Page 1 INTEGRATED SAFEGUARDS DATA SHEET CONCEPT STAGE Report No.: AC3478 Date ISDS Prepared/Updated: 02/29/2008 I. BASIC INFORMATION A. Basic Project Data Country: Eritrea Project ID: P110202 Project Name: Power Distribution and Rural Electrification Project Additiional Financing Task Team Leader: Kyran O'Sullivan Estimated Appraisal Date: March 3, 2008 Estimated Board Date: May 1, 2008 Managing Unit: AFTEG Lending Instrument: Specific Investment Loan Sector: Power (90%);Central government administration (10%) Theme: Rural services and infrastructure (P);Access to urban services and housing (P);Infrastructure services for private sector development (S);Regulation and competition policy (S) IBRD Amount (US$m.): 0.00 IDA Amount (US$m.): 25.00 GEF Amount (US$m.): 0.00 PCF Amount (US$m.): 0.00 Other financing amounts by source: BORROWER/RECIPIENT 0.00 0.00 B. Project Objectives [from section 2 of PCN] Draft revised PDO to be considered during appraisal (a) expansion of electricity access to households in peri-urban and rural areas (b) improving the quality and adequacy of the electricity supply in its territory (c) improved efficiency of electricity sector operations through strengthening the institutional capacity of key energy sector agencies. C. Project Description [from section 3 of PCN] Additional financing is proposed for the following: (i) Part A of original project. Rehabilitation and Expansion of Urban Electricity Distribution in Asmara (ii)Part B of original project. Rural electrification (iii)New Component: Required maintenance and replacement and spare parts for generating plants in the interconnected and isolated systems D. Project location (if known) Page 2 New Asmara North (66/15kV) susbstation; upgrading/rehab of Asmara East and Belesa substations; replacement and undergrounding of medium voltage (MV) distribution system in Asmara and replacement of low voltage (LV) electricity distribution system in Asmara city. Construction of MV and LV electricity distribution lines to villages near to the major towns of Keren, Barentu, Dekemhare and Adi Keih. Generation plants at Hirgigo near Masawa, at Beleza and at Assab. E. Borrower’s Institutional Capacity for Safeguard Policies [from PCN] The Ministry of Energy and Mines established a multi-disciplinary team in 2003 to carry out the Environmental and Social Assessment for the original project. It consists of two volumes: Environment and Social Assessment (ESA) Report including the Environmental and Social Management and Monitoring Plan (ESMMF); and the Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF). The Dept of Geography at the University of Asmara was involved in compiling the sections related to the physical and biological environments. During the Mid Term Review scheduled for Ma rch ’08 an assessment will be made of the institutional capacity now in place to oversee monitoring of implementation ESA and ESMMF. F. Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialists Ms Nina Chee (AFTEN) Ms Roxanne Hakim (AFTCS) II. SAFEGUARD POLICIES THAT MIGHT APPLY Safeguard Policies Triggered Yes No TBD Environmental Assessment (OP/BP 4.01) X Some adverse environmental impacts from construction activities and potential for some minimal resettlement impacts largely in the form of temporary land allocation for some civil works. For the proposed new component (replacement parts for generation plants) there is potential for fire and oil spillage while carrying out refurbishment Natural Habitats (OP/BP 4.04) X Forests (OP/BP 4.36) X Pest Management (OP 4.09) X Physical Cultural Resources (OP/BP 4.11) X The ESA has identified all known cultural heritage sites in the project areas. However many potentially sensitive sites are not yet known Indigenous Peoples (OP/BP 4.10) X Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12) X Some resettlement impacts are possible in the form of temporary land allocation for some civil works. Safety of Dams (OP/BP 4.37) X Projects on International Waterways (OP/BP 7.50) X Projects in Disputed Areas (OP/BP 7.60) X Environmental Category: B - Partial Assessment III. SAFEGUARD PREPARATION PLAN Page 3 A. Target date for the Quality Enhancement Review (QER), at which time the PAD-stage ISDS would be prepared: N/A B. For simple projects that will not require a QER, the target date for preparing the PAD-stage ISDS: 03/25/2008 C. Time frame for launching and completing the safeguard-related studies that may be needed. The specific studies and their timing 1 should be specified in the PAD-stage ISDS. The Borrower completed the Environmental and Social Assessment in full compliance with the relevant Eritrean and World Bank standards. The report consists of two volumes. One is the Environment and Social Assessment (ESA) Report, which includes the Environmental and Social Management and Monitoring Plan (ESMMF). The other is the Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF). The project does not have unresolved safeguard problems. Brief checks during field missions indicated that disruption for rural electrification has been negligible and involves only hand carrying and installation of electrical poles. As stated above a report from MEM is pending to verify that the provisions of the Environment and Social and Monitoring Plan are being implemented for the rural electrification component. Component A of the project (Asmara rehabilitation) has had a delay of 4 years, with construction just commencing. Hence the relevant provisions of the ESMMF and RPF in the case of this component will be reviewed to ensure they are still relevant and that their institutional responsibilities and mechanisms are in place. Considering the relative lack of issues in the rural component and the lack of activity in the urban component, safeguards have been rated satisfactory in the ISRs. There is provision in the ESMMF to contact the National Museum if any archaeological items are discovered during works. Additional Financing for cost overrun in Parts A and B of the original project will not have any new environmental or social impact and will not trigger any new policies beyond those already triggered. Additional Financing for the proposed new component i.e. Required maintenance and replacement and spare parts for generating plants” will not trigger social or resettlement issues as the works are wholly within existing plant premises. Potential impacts linked to the proposed new activity are oil spillage and fire hazard. A short addendum to the ESMMP will be disclosed prior to appraisal to describe the potential impacts and mitigation measures. During appraisal, if the ESMMP is further detailed or any changes made in consultation with the client, a revised addendum will be subsequently disclosed 1 Reminder: The Bank's Disclosure Policy requires that safeguard-related documents be disclosed before appraisal (i) at the InfoShop and (ii) in-country, at publicly accessible locations and in a form and language that are accessible to potentially affected persons. Page 4 IV. APPROVALS Signed and submitted by: Task Team Leader: Mr Kyran O'Sullivan 02/26/2008 Approved by: Regional Safeguards Coordinator: Mr Warren Waters 02/29/2008 Comments: Sector Manager: Mr Subramaniam V. Iyer 02/29/2008 Comments: