FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA. ETHIOPIAN ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION (EEPCo)

Transcription

1 Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA ETHIOPIAN ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION (EEPCo) Ethiopia- Electricity Network Reinforcement and Expansion Project (ENREP) ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK (ESMF) Prepared by: Corporate Planning Process,

2 Power System Planning Office, Environmental and Social Experts December 2011 Table of Contents Introduction... 1 The Need for Upgrading Power Transmission Line... 3 The Need for New Expansion Power Transmission... 3 The Need for Rural Electrification Access Background and General Objective of the ESMF Project Components... 6 New Expansion Power Transmission Projects... 7 Rural Electrification Project Scope of Project and the Assessment Environmental and Social Planning Existing Policy, Legal and Administrative Frameworks National Environmental Requirements National Legal Requirements Conservation Strategy of Ethiopia (CSE) National Legislation on Expropriation of Land and Compensation Research and Conservation of Ethiopian Cultural Heritage Ethiopia s Environmental Policy Ethiopian Water Resources Management Policy Wildlife Policy Forest Policy and Strategies National Population Policy National Policy on Women National Energy Development Policy, May National EIA Procedural Guidelines EEPCo s Environmental Guidelines for the Power Sector Institutional Framework Sectoral Environmental Policies Ministry of Water and Energy (MoME) Federal Environmental Protection Authority (FEPA) Agricultural Institutions Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) Environmental Framework Legislation Proclamation on Institutional Arrangement for Environmental Protection Proclamation on Environmental Impact Assessment Proclamation on Environmental Pollution Control Legal Framework for Expropriation and Compensation Land Tenure... 22

3 Forest Resources Conservation Proclamation (1994) Expropriation Compensation Ministry of Water and Energy (MoWE) EEPCo s Strategy for Expropriation and Compensation EEPCo s Power System Planning /PSP/ Organizational Structure of EEPCo s ENREP and Power System Planning /PSP/ Multi - Lateral Agreements International Banks Requirements The World Bank s Requirements The Bank s Safeguard Policies OP 4.01 Environmental Assessment OP/BP 4.11 Physical Cultural Resources OP/BP 4.12 Involuntary Resettlement Bank s Policy on Access to Information Description of the Proposed Project Project Description Upgrading Power Transmission Line project New Expansion Power Transmission Projects Description of Baseline Environmental Conditions The Afar Regional State Bio Physical Environment Social Services and Infrastructure Education Health Situation Tigray Regional State Bio-Physical Environment Social Service and Infrastructure Cultural and Historical Heritage Amhara Regional State Population, Ethnic and Religious Group Socio-Cultural and Historical Heritage Social Service and Infrastructure The Oromiya Regional State Bio- Physical Environment Archeological and Cultural Heritages Population, Ethnic and Religious Group Benishangul Gumuz Regional State Bio-Physical Environmental Conditions Population, Ethnic and Religious Group Social Infrastructure Gambela Regional State Bio-physical Environment Somali Regional State Bio-physical Environment The Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regional State... 69

4 Bio-physical Environment Socio-Cultural Environment Social Services and Infrastructure The Harari Regional State Bio-physical Environment Analysis of Alternatives Rehabilitating the Distribution System No Development Alternative Energy Sources Potential Environmental and Social Impacts Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures Positive Impacts (Upgrading Power Transmission Line Projects) Positive Impacts (New Expansion Power Transmission Project) Positive Impacts (Rural Electric Access Project) Negative Impacts (Upgrading Power Transmission Line Projects) Negative Impacts (New Expansion Power Transmission Project) Negative Impacts (Rural Electrification) Impacts of PCB Chemicals Socio-economic and Cultural Health and Safety Impacts on Cultural Heritage Birds and Power Line Interactions Mitigation Measures Upgrading Power Transmission Line Project New Expansion Power Transmission Project Socio-Economic Biological Environment Physical Environment Rural Electrification Bio-physical Environment Socio-economic and Cultural Compensation for Crop Damage during Construction Compensation for Loss of Crop-Long Term Occupational Health and Safety Environmental and Social Management Plan for Electricity Network Reinforcement and Expansion project Implementation General Mitigation Issues and EEPCo s Commitment Institutional Arrangements ESMF Implementation and Management Environmental and Social Monitoring and Management Mitigation Principles and Clauses Work Place HIV/AIDS Program

5 12.3 Air Quality Management Soil Quality Management Water Resource Management Noise Abatement Health and Safety Application of Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Guidelines Roles and Responsibilities of Major Actors Major Actors The Electricity Network Reinforcement and Expansion project The Power System planning /PSP/ The Contractors The Supervision Engineer (SE) Regional Government Woreda Administration Woreda Sector offices Kebele Administration Project Affected People (PAPs) representatives The Community Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage (ARCCH) Ministry of Water and Energy (MoWE) Local NGOs Implementation of Compensation Environmental Monitoring Reporting Procedure Estimated Environmental Mitigation Costs Submission / Clearance of ESMF References List of Acronyms % ENREP Percent Electricity Network Reinforcement and Expansion Project

6 BoFED BP MoFED MoME CBE CFL CSA db EEPCo EHS EIA EPA EMP ESMF EA E.C. EWNHS. EARO EHS-MP EHS EAP FDRE GM /CEO GO HH HIV/AIDS ha ICS IPDP IBCR km 2 km MNREP m mts m.a.s.l m.b.s.l. MHP mm MW Bureau of Finance and Economic Development Bank Policy Ministry of Finance and Economic Development Ministry of Mines and Energy Commercial Bank of Ethiopia Compact Florescent Lamp Central Statistical Authority decibel Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation Environmental Health and Safety Environmental Impact assessment Environmental Protection Authority Environmental Management Plan Environmental and Social Management Framework Environmental Assessment Ethiopian Calendar Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History Society Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization Environmental Health and Safety Management Plan Environmental Health and Safety Energy Access Project The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia General Manager /Chief Executive Officer Government Organization House Hold Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Hectare Inter-connected System Indigenous Peoples Development Plan Institute for Biodiversity Conservation Research Square kilometers Kilometer Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Meter Meters Meters above sea level Meters below sea level Mini Hydro power Millimeter Megawatt

