Republic of Ethiopia (2004) EPA Assessment guidelines on Hydropower Production, Transportation and distribution

Republic of Ethiopia (2004) EPA Assessment guidelines on Hydropower Production, Transportation and distribution


The Federal Environmental Protection
Authority

Integrated Environmental And Social Impact
Assessment Guidelines on

Hydropower Production, Transportation
And Distribution

NOT FOR CITATION

This guidelines is still under development and shall be bin-
ding after consensus is reached between the Environmen-
tal Protection Authority and the Environmental Units of
Competent Sectoral Agencies

2004
Addis Ababa


Ethiopia

HYDROPOWER PRODUCTION, TRANSPORTATION AND DISTRIBUTION GUIDELINES, FEPA, 2004 2


Table of Content

Page

INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................1

1. MAJOR TYPES OF INTERVENTION IN THE HYDROPOWER SUB-SECTOR..............................1

2. SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS OF A HYDROPOWER PROJECT.....................2

3. MAJOR ISSUES RELATED TO A HYDROPOWER PROJECT.............................4

4. POTENTIAL IMPACTS, ENHANCEMENT AND MITIGATION MEASURES....5

4.1 POVERTY.............................................................................................................................5
4.2 ENVIRONMENT....................................................................................................................7
4.3 POPULATION........................................................................................................................9
4.4 HEALTH OUTCOMES..........................................................................................................11
4.5 GENDER.............................................................................................................................13
4.6 PARTICIPATION..................................................................................................................14

5. EXTERNAL FACTORS................................................................................................15

6. HAZARD MANAGEMENT..........................................................................................15

7. Environmental and Social Monitoring.........................................................................15

HYDROPOWER PRODUCTION, TRANSPORTATION AND DISTRIBUTION GUIDELINES, FEPA, 2004 i


Introduction

These guidelines focus on hydropower projects. They consider the construction and

operation of powerhouses and associated infrastructures (canals, sluices, etc.), sub-

stations, as well as power transmission and distribution lines. Hydropower projects

imply the construction and operation of dams and reservoirs whose impacts are dis-

cussed in the Dams and Reservoirs Guidelines.

These guidelines highlight major issues and potential impacts that should be taken

into account during the preparation and assessment phases. The appropriate en-

hancement and mitigation measures should be integrated as early as possible,

preferably in the project design.

1. Major Types of Intervention in the Hydropower Sub-Sector

In general, a powerhouse includes the following main hydraulic and electric compon-

ents:

 The water intake in the reservoir, which is normally equipped with grills to prevent

debris entering into the system.

 The water conveyance canal that brings the water to the pressure pipeline.

 The pressure pipeline in which the water is directed to a turbine on a steep slope.

 The turbine consisting of a hydraulic wheel turning with the pressure of the water;

the electricity is produced with an alternator, before being directed to electric

transformers and a substation.

 The water discharge canal that brings the water downstream into a waterway.

A hydroelectric complex is normally equipped with sluices, which are works allowing

the water to flow out of the reservoir when the maximum capacity is reached.

The design of hydropower projects varies according to local characteristics and en-

ergy needs. For example, to avoid problems related to the creation of a reservoir, the

construction of a run-of-river powerhouse might be preferred.

HYDROPOWER PRODUCTION, TRANSPORTATION AND DISTRIBUTION GUIDELINES, FEPA, 2004 1


Power transmission and distribution lines aim to transport and distribute the power

generated by a hydroelectric powerhouse. The main structures of power lines in-

clude electric wires, conductors, towers, transformers and substations. Access roads

are also required for constructing and maintaining the line.


The size of the electrical structures depends on the voltage and the capacity of the

power line. Wood poles are often used for low-voltage distribution lines in urban and

rural areas. H-frame wood pole structures are often used for higher voltage lines up

to 231 kV. High-voltage transmission lines of 161 kV and more are usually built on

self-supporting and guyed-wired pylons.

The length of power lines, which can vary from a few to hundreds of kilometres, de-

pends on the purpose of the line. Low-voltage lines, used for power distribution, are

usually much shorter than high-voltage lines, which are used to carry the energy

from power plants located in remote areas.

The width of the power line right-of-way also ranges according to the voltage. The

distribution line right-of-way in urban or rural areas is usually narrow (5 to 20

meters), whereas the right-of-way of high-voltage power transmission lines can be

hundreds of meters wide, particularly when there is more than one line in the right-of-

way.

2. Specific Characteristics of a Hydropower Project

The description and justification of a hydropower project shall cover the following ele-

ments:

 Spatial requirements (rights-of-way and other sites required for works).

 Project layout characteristics (including site location map).

 Land tenure and ownership.

 Affected groups (directly or indirectly).

 Resettlement requirements and proposed transition and compensation means.

 Socio-cultural factors or constraints, such as customs and beliefs.

HYDROPOWER PRODUCTION, TRANSPORTATION AND DISTRIBUTION GUIDELINES, FEPA, 2004 2


 Natural and human resources needs.

 Water regulation works (dams, dykes, sluices, etc.).

 Powerhouse characteristics.

 Reservoir characteristics (area, volume and levels).

 Hydraulic components (water intake, canals, pipelines, turbine, etc.).

 Electric elements (alternators, transformers, power lines, etc.).

 Power line design elements (voltage, capacity, structures, substations, dimen-

sions, etc.).

 Other permanent infrastructures (roads, local airports, telecommunications net-

work, etc.).

 Temporary infrastructures (cofferdams, materials storage areas, waste areas, la-

bour camps, etc.).

 Existing and proposed location of human settlements and public services such as

health centres and accident and emergency units.

 Construction activities (land clearing, burning, excavation, blasting, extracting,

dredging, filling, compacting, waterways crossing, use of heavy machinery, etc.).

 Anticipated liquid, solid (including waste) and gaseous emissions, and sources of

nuisances (at construction and operation stages).

 Construction schedules and costs.

 Maintenance works and associated costs.

 Reservoir management.

 Security measures.

 Consultation approaches and participation mechanisms.

HYDROPOWER PRODUCTION, TRANSPORTATION AND DISTRIBUTION GUIDELINES, FEPA, 2004 3


3. Major Issues Related to a Hydropower Project

The main issues related to hydropower projects can be summarised as follows:

Crosscutting Theme Major Issues Relevant
or not

Poverty  Economic activity, employment and incomes.

 Compensation for losses.

 Access to benefit, particularly for adversely affected pop-
ulations.

 Knowledge on project implications and opportunities.

 Availability of and access to infrastructures and services,
particularly to electricity.

Environment  Ecosystems of particular interest and/or ecologically
sensitive areas.

 Wildlife habitat, especially fish habitat.

 Level of noise (substations and transmission lines).

 Vegetation conservation (transmission lines).

 Water quality.

 Heritage and cultural sites.

Population  Involuntary resettlement and migration.

 Population characteristics and dynamics (size, density,
age, ethnies, life expectancy, gender, employment, etc.).

 Land uses.

 Agricultural practices and natural resources exploitation.

 Quality of life.

 Traditional lifestyle and local customs.

 Landscape and aesthetics.

Health Outcomes  HIV and sexually transmitted infections.

 Vector-borne and other communicable diseases.

 Accidents and injuries.

 Electrocution.

 Poisoning from pesticides.

Gender  Women’s workload.

 Control over land and land use proceeds.

 Income-generating activities for women.

 Women’s specific needs.

 Access to the new infrastructures and services.

 Women’s involvement in decision-making processes.

Participation  Participation of affected groups in consultations.

 User/customer organisation.

HYDROPOWER PRODUCTION, TRANSPORTATION AND DISTRIBUTION GUIDELINES, FEPA, 2004 4


4. Potential Impacts, Enhancement and Mitigation Measures

As mentioned in the “Generic Approach” document, the IESIA Guidelines were developed to provide guidance on how to adequately
consider the Bank’s priority crosscutting themes while preparing and assessing a project. Consequently the potential impacts outlined
below are presented by crosscutting theme (one table per theme) to clearly identify the potential interactions between a hydropower
project (excluding dams and reservoirs impacts) and a specific transversal issue. The components considered under each crosscut-
ting theme were selected for their relevance to the particular issue.

