Environmental Monitoring Report...Environmental Monitoring Report July – December 2015 Sri: Clean Energy and Network Efficiency Improvement Project Prepared by Ceylon Electricity

Environmental Monitoring Report July – December 2015

Sri: Clean Energy and Network Efficiency

Improvement Project

Prepared by Ceylon Electricity Board for the Asian Development Bank. This environmental monitoring report is a document of the borrower. The views expressed

herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB's Board of Directors, Management, or staff,

and may be preliminary in nature. Your attention is directed to the “terms of use” section of this website.

In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any

designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the

Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status

of any territory or area.

There are four Packages under Loan2892/2893 : Clean Energy and network Efficiency Improvement Project. This report contains all four package’s Environmental Monitoring Report Separately.

1 PRO

Environmental Safeguard Monitoring Report

Reporting Period : July 2015 to December 2015

Date : 15th January 2016

ADB Loan No. 2893 - SRI (SF)

Clean Energy & Network Efficiency Improvement Project

Package 1

Prepared by Clean Energy & Network Efficiency Improvement Project – Package 1(CENEIP-P1), Ceylon Electricity Board for the Asian Development Bank.

This environmental safeguard monitoring report is a document of the borrower and made publicly

available in accordance with ADB's Public Communications Policy 2011 and the Safeguard Policy

Statement 2009. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB's Board of

Directors, Management, or staff.

2 PRO

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NO. ITEMS PAGE

Executive Summary 3

1.0 Introduction 3

1.1 Brief Project Description 4

1.2 Project Progress Status and Implementation Schedule 5

A. Progress Status 5

B. Implementation Schedules for Sub projects 6

2.0 Compliance to National Regulations 7

3.0 Compliance to Environmental Covenants from the ADB Loan Agreement

8

4.0 Compliance to Environmental Management Plan 10

5.0 Implementation of Grievance Redress Mechanism and Complaints Received from Stakeholders 14

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Executive Summary

The Central Environment Authority has already granted their approval for the Initial

Environmental Examination (lEE) of the project with the consultation of all the Departments

concerned. All Divisional Secretaries were also informed of all the environmental and social

issues and mitigation measures to be adopted and currently various complaints and issues

raised by the public are inquired to address them and find solutions for the satisfaction of

every stake holder. Project implementation has been commenced already. Therein the filling

work of land for constructing Mannar Grid Substation has been started and profile

surveying, tower spotting and soil investigation along the transmission line routes from

Anuradhapura to Mannar through Vavuniya were 95% completed.

1.0 Introduction

Electricity consumers in the Mannar District is provided with electricity at 230V (single

phase) and 400V (three phase) using long distance 33,000V distribution lines and

33,000/400V primary substations. Due to this reason, the electricity supply reliability and

the parameters of the supply (mainly the required voltage) are hampered substantially for

many years. The necessity of addressing this aspect was finally becomes a reality now.

Ministry of Power & Energy and the Ministry of Finance & Planning, successfully

negotiated a loan from Asian Development Bank to construct the much awaited

132,000/33,000V grid substation in Mannar and also to construct a 125km long 220,000V

transmission lines from Anuradhapura via Vavuniya to Mannar by connecting Mannar too

with the national power transmission grid.

The second most important objective in the construction of 55km long transmission line

from Anuradhapura to Vavuniya is the replacement of already available 132,000V

transmission line which is more than forty (40) years old. This transmission line is the major

and only back bone line that carries bulk electricity energy from the central part of the

country to north. The new transmission line is constructed in 220,000V capacity for catering

the future requirements in the North and Mannar enabling the transfer of more energy for

the development activities and new settlements.

Government of Sri Lanka strongly believes the need of changing the fossil fuel dependency

on electricity generation, mainly due to two factors. One factor is the ever increasing cost of

fossil fuels, draining of hard earned foreign reserves & scarcity of fossil fuels expected to be

seriously felt in next few decades to come. The other most important factor is the necessity

of reducing the pollution of the earth atmosphere by decreasing fossil fuel burning for

power generation, and addressing the needs with harnessing more and more clean energy

resources. Mannar District is also identified as a potential wind energy resource region.

Hence it is proposed by National Electricity Generation Planners that around 350 MW of

wind energy plants shall be developed in the Mannar District and that energy shall be

4 PRO

evacuated to the National Power Grid 220,000V Electricity transmission system. The

transmission line constructed under this project shall be utilized for that purpose as well.

1.1 Brief Project Description

Asian Development Bank provides financing of US $ 27.57 million for the Clean Energy And Network Efficiency Improvement Project - Package I (Mannar Transmission Infrastructure) under their loan 2893 - SRI (SF).

The Project consists of two lots:

Lot A:

Augmentation of Vavuniya 132/33kV grid substation and construction of Mannar 132/33kV grid substation

Lot B:

New Anuradhapura to Vavuniya 55km, double circuit, two Zebra, 132kV transmission line and Vavuniya to Mannar 70km, double circuit, Single Zebra, 132kV transmission line (Designed for 220kV operations)

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1.2 Project Progress Status and Implementation Schedule

A. Progress Status

The updated status of environment activities for the two sub projects up to

December 2015 is given below.