7 No. NGOs OP OD o C Proc. PAPs PCB POPs PSP RAP RR SCS STIs SE T.B. TVET USEPA vol. WB Number Non-governmental Organization Operational Policy Operational Directive Degrees Celsius Proclamation Project affected Peoples Polychlorinated Biphenyl Persistent Organic Pollutants Power System Planning Resettlement Action Plan Rural Road Self-contained Systems Sexually Transmitted Infections Supervising Engineer Tuberculosis Technical Vocational Education Training United States Environmental Protection Agency Volume World Bank

8 Introduction The purpose of the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) is to clarify the policies, principles and procedures that will govern the mitigation of adverse environmental and social impacts caused by the Electricity Network Reinforcement and Expansion project. It is found useful to have a policy document establishing principles and procedures that will govern the mitigation of adverse environmental and social impacts caused by the Electricity Network Reinforcement and Expansion project operations, to share with various stakeholders in the power sector. The project components under the Electricity Network Reinforcement and Expansion project are: 1. Upgrading Power Transmission Line project, 2. New Expansion Power Transmission Projects, and 3. Rural Electrification Project. The Upgrading Power Transmission Line project are not expected to have significant environmental and social impacts because the upgrading activities will all take place within the existing high voltage transmission lines and substations. The purpose of the second component, New Expansion of Power Transmission Project, is to provide electric services to different towns and cities by construction of transmission lines and substations in different parts of the country. Electric power transmission lines are linear facilities in nature that may have some effect on biophysical and socio economic environment including cultural resources. As a linear facility, the impacts of transmission line are mostly localized to the Right-of-Way (ROW). The impact can be minimized through careful route selection. The main purpose of the third component, Rural Electrification Access Project, is to provide electric power to rural towns and villages by low and medium voltage distribution lines. Since distribution line follows the existing road structure no major adverse impact is expected. EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

9 The rural electrification access project aims to connect kebeles and villages. The project will be implemented in nine Ethiopians regions, namely Tigray, Afar, Amhara, Oromiya, Somali, Benshangul, S.N.N.P, Gambella, and Harari Regions. The project potentially involves impacts on houses, trees, agricultural land, etc. Therefore, in order to deal with the adverse impacts, the preparation of environmental and social management framework has been undertaken. This framework document describes the principles, objectives and approach to be followed in minimizing and mitigating the adverse environmental and social potential impacts to be caused as a result of the implementation of the Rural Electrification Access Project. During route surveying, every effort will be made not to affect houses, social services, businesses and farm lands. The rationale for preparing this ESMF is that: a) Most of the Project components are not expected to have significant environmental and social impacts. However, since one cannot be sure whether environmental & social impacts will or will not occur in all the project components, it is proposed that precautionary mitigation instrument is in place to ensure that planned activities do not cause negative environmental and social impacts. b) EEPCo found it useful to have a policy document establishing principles and procedures that will govern the mitigation of adverse environmental and social impacts caused by the Project operation to share with various stakeholders in the power sector, and c) Ensure that investments are carried out in an environmentally and socially sustainable manner. This ESMF will be used for the project components under the Electricity Network Reinforcement and Expansion project. According to the World Bank the category of the project is B, this means that there are limited environmental and social issues in this project components. The project provides sustainable power for Northern, Eastern, Western, Southern and Central part of the country. The project also allows the transmission of reliable power from the interconnected system to demand centers across the country. EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

10 The Need for Upgrading Power Transmission Line The existing power system faces frequent power interruption because of technical problems and power supply became unreliable. The main problem is associated with increased power demand and subsequent overloading of existing transmission facilities. In addition to this, ageing of equipment of the existing transmission and substations contributes to the untrustworthiness of the power transmission system. In general, transmission and distribution networks are overloaded and in poor state of repair. The problems are characterized by high energy loss that is estimated at 20% of the generation capacity and by frequent interruption of electric power. The following are the main causes of the problem: Over loading of the existing line, Aging of existing line, and Peak demand increase The major works under the upgrading power transmission project is erection of transformers, switchgear equipments and conductor stringing on existing transmission lines and substations. Under this project component EEPCo intends to renovate substations to increase reliability and supply capacity. The main objective of upgrading and rehabilitating the substations is to enhance reliability of the power transmission and distribution system and enhance the capacity of the substations to new connections. By upgrading the power transmission system it is possible to reduce frequent interruption, high voltage drop and power loses and supply reliable electric service to households, social services and industries. The Need for New Expansion Power Transmission The need and demand of electric power in the country has grown substantially. In order to satisfy the growing need or demand of the society, reliable and quality supply of electricity is required. Therefore, expansion of high voltage transmission lines has become necessary to provide adequate transmission facilities / arrangements. The objectives of the proposed high voltage transmission line are: EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

11 Transmit the power generated from power plants and substations to main demand centers. Reduce high transmission loss, and To improve system stability and reliability The availability of power in an area would play significant role in economic and social development. By ensuring a regular and more sustainable supply of electricity, it will create investment opportunities in different economic sectors such as food, chemical and metallic and non- metallic industries. Moreover, it also creates opportunities for nonfarm and off farm employments. Most of the social services particularly health, education and water development services are found quiet limited due to inadequate and little supply of electricity. The project therefore is indispensable in improving the existing infrastructures to the level of providing adequate services to the communities. The livelihood of the communities would also be improved; women s burden particularly would be minimized greatly. They may not need to go long distances for fetching water, seeking flour mills and so on. The presence of electricity on the other hand would promote the conservation of forest resources in the area and ease the pressure on indigenous trees by reducing the demand of fuel wood. The Need for Rural Electrification Access The Rural Electrification Access Project under the Universal Electrification Access Program (UEAP) is designed to support the efforts of the Government of Ethiopia to enable communities to have access to electric supply through low cost operation. The main work in this project component will include construction of medium and low voltage overhead line extensions from existing substations. The population s limited access to electricity constitutes a major barrier to economic development and to the provision of social services in rural areas. To overcome this situation this project component intends to supply power to rural towns and villages. EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

