Environmental and Social Monitoring Report. SAMOA: Power Sector Expansion Project

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1 Environmental and Social Monitoring Report Number 1: Semestral Report June 2014 SAMOA: Power Sector Expansion Project Prepared by the Electric Power Corporation for the Ministry of Finance, Independent State of Samoa and the Asian Development Bank.

2 Semi Annual Safeguard Monitoring Report Period: January June Samoa: Power Sector Expansion Project June 2014

3 This six monthly safeguard report is prepared by the Electric Power Corporation for the Government of Samoa and the Asian Development bank. This safeguard 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. 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. Page 2

4 Table of Contents ACRONYMS... 4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY... 5 INTRODUCTION... 6 PROJECT DESCRIPTION... 7 Salelologa Substation... 7 Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)... 7 SITES DESCRIPTIONS... 8 MONITORINGS... 9 STATUTORY CONSIDERATIONS... 9 INVESTIGATIONS and PERMITS FINDINGS Salelologa substation SCADA OHER PROJECTS Proposed Vaiaata Power Station Afulilo Odor Fuluasou to Malifa Underground SAFETY, SOCIAL and RE-SETTLEMENT GRIEVANCE REDNESS MECHANISM CONCLUSIONS Page 3

5 ACRONYMS ADB - Asian Development Bank ADF - Asian Development Fund COEP - Codes of Environmental Practice db - Decibels DEC - Division for Environment and Conservation EPC - Electric Power Corporation ESU - Environment and Social Unit HV - high voltages IEE - Initial Environmental Examination JBIC - Japan Bank for International Cooperation LTA - Land Transport Authority LV - low voltages MNRE - Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment MWTI - Ministry of Works Transport and Infrastructure OMP - Odor Management Plan PMU - Project Management Unit PSEP - Power Sector Expansion Project PUMA - Planning and Urban Management Agency SCADA - Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition SLC - Samoa Land Corporation SROS - Scientific Research of Samoa Page 4

6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. Environment and Social Unit (ESU) carried out monitoring of 2 subprojects that were under construction during this monitoring period. ESU conducted weekly inspections of each construction site. 2. The 2 subprojects that were under construction are: Salelologa Substation and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System. Other subprojects monitored and ESU involved in are: Vaiaata power plant preliminary work, Afulilo odor, and Fuluasou to Malifa underground. 3. ESU did not find any major safeguard issues that were impossible to resolve. 4. Main contractors, subcontractors and Electric Power Corporation (EPC) crew involved in all these subprojects complied with all relevant safeguard requirements under National laws. Traffic controls were properly planned and executed by contractor. 5. There were also no social or environment issues raised by members of the public and other stakeholders, with relation to the monitored projects. Compensations for Resettlement to affected people were all properly settled and paid. 6. There were no safety issues or reports of any injuries or near misses from contractors and subcontractors. Page 5

7 INTRODUCTION The Power Sector Expansion Project (PSEP) is an 8 years long project from 2008 to 2016 to implement various improvements to power sector to improve supply of electricity in Samoa and improve financial capacity of EPC. System improvements include: construction of new power station to increase generating capacity to meet growing demand now and future, increasing capacity of transmission and distribution power lines, reduce line loss, improve efficiency of operation, new SCADA system to closely monitor and remotely control generators and other equipment, substations and National Control Center, underground of backbone transmission and distribution lines and conversion to prepayment electric meters. EPC is in need to improve its collection performance; remove transmission obstacles to improve reliability and quality of supply; and capacity requirements to meet growing peak demands. In the longer term, the objective is to reduce Samoa s reliance on imported fuels by promoting clean and renewable energy using hydro, sun, wind, biogas and waste to energy generation. Project is funded by Asian Development Fund (ADF), Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan, Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) loan, Government of Australia grant, Samoa Government and EPC. The Project Management Unit (PMU) was established for the management and implementation of the Power Sector Expansion Project. This includes project planning, design, construction, project and construction management, monitoring, reporting, procurement, evaluation, cost and quality control. The ESU under the PMU is responsible for managing land acquisition, resettlement, social and environmental impacts under the project. Page 6