Sub

Project Description Status

Lot

A

Augmentation of Vavuniya 132/33kV grid substation and construction of Mannar 132/33kV grid substation

1. Private land acquired for Mannar GSS.

2. No forest land acquisition for Mannar GSS.

3. No wild life sanctuary involved in Mannar GSS.

4. No major adverse environmental issues identified.

5. Surveying of the Mannar GSS land is completed.

6. Air, water & noise monitoring shall be carried out during post construction stage.

7. Approval for development of Mannar GSS land from Land Reclamation & Development Corporation is obtained.

Lot

B

New Anuradhapura to Vavuniya 55km, double circuit, two Zebra, 132kV transmission line and Vavuniya to Mannar 70km, double circuit, Single Zebra, 132kV transmission line (Designed for 220kV operations)

1. Profile surveying, tower spotting and soil investigation of the line route is 95% completed.

2. Necessary approvals were taken from Department of Wild Life Conservation, Department of Forest Conservation, Department of Irrigation, Department Archeology.

3. Air, water & noise monitoring shall be carried out during post construction stage.

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B. Implementation Schedule

Sub Project

Activities

2014 2015 2016 2017

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2

Selection of transmission line corridor

√ √ √ √ Wayleave estimations & compensation payments are in progress

Clearance of 35m line corridor

√ √ √ √ P P P P P P

Equipment layout and installation

√ √ √ P P P P P P

Mechanized construction

√ √ √ P P P P P P

Access to and site clearance at tower footings

√ √ P P P P P P

Construction of access roads

√ P P P P P P

Excavation for construction of tower foundations

√ P P P P P P

Controlling erosion/silt run off

√ P P P P P P

Handling and transportation of materials to and from the site

√ √ √ P P P P P P

Provision of facilities for construction workers

√ √ √ P P P P P P

Tower foundation and stringing works in farmlands/ paddy fields

√ P P P P P P

Earthworks in new GSS site resulting in erosion/silt run off

√ √ √ P P P P P P

Minimizing the nuisance to nearby properties

√ √ √ P P P P P P

Q: Quarters √: Activity Done P: Activity Planned ── : No Activity

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2.0 Compliance to National Regulations

The relevant applicable Acts and Legislations to the project is given below and until now

all the applicable Acts and Legislations are being complied.

1. National Environmental Act No.47 of 1980, amendment No. 56 of 1988, and other

amendments

2. Sri Lanka Electricity Act No.20 of 2009

3. Amendment to Sri Lanka Electricity Act No. 31 of 2013 (dated 17th August 2013)

4. Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka Act,No.35 of 2002

5. Sri Lanka sustainable energy Authority Act, No.35 of 2007

6. National Environmental (Protection & Quality)Regulations,No.01 1990.

7. National Environmental (Ambient Air Quality)Regulations,1994.

8. National Environmental (Noise Control) Regulations No. 1 1996

9. Fauna and Flora Protection(Amendment) Act 1993 (No.49 of 1993)

10. Forest Ordinance Act No.13 of 1966

11. Forest (Amendment) Act No.65 of 2009

12. Felling of Trees(Amendment Act No.01 of 2000 and Act to Amend felling of trees

control)

13. Agrarian Services Act (No.58 of 1979)

14. Agrarian Development Act No.46 of 2000

15. Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act 1996

16. Flood Act No.22 of 1955

17. Monuments and Archaeological Sites and remains Act,1958. Act No. 24 of 1958

18. Antiques Ordinance, 1960

19. National Involuntary Resettlement Policy

20. Land Acquisition(Amendment) Act, No.13 of 1986

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Product Sche

dule

Par

a

No.

Description Compliance

Loan 2893 -

SRI (SF)

5

2

The Borrower, MOPE, CEB and SEA shall make available all counterpart funds required for the timely and effective implementation of the Project including (a) any funds required to make land or roof top spaces available for the Project; (b) to mitigate unforeseen environmental, resettlement or social impacts; and (c) to meet any additional costs arising from design changes, price escalations or other unforeseen circumstances.

Complied

4

The Borrower shall ensure, or cause CEB and SEA to ensure, that the preparation, design, construction, implementation, operation and decommissioning of the Project, each Subproject and all Project facilities comply with (a) all applicable laws and regulations of the Borrower relating to environment, health, and safety; (b) the Environmental Safeguards; and {c) all measures and requirements set forth in the respective lEE and EMP, and any corrective or preventative actions set forth in a Safeguards Monitoring Report.

Complied

The Borrower shall ensure, or cause CEB and SEA to ensure, that all bidding documents and contracts for Works contain provisions that require contractors to: (a) comply with the measures

relevant to the contractor set forth

Complied

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8

in the lEE, the EMP and the RP (to the extent they concern impacts on affected people during construction), and any corrective or preventative actions set forth in a Safeguards Monitoring Report;

(b) make available a budget for all such environmental and social measures;

(c) provide CEB and SEA with a

written notice of any unanticipated environmental, resettlement or indigenous peoples risks or impacts that arise during construction, implementation or operation of the Project that were not considered in the lEE, the EMP or the RP;

10

4.0 Compliance to Environmental Monitoring Plan

Project Activity Potential impact Mitigation measure Parameter to be

monitored Method and Frequency

Institutional

responsibility Compliance

Pre-construction

Selection of

Transmission

line corridor

Traversing through

protected areas,

Traversing above

houses/buildings.