12 The Ethiopian situation reveals that currently 41% of the population has access to electricity. To improve this situation the government of Ethiopia is implementing Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP). In this plan, it is intended to increase the access to electricity to 75 % by the year 2014/2015. Implementing Agency EEPCo is the implementing agency under the Ministry of Water and Energy. 1.2 Background and General Endowed with abundant water resources, Ethiopia is said to have a potential to generate a maximum of 45,000 MW of hydro electric power. In addition to this, it also has potential of 5,000 MW from geothermal and 10,000 MW from wind and solar energy Nevertheless, the percentage of the population with connection to electricity is yet extremely low. The low level of access to electricity is a major barrier to economic development and to the provision of social services in rural and urban areas. EEPCo uses two systems of power generation, i.e., interconnected system (ICS) and self contained system (SCS). The ICS consists of 11 hydro powers, 1 geothermal and 15 diesel power plants with total capacity of 1,842.6, 7.3, and MW, respectively. Recently three hydro power projects, Tekeze Gilgel Gibe II and Beles, with installed capacity of 1,180 MW, have been finalized, increasing the generation capacity by more than 80 percent. The SCS consists of three small hydro powers and many isolated diesel plants located throughout the country with a capacity of 6.15 MW and MW, respectively. 99% of the generated energy comes from ICS while the remaining 1% from SCS. There are a total of 138 substations in the system, of which 7 are 400 kv, 19 are a 230 kv, 60 are at 132 kv, and 33 are at 66 kv and 19 stations at 45 kv level. The major load centers are in and around Addis Ababa, Nazareth, Dire Dawa, Harar and Bahir Dar. Concerning the power distribution in both the ICS and SCS, the primary voltage of 33 kv and 15 kv, and stepped down to utilization voltage of 380/220 V. Total length of the distribution line in both ICS and SCS is 126,038 km in 2009/10. The total length of the existing transmission lines is about 10, km. EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

13 Number of electrified towns and villages in 2009/10 has reached 5,163, i.e., of the total population has access to electricity. This has brought the electric energy access to 41 %. However, this figure is based on the population living in the electrified area and the number of the population who is actually using electricity is much less. 1.3 Objective of the ESMF The overall objective of producing the ESMF is to depict the general procedures and methodologies as a framework for the environmental and social impact consideration and management of the Project components to be financed under the Electricity Network Reinforcement and Expansion project. The specific objectives of this framework are to: 1. Identify generic potentially adverse environmental and social impacts and risks that may be encountered in the Project intervention 2. Indicate the possible measures to avoid or minimize the predicted adverse impacts in the project areas. Show the Client the types of interventions required (in general) so that the former can work towards capacity building to cope up with the upcoming work load 3. Develop an environmental monitoring plan under the project to ensure that the proposed environmental and social issues will be managed effectively. 1.4 Project Components The Electricity Network Reinforcement and Expansion project would have three major Components: 1. Upgrading Power Transmission Line project, 2. New Expansion Power Transmission Projects, and 3. Rural Electrification Access Project EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

14 The first project component, the Upgrading Power Transmission Line project focuses on upgrading transmission lines and power substations. The major work in this project component is erection of transformers and switchgear equipments in substations and conductor stringing on existing high voltage transmission towers. The upgrading of power transmission system also aims at rehabilitating and upgrading existing substations to enhance reliability of the system and increase the capacity of the substations to new connections. New Expansion Power Transmission Projects Under this project component transmission lines with different capacities (400 kv, 230 kv, 132 kv and 66 kv) intended to be constructed. The project will be implemented in different parts of the country. The major works in this project component are: Transmission Line stringing, Erection of transmission steel towers, and Erection of substations Under this project component there are substations construction works. Substations with different capacity are intended to be constructed in different parts of the country. The main works in this project component will be civil works and installation of substation equipments. The project component also involves Expansion of power transmission Lines that aims at connecting power substations from nearby existing high voltage transmission line and ultimately to be supplied to towns. The project intends to fulfill the increasing power demand of towns household for the purposes of economic and social activities. EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

15 Rural Electrification Project The project mainly involves construction of medium and low voltage distribution lines to provide power to rural towns, villages, social service centers and irrigation facilities. This type of distribution lines normally follows the road network except for bends and curves where it is more economical to make shortcut if that is technically feasible. The project sites needs to be identified at the design stage. The key components of rural electrification include the following: Erection of concrete poles, Stringing of overhead medium and low voltage distribution lines, and Installation of pole mounted distribution transformers at the towns/villages/load centers 1.5 Scope of Project and the Assessment The main objective of the Electricity Network Reinforcement and Expansion project. is to increase the reliability of electric supply and to allow power supply to rural towns and villages. The environmental and social management framework specifies potential impacts and mitigation measures for the three project components The Upgrading Power Transmission Line will take place in different regions of the country. The major work activities in this project component will be carried out on existing power transmission towers and substations. Substations will be rehabilitated and upgraded for reliable power supply and to increase the capacity for new connections. Under this project component, power substations in the country will be rehabilitated and upgraded. No measure adverse impacts are expected in this project component. Potential impacts particularly related on health and safety issues can be dealt with appropriately in the project component. EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

16 1.5.2 A new Expansion power transmission project activity involves conductor stringing, construction of substations, erection of steel towers. The impact of the project component is site specific in nature and do not significantly affect human population or alter environmentally important areas including major natural habitats. Mitigation measures can be designed for this particular project component. Normally environmental and social impact assessment will be carried out after the specific project areas are identified The Rural Electric Access project component involves construction of over head medium and low voltage distribution lines in rural areas in different parts of the country. The distribution lines follow existing road structures so that no major social and environmental impact anticipated. The environmental and social assessment will take into consideration all project intervention zones pertaining to different project sites. The consideration of the assessment would be based on a sampling in relation to geographic location and agro-climatic zone of the individual projects and substations. EEPCo line crews are based in the cities and towns and casual labor is recruited from the cities following discussions with local communities. This ESMF study provides a framework of environmental and social considerations while implementing the intended projects. 1.6 Environmental and Social Planning Environmental and social planning is the process of identifying and considering environmental factors that impact on, or are impacted by, the planned activities, in this case, the Project is proposed to provide Upgrading power transmission system, Expansion of Power Transmission and Rural Electrification Access Project. A comprehensive and an overall environmental and social planning may generally follow the procedure given in Figure 1.1. EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