8 PROJECT DESCRIPTION Below are two subprojects under construction that ESU closely monitored to identify any social and environment impacts and address them, to avoid any delays to their implementation. Salelologa Substation Part of the old Salelologa powerhouse was renovated and renewed to house this new 22kv substation and the Mini Control Center for Savaii. Generators inside this section of powerhouse were removed. Substation includes air conditioned new 22kv switchgear room where all new 22kv and 415 volts electrical switchgear are housed. All generators are now connected to new switchgear via 415volts to 22kv transformers. Before, old switchgear was defective and malfunctioned. Generators were connected directly to overhead power lines through step transformers. This created unsafe situation and unreliability in system. The new substation replaced old switchgear to improve generation and transmission systems in Savaii. Old switchgear was rundown, unreliable, and unsafe for operators. Bad conditions caused unreliability in power supply in Savaii. Mini Control Center will house SCADA system so that system can be closely monitored remotely and control generators and other facilities. Project was completed and commissioned in April There were no land nor do resettlement issues during this report period because works were done inside EPC compound. Work area was congested because of operating generators in same area. Plus there were lots of live 415 volts and 22kv cables lying on ground awaiting completion of new substation. So safety was a major concern that contractor supervisor and EPC operators had to closely manage. Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) SCADA is a centralized database management that will assist EPC in improving its operation efficiency, reduce unplanned outages, and provide early detection of such outages and early restoration responses. Schneider Electric (Australia) Pty Limited is the main contractor and PPG Engineering is the sub-contractor for civil works and Telecom-Tronics Company for cables, antenna installation and construction of towers. Fiaga and Salelologa Towers were completed while Vaiaata Tower is yet to construct. Page 7

9 Electric Power Corporation SITES DESCRIPTIONS The Salelologa Substation is located within the village of Salelologa in Faasaleleaga Number 1 district on the island of Savaii. The property is a 2 acre Government land transferred to EPC. The area is categorized as a mix use area (commercial and residential) and it is not within any hazard zone. Noise and exhaust fume has been a problem to village people and they objected to having this power plant here. That was reason why Cabinet approved to build the new power station in a Government land in Vaiaata. Any generator left installed in Salelologa will be for backup only. Two SCADA System Towers were constructed at Fiaga Power Station (Upolu Island) and Salelologa Power Station (Savaii Island), one tower is yet to construct at the proposed Vaiaata power station (Savaii). Sites are Government lands and it s within areas that are mix used (commercial, residential, farming, etc.) and not within any hazard zones. Page 8

10 MONITORINGS Monitoring s were and continued to be conducted by Mr. Asi Tuuau - Resettlement Specialist, Moetuasivi Asiono - Public Relation Specialist and Iosefa Aiolupotea - Environment Officer, of Environmental Social Unit of the Project Management Unit. ESU strictly monitor critical cases every day (Mondays to Saturdays) to ensure progress of works and compliance with conditions. Developments with minor effects on the environment were monitored twice or three time a week. Environment Officer or the Resettlement Specialist went once a week to Savaii Island to monitored the Salelologa substation and the SCADA tower; ESU took photos of areas of concerns during inspection and talked to contractor s supervisor on site to fix these areas as soon as possible. After inspection, ESU findings with photos to the contractor s Project Manager and suggest measures to remedy problems on site with specific time for compliance. Overall, ESU conducted random inspections and took photos of areas that were compliant and/or non-compliant with health, safety, social and environmental standards. Upon indication of areas of concerns, contractors were always informed right away on site and through reports, of the need to address these concerns and fix them as soon as possible, so as to avoid complaints as well as harm to workers, visitors and neighboring properties, as these concerns can be categorized as major threats if not tend to immediately. STATUTORY CONSIDERATIONS The Planning and Urban Management Act 2004 requires all developments to attain a Development Consent and ensures compliance with conditions. National Noise Policy 2011; all construction noise must be within the average of 75 Decibels (db) from 7am to 6pm and 60dB from 6pm to 10pm. Samoa Codes of Environmental Practice (COEP) 2006; all earthworks shall be conducted in accordance with COEP section 13. National Building Code 1992; all buildings in Samoa must adhere with all the statutory conditions under the Code. Page 9