Excessive

requirements for

clearance of way-

leaves.

Land use restrictions

in areas of high

population density.

Avoid traversing above

Protected and densely

populated areas as much as

possible

Avoid/minimize traversing

above houses/buildings

wherever practicable

Examine alternative routes,

and select the route causing

the minimum impacts on

long-term land-use, and

minimum possible removal

of trees

Protected areas in the

vicinity

Number of buildings

along the line route,

urban and suburban

centers of population

crossed by the line,

proportion of line route

through such areas

Visual inspection, Records

by GSs.

During preliminary route

selection, reviewed during

field visits and in final line

design survey, further

reviewed after the notices

are issued and DS’s rulings

CEB Complied

Construction

Clearance of 35m line

corridor

Loss of crops and

therefore adverse

impact on economy

and food security

Payment of appropriate

compensation

% people who received

appropriate

compensation

Visual inspection, Records

by GSs.

Monthly Along the line,

especially home gardens

CEB Being complied

Loss of teak trees in

the Mihintale Forest

Reserve

Enrich similar areas

from the same Forest

Reserve

The extent of the land

enriched

With the corporation of

Forest Department.

Before the project

completion

CEB & Forest

Department

To be complied

11


monitored Method and Frequency

Institutional


Equipment layout and

installation

Noise and vibrations

caused during

Construction activities

Construction techniques

and machinery selection

seeking to minimize

ground disturbance.

Noise levels.

Condition of using

machinery.

Measuring noise levels.

Contractor's reports on

using machinery.

Visual inspection.

Weekly

CEB & Contractor Being complied

Mechanized

construction

Noise, vibration and

Operator safety

Construction equipment to

be well maintained, and

operated to minimize the

noise &vibrations.

Construction

equipment status.

Hours of operation.

Noise and vibration

levels

Measuring noise and

vibration levels.

Contractor's reports.

Visual inspection.

Weekly


Operation of heavy

Machinery in night hours

to be limited to very urgent

cases only.

Use low noise mechanical

equipment or use baffles,

proper scheduling of

construction

Minimize the vibration

from piling and

compaction by using

suitable equipment

12


monitored

Method and

Frequency

Institutional


Construction of access

roads

Disruption to

Hydrological pattern

Resort to the best practice

guidelines provided in the

Chapter5

The status of closure of

Access roads

CEB and Contractor

reports.

Visual inspection.

Quarterly


When left as it is will

lead to encroachment

and increase human–

animals conflicts

Remove the access roads

after construction and

reinstate to previous

condition

Excavation for

Construction of tower

foundations

Air and water pollution

due to dust and runoff

Re use of excavated

material as much as

possible

Air, water and soil

quality,

Stability and

availability of bunts

Measuring air and

water quality

CEB and Contractor

reports.

Visual inspection.


Cover the piles with

polythene

Soil erosion and

Contamination of

water ways

Use soil conservation

Practices i.e.berms, dykes,

coirmats, sand bags

Cover the areas exposed

during construction with

ground vegetation

Water collected in

excavated areas

Avoid rainy seasons if

possible

13


monitored

Measurement and

Frequency

Institutional


Handling and

Transportation of

materials to and from

the site

Dust pollution in

Surrounding areas

Damp the work sites

With water

The number of times

the construction site is

wetted,

The number of uncovered

vehicles bring material and

their speed of travel,

Laboratory tests

Visual inspection,

CEB and Contractor

Reports,

Air and water quality

Monthly


Apply speed limits to

the vehicles

use tarpaul into cover

the material during

transport

14

5.0 Implementation of Grievance Redress Mechanism and Complaints Received from

Stakeholders

The selected line route has been carefully selected with the participation of all concerned

parties [including the Government Agent (GA), Divisional Secretaries & relevant state

organizations] and all the factors such as reserved areas clearance from the Airport aviation

air strip, communal issues etc.

Telephone numbers are available for public to contact the project officials for raising any

complaints, requesting information etc. Moreover public can make their complaints, views,

comments etc via the official web site of CEB, www.ceb.lk.

People can raise their complaints and grievances through relevant Government Officials in

their areas; Grama Niladhari and Divisional Secretary. They can also contact PUCSL.

Presently objections hearing meetings with objected people are being held within all the

divisional secretary areas affected by the project, followed by the wayleave estimations and

compensation payments with the participation of relevant divisional secretaries.

CEYLON ELECTRICITY BOARD

ADB Loan Number 2892-SRI

Clean Energy & Network Efficiency Improvement Project- Package 02

Environmental Safeguard Measures

July to December 2015

Project Name: Clean Energy & Network Efficiency Improvement Project- Package 02

Implementing Agency: Ceylon Electricity Board

Project Status: Lot A, Lot B and Lot C – Pre-Construction Stage


Project activity Potential impact Mitigation measure Location Duration Institutional responsibility

Implementation schedule

Taken Action To Mitigate

Pre-construction

Grid substation

construction

Disturbance to people

occupying land closer

to the GS, owing to

land filling and

construction

Maintained adequate

clearance between

the dwellings and

retaining structures

built at GS

GS During the

design

CEB Before the GS

construction

structural layout is

finalized

Layout design was

done as per the

mitigation measures

Storm water releases Design the storm

water release drains

to have adequate

capacity

GS During the

design

CEB Before the GS

construction

drainage layout is

finalized

Designed as per the

mitigation measures.