17 Establishing a planning team Developing an environmental vision for the future Defining the environmental and social need of the community to be served Identifying feasible solutions (for the expected environmental and social problems) Setting priorities for action (with schedule) Implementation of the plan Figure 1.1 A Comprehensive Environmental and Social Planning Electricity Network Reinforcement and Expansion project in collaboration with the Environmental and Social Experts of Power System Planning (PSP) of EEPCo will be responsible to handle the environmental and social issues and fully involve in mitigating the adverse impacts that may occur in the different phases of the proposed projects. Environmental and Social Experts of Power System Planning s role in general, is to regularly monitor the project areas and help mitigate the environmental and social impacts properly and on time. The environmental and social needs of the community to benefit from the Project should also be considered. In other words, the environment from which the communities derive their means of livelihood should not be destructed or damaged as a result of implementing the Project. Areas of social and economic interest of the community should also be protected. Therefore, to achieve the needs of the community, EEPCo, the Designers and Contractors should closely work with the impacted community at different stages of the Project. EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

18 If unavoidable environmental impacts result from the Project, the team will apply the ESMF guidelines to minimize the effects. The solutions or mitigation measures may vary from simple to complex interventions depending on the problems that may arise during implementation and operation phases. After identifying the possible solutions to the environmental and social problems, the next step may be to prioritize these solutions on activity breakdown and temporal basis (in the form of schedule). The final step is to undertake the proposed and prioritized activities. At all stages, the planning made by the team should be reviewed by Electricity Network Reinforcement and Expansion project and the Power System Planning before proceeding to the next stage. Then, the Access Expansion and Reinforcement of Electricity Network project submit the finalized version of the planning of the Project to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the EEPCo and the Project would be implemented after the approval by the CEO. In general, all the planning processes should be based on public consultation and participation for the sustainability of the project. EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

19 2. Existing Policy, Legal and Administrative Frameworks 2.1. National Environmental Requirements It has become a customary practice that the effects of development projects on the environment should be assessed in order to ensure that projects, as much as possible, must be friendly to the environment. This initiative in turn will contribute to sustainable development in general and poverty reduction in particular. To this effect, therefore, governments, donor agencies and other non - government entities have developed laws, policies, regulations and guidelines to enable proponents, competent agencies and other stakeholders to play their parts successfully. The following sections present the existing legal and institutional framework from the Ethiopian government and the World Bank perspectives National Legal Requirements Although there were sporadic efforts towards environmental protection the establishment of the Federal Environmental Protection Authority (FEPA) can testify the fact that a legal foundation has begun to be laid especially since The Constitution The current Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) was issued in 1995 through a Proclamation No. 1/1995. The Constitution has an exclusive article on the environment and therefore states in its Article 44 Sub Article 1 that: All persons have the right to live in a clean and healthy environment. Furthermore, concerning compensation to project affected people (PAPs), Sub Article 2 provides that: EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

20 All persons who have been adversely affected or whose rights have been adversely affected as a result of state programs have the right to commensurate monetary or alternative means of compensation, including relocation with adequate state assistance. On the other hand, regarding public consultation and participation, in Article 92 Sub Article 3, it is stated that: People have the right to full consultation and to the expression of views in the planning and implementation of environmental policies or projects that affect them directly. In general, the Constitution is the primary regulation on which the other proclamations and regulations have been based Conservation Strategy of Ethiopia (CSE) Since the early 1990s, the Federal Government has undertaken a number of initiatives to develop regional, national and sectoral strategies for environmental conservation and protection. Paramount amongst these was CSE, approved by the Council of Ministers, which provided a strategic framework for integrating environmental planning into new and existing policies, programs and projects. The CSE provides a comprehensive and rational approach to environmental management in a very broad sense, covering national and regional strategies, sectoral and cross sectoral strategy, action plans and programs, as well as providing the basis for development of appropriate institutional and legal frame works for implementation. Based on CSE, the Afar Regional State have already developed Conservation Strategy document for its respective Zones and Woredas. The document gives details about environmental issues prevalent in the territory and outlining how the environmental issues to be addressed. Proclamation on Environmental Impact Assessment The primary objective of Proclamation No. 299/2002 is to make EIA a mandatory undertaking for specified categories of activities to be carried out by the public or private sector and to define the extension of EIA to policies, plans and programs level, in addition to individual projects. EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

21 National Legislation on Expropriation of Land and Compensation The Proclamation on Expropriation of Landholdings for Public Purposes and Payment of Compensation (Proclamation No. 455/2005) was issued in accordance with Article 55 (1) of the Constitution. The Proclamation established detail procedures setting the time limits within which land could be acquired after a request is received from proponent and principles of compensation. The Proclamation also states that the power of valuation of property shall be carried out by a committee to be established Research and Conservation of Ethiopian Cultural Heritage The Constitution of the FDRE Article 51/3 declares the federal government shall establish and implement national standards and basic policy criteria for public health, education, science and technology, as well as for the protection and preservation of cultural and historical heritage. Based on this, the Council of Ministers of FDRE endorsed the Cultural Policy of Ethiopia in October 1997 and issued the Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage Proclamation No. 209/2000 Based on the proclamation, the Authority for Research and Conservation of Ethiopian Cultural Heritage (ARCCH) was established under Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Protection and conservation of cultural heritage from manmade and natural hazards is one of the goals of the Authority. Article 42 of the proclamation states under reserved area that the Authority has the power of issuing building permission for any work to be carried out in an area declared reserve by the Council of Ministers. There is an article which states that the removal of any cultural ruins is to be carried out under strict supervision of ARCCH Ethiopia s Environmental Policy The policy was issued (through the approval by the Council of Ministers) in 1997 mainly based on the environmental concerns stipulated in the Constitution. The Policy has based itself on several guiding principles in order to ensure the consistency and sustainability of the subsequent policies and strategies for the formulation and implementation of programs. EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