4.1 Poverty

Component Potential Beneficial and Adverse Impacts Enhancement and Mitigation Measures

Economy  Diversification of income generating activities
due to a better access to energy (e.g. establish-
ment of energy-intensive industries).

 Increase in revenue opportunities for men and
women due to the presence of non-resident work-
ers and new settlers.

 Job creation.
 Disruption of some economic activities such as

tourism.
 Benefits not accessible to people adversely af-

fected by the project.
 Losses for affected people who cannot maintain

their normal activities (temporary in most cases).

 Give preference to local employment (men and women) and local inputs (food, basic mater-
ial) to the extent possible.

 Try to minimise land expropriation and compensations by considering alternative project
designs.

 Establish appropriate compensation mechanisms, recognising income and asset losses.
 Encourage the pursuing of agricultural activities in rights-of-way after construction.
 Whenever possible, facilitate access to energy to men and women adversely affected by the

project.
 Avoid tourist sites.

Information,
education
and commu-
nication

 Exclusion of specific groups due to a lack of
knowledge.

 Uncertainty and increased perturbations due to
a lack of information and communication.

 Limited knowledge on safety measures and be-
haviours that can lead to accidents.

 Assist groups of individuals who may lack the capacity to apply for a job to prepare an ap-
plication, if they want to.

 Inform men and women affected by the project on project activities, schedule and potential
derangement, as well as on means to reduce perturbations.

 Develop and implement a literacy program especially aimed at poor people and women.
 Plan information, education and communication activities during and after project imple-

mentation to increase awareness of all users (men and women) on dangerous behaviours
and safety measures that shall be taken.

HYDROPOWER PRODUCTION, TRANSPORTATION AND DISTRIBUTION GUIDELINES, FEPA, 2004 5


Poverty cont…

Access to in-
frastructures
and services

 Better access to energy.
 Development of new infrastructures or improve-

ment to existing ones.
 Unequal access to hydroelectricity due to a lack

of financial means.
 Increased pressures on existing social services

with the arrival of non-resident workers and mi-
grants.

 Include an access component in projects to favour a broader distribution of electricity to
households.

 Involve the population (men and women) in the maintenance and management of new in-
frastructures to ensure their sustainability.

 Before construction, consult concerned ministries to verify the adequacy of current and
proposed infrastructures.

 Ensure adequate social services for addressing the basic needs of host and migrant popu-
lations (men and women).

HYDROPOWER PRODUCTION, TRANSPORTATION AND DISTRIBUTION GUIDELINES, FEPA, 2004 6


4.2 Environment

Component Potential Beneficial and Adverse Impacts Enhancement and Mitigation Measures

Air  Limited effects on climate (greenhouse gas pro-
duction) in comparison to alternative power gener-
ating projects.

 Degradation of air quality by dust and vehicles
emissions.

 Increase in ambient noise near the substations.

 Install and operate air pollution control equipment.
 Near residential areas, avoid noisy works after regular working hours.
 Maintain vehicles and machinery in good condition in order to minimise gas emissions

and noise.
 Use appropriate means for minimising dust dispersion during construction.
 Use noise attenuators, such as vegetation hedges around substations, in order to minim-

ise noise.

Water  Interruption of surface water flows during con-
struction.

 Variations in the level of groundwater table result-
ing from changes in the drainage.

 Contamination of surface and underground water
quality by wastewater, hazardous materials, and
pesticides used for the maintenance of the trans-
mission line rights-of-way.

 Erosion of riverbed downstream of the dam.
 Salt-water intrusion in estuary and upstream.

 Do not hamper drainage of surface water and plan for restoration measures after con-
struction.

