future access road to the project site

between Boulaajoul and Zaïda will be connected to the NR 13 and will more or less follow the

existing track. The province also has one regional road: the RR 503 to Khénifra which passes

quite far from the project site. From these roads, access to the Moulouya Plain is relatively easy

by paved regional or provincial roads of average quality (to Boumia, Tounfite, Aghbalou, and

downstream towards Mibladen). On the other hand, the outlying municipalities are often extremely

isolated.

Education: Koranic school education is the most widespread form (5,152 pupils out of a total of

5,986 in Midelt province, that is, about of 86% of the total number), especially in rural areas. Pre-

school education is offered in nursery schools and other kindergartens that will provide training

based on modern methods as well as equipment. About 14% of pupils receive this type of

education. In the province, there are 113 primary schools, over 80% of which are in rural areas.

73% of the 36,197 pupils are enrolled in rural areas and 1,000 in private schools. Half of the

province’s junior secondary schools are located in rural areas. A third of all schools in urban areas

are private. About 52% of pupils in urban areas are enrolled in state schools. State-run urban

schools are slightly bigger than those in rural areas (1,234 pupils in the first case compared to 830

in the second case). It is worth noting that only 1.6% of pupils attend private schools which do not

exist in rural areas.

Health: Midelt Province has one public hospital (H) with a capacity of 108 beds, one Urban Health

Centre (CSU) as well as a Haemodialysis Centre. The Province also has 27 Municipal Health

Centres (CSC) 12 of which have birth units, 3 of which are outside the health centre and 20

dispensaries.

Agriculture: In Midelt Province, the cropping system comprises two tiers: (i) rose family fruit

(apples and pears ...), olive trees; (ii) low crops (cereals, alfalfa and market garden crops...)

combined with extensive cattle and sheep rearing. The apple tree plays a key role in Midelt’s

economy. The high yields have greatly contributed to improving the living conditions of

smallholders who now earn considerably more than when cereal cropping was the only activity

carried out in the area. Midelt apples have a very good reputation. The region produces one of the

country’s highest quality apple. This reputation has grown with the organization of the Midelt

apple festival which has made the product known throughout the world. This is a festival which

enhances the Midelt apple as well as the potential of the area.

Forestry: As regards forest formations, the Meknès-Tafilalt region is characterized by a diversity

of natural forest species covering an area of about 772,590 ha, that is, 7.7% of the national natural

forest area. Alfa grass is to be found in large quantities in Midelt province. It covers much of the

landscape especially at average altitudes as in the study area.

Industry: Most of Midelt province’s economic activities are focused on the agricultural, forestry

and mining economic sub-sectors. Consequently, the industrial fabric is, for the moment, reduced

to a strict minimum with, in all, only the following two enterprises: (i) clay tile and brick factory;

(ii) wood sawing, planing and treatment.

Handicrafts The region’s main artisanal activities are woodworking which is possible due to the

presence of trees such as the cedar, pine and olive; the manufacture of urban and traditional carpets;

textiles with decorative items and fine embroidery.

16

Drinking Water: Drinking water is supplied to the province’s municipalities from wells,

boreholes and springs with an estimated access rate of 70%. Central Midelt is supplied by the

Atman Ou Moussa spring and two boreholes

Electricity: electric power is distributed by the services of ONEE through three commercial

branches established in Midelt, Boumia and Rich. The distribution agency in Midelt province is

supplied from four source sub-stations. The medium voltage network covers 1,338 km and supplies

388 public distribution sub-stations and 154 client stations. The low voltage network, for its part,

covers 2,464 km and serves almost 64,000 households (i.e. 97% of all households).

Land Tenure Structures and Land Use: The legal status of land in the project area comprises

the following four types of land ownership: (i) ‟Melk‟: privately held land belonging to an

individual or a group of several people; (ii) collective lands: belonging as freehold and jointly to

the entire ethnic community concerned and Guich land. These two systems involve a lease of the

right of ownership insofar as the right holders only enjoy fragile usufruct rights; (iii) ‘’Habous’’

land: an institution under Muslim law presented in the form of an asset that a donor may offer to

a charitable religious, humanitarian, social, organization or even for public esthetic purposes; (iv)

property owned by the State, legal body governed by public law, classified in the public domain

(streets, beaches, ports,...), private property from amicable acquisitions, expropriation and

confiscation…) and forest lands (forests, dunes, …).

Most of the land on the solar power complex site is classified under the collective land system.

There are about 2,643.74 ha of collective land belonging to the Ait Oueflla and Ait Rahou Ouali

ethnic communities and forest land covering about 1,474.31 ha, included in the land belonging to

the forest administration.

4. Project Alternative Solutions

4.1 Solar Options

Renewable energy is still highly under-exploited in the Mediterranean regions and accounts for

only 4% of Mediterranean countries’ energy balance (including hydro-power). However,

Mediterranean countries have extremely favourable sunlight conditions and have vast unoccupied

areas that could accommodate significant electric power generation capacity. The construction of

solar power plants will help to build the generation capacities of the countries of the South and

meet domestic consumption. Part of this additional capacity could be earmarked for export to the

countries of the European Union. The development of solar energy and enhanced energy efficiency

will help to diversify the energy mix and reduce dependency and the risks relating to large-scale

use of fossil fuel. These technologies are still in their infancy in industry and therefore represent

strong potential for the creation of new markets and are promising in terms of job creation, transfer

of technology and, consequently, economic and social development.

4.2 Site Selection

The selection of the site for the solar power complex in the Midelt zone is mainly linked to the

high level of sunlight which is a feature of the region. With a Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI)

above 5.3 kWh/m2/d, the sector has a significant solar endowment. In addition to meeting the

project’s needs in terms of available surface area, several technical, socio-economic and

environmental criteria contributed to this site’s selection: (i) the project area enjoys strong sunlight;

17

(ii) the site is close to the Hassan II Dam (about 11 km away) which meets its water needs; (iii)

there are opportunities for power connections; (iv) easy access via the NR13; (v) the flat profile is

suitable for the installation of a solar power plant; (vi) there are no dwellings on the site; (vii)

environmental and social constraints are minimal; (viii) no historical monument is registered

within a 3km radius of the site; (x) the site is located outside protected nature reserves and tourism

zones.

4.3. Project Alternatives

The objective of this hybridization of Photovoltaic (PV) and Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) solar

technologies is to: (i) generate electricity during daylight hours from the PV and/or CSP system;

and (ii) generate power through the CSP system to meet peak electric power demand.

Table 2:Main Differences between Photovoltaic and Concentrated Solar Power

Photovoltaic Solar

Power (PV)

Concentrated Voltaic

Power (CVP)

Concentrated Solar Power

(CSP) Parabolic Troughs

Concentrated Solar Power

(CSP)

Solar Tower

The PV effect is

obtained by the

absorption of photons

into semi-conducting

materials such as

silicon which

generates electric

voltage

Sunlight is

concentrated by optical

lenses on a highly

efficient semi-

conducting unit

This type of plant is composed

of parallel rows of long

parabolic trough concentrators.

The sun’s rays are focused on a

horizontal receiver tube, in

which a heat exchanging fluid

circulates, whose temperature

generally reaches 400°C. This

fluid is then pumped through

exchangers to produce

superheated steam which

activates a turbine or electric

generator.