22 Ethiopian Water Resources Management Policy The Ministry of Water and Energy has formulated the Federal Water Resource Management Policy (WRMP) for a comprehensive and integrated water resource management. The overall goal of the policy is to enhance and promote all national efforts towards the efficient, equitable and optimum utilization of the available water resources of the country for significant socio economic development on sustainable basis. The specific objectives of the policy include: Promote the development of the water resources of the country for economic and social benefits of the people, on equitable and sustainable basis; Allocate and apportion the water, based on comprehensive and integrated plans and optimum allocation principles that incorporate efficiency of use, equity of access and sustainability of resources; Manage and combat drought as well as other drought associated impacts and disasters through efficient allocation, redistribution, transfer, storage and efficient use of water resources; and Conserve, protect and enhance water resources and the overall aquatic environment on sustainable basis. The policy requires water resources schemes and projects to have Environmental Impact Assessment and Evaluation Wildlife Policy The wildlife policy covers a wide range of policies and strategies relating, amongst others, to wildlife conservation and protected areas. It is developed by the forms Ministry of Agriculture /MoA/ whose prime objective is the preservation, development and sustainable utilization of Ethiopia s wildlife resources for social and economic development and for the integrity of the biosphere Forest Policy and Strategies There is no forest policy statement in place at the federal level. However, draft forest development and conservation policy is currently under discussion in the EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

23 MoA and also at regional levels. They are expected to express the determination and commitment of the government to conserve and develop and rehabilitate the forest resources of the country and region National Population Policy This policy was issued in April 1993 and aims at closing the gap between high population growth and low economic productivity, through a planned reduction in population growth, combined with an increase in economic returns. With specific references to natural resources, the population policy had the following specific objectives: Marking population and economic growth compatible and the over exploitation of natural resources unnecessary. Ensuring spatially balanced population distribution patterns, with a view to maintaining environmental security and extending the scope of development activities. Improving productivity of agriculture and introducing off-farm nonagricultural activities for the purpose of employment diversification. Maintaining and improving the carrying capacity of the environment by taking appropriate environmental protection and conservation measures National Policy on Women This policy was issued in March 1993 and stresses that all economic and social programs and activities should ensure equal access of men and women to the country s resources and in the decision making process so that they can benefit equally from all activities carried out by the central and regional institutions National Energy Development Policy, May 1994 The National Energy Policy of 1994 has the objective of facilitating the development of energy resources for economical supply of energy to consumers in an appropriate form and in the required quantity and quality. The strategies consist of the accelerated development of indigenous energy resources and the promotion of private investment in the production and supply of energy. EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

24 Objectives of Energy Policy Enabling access of the largest portion of the population to modern energy at an affordable price, Protecting and preserving existing fuel wood resources, realization of the national energy resources potential, Establishment of efficient strategies for the energy sector and its different sub-sectors The national energy policy of the country emphasizes the need to develop environmentally friendly hydropower to meet the countries energy needs and to encourage the private sector to invest in hydropower. The following are the main priorities of current energy policy in Ethiopia: The need for equitable development of the energy sector in parallel with other social and economic developments. Attainment of self sufficiency through the development of indigenous resources with minimum environmental impact and equitably distribution of electric in all regions In order to achieve the aforementioned objectives in an environmentally and socially sustainable manner, the following strategies have been defined by EEPCo: Fast development of the countries hydro power resources, Increasing the current low level electricity access within short period of time, Expanding EEPCo s market to neighboring countries and beyond, through active participation in regional and bilateral power trade initiatives, Intensifying electric usage within already electrified towns, and Improving EEPCo s service delivery capabilities through implementing reforms. EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

25 Hydro power development should reconcile with the three fundamental framing principles: the promotion of human right; The protection of the environment; and The right to economic development National EIA Procedural Guidelines The FEPA, 2003, EIA Guidelines are based on the Constitution, the Environmental Policy of Ethiopia, the Proclamations on EIA, Pollution Control and Establishment of FEPA and other Environmental Organs in the country. The document details the required procedures for conducting an EIA in the country and the requirements for environmental management. The FEPA EA Procedural Guideline mainly aims particularly at: Ensuring the implementation of the EPE and compliance of EA related legal and technical requirements, Providing a consistent and administration in Ethiopia, good practice approach to EA Assisting proponents and consultants in carrying out their environmental assessment related tasks, Assisting Interested and Affected Parties, especially communities in realizing their environmental rights and roles, Assisting Environmental Protection Organs, Competent and Licensing agencies in discharging their roles and responsibilities, and Establishing partnership and networking among and between key stakeholders in EA administration. EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

26 EEPCo s Environmental Guidelines for the Power Sector On the basis of the Constitution as well as the Environmental Policy, and based on the peculiar functional and operational characteristics of the EEPCo produced an Environmental Guidelines that is currently serving the Environmental and Social experts of EEPCo for its day-to-day environmental activities. 2.2 Institutional Framework Federal and Regional Environmental Organs In order to implement the legal requirements at different hierarchy, it was found mandatory that institutional arrangement should be made. To this effect, the establishment of the Federal Environmental Protection Authority (FEPA) was realized with Proclamation No. 9/1995. Later, the re - establishment of the Federal EPA, along with the Regional Bureaus, was made through Proclamation No. 295 / 2002 to ensure that all matters pertaining to the country s social and economic development activities are carried out in a manner that will protect the welfare of human beings as well as sustainably protect, develop and utilize the resource bases on which they depend for survival. The FEPA and the Regional environmental organs, inter alia, have the following major duties and responsibilities. a) To prepare environmental protection policy and laws; and upon approval follow up their implementation. b) To prepare directives and systems necessary for evaluating the impact of social and economic development projects on the environment ; monitor and supervise their implementation ; and EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