 Plan and set up on-site sanitary facilities for the disposal of wastewater.
 Maintain vehicles, machinery and equipment in good condition in order to avoid leaks

and spill of hazardous materials (hydrocarbons, chemical products, etc.).
 Ensure a safe management of hazardous materials (hydrocarbons, chemical products,

etc.).
 Take all precautions during the refuelling of vehicles and machinery, and forbid the re-

fuelling near water bodies.
 Avoid crossing permanent waterways with machinery; if necessary, locate the crossing

where the banks are stable and the waterway the most narrow.
 Conserve the vegetation along water bodies and near wetlands.
 Plan emergency response measures in case of accidental spill.
 Favour the use of mechanical maintenance techniques rather than pesticides.
 Select herbicides with minimal undesired effects.
 Do not apply herbicides by aerial spraying.
 Maintain natural herbaceous and shrubby vegetation.
 Maintain a minimum flow to prevent salt water intrusion.

HYDROPOWER PRODUCTION, TRANSPORTATION AND DISTRIBUTION GUIDELINES, FEPA, 2004 7


Environment cont…

Component Potential Beneficial and Adverse Impacts Enhancement and Mitigation Measures

Soil  Runoff erosion resulting in sedimentation prob-
lems.

 Soils contamination from hazardous materials
spills during construction.

 Soil compaction.
 Reduction in soil fertility.
 Soil destabilisation as a result of excavation.
 Risk of soil contamination from substations.

 Avoid areas sensitive to erosion.
 Carry out the construction works in the dry season.
 Avoid high-productive soils.
 Limit the circulation of heavy machinery to minimal areas.
 Avoid establishing access roads along steep slopes; instead, locate access roads per-

pendicularly or diagonally to the slope.
 Use existing borrow pits rather than creating new ones; after the works, restore borrow

pits by stabilising slopes and facilitating vegetation regeneration.
 Stabilise the soils in order to reduce potential erosion.
 At the end of construction works, level off the soils and facilitate vegetation regeneration.

Ecosystems  Encroachment into ecologically sensitive and pro-
tected areas.

 Reduction of the biodiversity.
 Increased access to ecosystems of particular in-

terest.

 Design the right-of-way layout avoiding ecologically sensitive and protected areas.
 Establish a perimeter of protection around sensitive ecosystems such as wetlands and

unique habitats sheltering endangered species.
 Minimise the length of work in ecologically sensitive areas.
 Minimise the right-of-way layout in forestland.

Flora  Destruction of the vegetation cover.
 Loss of forest products (fuelwood, timber, non tim-

ber forest products, medicinal plants).

 Minimise land-clearing areas.
 Recuperate the forest products extracted from land clearing and identify mechanisms to

distribute the products to the local population.
 Protect trees from machinery along rights-of-way.

Fauna  Derangement or fragmentation of wildlife habitats.
 Birds hazards from transmission lines and pylons.
 Increase in poaching due to an easier access for

the local population and non-resident workers.

 Maintain wildlife habitat beneath transmission line.
 Avoid important bird habitats.
 Install deflectors on lines in areas with potential for bird collisions.
 Design the right-of-way layout by taking into account wildlife reproduction areas.
 Do not carry out any work in reproduction areas during the reproduction periods.
 Control illegal fishing and hunting, particularly by non-resident workers.

Natural and
cultural herit-
age

 Change in, encroachment, destruction or degrad-
ation of sites of cultural, archaeological or historical
importance.

 Before construction, carry out an archaeological survey of the project area.
 Involve traditional authorities in monitoring cultural, religious, historical and aesthetic

sites and resources during the various phases of the project.
 In the case of the discovery of any artefact of cultural, archaeological or historical import-

ance, interrupt construction works in the concerned area and contact the relevant authorit-
ies.

HYDROPOWER PRODUCTION, TRANSPORTATION AND DISTRIBUTION GUIDELINES, FEPA, 2004 8


4.3 Population

Component Potential Beneficial and Adverse Impacts Enhancement and Mitigation Measures

Demographic
trends

 Increase in the population due to migrants attrac-
ted by new economic opportunities (energy-intens-
ive industries, trade) and an easier land access.

 Increased ethnic diversity after migration.
 Temporary imbalance between men and women

due to male workers, which can lead to an in-
crease in sexually transmitted diseases.