GS Equipment

specifications

and design

parameters

Release of harmful

chemicals and gases

Poly Chlorinated

Biphenyls (PCBs) will

not be used in

substation

transformers or any

other equipment.

Exclusion of PCBs in

GS Tendering CEB During drafting

specification in

tendering and

selection in tender

evaluation

Equipment were

finalized as per the

mitigation measures





Pre-construction

Selection of

transmission line

corridor

Excessive requirements

for clearance of way-

leaves and land use

restrictions in areas of

high population density

Select the optimum

line route to minimize

the way leave

clearance

Along the

line

corridor

Preliminary

Design

CEB Before line route

is finalized

Line route was

selected through

paddy fields

wherever possible

and minimize

number of buildings

under the line

Line traversing across

environmentally

sensitive areas with

possible impacts to

biodiversity and

excessive clearance of

vegetation

Line route across

forest and high grown

cultivation areas to be

minimized, and routed

through areas with

low-grown vegetation

and agriculture, such

as paddy and low

grown vegetables

Along the

line

corridor

During

preliminary

route selection

CEB Before the line

route is finalized

Line was routed

through areas with

low-grown

vegetation and

agriculture, such as

paddy and low grown

vegetables





Pre-construction

Escape of

polluting

materials

Environmental

pollution

Transformers

designed with oil spill

containment pit, and

with emergency oil

release and storage

system.

GSs During

commissioning

tests and

compliance

checking of

civil works

CEB During design and

construction of

the GSs

Initial specifications

were set as per the


GSs to include storm

water drainage and

sewage disposal

systems to avoid

surface water

pollution.

GSs During design,

Mention in

specifications,

and

compliance

checking after

construction


construction of

GSs.

Designed as per the






Pre-construction

Explosions/ Fire Life Hazards to workers Design of GS to

include fire detection

and control systems

and firewalls to

compliance with fire

prevention and

control codes in Sri

During design,

Mention in

specifications,

and

compliance

checking after

construction


construction of

GS.

Designed as per the


Provision of fire

fighting equipment to

be located close to

transformers.

Designed as per the mitigation measure

Construction

Equipment

layout and

installation

Noise and vibrations

caused during

construction activities

Construction

techniques and

machinery selection

seeking to minimize

ground disturbance.

GS

locations

During

approval of

construction

method

statement

CEB Throughout the

construction

period

Selected as per the mitigation measure

Mechanized

construction

Noise, vibration and

operator safety

Construction

equipment to be well

maintained.

GS and

Tower

locations

During the

period of

construction

CEB Throughout the

construction

period

Complied as per the

mitigation measure





Construction

Temporary

blockage, loss of

service of

utilities

Loss of power supply to

local areas, when

distribution lines

crossing the new

transmission line are

switched off

Minimize the

duration of line

shutdown by careful

programming of work

N/A During the

period of

stringing the

conductors.

CEB and

Contractor

Throughout the

construction

period

Power interruptions

are arranged as per

the mitigation measure

Site clearance at

GS

No impact to the

external environment

Debris to be disposed

in accordance with

local authority

regulations and

advise.

GSs When the site

is cleared by

the contractor

CEB and

Contractor

Throughout the

construction

period

Site clearances were

carried out as per the

mitigation measure


Project activity Project activity Project activity Project activity

Project activity

Project activity

Project activity Project activity

Construction

Access and site

clearance at

tower footings

Temporary obstruction

of access roads,

waterways, clearance

of trees and shrubs

Culverts to cross

waterways, minimize

disturbance and

clearing of vegetation

Tower

footings

During and

after the

construction

period

CEB and

Contractor

Construction

period

To be complied

Storage of

chemicals and

materials

Contamination of

receptors (land, water,

air)

Transformer oil will be

securely stored above

high flood level, until

the transformer(s) are

filled-up.

Location

of

transfor

mers

During

construction

CEB and

Contractor

Construction

period

To be complied

Provision of

facilities for

construction

workers

Contamination of

receptors (land, water)

due to sanitation needs

Provide construction

workforce with

temporary facilities to

include proper

sanitation, water

supply and waste

disposal facilities.

Camp

sites for

Workforc

e

During

construction

CEB and

Contractor

Construction

period

Provided as per the

mitigation measure


Project activity Project activity Project activity Project

activity Project activity

Project activity

Project activity Project activity

Construction

Encroachment

into farmland

Loss of agricultural

productivity

Avoid construction

during period of

cultivation and

cropping in paddy

fields and seasonal

crops

Agricultu

ral area

at tower

footings

and

along the

transmiss

ion

During

construction

CEB and

Contractor

Construction

period

To be complied

Nuisance to

nearby

properties

Losses to neighbouring

land uses/ values

Specifying careful

construction

practices.