11 INVESTIGATIONS and PERMITS The Planning and Urban Management Board granted subject to conditions the Development Consent DCA 367/13 for Salelologa Substation. Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure (MWTI) approved the constructions of the Salelologa Substations after comprehensive examining of detailed designs submitted by EPC. The Planning and Urban Management Agency granted subject to conditions the Development Consent DCA 072/13 to construct SCADA microwave towers. The Planning and Urban Management Agency (PUMA) of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) granted with conditions the Development Consent DCA 780/12 for drilling of boreholes for Vaiaata Geotechnical study. FINDINGS Salelologa substation a. Officially opened on Friday 11 April 2014; b. No Environment, Social, Safety or Health effects identified on site throughout construction; c. Neighboring families, workers and pedestrians were free of any hazards that could harm their wellbeing and properties; d. Contractors were in compliance with Consent conditions and National Standards; e. No complaints rose to relevant authorities or voiced to EPC throughout the project. Figure 1: Completed Salelologa substation. Photo on Thursday 10 April Figure 2: New switchgears at the substation. Photo on Thursday 10 April Page 10

12 Electric Power Corporation SCADA a. Installation of fiber optic cable between Fiaga power station and Fuluasou substation is complete. This allows commissioning of differential protections of 33kv underground tie between Fiaga and Fuluasou; b. Construction of SCADA tower at Fiaga and Salelologa is completed. No land issues because construction sites belongs to EPC. Construction of Vaiaata tower is yet to start; c. Safety was highly prioritized by contractor during construction of Fiaga and Salelologa towers. No accidents occurred so far. Fiaga Salelologa Figures 3 & 4: SCADA towers at Fiaga and Salelologa. Photos on Friday 30 May OTHER PROJECTS Proposed Vaiaata Power Station The proposed site for the new power station at Vaiaata located 900meters from the nearest residence and 20km from the Salelologa wharf (Savaii Island). The 100 acres land for the development is a Government land, leased by EPC from the Samoa Land Corporation (SLC). The site is strongly recommended in terms of location distant from residential area for environmental, health and safety precautions of the public. The new power station will be able to provide efficient supply of electricity to meet the increasing demand and minimize maintenance costs in the power sector on the big island. Works have been done at Vaiaata which includes the clearance of the vegetation for access roads and power station site, the resistivity tests and the Geo Tech study. Page 11

13 The proposed development includes the construction of access roads, power house with its utilities, fencing of property, landscaping and water supply. The construction total cost is approximately US$15,000,000. Series of events: January June 2014 March ADB instructed PMU to rewrite Feasibility Study and update Resettlement Plan and Initial Environmental Examination (IEE); April PMU submitted to ADB Feasibility Study, Resettlement Plan and IEE for ADB s comments; 9 May ESU conducted its latest visit of Vaiaata and confirmed that the site for the proposed Vaiaata power station is still untouched by neighboring villages, (refer figure 5); May PMU resubmitted Feasibility Study, Resettlement Plan and IEE taken into consideration ADB s comments; PMU now awaiting ADB s final approval of submitted documents, then PMU will submit applications to PUMA/MNRE and MWTI for appropriate permits. Figure 5: Vaiaata site remains unoccupied. Afulilo Odor Afulilo Dam was constructed in 1990 and Taelefaga station is Samoa s only storage hydro-power station and is fed by the Afulilo reservoir. Over the years, the people of Taelefaga (where the powerhouse located) complained regarding foul smell from EPC s Page 12