 Work closely with host communities to facilitate the integration and acceptation of mi-
grants (men and women).

 Establish labour camps at a reasonable distance from villages.
 Whenever possible employ women or married men with nearby families.
 Assist non-resident workers in order to encourage their families to join them.

Migration and
resettlement

 Decreased conditions of living for involuntarily dis-
placed people.

 Inappropriate living conditions for non-resident workers
and their families.

 Constraints in adjusting to resettlement and changes
in productive activities.

 Population pressure due to the arrival of non-resident
workers and new settlers.

 Unplanned human settlements.

 Provide equivalent or better housing and accompanying facilities to involuntarily displaced men
and women in accordance with consultation results.

 Plan adequate settlement areas with appropriate housing, services (water and sanitation) and
food supply for non-resident workers and their families.

 Provide temporary food supplies to involuntarily displaced people, as needed.
 Provide complementary training /support to adversely affected men and women in order to facil-

itate adjustment during the transition period.
 In accordance with priorities of displaced men and women, ensure appropriate funding for reset-

tlement and compensations, in particular for productive land owned, occupied or cultivated.
 Establish access mechanisms in order to control unorganised settlements.

HYDROPOWER PRODUCTION, TRANSPORTATION AND DISTRIBUTION GUIDELINES, FEPA, 2004 9


Population cont…
Natural re-
sources and
land manage-
ment

 Development of agricultural and pastoral land
due to an easier access.

 Access to new territory and migration leading to
an increased pressure on natural resources.

 Disruption of agricultural and natural resources
exploitation activities.

 Loss of productive land (at least temporarily).
 Loss of territory for local people.
 Change in land ownership rights and uses along

access roads and rights-of-way, which can lead to
social conflicts.

 Take into account the various land uses while designing the project in order to min-
imise the loss of land, particularly productive land.

 Coordinate project works with the various land users (men and women).
 Involve traditional authorities in the design of the project, particularly in siting settle-

ments and defining the rights-of-way.
 Offer compensation or alternative revenue opportunities to men and women deprived

from their land, e.g. to owners and to those occupying/cultivating the land.
 Encourage the pursuing of agricultural activities in rights-of-way after construction.
 Integrate land management priorities into land planning instruments to take into ac-

count various land uses.
 Integrate the project infrastructures into land use and development plans.
 Plan land occupation along access roads and rights-of-way in order to preserve agri-

cultural and pastoral land.

Quality of life  Improvement in quality of life due to new eco-
nomic opportunities and an increases access to
electricity.

 Deterioration of the quality of life due to nuis-
ances such as noise, dust and traffic related to
construction works.

 Visual degradation of the landscape due to land
clearing, construction works, new infrastructures,
etc.

 Social conflicts due to the venue of non-resident
workers and migrants (divorces, ethnic tension,
etc.).

 Establish a formal consultation mechanism with local authorities to discuss issues
disturbing inhabitants and to find solutions satisfying all parties.

 Train workers (men and women) in the field of environmental protection.
 Implement a communication plan to inform men and women on project activities and

potential nuisances.
 Involve local authorities in monitoring implementation activities and compensation

agreements, ensuring a good representation of men and women.
 Favour an architectural design integrating project infrastructures into the landscape.
 Avoid building access roads across local people tracks or pathways.
 Ensure appropriate support from social services to facilitate the transition and to pre-

vent conflicts within families or among groups.

HYDROPOWER PRODUCTION, TRANSPORTATION AND DISTRIBUTION GUIDELINES, FEPA, 2004 10


4.4 Health Outcomes

Component Potential Beneficial and Adverse Impacts Enhancement and Mitigation Measures

Communicable
diseases

Changes in exposure to:
 Water borne diseases e.g.: diarrhoea and cholera

associated with poor sanitary conditions and loss of
water for domestic purposes

 Water related diseases e.g.: malaria, onchocer-
ciasis, filariasis associated with increases in vector
breeding and contact.

 Water contact diseases e.g.: schistosomiasis and
swimmer's itch associated with domestic and occu-
pational behaviour.