The evenly distributed mirrors are

called heliostats. Each heliostat

reflects directly towards the

receiver at the top of the solar

tower. The energy focused on the

receiver is then either directly

transferred to the thermodynamic

fluid, or used to heat an

intermediate heat exchanging

medium which is then transferred

to a boiler and the steam produced

activates the turbines.

Not only captures

solar radiation

directly from the sun,

but also diffuses it

Preferred technology

for regions with direct

irradiance > 2000

kWh/m 2.yr.

Only captures direct radiance

(abundant in areas with high

levels of sunshine such as

deserts in the Mediterranean

solar belt)

The concentration factor may

exceed 1000, which makes it

possible to reach high

temperatures of 600 ° C to 1000 °

C.

PV requires very few

operating staff.

CVP requires very few

operating staff.

Significant need of operating

staff.

Significant need of operating staff.

The main advantages

are: high reliability -

not subject to wear

and tear they require

little maintenance.

The assembly of

photovoltaic

installations is simple

and these are adapted

to the needs of each

project.

The main benefits are :

(i) very efficient and

economical; (ii) very

low water consumption

(20 litres / MWh) (iii)

Small carbon footprint

(22 g/kWh) ; (iv) Easy

and non-polluting

recycling; (v)

uninterrupted

production throughout

the day; (vi) very high

electric conversion

yield; (vii) Low impact

on fauna and flora;

(viii) lower cost per

The main advantages are: (i)

yields at least twice those of

PV for equivalent solar

radiation; (ii) possibility of

storing thermal power directly;

(iii) simplicity of construction

process; (iv) boosts the

development of the local

economy through the need for

labour; (v) possibility of

associating other sources of

energy; (vi) recycling of

installations is simple

following their dismantling

The main advantages are (i)

electric power is generated day

and night; (ii) little maintenance;

(iii) low ecological impact; (iv)

power generated is inexpensive

18

Photovoltaic Solar

Power (PV)

Concentrated Voltaic

Power (CVP)

Concentrated Solar Power

(CSP) Parabolic Troughs

Concentrated Solar Power

(CSP)

Solar Tower

KWh generated

compared to PV

The main

disadvantages are : (i)

cost of installation

which remains high;

(ii) PV yields are still

low, (20% in the best

cases); (iii) PV energy

is, therefore, more

suitable for projects

with low needs such

as a single-family

home; (iv) Water

consumption for

cleaning modules

(2l/m2) ; (v) level of

electric power

generated is not stable

(vi) No power

generation in the

evening and at night;

(vii) PV unit yields

decline over time: 1%

yield reduction per

year.

The main

disadvantages are: (i)

concentration and

monitoring system

resulting in

considerable additional

cost; (ii) The

geographical

possibilities for the site

are limited (the only

exploitable radiance is

direct solar radiance);

and (iii) cloudiness

prevents the capture of

sun rays. Areas with

least sunshine are thus

excluded.

- Finally the fact that

the technology is not

yet sufficiently mature

like traditional

photovoltaic power

impedes possible

progress.

The main disadvantages are: (i)

the high cost of necessary

investments (linked to the

turbine and all ancillary

installations), but is balanced

in the case of large-scale

plants; (ii) construction is

complex; (iii) electricity can

only be generated when the sky

is cloudless; (iv) need for heat-

conversion cooling system; (v)

risks of fire or explosion linked

to the presence of gas, high

pressure steam and high

temperature synthetic oil, as

well as risks of oil pollution

(use of synthetic oil), and,

finally,significant release of

water (in the case of wet

cooling).

A very large construction area

(several dozen km2) is required

and it must be sufficiently exposed

to sunlight throughout the year,

with an ambient temperature

above 25°C to ensure a high yield.

–During construction this vast

structure requires considerable

engineering expertise.

- Negative visual impact (some

perceive it as deterioration of the

landscape)

- Need for fossil fuel supply to

maintain the heat-exchange fluid

at the right temperature.

- Significant release of water (in

the case of wet cooling).

The CSP component will have a gross capacity of between 150MW and 190MW per plant and the

PV capacity will depends on the technological configuration to be proposed by the developer to

optimize the CSP/PV hybrid solution. The objective of this hybridization of PV and CSP solar

power technologies is to: (i) generate electric power during the day from the PV system and/or the

CSP system; and (ii) ensure production from the CSP system to help to meet demand for electric

power at peak times.

4 Main Potential Impacts

4.1 Summary of Positive Impacts during the Construction Phase

Economy and Employment: The works will have a temporary positive impact on employment

and the activities of dredging and construction firms and indirectly on the local proximity economy

as a result of some spin-off linked to the presence of workers in the region. Over 1,500 jobs per

plant and 600 to 800 for all municipal facilities will be created. It is expected that thousands of

indirect jobs will be created and the socio–economic development of Midelt province will be

considerably boost.

4.2 Summary of Positive Impacts during the Operational Phase

Upgrading of the access roads to the level of national trunk roads will help to open up the douars

along the planned layout of the areas concerned with facilitation of access, communication, trade

and freedom of movement of goods and people for a local population comprising hundreds of

19

households. The upgrading will also help to reduce travel costs and time as a result of the creation

of all-weather roads, the upgrading work and measures that will be taken to facilitate traffic and

transit. It will contribute to the revitalization of the economy in the areas crossed which could

experience rapid economic development. Freight delivery times will be improved as well as

conditions of comfort and security. This will significantly increase the value of land and other

immovable properties around this road right-of-way. The route of the future feeder road directly

serves the centres of Boulaajoul and Zaida, especially the douars of: (i) Ait Ghiat; (ii) Agoudim;

(iii) Ain Dheb; (iv) Arbane; (v) Ahouli; (vi) Tazansout; (vii) Rahhal Sidi Ayad (Sidi Ayad and

Sidi Said)

Employment: the jobs to be created during the operational phase are: (i) 100 positions per plant;

and (ii) 50 for the management of common infrastructure.

Development Impact: The Moroccan solar power programme has been rolled out by MASEN

through integrated projects comprising solar power plants as well as related outputs and activities

which contribute to the development of their specific areas and, more generally, to the country’s

development. MASEN is seeking to maximize synergies and spin-off from its energy projects by

contributing to poverty reduction, the improvement of living conditions of communities within the

vicinity of its electric-power-generation sites, shared sustainable economic development as well as

environmental protection. By adapting to the socio-economic profile of the project regions, MASEN

operates in many sectors, in particular, basic infrastructure, education, health and agriculture.

MASEN’s local development approach is based on three traditional areas of intervention ranked by

order of priority: (i) territorial development; (ii) opening up of territories and (iii) improvement of

people’s living conditions. Furthermore, by improving electric power supply, the project will support

the productive sectors of the national economy. It will support the PERG launched in 1996 (with

financing from the Bank and several other donors) and which made it possible to achieve a national

electrification rate of 99.43% in 2016 compared to 18% at its launching, with a beneficiary

population of about 12.5 million people. The availability of electric power in rural or peri-urban

areas improves the living conditions of people in social categories that are sometimes without

modern energy resources, reduces their isolation and builds security in the localities which

explains the project’s contribution to social inclusion. The project also aims to promote industrial

integration in the field of renewable energy with the manufacturing, in Morocco, of various solar

power plant equipment. It also builds national expertise in this field with a positive impact on

youth employment, economic activity and tourism in the Midelt region. At local level, the amount

obtained for the sale of the land on which the solar power complex will be constructed will be used

to finance development activities for the local communities should they opt to develop projects.