Construc

tion sites

During

construction

CEB and

Contractor

Construction

period

To be complied

Health and

safety

Injury and sickness of

workers and members

of the public

Contract provisions

specifying minimum

requirements for

construction camps

Construc

tion sites

During

construction

CEB and

Contractor

Construction

period

Maintains as per the mitigation measure

Contractor to prepare

and implement a

health and safety

plan.

Contractor to arrange

for health and safety

training sessions

1

Environmental Safeguard Monitoring Report

Period : July 2015 to December 2015

Date : 15th January 2016

ADB Loan No. 2892 - SRI (SF)

Clean Energy & Network Efficiency Improvement Project

Package 4

Prepared by Clean Energy & Network Efficiency Improvement Project – Package 4(CENEIP –P4),

Ceylon Electricity Board for the Asian Development Bank.

This environmental safeguard monitoring report is a document of the borrower and made publicly

available in accordance with ADB's Public Communications Policy 2011 and the Safeguard Policy

Statement 2009. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB's Board of

Directors, Management, or staff.

2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NO.

ITEMS

PAGE

Executive Summary 3

1.0 Introduction 5

1.1 Brief Project Description 5

1.2 Project Progress Status and Implementation Schedule 6

A. Progress Status 6

B. Implementation Schedules for Sub projects 7

2.0 Compliance to National Regulations 8

3.0 Compliance to Environmental Covenants from the ADB Loan

Agreement 9

4.0 Compliance to Environmental Management Plan 11

5.0 Implementation of Grievance Redress Mechanism and Complaints Received

from Stakeholders 16

3

Executive Summary

1. Asian Development Bank (ADB) is proposing to extend $130 million loan to power sector of Sri

Lanka for the Clean Energy and Network Efficiency Improvement Project with a focus to identify

transmission and distribution subprojects for evacuation of renewable energy (wind, hydro and solar)

and overall improvement of network efficiency.

2. The distribution component of the Clean Energy and Network Efficiency Improvement Project

includes the following subprojects:

(i) Vavuniya – Kebithigollawa 23 kilometers (km), 33 kilovolt (kV) line and gantry at Kebithigollawa;

(ii) New Anuradhapura – Kahatagasdigiliya 31 km, 33 kV line and gantry at Kahatagasdigiliya;

(iii) Kiribathkumbura – Galaha 15 km, 33 kV line and gantry at Galaha; and

(iv) Galmadu Junction – Pothuvil via Akkaraipattu 60 km, 33 kV line and gantries at Akkaraipattu and

Pothuvil.

3. 250 sq. m. plot of land required for gantry based switching stations for Kebithigollawa,

Kahatagasdigiliya, Galaha, Akkaraipattu and Pothuvil will be government lands. The Vavuniya-

Kebithigollawa line (23 km) passes two forest reserves (Kapundkalipulam and Padaviya), home

gardens, paddy fields, and crosses the Sinnapuluk Kulam and Dutuwewa dry zone tanks. The

Kiribathkumbura-Galaha line (15 km) is based in hilly region and passes through home gardens, tea

gardens, paddy, pinus and rubber plantations. The New Anuradhapura-Kahatagasdigiliya line (31 km)

passes through paddy fields, home gardens, chena lands, scrub jungle and secondary forests; the

Galmadu Junction-Akkaraipattu line (18 km) passes through densely populated area, home gardens,

paddy fields, and degraded lands. The Akkaraipattu-Pothuvil line (42 km) passes through paddy fields,

home gardens, edge of tanks (Komari and Paladi), scrublands and degraded lands. All the forest reserve

areas traversed by the lines are degraded forests, which were cleared during the conflict period.

4. The proposed project will have number of positive impacts and negative impacts to the existing

environment as follows:

(i) Significant improvement of the quality and reliability of the electricity supply to the project affected

area according to current demand is the main positive impact.

(ii) Removal of trees for distribution lines is the main negative impact to the proposed project area.

(iii) Environment pollution due to cut and fill operations, transportation of construction materials,

disposal of debris, disturbance to the farming activities, nuisance from dust, noise, vehicle fumes, black

4

smoke, vibration etc. due to construction activities are the short term negative impacts due to proposed

project.

(iv) There will be loss of agricultural productivity due to obstruction and reduction of the land of paddy

fields as well as cutting of home gardens, coconut and rubber plantations; which will be compensated

based on established rates by Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).

5. Potential adverse environment impacts associated with distribution lines have been avoided or

minimized through careful route selection.

The alignment is sited away from major settlements, whenever possible, to account for future urban

expansion. Forests areas and thick vegetation areas are avoided wherever possible; however, route

alignment passes through scrublands, cultivated paddy fields, rubber cultivations, rubber plantations,

tea cultivations, etc. The lines will also pass through degraded forest areas but avoid any national park

or sanctuary. The alignments in this project have also avoided wetlands and geologically unstable areas,

which can also pose foundation related problems. Land will only be purchased and acquired for one

gantry based switching station and no land will be required for placing distribution towers on private

land. Physical damage to the crops during the construction phase of the project will be compensated at

the time of damage as per Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) norms. Associated impacts on agricultural

land will be restricted to the construction phase and will be temporary in nature. Agricultural land will

not be lost permanently at the base of the distribution tower. After construction, agricultural land within

the distribution corridors can be used again for farming purpose.