27 c) To prepare standards that help in the protection of soil, water and air as well as the biological systems they support, and follow up their implementation. Sectoral Environmental Organs Following the establishment of the FEPA and the Regional Environmental Protection Bureaus, establishment of environmental units within sectoral ministries was proposed as a positive and proactive measure to consider environmental protection while appraising and implementing projects. That is, mainstreaming environmental protection through undertaking the correspondent environmental management activities at different stages of the project cycle. The Sectoral environmental monitoring units have a direct functional relationship with the FEPA Sectoral Environmental Policies Among the sectoral policies, the wildlife policy is the one developed by the Ministry of Agriculture aiming to preserve, develop and sustainably utilize the countries wildlife resources. Water resource policy is to enhance and promote all national efforts towards the efficient and optimum utilization of the available water resources for socio-economic development on sustainable bases. The policy is to establish and institutionalize environmental conservation and protection requirements as internal parts of water resources planning and project development Ministry of Water and Energy (MoME) Ministry of Water and Energy is one of the sectoral ministries that have established Environmental Unit to manage environmental and social matters. Based on the delegation from FEPA, the Ministry reviews ESIA documents, provides approval and monitors the performance of the development project Federal Environmental Protection Authority (FEPA) The Federal Environmental Protection Authority (FEPA) was re-established in October 2002 under the proclamation No. 295/2002. EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

28 FEPA has broad mandates covering environmental matters at federal level. The proclamation sets out the main responsibilities and broad organizational structures of FEPA Agricultural Institutions The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) has delegated almost its authority to the regional bureau of Agriculture and Rural Developments. The Ministry has different technical departments working in different Regional States Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) The Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) is a national electricity utility established as a public enterprise by Council of Ministers regulation No. 18/1997. According to this regulation, EEPCo is mandated to engage in the business of power generation, transmission, distribution and selling of electric energy and to carry out any other activities that would enable it to achieve its stated mission. This project s proponent is EEPCo Environmental Framework Legislation Proclamation on Institutional Arrangement for Environmental Protection The proclamation for the establishment of Environmental Protection Organs, No. 295/2002, was issued to establish a system that fosters coordinated but differentiated responsibilities among Environmental Protection Agencies at Federal and Regional levels. The proclamation recognizes assigning responsibilities to separate organizations for environmental development and management activities on the one hand and environmental protection, regulations and monitoring on the other, is instrumental for the sustainable use of environmental resources, thereby avoiding possible conflicts of interests and duplication of efforts Proclamation on Environmental Impact Assessment The primary aim of the proclamation on Environmental Impact Assessment (No.299 /2002) is to make ESIA mandatory for specified categories of activities undertaken either by the public or private sectors and possibly, the extension of ESIA to policies, plans and programs. EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

29 Proclamation on Environmental Pollution Control The proclamation on Environmental Pollution Control No.300/2002 is mainly based on the right of each citizen to live in a healthy environment, as well as the obligation to protect the environment of the country. The primary objective of the proclamation is to provide the basis from which the relevant ambient environmental standards applicable to Ethiopia can be developed and to make the valuation of these standards a punishable act. The proclamation states that the polluter pays principle will be applied to all persons. Under this proclamation, EPA is given the authority to ensure implementation and enforcement of environmental standards and related requirement to inspectors assigned by EPA or Regional Environmental Agencies Legal Framework for Expropriation and Compensation Land Tenure Land in Ethiopia is state owned by proclamation No.31/1975, issued to deal with government ownership of rural land and proclamation No. 47/1975, issued to cover Government ownership of urban land. Under article 3 (1) of the first proclamation, all rural land shall be the collective property of the Ethiopian People. In December 1994 the new constitution retained land under the control of the people and government of Ethiopia. Article 40 states that ownership of both urban and rural land is vested in the state and the people and is common property, which is not subject to sale or other means of exchange. Peasants have the right to obtain land without payment and are protected against eviction from land in their possession Forest Resources Conservation Proclamation (1994) The proclamation has incorporated provisions that aim at ensuring the conservation of forests and determines how forest shall be developed and utilized. It also recognize that the sustainable utilization of the country s forest resources should be achieved through the participation of the people and benefit sharing by the concerned communities, as well as by formulating policies and programs in conformity with other economic sectors particularly agricultural development EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

30 Expropriation The Constitution also guarantees people whose livelihood is land based and pastoralists the right to have access to land as well as the protection against eviction from their possession (Article 40.4 and 40.5). In article 40.8, it also states that, private property may be expropriated for public use subject to payment in advance of compensation commensurate to the value of the property. In July 2005, the Government of Ethiopia has issued a new proclamation entitled, Proclamation to provide for the expropriation of land holdings for public purposes and payment of compensation proclamation No.455/2005. This new proclamation has several articles on determination of compensation, on displacement compensation, valuation procedures, property valuation committees and on complaints and appeals in relation to compensation. In part two, article 3, No.1 of the proclamation it states that; A Woreda or an urban administration shall, up on payment in advance of compensation in accordance with this proclamation, has the power to expropriate rural or urban land holdings for public purpose where it believes that it should be used for a better development project to be carried out by public entities, private investors, cooperative societies or other organs, or where such expropriation has been decided by the appropriate higher regional or federal government organ for the same purpose. Proclamation No. 455/2005 provides a better displacement compensation for rural land holdings compared to previous laws. In part 3 of article 8 it states that: A rural land holder whose land holding has been permanently expropriated shall, in addition to the compensation payable under Article 7 of this proclamation, be paid displacement compensation which shall be equivalent to ten times the average annual income he secured during the five years preceding the expropriation of the land. The proclamation also states that in urban areas PAPs will be provided with a plot of land (land for land compensation) for their expropriated land to be used for the construction of house and also be paid with compensation for displacement. Recently, Council of Ministers Regulation No. 135/2007 was issued on the payment of compensation for property situated on land holdings expropriated for public purposes, for the proper implementation of the proclamation No. EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

31 455/2005. This regulation was issued for the purpose of not only paying compensation but also to assist displaced persons to restore their livelihood. This regulation set forth details to determine the amount of compensation for different assets found on land holdings expropriated for public purpose and stipulated the formula to calculate the amount of compensation payable for different assets Compensation Regarding the determination of compensation in part three, article 7 of this proclamation (Proclamation No. 455/2005), the basis and amount of compensation is clearly explained. In this article, sub article 1, a land holder whose holding has been expropriated shall be entitled to payment of compensation for his/her property situated on the land and for permanent improvements he/she made such land. Article 7(2) states that the amount of compensation for property situated on the expropriated land shall be determined on the basis of replacement cost of the property. Under Article 8(1) of proclamation 455/2005, a survival landholder whose land holding has been permanently expropriated shall in addition to the compensation payable under Article 7 of this proclamation be paid displacement compensation, which shall be equivalent to ten times the average annual income he secured to bring the five years preceding the expropriation of the land. All PAPs and organizations (whether public or private) that losses houses, crops or sources of income will be compensated or rehabilitated according to the types and amount of their losses. The cut-off-date for compensation eligibility will be set once all detailed measurements have been completed. Compensation will not also be paid for any structure erected or crops and trees planted purely for the purpose of gaining additional compensation. Cultivating land, constructing settlement in project affected areas after the cut-off-date will not be eligible for compensation or subsidies Ministry of Water and Energy (MoWE) Ministry of Water and Energy is one of the sectoral Ministries that have established Environmental Unit to manage environmental and social matters. Based on the delegation from FEPA, the Ministry reviews ESIA documents, provides approval and monitors the performance of the development project. EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