Needs analysis and project prioritization sessions will be organized and could lead to a list of

projects with several components (irrigation schemes, drinking water supply, protection of

infrastructure, protection of cropland, road infrastructure projects, health infrastructure and

education-related projects).

Gender Impact: the project will have a positive impact on women. Indeed, it will help to guarantee

better electric power supply to the Moroccan population including in rural areas. The availability of

electricity in households will help to strengthen gender mainstreaming in economic and social

development. This could lead to the development of profitable economic activities that will improve

household living conditions. Since solar power projects will be developed by MASEN using a local

integration-based approach, several social and local development actions will be developed, some of

20

which will be in favour of women and girls (training programmes in sewing, weaving, knitting-

embroidery and metalwork etc.).

Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions: the project will contribute to the mitigation of climate

change impacts by reducing carbon intensity in the electricity sub-sector in Morocco. The electric

power generated by the project’s two solar power plants will replace the generation of thermal

power from fossil fuels, in particular coal and diesel/fuel oil which remain the dominant sources

in electric power generation in Morocco (55% in 2015). In comparison with the mix of fossil-fuel-

fired plants (coal, gas and fuel oil) operated by ONEE, the NOORm I and NOORm II plants of

Phase 1 of the Midelt solar power complex (of the present project) will each avoid greenhouse gas

emissions equivalent to 600,000 tonnes of CO2eq i.e. a total of 1.3 million tonnes of CO2eq.

During the 25 years of their operation (duration of PPP contract) these two plants will avoid the

emission of 32.5 million tonnes of CO2eq and 39 million tonnes of CO2eq if their life span is

taken into account (30 years).

4.3. Summary of Main Negative Impacts during Construction

Land acquisition: The acquisition of land required for the project is being finalized by MASEN.

The acquisition procedures are at an advanced stage and vary depending on the legal status of the

property. In any event, the procedures used are compliant with existing national legislation,

especially as regards compensation and indemnification of eligible persons. Land to be acquired

to accommodate the complex comprised collective land and land in the forest domain. It was

acquired following an agreement with the local communities concerned and the forestry

authorities. It was carried out through a procedure for expropriation in the public interest with the

payment of compensation determined in accordance with the law. The land on which the access

structures will be constructed (off-site) was in the water public domain, the road public domain or

belonged to local communities (easements). It was mobilized on the basis of agreements with these

communities (in compliance with Moroccan law on easements) and the signing of agreements with

the public bodies concerned. The land on which the complex’s water supply facilities will be

constructed will be acquired pursuant to a concession contract and in return for the payment of

levies for the part relating to the water public domain, on a temporary occupation basis for land in

the forest public domain and on the basis of an agreement with the communities and the provincial

authorities in the context of easement rights for the part owned by the communities.

Infrastructure and Road Traffic: The mechanical constraints induced by the movement of

equipment-transportation vehicles, personnel-transportation vehicles and the additional truck or

car traffic for teams working on the site may temporarily congest or degrade the traffic routes used.

This is, however, considered to be a moderate risk.

Industrial risk and Occupational Health: The presence and operation of construction machinery

as well as the presence of personnel, modifications made to the normal functioning of equipment

and handling operations may be the source of accidents and therefore generate industrial risks.

There are risks of fire, explosion and discharge of products, during the works, close to hazardous

products handled or stored (sulphur, ammonia, acids). Risks relating to electricity, risk of

electrocution, mechanical and physical risks may be anticipated for personnel during the works

and operational phases. This risk is considered to be moderate.

Geology and Soils: Site clearance, soil sealing, movement of earth, erosion, pollution and the

presence of equipment and vehicles could lead to: (i) the use of space and breakdown of soil

21

structure owing to the technology applied; (ii) the works and site installations will generate

residues of construction materials as well as solid and liquid waste which must be managed as they

are produced since they represent a potential source of water and soil contamination near the

project; (iii) leakage and spillage of fuel during transportation, storage and refueling of vehicles;

and (iv) soil contamination. This risk is considered to be moderate.

Water and Soil Pollution: potential source of soil and water pollution: the site works and

installations will generate residues of construction materials as well as solid and liquid waste which

must be managed as they are produced; site works and installations likely to generate different

types of effluents and pollution loads carried by run-off waters; the risk of accidental pollution

caused by leakages and accidental spillages in storage areas and circuits for synthetic oil and

inflammable liquids (fuel oil and diesel). Leaks from the heat exchange fluid transfer system.

Increased spillage around panels. The covering of the land creates shady areas and superficial

drying up of land by reducing precipitations under the modules. This risk is considered to be

moderate.

Visual Impact and Damage to Landscape: The photovoltaic and CSP installations on the ground

have the potential to change the natural environment because of their size, their consistency, their

design and the materials used. Modification of the microclimate under the modules due to the

effect of covering them (and also above the modules through the release of heat). Disruption of

the arrival of cold air. The module surfaces are sensitive to solar radiation resulting in rapid heating

which may reach 50 to 60°C. This risk is considered to be moderate.

Impact on Fauna and Flora: The solar power complex’s impact on birdlife is minimal and will

only lie in the visual nuisance when birds are moving or flying over the site. In the case of the solar

tower the impact on birdlife is considered to be negative because of risks due to heat flows and the

high temperature near the installation’s receptor. This will particularly concern birds whose flight

altitude is the same as that of the tower receptor. The change that could be made by the installation

of the solar power plants especially by the creations of shaded areas under the rows of modules

could be disruptive for flora and animal species with low mobility (invertebrates, small reptiles

and micromammals). Concerning the flora, it is important to highlight that there is no tree or shrub

on the project site. The vegetation is made up of some rare herbaceous plants including formations

of Stipa tenacissima, Peganum harmala, Salsola vermiculata, Retama sphaerocarpa and Juncus

maritimus, Retama sphaerocarpa and Peganum harmala.

Restriction of access to the site for the population and livestock: Land acquisition for the solar

complex and its development will result in negligible loss to the land grassing rights of the people

and local farmers on these collective lands belonging to the Ait Oufella trib. It is important to

highlight that the project site almost free of vegetation with grassing value.

Influx of job seekers: During the construction phase, the project will generate significant direct

and indirect employment opportunities, which may attract many jobseekers to the project area. It

is also important to note that: (i) local expectations in terms of job creation that are well above the

potential of the complex; (ii) decommissioning of the worksite and its consequences, represent a

risk, that needs to be managed proactively; (iii) temporary migrants, in view of their large numbers,

may not find appropriate local accommodation and accommodation capacity may be exceeded;

(iv) local economic stakeholders who need a proactive policy that would promote their integration

into the project, etc. However, it is worth recalling that these jobs are mainly temporary and

concentrated (at 97%) during the construction phase.

22

4.4 Summary of Main Negative Impacts during the Operational Phase

Water Requirements: Photovoltaic technologies only require water to clean the solar panels.