The Divisional Secretaries & all the relevant government bodies have already granted their approval for

the project with the consultation of all the Departments concerned. All Divisional Secretaries were also

informed about the environmental and social issues and mitigation measures to be adopted and various

complaints and issues raised by the public are inquired to address them and find solutions for the

satisfaction of every stake holder. Project implementation has been commenced already. Surveying,

soil investigation & tower spotting are completed & foundation work has started in all five tower lines.

5

1.0 Introduction

1. The power sector has undergone significant policy level and structural changes in the recent past:

• Sri Lanka Electricity Act passed in Parliament in 2009; • Assumption of the role of electricity regulator in April, 2009 by the Public Utilities

Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL);

• Creation of Functional Business Units (FBUs) within Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) with one unit

each for generation and transmission and four geographical units for distribution function; and

• PUCSL issued licenses to all FBUs. FBUs have been filing tariff petitions since 2010.

2. In January 2011, ADB approved the Sustainable Power Sector Support Project with focus on

distribution system strengthening, rural electrification and distribution improvement, energy efficiency

and renewable energy development.

3. ADB is proposing to extend $130 million loan to Sri Lanka’s power sector for the Clean Energy and

Network Efficiency Improvement Project. The specific focus of this assistance is to identify

transmission and distribution subprojects, which could be funded. The subprojects identified for the

ADB financing are focused on evacuation of renewable energy (wind, hydro and solar) and overall

improvement of network efficiency.

1.1 Brief Project Description

Asian Development Bank provides financing of US $ 14.92 million for the Clean Energy & Network

Efficiency Improvement Project - Package 4 under the loan No. 2892 - SRI (SF).

The Project consists of two lots:

Lot A:

(i) Vavuniya – Kebithigollawa 23 kilometers (km), 33 kilovolt (kV) line and gantry at Kebithigollawa;

(ii) New Anuradhapura – Kahatagasdigiliya 31 km, 33 kV line and gantry at Kahatagasdigiliya;

Lot B:

(i) Kiribathkumbura – Galaha 15 km, 33 kV line and gantry at Galaha; and

(ii) Galmadu Junction – Pothuvil via Akkaraipattu 60 km, 33 kV line and gantries at Akkaraipattu and

Pothuvil.

6

1.2 Project Progress Status and Implementation Schedule

A. Progress Status

The updated status of environment activities for the two sub projects up to December 2015 is given

below.

Sub

Project

Description

Status

Lot A

Vavuniya – Kebithigollawa 23 km, 33 kV line and

gantry at Kebithigollawa

New Anuradhapura – Kahatagasdigiliya 31 km, 33

kV line and gantry at Kahatagasdigiliya

1. Way leaves clearance of private

lands completed

2. Preliminary & profile survey

completed

3. Soil investigation completed

4. Tower spotting completed

5. Foundation of towers ongoing

Lot B

Kiribathkumbura – Galaha 15 km, 33 kV line and

gantry at Galaha

Galmadu Junction – Pothuvil via Akkaraipattu 60 km,

33 kV line and gantries at Akkaraipattu and Pothuvil.

1. Way leaves clearance of private

lands completed

2. Preliminary & profile survey

completed

3. Soil investigation completed

4. Tower spotting completed

5. Foundation of towers ongoing

7

B. Implementation Schedule

Sub Project Activities 2015 2016 2017

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1

Selection of line corridor √ √

Clearance of line corridor √ √ √

Preliminary Survey ── √ √

Profile Survey ── ── √ √

Tower Spotting ── ── √ √

Soil Investigation ── ── ── √

Excavation for construction of tower

foundations ── ── ── √ P P P

Construction of tower foundations ── ── ── √ P P P P

Tower erection ── ── ── ── ── ── P P

Conductor Stringing ── ── ── ── ── ── ── P P

Preliminary civil works of gantry ── ── ── ── ── P P

Foundation works of gantry ── ── ── ── ── P P P

Earthing of gantry ── ── ── ── ── ── ── P

Erection of structures ── ── ── ── ── ── ── P

Installation of equipments in gantry ── ── ── ── ── ── ── P P

Testing & Commissioning ── ── ── ── ── ── ── ── P

Q: Quarters √: Activity Done P: Activity Planned ──:No Activity

8

2.0 Compliance to National Regulations

The relevant applicable Acts and Legislations to the project are given below and until now all the

applicable Acts and Legislations are being complied.

01. Agrarian Services Act (No. 58 of 1979)

02. Agrarian Development Act No. 46 of 2000

03. Ceylon Electricity Board Act, 1969

04. Electricity Act 2009

05. Fauna and Flora Protection (Amendment) Act 1993 (Nº 49 of 1993)

06. Felling of Trees (Amendment Act No. 01 of 2000 and Act to amend felling of trees control)

07. Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act 1996

08. Flood Act No. 22 of 1955

09. Forest Ordinance Act No. 13 of 1966

10. Forest (Amendment) Act No. 65 of 2009

11. Irrigation Clauses Act 1973

12. Land Acquisition (Amendment) Act, No. 13 of 1986

13. Monuments and Archaeological Sites and remains Act, 1958. Act No. 24 of 1958

14. Antiques Ordinance, 1960

15. Motor Traffic Act No. 60 of1979

16. National Environmental Act No. 47 of 1980, amendment No. 56 of 1988, and other amendments

17. National Environmental (Protection & Quality) Regulations, No 01 1990.

18. National Environmental (Ambient Air Quality) Regulations, 1994.

19. National Environmental (Noise Control) Regulations No. 1 1996

20. National Involuntary Resettlement Policy

21. Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka Act, No. 35 of 2002

22. Soil Conservation (Amendment) Act No. 24 of 1996

23. Sri Lanka sustainable energy Authority Act, No. 35 of 2007

9


Product

Schedule Para

No.

Description

Compliance

Loan

2893 -

SRI (SF)

5

2

The Borrower, MOPE, CEB and SEA shall make

available all counterpart funds required for the

timely and effective implementation of the Project

including (a) any funds required to make land or

roof top spaces available for the Project; (b) to

mitigate unforeseen environmental, resettlement or

social impacts; and (c) to meet any additional costs

arising from design changes, price escalations or

other unforeseen circumstances.

Complied

4

The Borrower shall ensure, or cause CEB and SEA

to ensure, that the preparation, design, construction,

implementation, operation and decommissioning of

the Project, each Subproject and all Project

facilities comply with (a) all applicable laws and

regulations of the Borrower relating to

environment, health, and safety; (b) the

Environmental Safeguards; and {c) all measures

and requirements set forth in the respective lEE and

EMP, and any corrective or preventative actions set

forth in a Safeguards Monitoring Report.

Complied

8

The Borrower shall ensure, or cause CEB and SEA

to ensure, that all bidding documents and contracts

for Works contain provisions that require

contractors to:

(a) comply with the measures relevant to the

contractor set forth in the lEE, the EMP and the RP

(to the extent they concern impacts on affected

people during construction), and any corrective or

preventative actions set forth in a Safeguards

Monitoring Report;

(b) make available a budget for all such

environmental and social measures;

Complied

10

(c) provide CEB and SEA with a written notice of

any unanticipated environmental, resettlement or

indigenous peoples risks or impacts that arise

during construction, implementation or operation of

the Project that were not considered in the lEE, the

EMP or the RP;

(d) adequately record the condition of records,

agricultural land and other infrastructure prior to

starting to transport materials and construction; and

(e) reinstate pathways, other local infrastructure,

and agricultural land to at least their pre-project

condition upon the completion of construction.

11

4.0 Compliance to Environmental Monitoring Plan


monitored

Method and

Frequency

Institutional

responsibilit

y

Complia

nce

Pre-construction

Selection of

Transmission

line corridor

Traversing through protected areas. Traversing above houses/buildings. Excessive requirements for clearance of way-leaves. Land use restrictions in areas of high population density

Avoid traversing above Protected and densely populated areas as much as possible Avoid/minimize traversing above houses/buildings wherever practicable Examine alternative routes, and select the route causing the minimum impacts on long-term land-use, and minimum possible removal of trees

Protected areas in the vicinity Number of buildings along the line route, urban and suburban centers of population crossed by the line, proportion of line route through such areas

Visual inspection, Records by GSs. During preliminary route selection, reviewed during field visits and in final line design survey, further reviewed after the notices are issued and DS’s rulings

CEB Complied

Construction

Clearance of line

corridor

Loss of crops and

therefore adverse

impact on

economy and

food security

Payment of appropriate

compensation

% people who

received appropriate

compensation

Visual inspection,

Records by GSs.

Monthly Along the line,

especially home gardens

CEB Complied

12


monitored

Method and

Frequency

Institutional

responsibilit

y

Complia

nce

Equipment

layout and

installation

Noise and

vibrations caused

during

construction

activities

Construction

techniques and

machinery selection

seeking to minimize

ground disturbance.

Noise levels.

Condition of using

machinery.

Measuring noise levels.

Contractor's reports on

using machinery. Visual

inspection.

Weekly

CEB &

Contractor

Being

complied

Mechanized

construction

Noise, vibration

and operator

safety

Construction equipment to be well maintained, and operated to minimize the noise & vibrations.

Construction

equipment status.

Hours of operation.

Noise and vibration

levels

Measuring noise and

vibration levels.

Contractor's reports.

Visual inspection.

Weekly

CEB &

Contractor

Being

complied

Operation of heavy Machinery in night hours to be limited to very urgent cases only.

Use low noise mechanical equipment or use baffles, proper scheduling of construction

Minimize the vibration from piling and compaction by using suitable equipment

13


monitored

Method and

Frequency

Institutional


Construction of

access

roads

Disruption to

Hydrological

pattern

Minimize the use of

access roads along

sensitive areas &

make the access

roads as short as

possible

The status of

closure of

Access roads

CEB and Contractor

reports.

Visual inspection.

Quarterly

CEB &

Contractor

Being

complied

When left as it, it

will lead to

encroachment and

increase human –

animal conflicts

Remove the access

roads after

construction and

reinstate to previous

condition

Excavation for

Construction of

tower

foundations

Air and water

pollution due to

dust and runoff

Re use of excavated

material as much as

possible

Air, water and soil

quality, Stability

and availability of

bunts

Measuring air and

water quality

CEB and Contractor

reports.

Visual inspection

CEB &

Contractor

Being

complied

Soil erosion and

Contamination of

water ways

Use soil conservation

Practices

Cover the areas

exposed during

construction with

ground vegetation

Water collected in

excavated areas

Avoid rainy seasons

if possible

14

Project Activity Potential impact Mitigation

measure

Parameter to be

monitored

Method and

Frequency

Institutional


Handling and

Transportation of

materials to and

from the site

Dust pollution in

Surrounding

areas

Damp the work

sites with water

The number of

times the

construction site

is wetted,

The number of

uncovered

vehicles bring

material and

their speed of

travel,

Laboratory tests

Visual

inspection,

CEB and

Contractor

Reports,

Air and water

quality

Monthly

CEB & Contractor Being

complied

Apply speed

limits to the

vehicles

Cover the

material during

transport

15

5.0 Implementation of Grievance Redress Mechanism and Complaints Received from

Stakeholders

During initial stage of the project the, discussions with groups and individuals were conducted to

make them aware of the proposed project. Thus, the project-affected community residing beside

the proposed distribution line has gained a reasonable knowledge about the potential grievances.

The selected line route has been carefully selected with the participation of all concerned

parties [including the Government Agent (GA), Divisional Secretaries & relevant state

organizations] and all the factors such as reserved areas clearance from the Department of Forest,

communal issues etc. Telephone numbers are available for public to contact the project officials

for raising any complaints, requesting information etc. Moreover public can make their

complaints, views, comments etc via the official web site of CEB, www.ceb.lk. People can raise

their complaints and grievances through relevant Government Officials in their areas; Grama

Niladhari and Divisional Secretary. They can also contact PUCSL. Objections hearing meetings

with objected people were held within all the divisional secretary areas affected by the project,

followed by the way leaves estimations and compensation payments with the participation of

relevant divisional secretaries were done.

http://www.ceb.lk/

16

6.0 Conclusion and Recommendations

Impacts are manageable and can be managed cost effectively - environmental impacts are likely to

result from the proposed distribution system development. Careful mitigation and monitoring,

specific selection criteria and review and assessment procedures for candidate subprojects have

been specified to ensure that minimal impacts take place. The impacts can be reduced through

mitigation measures such as correction in work practices at the construction sites, or through the

careful selection of sites and access routes.

The proposed project will have a number of positive and negative impacts on the existing

environment. Significant improvement in the quality and reliability of the electricity supply to the

project affected areas according to the current demand is the main positive impact. In addition,

electricity supply will help agricultural activities, students and public, increase land value, create a

lot of income generating activities, enhancement of safety at night, and increase mobility during

night.

Environment pollution due to cut and fill operations, transportation of construction materials,

disposal of debris, nuisance from dust, noise, vehicle fumes, black smoke, vibration etc. due to

construction activities are the short term negative impacts due to the proposed project.

Proper GRM will have to be implemented to overcome public inconvenience during the proposed

project activities.

Benefits far outweigh negative impacts - the proposed project will improve operational efficiency

and quality of power, reliability of the system and at the same time will reduce losses. Supply of

power to the region will boost economic development of the area by strengthening the power

distribution infrastructure. Overall, the major social and environmental impacts associated with

distribution subprojects are limited to the construction period and can be mitigated to an acceptable

level by implementation of recommended measures and by best engineering and environmental

practices. The impact matrix depicts that the project will not have significant negative

environmental impacts and the project would help in improving the socio-economic conditions of

this developing state.

Distribution subprojects require land only for gantry based switching stations but do not require

land for laying the distribution lines. The alignment is sited away from major settlements,

whenever possible, to account for future urban expansion. Forests areas and thick vegetation areas

are avoided, wherever possible; however, route alignment passes through scrublands, cultivated

paddy fields, rubber cultivations, rubber plantations, tea cultivations, etc. The lines will also pass

through degraded forest areas but avoid any national park or sanctuary. The alignments in this

project have also avoided wetlands and geologically unstable areas, which can also pose

foundation related problems. No land will be required for placing distribution towers on private

land thereby avoiding any relocation of project affected people.

17

The proposed construction activities will cause significant environment impact and most of the

potential environment impacts are temporary in nature mainly restricted to pre-construction and

construction periods. The Environment Management Plan (EMP) and the Environment Monitoring

Plan (EMoP) have been prepared for the project and responsibilities for implementation assigned.

The anticipated environmental impacts can be easily mitigated through implementation of EMP.

Overall, the social and environmental impacts associated with distribution project are limited to the

construction period and can be mitigated to an acceptable level by implementation of

recommended measures and by best engineering and environmental practices.

Documents

Environmental Monitoring Report...Environmental Monitoring Report July – December 2015 Sri: Clean Energy and Network Efficiency Improvement Project Prepared by Ceylon Electricity