32 EEPCo s Strategy for Expropriation and Compensation It is the objective of EEPCo to avoid or reduce the environmental and social impacts of its power projects to a minimum level. If adverse social impacts that will occur are unavoidable, EEPCo then will open consultation with PAPs and perform legal compensation for loss of all their properties. To achieve the social mitigation goal, EEPCo will allocate adequate budget for compensation before the project implementation. EEPCo in consultation with the administration of Regional State, Zones, Woredas and Kebele Associations shall establish property valuation committee as per the proclamation No. 455/2005. It is the project's prime task to initiate the establishment of property valuation committee to properly implement compensation payment for PAPs on time before the implementation of the project. EEPCo s Power System Planning /PSP/ Power System Planning of EEPCo comprises environmentalists and sociologists to address environmental and social issues that may arise due to its operation. The following are the major duties and responsibilities of the Environmental and Social experts of Power System Planning within the functional or operational framework of the EEPCo: Responsible to carry out Initial Environmental Examination or Environmental Screening in the preliminary design phase. The experts are not expected to conduct a full EIA study, because the Federal Environmental Protection Authority (FEPA) demands EIA studies to be performed by an independent consultant. Prepares TOR to conduct a full EIA study. Power System Planning is taking full responsibilities to shortlist Environmental Consultants, prepare RFP or tender documents and evaluate the technical and financial proposals of the short listed firms. The Environmental and Social experts of EEPCo are responsible to monitor the environmental and socio-economic activities in different power project areas, to make sure that contractors are complying according to the technical specification stated in the contract agreement. EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

33 The Environmental and Social experts of EEPCo may also conduct the monitoring of resettlement activities either independently or in company with the government and non-government stakeholders on regular basis. Monitoring of forest clearing operation is preferably to be conducted jointly with the government stakeholders. Review of documents related to environmental and social management undertakings by consultants. Power System Planning represents EEPCo in all the matters that are related to the Environmental study of a project. The functional locations of the Electricity Network Reinforcement and Expansion project and the Power System Planning are shown in the Figure below: Ministry of Water and Energy Board of Directors Corporate Planning EEPCo CEO Power System Planning Strategic Management Transmission Construction Process Executive Officer Research and Development ENERP EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

34 Organizational Structure of EEPCo s ENREP and Power System Planning /PSP/ Adverse environmental and social impacts caused by the EEPCo s project operations will be jointly monitored by the EEPCo s, Power System Planning and the project office. The Power System Planning and the project office are responsible for the monitoring of adverse environmental and social impacts and coordinate the preparation and implementation of the EIAs, EMPs, and the RAPs where it is deemed necessary Multi - Lateral Agreements The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has ratified several international conventions and protocols as listed below:- Vienna Convention for the Protection of Ozone Layer (1996) Montreal Protocol for Substances Depleting the Ozone Layer (1990) United Convention on Law of the Sea. Convention on Biodiversity (Rio convention) 1994 Framework Convention of United Nations on Climate Change (1994) Basel Convention on the Control of Trans-boundary movement of Hazardous Substance (2002) African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as waterfowl habitat (Ramsar) Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD), ratified in 1997 Convention Concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage, ratified 1972 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) (1970) Stockholm convention on persistent organic pollutants (PAPs, 22nd May 2001) International Plant Protection Convention EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

35 2.6. International Banks Requirements The Regional Development Banks, such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), all have environmental policies and guidelines which in most respects resemble those of the World Bank Policies. The Regional Development Banks use environmental screening to place projects as category A, B or C (ADB & EBRD) or as category I, II or III (AfDB). These categories are similar in principle to those of the World Bank with only minor differences between each Bank. ADB and EBRD procedures are developed from the World Bank procedures (Hydro power development, Environmental effects, 1995) Common to all Regional Development Banks, including the World Bank, is that the responsibility for meeting the environmental requirements rests on the hand of the borrower. The FEPA report shall be commissioned and /or carried out by the authorities of the country seeking a loan. On controversial projects the Bank normally establishes an independent panel of experts to control and give advice on how to deal with environmental aspects The World Bank s Requirements According to the World Bank project screening criteria, the Electricity Network Reinforcement and Expansion project is categorized as Category B Project. That is, more limited environmental analysis is appropriate, as the project may have specific environmental impacts. The World Bank provides guidance on requirements in the Environmental Assessment Sourcebook, which includes the most recent versions of the World Bank Operational Policies as well as the updates. The World Bank has ten Safeguard Policies whose primary objective is to ensure that Bank operations do not cause adverse impacts. The ten safeguard policies are grouped into Environment & Social Policies. Of these ten safeguard policies, three are not applicable as they relate to international law on waters and disputed areas, and the safety of dams. The following safeguard policies have been considered in this study. EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

36 The Bank s Safeguard Policies The following are the World Bank Safeguard Policies that are or likely to be pertinent to the Program under consideration OP 4.01 Environmental Assessment The core requirement of this policy is that screening should be done as early as possible for potential impacts and select appropriate instrument to assess, minimize and mitigate potentially adverse impacts. Environmental Assessment (EA) ensures that appropriate levels of environmental and social assessment are carried out as part of project design. It also deals with the public consultation process and ensures that the views of PAPs and local NGOs are incorporated as early as possible for Category A and B projects. It is worth noting that OP 4.01 applies to all components of a project with financing from the World Bank, including co-financed components by the Borrower or by other funding agencies OP/BP 4.11 Physical Cultural Resources Protection of cultural, historical archeological sites as stated in OP/BP The policy requires the project avoid or mitigate adverse impacts of development projects on physical cultural resources. The policy bases itself on investigating and inventorying any chance finds and cultural resources potentially affected. It includes mitigation measures when there are adverse impacts on physical cultural resources. The Borrower assesses the project s potential impacts on physical cultural resources as an integral component of the Environmental Assessment (EA). The EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