They use about 200 times less water than thermal-solar technology with wet cooling and 40 times

less with dry cooling (air). The water required in the construction phase of the complex and

common facilities will be drawn from the Hassan II Dam which has a capacity of 400 million m3,

and will be transported by tanker truck to the project site pending completion of the project’s water

supply system during the operational phase. Cooling water requirements: it is planned to equip

the CSP plants with dry cooling systems to reduce water consumption. Estimated water

consumption at the NOOR Midelt solar power complex is about 1 000 000 m3/year, i.e. 0.5% of

the Hassan II Dam’s regular annual volume. A supplementary study on sustainable water

supply, including long-term climate change risks, is ongoing.

Impacts relating to optical effects and the electromagnetic field Optical effect: optical

disturbances (shimmering, optical illusions, etc.), Modification of surface light. The project will

generate electromagnetic radiation created by photovoltaic inverters. Potential emitters of radiation

are solar modules, connection lines, inverters and transformers.

Fire Hazard. Since the photovoltaic installations include electrical equipment, a fire hazard exists

(short-circuit). The project installations are built of glass, concrete and steel which are non-

inflammable materials. In the case of CSP, the risk lies in the receptors. The other main risk linked

to CSP operation is the turbine-related risk. There is, indeed, a fire and explosion hazard due to

turbines operating under pressure and at a high temperature and the use of small quantities of gas

or petrol as well as a major risk source linked to the presence of fossil fuel.

Geology and soil: the risk of accidental pollution caused by leakages and accidental spillage in

storage areas and circuits for synthetic oil and inflammable liquids (fuel oil and diesel). Leaks from

the heat exchange fluid transfer system. Increased spillage around panels. The covering of the land

creates shaded areas and superficial drying up of land by reducing precipitations under the

modules.

Soil Sealing: Modification of the microclimate under the modules due to the soil sealing effects

(and also above the modules through the release of heat). Disruption of the inflow of cold air.

Water: Only accidental pollution (for example, synthetic oil) can cause water quality to

deteriorate. There will be no water withdrawal at the site. The sealed surfaces will impact on

storm water. With a dry cooling system, the project will have a moderate impact on regional

surface water resources mobilized by the Hassan II dam.

Biological Environment: The solar power complex’s impact on birdlife is minimal and will only

lie in the visual nuisance when birds are moving or flying over the site. In the case of the solar

tower the impact on birdlife is considered to be negative because of risks due to heat flows and the

high temperature near the installation’s receptor. This will particularly concern birds whose flight

height is the same as that of the tower receptor. The change that could be made by the installation

of the solar power plants especially by the creation of shaded areas under the rows of modules

could be disruptive for flora and animal species with low mobility (invertebrates, small reptiles

and micromammals). The electric power lines may in some cases cause an increase in bird deaths:

(i) by colliding with the cables; and (ii) by electrocution between two cables or on the pylons.

23

4.5. Cumulative impacts

The fact that there are no activities and projects planned in the immediate vicinity of the site limits

possible negative cumulative impacts. The impacts identified as well as the proposed

compensatory measures are, therefore, of a cumulative nature for a complex with a capacity of 1

000 MW. Cumulative impacts specific to solar power plants will be identified and mitigated in the

specific ESIA/ESMP which will be prepared when the developers are selected and, especially, the

detailed design completed.

The main positive cumulative impacts during the works phase concern job creation during the

works and, subsequently, an increase in the incomes of the communities concerned.

24

5 Mitigation/Enhancement Measures and Supplementary Initiatives

6.1 Normative and Administrative Measures

It is necessary to ensure project compliance with applicable regulations, and administrative

requirements:

Compliance with environmental and social regulations: The project must be

compliant with existing national environmental and social regulations and those of

AfDB both in the works phase and in the operational phase. In this respect, the

ESIA report was approved by the national committee on 1 December 2015 with the

issuance of the acceptability certificate dated 12 January 2016. Also, on 11/06/2015,

ABH gave its approval to withdraw 1 Mm3 from the Hassan II dam reservoir.

Compliance with land tenure regulations: The project has not resulted in any

population displacement and a land acquisition plan has been prepared in

compliance with existing land tenure regulations in Morocco and AfDB

requirements. These elements are contained in the Land Acquisition Plans

prepared as supplementary documents and which must be implemented before

the implementation of works on the sectors concerned.

Selection and Recruitment of Developers: the Environment, Hygiene, Health and

Safety (EHSS) specifications are incorporated in the bidding documents (BD). All

the documents included in the bidding documents for the recruitment of developers

(including the environmental and social clauses) will be submitted for donor

approval prior to publication.

Submission of specific ESIAs and ESMPs: Within the framework of the

development of the NOOR Midelt solar complex, each plant will be subject to a

specific ESIA and ESMP, accompanied by a specific public consultation with the

aim of presenting in detail the specific impacts of the plants and related mitigation

measures. These will make it possible to take into account the specificities of each

plant, and will be based on the specific proposal of the developer to whom the

project has been awarded. These reports must also comply with the requirements of

the Moroccan authorities and the international financial institutions.

Just, Fair and Prior Compensation:

LAP I: Land acquisition procedures concerning the Midelt solar power complex site have been

finalized and are described in the LAP 1.

LAP 2 : The common infrastructure concerned by this LAP includes: (i) road infrastructure :

access road to the site; structure on the Sidi Ayyad Wadi ; (ii) MV electric power infrastructure

required from central Zaïda.

LAP 3: The land mobilization procedures concerning the infrastructure to supply the Midlet solar

power complex with raw water from the Hassan II Dam are described in the Land Acquisition Plan

(LAP 3).

25

The compensation plan will be effectively initiated prior to works start-up for each section

concerned.

6.2. Summary of Specific Measures and Supplementary Initiatives

Construction and Operational Phases

Land Acquisition: MASEN’s land acquisition procedures are carried out in compliance with

legislation in force and are described in the land acquisition plans prepared by MASEN in

compliance with World Bank guideline OP 4.12 and AfDB’s OS-2. The acquisition of land (LAP

1) will not cause any physical displacement of the local population. These are collective lands

belonging to the Department responsible for forests and the local communities. This impact will

be mitigated by the implementation of the different LAPs.

Impacts on Road Transport Infrastructure: the main measures to be taken are: (i) avoid

overloading heavy duty vehicles; (ii) provide for any convoy with exceptional loads (equipment

for the complex) with means of transport according to the rules: adapted heavy duty vehicles,

notification to the authorities, accompanied by escort vehicles, choice of appropriate time for

passing through urban areas; (iii) coordination with local and regional authorities to anticipate peak

periods for traffic induced by the complex’s sites and, if necessary, envisage road management

measures aimed at limiting traffic congestion in certain places and at sensitive times; (iv)

minimization of the number and distance of journeys by delivering supplies as close as possible to

the site and optimization of vehicle capacity while complying with road regulations.