14 Electric Power Corporation hydro station at Taelefaga. They threatened EPC that they will shut down the operation of this powerhouse if foul smell continues. PMU with the assistance of a JICA volunteer, Scientific Research Organization of Samoa (SROS) is researching mitigate measures using of a micro bubble technology. EPC is presently using a compressor to pump oxygen into dam deep part of dam to mitigate generating of gas which causes smell when discharge from power station in Taelefaga. This helps reduced formation of gas. Series of events: January June February 2014 PMU met with Division for Environment and Conservation (DEC), PUMA/MNRE to discuss progress and actions taken by EPC to address this odor issue; 20 February 2014 Joint inspection with SROS, MNRE, EPC, and gathered samples for SROS s investigations/testing s. During the joint inspection NO FOUL SMELL emitted from Afulilo Reservoir and tail race at Taelefaga station; 21 February PUMA/MNRE instructed ESU/PMU to submit Odor Management Plan (OMP) for Afulilo as soon as possible; ESU/PMU and PUMA/MNRE planned to conduct joint odor monitoring randomly to investigate/confirm foul odor from EPC s Taelefaga station; ESU to investigate other measures to address this odor issue; 04 March 2014 PMU submitted OMP to PUMA with a brief report on the 20 February 4 joint inspection; and PMU s proposed micro bubble project for PUMA s information; Awaiting micro bubble nozzle from Japan because no local business sell/import the relevant nozzle. Experiment of the micro bubble technique will commence as soon as PMU receives the nozzle from Japan; 13, 19 & 20 March 2014 Conducted joint smell monitoring/investigation with PUMA. No foul smell emitted from EPC Taelefaga tail race. Time of monitoring: 1pm, 1:30pm, 11pm, 12midnight, 2am, 5:30am, 6am, 6:30am. Village people told us that 12midnights and early mornings are often the times to observed foul smell; EPC continuously undertaking the two methods at Afulilo Reservoir. (1) Aeration Pumping of air/oxygen into the reservoir to eliminate H2S. (2) Pumping Pumping/exposing of the bottom water into the surface to eliminate H2S. Page 13

15 Figure 6: Aeration and pumping of the Afulilo reservoir bottom water into the surface. Photo on Thursday 20 February Figure 7: Collecting sample water from Afulilo reservoir for experiment at SROS. Photo on Thursday 20 February Fuluasou to Malifa Underground PMU linesman is continuing with installation of high voltages (HV) and low voltages (LV) cables, pad mount transformers, pillar boxes, and service connections to customers along Vaitele Street from Lepea to Malifa. All HV and LV overhead power lines along Lepea to Malifa will be removed. This underground project is properly planned to avoid frequent shutdowns and interrupted power supplies to customers; Safety of workers and pedestrians is the primary objective to overseers on site; and work is carried out properly to avoid traffic jams and accidents; Power outages were well planned to cater for business and peak hours; Consultations with families frontage the Vaitele street were conducted so that they are aware of the development and confirmed that underground cables will only touched the road reserve not private properties; No complaints from neighboring families, businesses and relevant authorities. The development does not need resettlement or compensation of affected properties since no such issue arises and the project is on the road reserve. Page 14

16 Figure 8 & 9: PMU linesmen s in the progress of removing overhead electric lines and post. Photos on Wednesday 09 April 2014, and 24 May SAFETY, SOCIAL and RE-SETTLEMENT Workers on project sites were provided with proper safety gears in compliance with the Occupational, Health, and Safety Act. Compliance with the Planning and Urban Management Act 2004 ensured all environment grievances were taken care of on site. Projects generated employment opportunities for the locals. For the current EPC s projects funded by ADB, there were no issues of land grievances due to all projects were free of any land acquisition or resettlement as all works were undertaken on EPC and government properties. Compensations were paid to land owners according to the amount of trees and crops encroached onto the project sites. GRIEVANCE REDNESS MECHANISM EPC have enquiry boxes where the public can deposit complains or suggestions and a customer complaints center open 24 hours and the public are urged to contact the call center via numbers and regarding complaints and any aspect of electricity services. PMU have a Grievance Redress Mechanism to address complaints relating to Projects under PMU pertaining to the PSEP as well as EPC Projects. All records of complaints and responses will be well kept for future reference and in case of lawsuits. The mechanism is equipped with a step-by-step procedure to receive, register and track all grievances concerning the environment and social issues. A grievance form has been created and will be used to address complaints for each PMU projects. Complaints can be filed in person, via or via a letter to EPC. Page 15

17 The public communication officer is responsible for receiving complaints, facilitating, tracking and reporting on grievances and their resolutions. CONCLUSIONS PMU/ESU concludes that construction poses no health, social, safety and environmental issues. Contractors also complied with National Laws in regards to safety gears, installation and stabilization of caution signs to avoid risks to workers, visitors and the public. Public and relevant stakeholders raised no complaints to PMU concerning Environment, Health and Social issues with relation to the construction of the aforementioned projects. Compliance of contractors to national environmental laws, policies and regulations as well as conditions laid out by relevant authorities will be highly and continuously supervised by ESU. Prepared by Environmental & Social Unit (ESU) Date: Sept. 16, 2014 Reviewed and endorsed by: Fonoti Perelini S. Perelini Project Manager Project Management Unit Page 16