 Water washed diseases e.g.: scabies and skin in-
fections associated with poor sanitary and hygienic
conditions.

 Sexually transmitted infections e.g.: HIV/AIDS as-
sociated with migration, construction, economic
change.

 Zoonoses associated with project location e.g.:
trypanosomiasis.

 Respiratory infections e.g.: TB associated with
crowding.

 Provide appropriate domestic water supply to address additional needs.
 Facilitate the implementation of appropriate latrines and other sanitation facilities.
 Provide information, education and communication about safe uses of water and

occupational safety.
 Environmental management for vector control; contact avoidance via settlement

location and design and use of bednets and repellents; rapid diagnosis and treat-
ment; focal insecticide and molluscicide application.

 Strengthen medical services to ensure rapid diagnosis and treatment.
 Safe food storage and handling.
 Implement HIV/AIDS prophylaxis for men and women, through appropriate health

promotion as well as wide distribution and use of condoms; employment opportunities
for project-affected women; provision of family accommodation for workers.

 Project settlement housing designed to avoid crowding, and provide ventilated kit-
chens and efficient stoves.

 Refer to measures proposed under Environment and Poverty crosscutting themes
as they address many health determinants of communicable diseases.

Non-communi-
cable diseases

 Uncertain effects of electromagnetic radiation.
 Dust induced lung diseases during construction.
 Herbicide poisoning.

 Locate the right-of-way to avoid areas of human activities.
 Implement appropriate work-site practices.
 Plan appropriate storage, use and disposal of herbicides.

Malnutrition  Deterioration in nutritional status due to disturbed
production and markets.

 Ensure food markets function efficiently during project implementation.

HYDROPOWER PRODUCTION, TRANSPORTATION AND DISTRIBUTION GUIDELINES, FEPA, 2004 11


Health Outcomes cont…
Injuries  Increased risk of accidents on working sites and

roads due to increased traffic.
 Increased risk of accidents due to aircraft colliding

with transmission lines and pylons.
 Increased risk of electrocution associated with il-

legal abstraction.
 Work injuries.
 Increased risk of drowning near the powerhouse.
 Appearance of or increase in domestic and com-

munal violence, for example resulting from influx of
non-resident workers.

 Develop, communicate and implement safety and preventive measures for the pop-
ulation (such as traffic calming devices).

 Control access to working sites.
 Install and maintain appropriate signs.
 Provide rural electrification opportunities.
 Control illegal abstraction.
 Plan stabilisation and evacuation of injured.
 Locate the right-of-way to avoid airport flight paths.
 Install markers to minimise risks of low-flying aircraft.
 Ensure that downstream villages are informed in advance of water fluctuations.
 Restrict public access to intake and outlet points.
 Develop, communicate and implement safety and preventive measures for workers

(men and women).
 Plan equipment for moving heavy loads such as donkey carts and ergonomic equip-

ment for men and women.
 Design operating rules to safeguard human health.

Psychosocial
disorders and
well-being

 Stress and anxiety associated with involuntary re-
settlement, rapid social change, loss of traditional
aut-hority, loss of spiritual assets, uncertainty and
locus of control, severance, exclusion, and marginal-
isation, gender related problems and domestic dis-
putes leading to suicide, physical and mental abuse,
child marriage, labour and sale, and communal viol-
ence.

 Well-being associated with improved income, sta-
bility, work opportunities, settlements, health, em-
powerment, education and training.

 Refer to measures proposed under other crosscutting themes as those address
many causes of psychosocial disorders and factors contributing to well-being.

HYDROPOWER PRODUCTION, TRANSPORTATION AND DISTRIBUTION GUIDELINES, FEPA, 2004 12


4.5 Gender

Component Potential Beneficial and Adverse Impacts Enhancement and Mitigation Measures

Division of la-
bour (paid and
unpaid work)

 Decreased workload for women and children
whose households can access and pay for electri-
city.

 Increase in workload due to development pres-
sures on natural resources.

 Include an access component in projects to favour a broader distribution of electri-
city to households.