Impact on Water Resources: A drainage system must be established in order to: (i) divert clean

upstream run-off water to prevent it mixing with leaching water in the works area; (ii) drain the

works area towards a clarification facility (filter berms and settling pits…) before discharging it

into the natural environment; (iii) ensure that cleared/terraced land that is not built or sealed is

replanted to minimize erosion; (iv) ensure that materials likely to be carried off by run-off water

are stored outside areas with fast flows and in waterproofed areas equipped with holding tanks; (v)

that the construction of a waterproof area on the site will be planned for maintenance work on site

machinery (lubrication, oil changing, repair works, etc.); (vi) that oily waste water from vehicle

maintenance operations will be collected through intercepters. An authorized specialized firm will

remove the recovered oil for recycling. All the residual sludge will be transported to a specialized

treatment facility; and (vii) storage of waste water in areas adjacent to water courses of the

hydrographic network must be avoided.

Risks of Water and Soil Pollution : in order to minimize waste-related impacts the following

measures are planned: (i) waste reduction at source to the extent possible; (ii) storage and handling

taking into account the risk and compatibility of waste materials; (iii) in the case of hazardous

waste, the use of dedicated, waterproof facilities equipped with adequate retention capacity; (iv)

segregation of waste by type and recycling potential; (v) ensure that all waste is controlled in

compliance with the Waste Management Plan and perform audits to confirm such compliance; (vi)

ensure the use of waterproof elements and secondary retention tanks during refueling operations;

(vii) excavate and treat impacted earth as soon as a stain or leak is detected to prevent pollutants

(such as hydrocarbons) from infiltrating the groundwater table; (viii) carry out regular visual

inspections of secondary retention tanks and look for possible leaks or seepage; (ix) create an

asphalted area for vehicle and machinery refueling and maintenance operations. This area will be

equipped with a drainage system to prevent any soil pollution.

26

Hazardous material storage areas will be waterproof and covered and include secondary

containment (waterproof protection walls resistant to the stored materials), leak-proof tanks,

waterproof surfaces in order to prevent seepage and leakage on to the ground. The molten salt

tanks, fuel storage tanks /HTF5 /chemical products will be correctly maintained and placed on a

waterproof platform.

An HTF leak detection system will be used to alert operators as soon they occur, separate HTF

present in the salt chain and determine the exact location of the incident. The system will consist

of manometers installed between the heat exchangers and of analyzers installed in the hydrogen

collector with sampling flanges to detect HTF leaks.

For the parabolic trough receptors, thermal oils will have the best biodegradability characteristics.

They will pass through a waterproof circuit and the valves will be regularly maintained.

In the event of pollution, the contaminated area must immediately be covered with highly

absorptive materials. The complex will be equipped with all the sanitary facilities and a wastewater

treatment plant to provide biological sanitary waste water treatment before its discharge into the

natural environment. The measurement of total hydrocarbon content is recommended annually

during the first three years.

The drainage wells below the evaporation ponds to detect leaks must be regularly inspected. All

the surface reservoirs and ponds will have overflow pipes towards an effluent collection point. Dry

cooling is recommended using evaporative condensers to minimize water consumption and the

volume of purged liquids. Carry out regular control and monitoring of the quality of water and

discharges from: (i) the wastewater treatment plant; (ii) water cooling systems; (iii) the evaporation

pond; and (iv) stormwater drainage system.

Sludge from the wastewater treatment plant will be disposed of in ad hoc places in accordance

with the rules in force. Liquid waste and wastewater containing hydrocarbons, lubricants and

solvents, etc. will be appropriately disposed of (deoiling). The liquid storage tanks will be

inspected and tested under pressure to minimize the risks of potential leaks. All refueling areas

will be on waterproof surfaces with the supply of accidental spill response kits.

Industrial and Safety Risk: In order to minimize industrial, health and safety risks for workers

and communities, it is planned to: (i) equip labourers with safety helmets, gloves and footwear and

to ensure that they are worn by all the people working on the site; (ii) test the structure’s integrity

before commencing work; (iii) implement a Fall Protection Programme which will, in particular,

include training in climbing techniques and the application of corresponding measures; inspection,

maintenance and replacement of fall protection equipment; (iv) establish criteria for the use of

integrated fall protection systems; (v) use at least 16mm (5/8 inch) double nylon safety belts or

any other material of equivalent resistance; (vi) avoid installation and maintenance work in adverse

weather conditions, especially if there is a risk of lightning strikes; (vii) install panels, obstacles

(for example bolts on doors, grids as well as steel barriers around transmission line pylons and

sensitize/inform the general public to prevent them being in contact with potentially hazardous

material; (viii) earth conductive elements (for example enclosures and other metallic structures)

installed close to the lines, out of reach of these active parts by distancing, barriers or isolation of

live elements; (ix) have work carried out by a person who is aware of electricity risks and has been

5 Heat Transfer Fluid

27

trained and equipped with appropriate tools; (x) ensure that supervision of the implementation of

recommended safety measures is carried out by a person who is aware of electricity-related risks;

(xi) ensure that employees are trained in maintenance work and wearing of Personal Protective

Equipment (PPEI) : helmet with a chin strap, fall arrest harness, safety footwear (xii) ensure visual

inspection of PPE before every use; PPE will be inspected prior to each intervention. There will

also be an annual inspection by trained personnel authorized to carry out such controls. All

deteriorated, damaged or non-compliant PPE will be replaced.

Fauna and Flora Protection Measures: the establishment of an environmental protection policy

which will prohibit project personnel from carrying out unnecessary clearance work and

deliberately interfering with wildlife. The development and implementation of a Route

Management Plan to minimize the impacts generated by the mobilization of equipment and

personnel. The following additional measures will be taken: (i) adapt the construction of

enclosures (widest possible opening) in order to facilitate the movement of terrestrial wildlife,

even its migration to neighbouring land; (ii) equip power lines with effective markers to minimize

the risk of birds colliding with these continuous linear obstacles that they encounter when flying

through or seeking food; (iii) visual scaring system (artificial bird of prey silhouette, known as

scaring devices, affixed to the frame so that birds of prey will overfly it and avoid the cables) ; (iv)

birdlife must be monitored twice a year (Autumn and Spring) during the first year of the complex’s

operation in the vicinity of the power line (form the dam side to the site). Concerning the flora it

is envisaged a tree-planting programme adapted to local constraints. Planting will be done at the

fringes of the complex for its better integration into its environment. It is also planned to develop

green spaces based on plants and local species that better meet the natural needs of wildlife.

Greenspace will be regularly monitored for the attractiveness of birds. Finally, it should be noted

that forest estate compensation is a provision applied to all temporary occupation permits. It is

equal to the amount corresponding to the reforestation work of the area occupied times five. The

said amount shall be fixed by the concerned Regional Director of Forests and Water affairs on the

basis of the average of the amounts relating to reforestation work per hectare in the area.

Influx of jobseekers : A provincial commission will be established and chaired by the Governor

of the province of Midelt and will be responsible, inter alia, for: (i) monitoring recruitment; (ii)

ensuring that the recruitment process is in accordance with established procedures; (iii)

transparency and fairness; (iv) sensitizing and mobilizing stakeholders. This commission will

include local authorities, MASEN, ANAPEC and project companies. The expectations of the local

population in terms of job creation, economic and social development are so high that the

establishment of transparent and effective communication is essential in order to control these

expectations and, to the extent risk of frustration and disappointment (see stakeholder engagement

plan in the consultation section). In addition, particular attention should be paid to the local housing

capacity of temporary accommodation for migrants and to the decommissioning at the end of

construction.

Dismantling Phase Measures: MASEN undertakes to take the necessary measures to fully

dismantle the solar power complex installations after it has finally ceased operations. This will

entail: (i) the dismantling of the plants; (ii) dismantling of related equipment; (iii) levelling of the

foundations of concrete platforms; (iv) neutralization of the local network including the earthed

connection between the delivery and connection sub-station; (v) soil must be restored in

accordance with the local context by topographical rehabilitation and vegetation works in order to

restore its natural aspect.

28

It should be noted that the project impacts remain within the limits of the applicable standards.

Complementary Initiatives: Complementary initiatives to improve the economic and and socio-

cultural development of communities will be proposed by the socio-economic study and socio-

economic actions plan being finalized by MASEN. The first initiative in favour of employment

will be the establishment of an employment commission in the province to study the best way to

promote local employment.

The objective of the local development program is to: (i) Contribute to the local development of

the regions where the projects are located; (ii) act as a development arm in complementarity; (iii)

contribute to fighting against poverty, access to infrastructure and sustainable and shared economic

growth; (iv) Proactively carry out structuring actions that respond to the needs of local populations.

On the basis of the socio-economic impact study recommendations, Masen has identified 12

projects to be implemented that will benefit the population and which are fully in keeping with its

local development strategy. The targeted sectors at this stage are: (i) Basic infrastructure; (ii)

health; (iii) education. Once these projects are established as well as those initiated by the DAR

(Rural Affairs Department at the Ministry of Interior) using funds secured from the sale of land,

they will contribute positively to the local development programme for the project area.

7. Supervision/Monitoring of Environmental and Social Management Plan and

ESMP Cost

MASEN has shown strong commitment to guaranteeing environmental protection and the safety

of personnel working both during the construction and operational phase. Consequently, the

objectives set in the supervision plan aim to:

(i) Establish a management system based on a clear hygiene and safety and

environmental protection plan;

(ii) Ensure that the goal of the environmental supervision and monitoring plan remains

a priority during the project’s implementation;

(iii) Aim to achieve zero incidents;

(iv) Minimize the impact on the natural environment; and

(v) Continue to review and verify the management of the Hygiene, Safety,

Environment (HSE) component during project implementation.

As the project owner, MASEN shall appoint an environmental officer to monitor the

environmental recommendations during the project construction phase. This person will help to

implement the works to verify the adequacy and effectiveness of the proposed mitigation and

prevention measures. On the basis of detailed engineering designs, the project owner shall

incorporate the adopted mitigation measures in the specifications that the works contractor retained

will have to comply with.

The first stage of environmental supervision will entail the appointment, prior to the start-up of the

construction activities, of an experienced technical and environmental supervision team in order

to ensure effective works implementation. A group composed of the works supervisor, the project

29

owner’s staff and environmental monitoring officer, should see to compliance with and application

of all the proposed measures and recommendations through regular supervision of the

recommended measures for environmental protection and the restoration of affected environments.

7.1.1 Monitoring Indicators

The indicators provide qualitative or quantitative information on the project’s environmental and

social benefits: The will be monitored by MASEN: (i) Effectiveness of the insertion of EHSS

clauses in the construction documents; (ii) recruitment of EHSS experts for each developer; (iii)

submission of required supplementary studies; (iv) efficiency of site works waste disposal systems;

(v) implementation rate of environmental and social mitigation measures; (v) number of gender-

disaggregated jobs created; (viii) degree of involvement of local communities in works

monitoring; (ix) quality and functionality of completed infrastructure; (x) effectiveness of

compensation ; (xi) number of works-related accidents ; (xii) Number of complaints recorded and

processed within the time limits; (xiii) regularity and effectiveness of monitoring; (ix) submission

of quarterly ESMP implementation reports.

Close attention will also be paid to the following indicators: (i) monthly water consumption

monitoring; (ii) monitoring of legionella in the cooling systems; (iii) monitoring of fauna and flora

– monitoring the state of vegetation on the edges of the complex; (iv) monitoring of birdlife and

herpetofauna in the same sectors.

Indicators specific to the power plants, their frequency as well as the role and responsabilities for

their monitoring will be defined whitiin each specific ESMP that will be submitted by the

developers for approval by MASEN and the DFIs including the Bank.

7.3 ESMP Cost

The estimated construction and implementation cost for each power plant is included in the plant’s

development cost (including, health, safety and hygiene, environmental protection, etc). Land

acquisition, the other main item in the ESMP’s cost, is covered by MASEN for an estimated

amount of over 82 million dirhams. Planting of trees in the forestry domain is applicable to all

temporary occupancy permits. Its cost is equal to the amount corresponding to the reforestation

work of 5 times the area occupied. The said amount shall be fixed by the concerned Regional

Director of Forests and Waters Affairs and on the basis of the average of the amounts relating to

reforestation work per hectare in the area. Finally, the cost of other initiatives comprising local

development projects will be known when MASEN on consultation with the other actors, finalizes

the projects to be implemented. Its provisional cost is estimated to 89 million dirham.

30

8. Public Consultations and Disclosure

8.1. National and AfDB Requirements

The main Moroccan laws and regulations on environmental protection are: (i) Dahir No. 1-14-09

of 4 joumada l 1435 (6 March 2014) promulgating Framework Law No. 99-12 establishing the

National Environment and Sustainable Development Charter; (ii) Act 12-03 concerning

environmental impact assessments promulgated by Dahir No.1-03-06 of 10 Rabii I 1424 (12 May

2003), establishing the list of projects concerned, the implementation procedure and consistency

of impact assessments.

According to AfDB’s 2013 ISS, throughout the environmental and social assessment process, the

Bank undertakes to ensure that the borrower or client organizes transparent consultations with the

affected communities in particular with vulnerable groups, in order to allow them to participate in

a free, prior and informed manner in decisions concerning the prevention or management of

environmental and social impacts. Indeed, these will be as follows - (i) free: of intimidation and

coercion; (ii) prior: timely in terms of the assessment process, allowing sufficient time to access

information , understand it and prepare responses; (iii) informed : advance availability of relevant,

understandable and accessible information in the appropriate language. As shown in the following

sections, these requirements were complied with in relation to the ESIA and Resettlement Plan.

8.2 Public Consultations as Part of the Preparation and Validations of the ESIA/ESMP

In the case of the NOOR Midelt project the environmental acceptability process initiated with the

National Environmental Impact Assessment Committee (CNEIE) began in accordance with the

procedures including the conduct of the public survey comprising the following stages:

(i) Submission of the ESIA to the National Impact Assessment Committee on 5 May

2015;

(ii) Forwarding of public survey document to Midelt province on 11 May 2015;

(iii) Preparation and signature of decree by the Province’s governor on 9 June 2015 ;

(iv) Purchase of registers;

(v) Publication in newspapers: two notices were published in Arabic and French in

local newspapers (‘Le matin’ issue of 17 June 2015 and ‘Almassae’ issue of 16

June 2015) ;

(vi) Initiation of public survey on 30 June 2015 ;

(vii) Conduct of public survey, drafting of the survey report and forwarding to CNEIE ;

(viii) First review meeting with CNEIE on 8 October 2015 ;

(ix) Forwarding of ESSP to CNEIE on 30 October 2015 ;

(x) Second meeting with CNEIE which declared the project’s environmental

acceptability on 1 December 2015.