37 process steps for the physical cultural resources component of the EA are the same for Category A and B projects. The physical cultural resources component of the EA provides for (a) an assessment of physical cultural resources likely to be affected by the project, (b) documentation of the characteristics and significance of the these resources, and (c) an assessment of the nature and extent of potential direct and indirect impacts on these resources. Where the EA predicts adverse impacts on physical cultural resources, the cultural resources component of the EA includes a management plan which includes: (a) actions to mitigate adverse impacts, (b) provisions for the treatment of physical cultural resources discovered during project implementation and operation (hereafter referred to as chance finds ), (c) any necessary measures for strengthening institutional capacity to implement the management plan, and (d) a monitoring system to track progress of these activities. The management of cultural property should be undertaken in conjunction with consulting the appropriate agencies including NGOs and academic institutions. The Bank avoids projects that will significantly damage non-replicable cultural property, and will assist only those projects that are sited or designed so as to prevent such damage OP/BP 4.12 Involuntary Resettlement Avoid or minimize involuntary resettlement where feasible, exploring all viable alternative project designs. EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

38 Assist displaced persons in improving their former living standards, income earning capacity, and production levels, or at least in restoring them. Encourage community participation in planning and implementing resettlement. Provide assistance to affected people regardless of the legality of land tenure. The policy covers not only physical relocation, but any loss of land or other assets resulting in: (i) relocation or loss of shelter; (ii) loss of assets or access to assets; and (iii) loss of income sources or means of livelihood, whether or not the affected people must move to another location. The impetus of this Policy is that development projects should not cause the impoverishment of the people who are within the area of influence of the projects. In cases where resettlement of people is inevitable, proper resettlement action plan should be undertaken to at least restore or improve, as stated above, their standard of life prior to the projects. Concerning public consultation, resettlers as well as the host communities should be consulted for the successful implementation of the resettlement process. The views of the consulted resettlers and the host communities should be incorporated into the resettlement action plan (RAP) including the list of their choices Bank s Policy on Access to Information It is a requirement of the Bank that the peoples residing in the project areas have the Right to be informed of the proposed development project(s) in their respective areas. Therefore, prior to project appraisal, the summary of the study of projects along with other relevant information should be disclosed at the Bank s as well as project area (local) level. EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

39 The Disclosure Policy requires that Category B Environmental Assessment reports should be self-standing documents, and thus disclosure is a pre-requisite for appraisal of the project. EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

40 3. Description of the Proposed Project 3.1. Project Description The project components under the Electricity Network Reinforcement and Expansion project are: 1. Upgrading Power Transmission Line project, 2. New Expansion Power Transmission Projects, and 3. Rural Electrification Access Project Upgrading Power Transmission Line project The main objective of Upgrading Power Transmission Line project is to upgrade the existing power Transmission system in different regions of the country to ensure reliable power supply and enable connection of new customers. The Upgrading Power Transmission Line project covers upgrading of transmission lines and substations in Western, Eastern, Northern, Southern and central part of the country. The main works in this project component involves: Conductor stringing on existing high voltage steel towers, Erection of substation equipments, and Erection of transformers. The Purpose of the Upgrading Power Transmission Line is: Enhance reliable power supply, Reduction of voltage drop and power loss, and EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

41 Supply of electricity to new customers, Causal labor will be recruited from the construction area thus providing employment opportunity to the local communities. No camp or other temporary facilities are required. The main structural intervention is the conductor stringing. The upgrading work will not displace any households; hence there will be no land acquisition or resettlement of households. However, crop damage may occur during the stringing work because of access road and for which a compensation plan shall be prepared. Substation Upgrading and Rehabilitation works will be carried out on existing substations landholdings and hence negative environmental and social impacts are not anticipated in this project component. The necessary mitigation measures will be indicated in this ESMF and appropriate follow up and monitoring will be done by the Environmental and Social Experts of EEPCo New Expansion Power Transmission Projects The purpose of the third project component, New Expansion Power Transmission Projects, is to fulfill the growing demand in the different parts of the country. The main works in this component is construction of transmission lines with different capacities (400 kv, 230 kv, 132kV, and 66 kv). In this project component, high voltage transmission lines are intended to be constructed. In addition to this power substations will be constructed in different parts of the country. The main works in this project component involves: Conductor stringing, Construction of substations, and Erection of steel towers. The project component will also involve expansion of power transmission lines by connecting the power substations from nearby high voltage transmission lines. It is estimated that the length of the transmission line from existing nearby high voltage line to the existing substations will be not more than 4 km. The upgrading of substations will take place on existing power substations. EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

42 4. Description of Baseline Environmental Conditions The baseline environmental condition is described hereunder on the basis of the fact that the locations of each of the subprojects are distributed in the whole country. Therefore, the approach followed in this case is that, since these locations could be anywhere, it is better to describe the environmental situations of the Regions that totally form the bulk of the country. That is, the environmental descriptions do not refer to specific project sites. The country is composed of nine regional states and two Metropolitan City Administrations under the Federal Administration. The following description of the environmental baseline situation deals with that of these Regional Administrations. EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December

43 4.1 The Afar Regional State Afar region lies in the arid and semi arid climatic zone within the Great Rift Valley of East Africa with an irregular drainage systems and depressions. It lies in the geographic location between and N latitude and to east longitude. The land area of Afar Region is about 94,817 km 2, and is divided into five Zones with 32 districts (Woredas) and 401 Kebele administrative structures. Bio Physical Environment Topography The topography of the Afar region varies from hilly escarpment in the western and southern edges with an altitude of 1,000 1,500 masl to low plain land areas in the north east and south east. The altitude of the lowlands fall on EEPCo, Power System Planning /PSP/ December