 Ensure that access to natural resources used for domestic purposes is maintained
(e.g. same or reduced supply time and distance).

Income gener-
ating activities
(money or
kind)

 Local jobs obtained by women during construc-
tion or operation phases.

 Opportunities to increase income and diversify
revenue sources through induced development.

 Loss of revenues due to perturbed agricultural
and natural resources exploitation activities.

 Limited participation of women in project benefits
due to cultural barriers.

 Offer project employment opportunities to men and women, encourage women to
apply and select candidates according to their competencies.

 Ensure that women have access to existing and planned facilities to take advantage
of new opportunities.

 Provide appropriate compensation or income-generating alternatives to both wo-
men adversely affected by the project.

 Ensure that project promoters do not reinforce cultural barriers affecting negatively
women.

Access to and
control over
productive
factors

 Project priorities do not respond to women needs
(limited access to electricity).

 Loss of control over energy supply.

 Provide women with an opportunity to make their needs known to project decision-
makers.

 Recognise the specific energy demands of women, who are the primary energy col-
lectors and users.

Involvement of
women in soci-
etal organisa-
tion

 Women get organised to make their energy
needs and priorities better known to decision-
makers.

 Exclusion of women in decisions related to en-
ergy distribution and management.

 Facilitate the creation of women groups when women express an interest in being
better organised and represented.

 Ensure women involvement in user/customer organisations, if they want to.

HYDROPOWER PRODUCTION, TRANSPORTATION AND DISTRIBUTION GUIDELINES, FEPA, 2004 13


4.6 Participation

Component Potential Beneficial and Adverse Impacts Enhancement and Mitigation Measures

Consultations  Integration of men’s and women’s concerns into
the project design.

 Increased support for the project among affected
populations.

 Exclusion of specific groups from consultations,
particularly women.

 Consult affected men and women at all phases of the project.
 Provide the opportunity to all affected groups to participate in consultations by offer-

ing adapted consultation mechanisms.
 Inform consulted men and women on how their concerns were taken into account.

Civil society
strengthening

 Creation of electricity user/customer organisa-
tions.

 Development of local maintenance organisations
to encourage employment and empowerment
within the communities.

 Loss of power for traditional leaders.

 Ensure that men and women have the opportunity to organise themselves in groups
representing their collective interests.

 Ensure the participation of men and women in local maintenance organisations.
 Establish a consultation mechanism with traditional authorities to ensure that their

views are considered during the planning and implementation phases.

4.2.2 Construction

HYDROPOWER PRODUCTION, TRANSPORTATION AND DISTRIBUTION GUIDELINES, FEPA, 2004 14


5. External Factors

The major factors that may jeopardise the outcomes of a hydropower project are nat-

ural disasters such as earthquakes, landslides, cyclones and tropical storms. In addi-

tion, social instability such as community violence, vandalism, civil war, border raids

and boundary disputes can lead to the failure of a hydropower project. Good gov-

ernance and poverty alleviation policies are means to prevent social instability.

6. Hazard Management

The main hazard associated with hydropower projects is health hazard such as in-

jury. High voltage electric power can cause electrocution through inappropriate con-

nection. Moreover, unpredictable draw down and downstream flow rate fluctuation

can lead to drowning and injury.

In order to prevent or minimise this hazard, appropriate risk management measures

shall be designed and implemented.

HYDROPOWER PRODUCTION, TRANSPORTATION AND DISTRIBUTION GUIDELINES, FEPA, 2004
15


7. Environmental and Social Monitoring

The following table presents potential indicators that could be used to monitor the im-

plementation of a hydropower project. The appropriate indicators for a specific pro-

ject shall be selected according to the project context, major anticipated impacts and

the cost of data collection and processing.

Component Indicators

Poverty
Economy  Number of jobs created (directly and indirectly) and occupied by men

and women.
 Share of the benefits going to adversely affected men and women.

Information, education
and communication

 Understanding of safety measures (survey).

Access to infrastruc-
tures and services

 Number of households having access to electricity.
 Number of breakdowns and hours without service.
 Change in energy prices (evolution over time).

Environment
Air  Level of noise near substations.
Water  Parameters of WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality.
Soils  Evolution of erosion signs along power lines.

 Soils contamination around substations.
Ecosystems  Area of particular ecological interest affected by the project.
Flora  Cleared area for the project.

 Quantity of pesticides used for vegetation maintenance.
Fauna  Variation in species populations.
Natural and cultural
heritage

 Number of natural and cultural sites affected by the project.

Population
Demographic trends  Population growth and ethnic composition.
Migration and resettle-
ment

 Type of housing and accessible services to displaced men and women
before and after project implementation.

 Number of informal settlements built by migrants.

HYDROPOWER PRODUCTION, TRANSPORTATION AND DISTRIBUTION GUIDELINES, FEPA, 2004
16


Environmental and Social Monitoring cont…

Natural resources and
land management

 Area of land developed due to easier access.
 Distance and time to access natural resources such as firewood before

and after the project.
 Conflicts among land users.
 Change in the price of land.

Quality of life  Level of satisfaction of displaced men and women (survey).
 Number of complaints by local people on noise, dust, landscape, addi-

tional traffic, etc.
 Number of conflicts among migrants and local people.

Health Outcomes

Communicable dis-
eases

 Prevalence rates (evolution over time) for diseases such as malaria,
schistosomiasis, diarrhoea and HIV.

 Number of vector breeding sites and vector density.
 Availability of condoms, impregnated bednets, mosquito repellents.
 Outpatient attendance records.
 Quantity of drugs supplied and used from health services and local

shops.

Non communicable di-
seases

 Prevalence rate of poisoning cases.
 Inventory of exposure sites including pesticide storage sites.

Malnutrition  Change in local market food prices.
 Height/weight monitoring of children.

Injuries  Number of violent events reported by police and social services.
 Number of injuries and deaths involving electricity or water.
 Construction site occupational health and safety records.
 Number of illegal connections to electricity supply.

Gender
Division of labour  Time allocation of women before and after the project.
Income generating
activities (money or
kind)

 Proportion of women involved in construction and/or maintenance activit-
ies.

 Proportion of the family income earned by women before and after the
project.

Access to and control
over productive factors

 Level of satisfaction of women toward project investment decisions and
management methods (survey).

Involvement in societal
organisation

 Number of women and men involved in user/consumer organisations.

Participation
Civil society strength-
ening

 Number of local maintenance groups created.

HYDROPOWER PRODUCTION, TRANSPORTATION AND DISTRIBUTION GUIDELINES, FEPA, 2004
17


8. References and Further Readings

Asian Development Bank (1993). Environmental Guidelines for Selected Infrastructure Projects. Of-
fice of the Environment.

Birley, M. H. (1995). The Health Impact Assessment of Development Projects. HMSO, London.

Birley, M. H. and K. Lock (1999). The Health Impacts of Peri-urban Natural Resource Development.
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool.

Government of Quebec (2000). Guidelines for the Preparation of an Environmental Impact Assess-
ment of a High-Voltage Electric Power Line Project. Department of Environmental Assess-
ment, Ministry of Environment.

World Bank (1991). Environmental Assessment Sourcebook – Volume III: Guidelines for Environ-
mental Assessment of Energy and Industry Projects. World Bank Technical Paper number
154. Environment Department.

World Health Organisation (1993). Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. Second edition, Geneva,
Switzerland.

HYDROPOWER PRODUCTION, TRANSPORTATION AND DISTRIBUTION GUIDELINES, FEPA, 2004
18


Introduction
1. Major Types of Intervention in the Hydropower Sub-Sector

2. Specific Characteristics of a Hydropower Project
3. Major Issues Related to a Hydropower Project
Major Issues

4. Potential Impacts, Enhancement and Mitigation Measures
4.1 Poverty
4.2 Environment
4.3 Population
4.4 Health Outcomes
4.5 Gender
4.6 Participation

5. External Factors
6. Hazard Management
7. Environmental and Social Monitoring