31

The public consultation meeting was held in MIDELT on 10 March 2016 at 10am in the ‘Afrah

Al Atlas’ reception hall. The public notice was published in two newspapers with national

readership on 4 March 2016 (in French and Arabic). A letter was sent to the Governor of Midelt

province who took the step of sending a general invitation to all the actors concerned or likely to

be affected by the project.

The consultation’s objectives were: information, consultation and concertation with the

participants on the different environmental and social challenges of the NOOR Midelt solar power

complex identified by the ESIA. This consultation was organized and conducted on behalf of

MASEN in order to integrate all the stakeholders in the project, gather the different remarks and

proposals from participants and, finally, to provide answers to the questions raised. Over 100

people representing the different stakeholders concerned and civil society actors of the project

participated in this public consultation including representatives of: (i) the territorial communities

of Zaïda, Ait Ben Yacoub, Mibladen and Midelt municipality (ii) the ethnic communities and

populations themselves; (iii) development associations (women and youth); (iv) ONEE (Water and

Electricity Branches) ; (v) the National Provincial Education Delegation; (vi) the Provincial

Agricultural Directorate; (vii) the Provincial Equipment Directorate (viii) the Regional Investment

Centre; (ix) the Midelt Institute of Technology; (x) the Chamber of Commerce and Industry; (xi)

the Provincial Forestry Directorate ; (xii) the Regional Agricultural Development Authority

(ORMVA); (xiii) the Vocational Training and Labour Promotion Authority (OFPPT); (xiv) the

Regional Environmental Division; (xv) the Ministry of Tourism Delegation; and (xvi) the local

authorities.

There was broad participant support for the project and its spin-off for the region’s socio-

economic development. Some concerns were raised relating to: (i) the environmental impacts of

the NOOR Midelt solar power complex; (ii) supplies to the NOOR Midelt solar power complex

(i) the transfer of land and compensation ; (iv) youth employment and training; (v) local

infrastructure development; (vi) social actions to be implemented. All these concerns were

addressed to the satisfaction of all the participants. The related minutes have been prepared and

annexed to the ESIA report.

The Framework ESIA was published on the MASEN site in September 2016.

http://www.masen.ma/en/publications/rappor ts/noor-midelt. The Bank will

publish the summary of the Framework ESIA on its site 120 days prior to the

project’s submission to the Bank’s Board of Directors.

8.3. Consultations during Preparation of the Land Acquisition Plan (LAP)

See summary of LAP which complements this ESIA.

8.4 Practical Consultation Arrangements for the Remaining Stages and

Grievance Management

In the context of the development of the NOOR solar power complex, each power plant will be

the subject of a specific environmental and social impact assessment, accompanied by a specific

public consultation with a detailed presentation of impacts and compensatory measures for the

plant concerned. The Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) which will be developed and

implemented by MASEN will ensure that the concerns of all stakeholders are, to the extent possible,

taken into account in an inclusive manner in accordance with the principles of the SEP, to identify

32

supplementary socio-economic activities that could be implemented to enhance and scale up the

project benefits. The main objective of stakeholder engagement is to ensure that the local populations

involved in the project receive all the necessary information in a simple and clear format so that they

understand the implications of the project on their communities ; And proposed mitigation measures

designed to support the population and mitigate any adverse effects.

The developer will respond to all complaints and answers will be prepared within a short lapse of

time. If the complaint is serious, remedial measures will be immediately taken. A complaints

register and a letter box will be installed on MASEN’s premises on the Midelt site and will be

used, if required, to collect people’s complaints. Complaints may also be filed at the following e-

mail address midelt@masen.ma.

The complaint management system will comprise several elements: (i) publication of the SEP and

report on the public consultations on the project developer’s web-site (www.masen.org.ma); (ii)

provision of contact information: address, telephone, fax and email; (iii) Opening of a complaints

register.

Response time: All complaints registered will be replied to within 30 days.

Complaint Management: In order to ensure efficient management of claims, it is necessary to

retain a written record of all complaints. The file established will include the date of the complaint,

all follow-up actions, the final outcome and the date of notification to the complainant of the

decision. If necessary, complaints may be filed at the e-mail address or placed in a letter box to

be installed in MASEN’s premises on the Midelt site.

Monitoring and Reporting: the commitment of all the stakeholders to the project life cycle is a

dynamic and stimulating process. The developer is required to supervise implementation of the

stakeholder engagement plan and performance of the complaint settlement mechanism. In terms

of monitoring, the developer will be responsible for taking all the necessary measures to ensure

stakeholder participation in the supervision phase. In addition, an expert in social affairs will be

recruited by MASEN and based on the Midelt site. Directly attached to the MASEN local

development department, he/she will be responsible for collecting and processing complaints and

grievances, conflict management as well as the monitoring and evaluation of local development

projects. In terms of information, the developer will establish communication with, and prepare

regular reports for communities and people concerned throughout the project life cycle.

9. Residual Impacts and Environmental Risk Management

9.1. Negative Residual Impacts

No average or high negative residual impact is expected following implementation of the

mitigation measures. The negative residual impacts are minor and will not be the subject of specific

measures.

9.2 Environmental Risk

The complex must be protected against the risk of fire. The adaptation of the fire protection system

will be designed and calculated in compliance with recommended standards and practices and the

requirements of all the competent authorities. These fire risks will be controlled by the protection

33

of electrical installations from lightning strikes and their regular control as well as the retention of

an isolation zone in relation to the closest site boundaries.

9.3 Climate Risks

The project was classified in category 2 in accordance with the Bank’s climate screening system: (I)

risk of overflow/flooding from the Sidi Ayad and Bou Tazart wadis ; (ii) linear water erosion; and

(iii) fairly high average annual number of frosty days (38) with a wide inter-annual variability.

The following mitigation measures will be taken: (i) bridge calibration, bank protection, an accurately

sized artificial drainage system to minimize the risk of erosion on-site and flooding in downstream

areas. Also, the hydrological and hydraulic study carried out for water supply to the site takes into

account an analysis of the long-term effects of impacts of climate change, especially those concerning

the availability of water and the selection of the intake at the level of the Hassan II dam which has a

capacity of 400 million m3. In order to minimize water consumption, the CSP plants will be designed

to use a dry cooling system. Each plant should not exceed 520 000 m3 resulting in the project’s total

water consumption of 26% of the dam’s annual capacity (0.13% per plant). Total water consumption

of the entire Midelt solar power complex is estimated to be 0.5% of the regular annual volume of the

Hassan II dam, with a minimum impact on the region’s water resources. A study on sustainable water

supply, including the long-term risks of climate change, is being finalized.

The project will contribute to the mitigation of climate change impacts by reducing carbon

intensity in the electricity sub-sector in Morocco. The electric power generated by the project’s

two solar power plants will replace the generation of thermal power from fossil fuels, in particular,

coal and diesel/fuel oil which remain the dominant sources in electric power generation in Morocco

(55% in 2015). In comparison with the mix of plants using fossil fuels (coal, gas and fuel oil)

operated by ONEE, the NOORm I and NOORm II plants of Phase 1 of the Midelt solar power

complex (of the present project), will each avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 1.3

million tonnes of CO2eq. During the 25 years of their operation (duration of PPP contract) these

two plants will avoid the emission of 32.5 million tonnes of CO2eq and 39 million tonnes of CO2eq

if their life span is taken into account (30 years). As a reminder, the Moroccan solar programme (2

000 MW) which includes this project, will save one million tonnes of oil equivalent in fuel and avoid

greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 3.7 million tonnes of CO2 per year.

