INTEGRATED SAFEGUARDS DATA SHEET CONCEPT STAGE Public Disclosure Copy Report No.: ISDSC6026 Date ISDS Prepared/Updated: 08-Nov-2014 Date ISDS Approved/Disclosed: 11-Nov-2014 I. BASIC INFORMATION A. Basic Project Data Country: Africa Project ID: P146830 Project Name: OMVG Interconnection Project (P146830) Task Team Pedro E. Sanchez Leader: Estimated 01-Dec-2014 Estimated 12-Mar-2015 Appraisal Date: Board Date: Managing Unit: GEEDR Lending Investment Project Financing Instrument: Sector(s): Transmission and Distribution of Electricity (100%) Theme(s): Regional integration (70%), Infrastructure services for private sector development (15%), Climate change (15%) Financing (In USD Million) Total Project Cost: 752.00 Total Bank Financing: 200.00 Public Disclosure Copy Financing Gap: 0.00 Financing Source Amount BORROWER/RECIPIENT 4.00 International Development Association (IDA) 200.00 African Development Bank 145.00 EC European Investment Bank 114.00 FRANCE Govt. of [MOFA and AFD (C2D)] 50.00 Islamic Development Bank 125.00 GERMANY KREDITANSTALT FUR WIEDERAUFBAU 34.00 (KFW) West African Development Bank 80.00 Total 752.00 Environmental B - Partial Assessment Category: Is this a No Repeater project? B. Project Objectives 8. The project developmental objective is to increase electricity supply to Gambia, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau and Senegal through developing the interconnection infrastructure. Public Disclosure Copy C. Project Description The proposed WAPP APL 4, Phase 2 (OMVG Energy project), would finance three out seven transmission line lots of the OMVG Interconnection Loop, and technical assistance according to the following components: Component 1: 225 kV Interconnection between Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Senegal (Project Cost US$ 153million) This component involves the construction of a 225 kV transmission network capable of handling 800 MW. It includes construction of a 651km 225 kV transmission line (of a total 1700km in the network), connecting the electrical networks of the four countries of the OMVG (Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Senegal). The 651km of transmission lines includes construction of Lots 5, 6, and 7 according to the following distribution: Senegal: 163 km, US$ 41.4m; Gambia: 182.8 km, US$ 45.5m; Guinea: 86 km, USD$19 m, Guinea Bissau: 217.6 km, US$ 47.2m. Component 2: Project Management and Technical Assistance to OMVG Secretariat (Project $97m, IDA Credit US$ 20 million) IDA credit will focus on TA activities related to institutional and commercial activities including: (i) the institutional and commercial arrangements to be put in place in order to ensure a sustainable performance of the generation and transmission facilities through an effective O&M model; (ii) Feasibility studies for at least three hydropower developments in the basin; (iii) structure to empower OMVG to coordinate the use of resources (hydropower) and the development of future generation facilities in such a way as to maximize the long term benefits for each member country D. Project location and salient physical characteristics relevant to the safeguard analysis (if known) Public Disclosure Copy The project includes construction of a 651km 225 kV transmission line (of a total 1700km in the network), connecting the electrical networks of the four countries of the OMVG (Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Senegal). Though the provisional right-of-ways (COTECO, 2006) are identified out-of sensitive areas, they may finally cross various landscapes including forests, degraded savannas, wetlands, agricultural and pasture lands human settlements. In light of that, biodiversity conservation and disturbance of water courses during the construction phase will be of important concern. The expected impacts will be detailed in the existing environmental and social documentation (ESIA, ESMP, and RAP prepared in 2004 and revised 2006) which are being updated by the OMVG secretariat. E. Borrowers Institutional Capacity for Safeguard Policies OMVG is affected by weak capacity which will impede its ability to adhere to safeguard policies. A comprehensive program to enhance OMVGs corporate governance and operational performance needs to be developed, and a competent and well resourced PIU identified. F. Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialists on the Team Salamata Bal (GSURR) Maman-Sani Issa (GENDR) II. SAFEGUARD POLICIES THAT MIGHT APPLY Safeguard Policies Triggered? Explanation (Optional) Public Disclosure Copy Environmental Assessment OP/ Yes The project activities (cleaning the right-of- BP 4.01 ways, construction of the lines, maintenance, etc.) will likely impact on biophysical and social environments. The physical characteristics of the receiving environments in the countries suggest potential negative average to significant impacts through fragmentation of vegetation cover, loss agricultural land and cultural properties along with other social challenges like gender and communicable diseases. An environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) of the bigger OMVG project, including these transmission lines, has been carried out in 2004 and 2006 and captured the essential of these impacts. It found that a large part of the potential impacts is linked to the construction activities and can be managed by good construction practices. In the operation phase, the impacts are, in general, minor or negligible. The overall environmental impact of the transmission line, therefore, appears to be moderate. The original ESIA will be updated in compliance with the Bank requirements, consulted upon, and disclosed prior to appraisal. Public Disclosure Copy Natural Habitats OP/BP 4.04 TBD The project sites in the countries host some vegetation areas which may present characteristics of natural habitat as defined under this policy. The ESIA which is being updated by the OMVG secretariat will provide clarification. Of the 69 sq km total area affected by the transmission line, the original ESIA and ESMP anticipated that the only impact that justifies an environmental follow-up is the deforestation in minimal areas with classified forests, and recommended to compensate this impact by reforestations inside these same classified forests. Therefore the impacts do not seem to be irreversible. Forests OP/BP 4.36 Yes The right-of-ways will probably pass through natural vegetation though the identification criteria comprised the avoidance of natural habitat, gazetted forests, park and reserves as well as wetlands. The exploitation of borrow pits and/or quarries may also induce even minor negative on vegetation cover. Pest Management OP 4.09 No The project will not finance acquisition, storage, Public Disclosure Copy distribution or use of pesticides. Physical Cultural Resources OP/ Yes The project influence area does not stretch over BP 4.11 any known archaeological site or sacred forest/ area. Notwithstanding, the policy is triggered to manage chance found artifacts whenever it happens especially during the construction/ exploitation of borrow pits. Indigenous Peoples OP/BP 4.10 No There are no indigenous people living in the project areas. Involuntary Resettlement OP/BP Yes The construction and maintenance of the 4.12 transmission lines may necessitate resettlement of people through acquisition of agricultural lands. The original ESIA and ESMP stated that the choice of the layout allowed to reduce to the minimum the impacts of the project on the populations and that no relocation of persons or buildings would be necessary within the required surface area of the corridor. The residual social impacts will be minor to negligible. The original ESIA and ESMP will be reviewed, updated, consulted upon, disclosed in-country and at the bank infoshop prior appraisal. In addition, a Resettlement Policy Framework will be prepared, consulted upon Public Disclosure Copy and disclosed before appraisal. Safety of Dams OP/BP 4.37 No The project will not finance dam construction. Projects on International No The project does not include activities on any Waterways OP/BP 7.50 international waterways. Projects in Disputed Areas OP/BP No The project do not finance activities in disputed 7.60 areas. III. SAFEGUARD PREPARATION PLAN A. Tentative target date for preparing the PAD Stage ISDS: 11-Jul-2014 B. Time frame for launching and completing the safeguard-related studies that may be needed. The specific studies and their timing1 should be specified in the PAD-stage ISDS: Project documents were developed between 2002-2007, including ESIA, ESMP and RPF. OMVG has started the procurement process for a consulting firm to update these documents, with support of ADB funding. IV. APPROVALS Task Team Leader: Name: Pedro E. Sanchez 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. Approved By: Regional Safeguards Name: Alexandra C. Bezeredi (RSA) Date: 08-Nov-2014 Coordinator: Public Disclosure Copy Sector Manager: Name: Meike van Ginneken (SM) Date: 11-Nov-2014 Public Disclosure Copy