9. Institutional Capacities

MASEN has set up a dedicated Environmental and Social Management (ESM) team to ensure

optimal management of the environmental and social aspects relating to its activities. MASEN’s

environmental and social management (ESM) team comprises 5 permanent members working full-

time for MASEN: (i) A Sustainable Development Project mamager attached to the Structuring

Department; (ii) a sustainable development officer, attached to the Structuring Department; (iii) a

local development officer; (iv) an HSSE (Hygiene, Health, Safety and Environment) officer

employed by MASEN Services; and (v) a local development officer employed by MASEN

Services based on site.

The project manager and sustainable development officer perform, in particular, the functions of

environmental and social safeguard measure coordinators in the context of relationships between

MASEN and donors (Institutional Financial Investors - IFIs) and the company’s contractual

commitments to the latter. The local development officer is responsible for implementing

34

MASEN’s local development programme taking into account the Environmental and Social

Management Plans (ESMP) resulting from the Environmental and Social Impact Assessments

(ESIA). The HSEQ officer is among others a Hygiene-Health-Safety specialist based on site as

close as possible to the solar power complexes developed to ensure efficient management of

environmental, health and safety aspects on-site.

Internally, the different members of the ESM group work closely with the Structuring, Forward

Planning and Implementation Directorates in order to identify environmental and social impacts

and incorporate the required mitigation measures right along the solar plant development chains.

This has forged close functional ties between the teams, continuous coordination work and the

constant involvement of members of the management board in monitoring the aforementioned

subjects. All the necessary resources were thus allocated to ESM to allow it to correctly assume

its duties in particular to enable it to control the establishment of and compliance with the

environmental and social impact assessments carried out as well as compliance with the

contractual obligations of project companies responsible for constructing the plants. The MASEN

ESM is also the key interlocutor of the developers’ environmental and social management team.

The latter, chiefly responsible for implementing specific environmental and social management

plans, reports regularly to MASEN on the implementation progress of all the mitigation measures.

10. Conclusion

In general, the assessment shows that the project will have major positive impacts in terms of

social spin-off. The project may also have negative impacts. However, the anticipated negative

impacts are likely to be efficiently managed as a result of the satisfactory implementation of the

environmental safeguard measures formulated in the ESMP. As a result, in compliance with

national regulations, an acceptability certificate was issued in January 2016.

11. References and Contacts

The summary was prepared on the basis of the following documents:

ESIA report on NOOR solar power complex – Midelt, 2016

Land Acquisition Plans; 2016 et 2017

For further information, please contact:

Nadia Taobane, Structuring Director, Masen ; taobane@masen.ma

Meryem Lakhssassi, Sustainable Development Project Manager, Masen ;

m.lakhssassi@masen.ma

For the African Development Bank (AfDB)

Adama MOUSSA, AfDB, Morocco, Email : a.d.moussa@afdb.org ;

Patrice HORUGAVYE, AfDB, Côte d’Ivoire, p.horugavye@afdb.org ;

Modeste KINANE, AfDB, Côte d’Ivoire, Email : m.kinane@afdb.org

35

Annex 1

Project effluents must comply with general limit values for direct liquid discharge into the natural

environment recommended under Moroccan regulations i.e. for the main pollution indicators: (i) BOD5 :

100 mgO2/l; (ii) COD: 500 mgO2/l; (iii) SS: 50 mg/l.

Table 3 : Limit Values for Direct Liquid Discharges - Moroccan Decree

PARAMETER MOROCCO PROJECT

Temperature in °C 30

pH 6.5 – 8.5 [1]

SS mg/l 50

Kjeldahl Nitrogen mg N /l 30 [2]

Total Phosphorous P mg P/l 10 2

COD mg O2/l 500 2

BOD5 mg O2/l 100 2

Active Chlorine Cl2 mg/l 0.2

Chlorine Dioxide ClO2 mg/l 0.05

Aluminium Al mg/l 10

Detergents mg/l (anionic, cationic and non-ionic) 3

Conductivity in µs/cm 2700 [3]

Salmonella/5000ml Absence

Vibrio cholerae/5000ml Absence

Free cyanide (CN) mg/l 0.1

Free sulphide (S2-) mg/l 1

Fluoride (F) mg/l 15

Phenol Index mg/l 0.3

Hydrocarbons mg/l 10

Oil and Fat mg/l 30

Antimony (Sb) mg/l 0.3

Silver (Ag) mg/l 0.1

Arsenic (As) mg/l 0.1

Barium (Ba) mg/l 1

Cadmium (Cd) mg/l 0.2

Cobalt (Co) mg/l 0.5

Total Copper (Cu) mg/l 0.5

Total Mercury (Hg) mg/l 0.05

Total Lead (Pb) mg/l 0.5

Total Chrome (Cr) mg/l 2

Hexavalent Chrome (Cr) mg/l 0.2

Total Tin (Sn) mg/l 2

Manganese (Mn) mg/l 1

Total Nickel (Ni) mg/l 0.5

Selenium (Se) mg/l 0.1

Total Zinc (Zn) mg/l 5

Iron (Fe) mg/l 3

AOX mg/l 5

Source: Moroccan Decree fixing the limit values for direct liquid discharges

[1] 6.5 to 9 when neutralizing is done with lime [2] More stringent values may be required in the authorization decree depending on the quality objectives of the receiving environment [3] In the case of discharge into inland surface water.

36

Ambient Air Quality

Air quality standards and limits are those recommended by Moroccan legislation and presented in Table 4 below:

Table 4: Limits Retained for Ambient Air Quality

Pollutant Threshold Type Limit Values

Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)

(µg/m3)

Limit value for health

protection.

125 centiles 99.2 of daily averages.

Limit value for ecosystem

protection.

20 annual average.

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

(µg/m3)

Limit value for health

protection

200 centiles 98 of hourly averages

50 annual averages.

Limit value for plant

protection.

30 annual averages.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

(mg/m3)

Limit value for health

protection

10 daily maximum of rolling average

over 8 hours.

Suspended Solids

(µg/m3)

Limit value for health

protection

50 centile 90.4 of daily averages;

PM10.

Sources: Decree No. 2-09-286 of 20 hija 1430 (8 December 2009) fixing air quality standards and air monitoring modalities.

Noise

The noise level limits recommended by the World Bank have been retained since there is no Moroccan standard. They are set out in Table 5 below:

Tableau 5 Noise Level Limits

Receptor

Maximum Authorized Noise Level (hourly measurements in dB(A))

Daytime (07h00-22h00)

Nighttime (22h00-07h00)

Residential, institutional, educational 55 45

Industrial, commercial 70 70 Sources: Critical Environmental, Health and General Guidelines. (EHS). World Bank, 2007.

If the existing background noise already exceeds the World Bank recommended limits, the increase caused by the project shall not exceed 3 dB (A).