The World Bank Additional Financing to Rural Electrification Project (P175456) Additional Financing Appraisal Environmental and Social Review Summary Appraisal Stage (AF ESRS Appraisal Stage) Public Disclosure Date Prepared/Updated: 11/18/2020 | Report No: ESRSAFA057 Nov 25, 2020 Page 1 of 12 The World Bank Additional Financing to Rural Electrification Project (P175456) BASIC INFORMATION A. Basic Project Data Country Region Borrower(s) Implementing Agency(ies) Tajikistan EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA Ministry of Energy and Pamir Energy Company, Water Resources, Ministry Barqi Tojik of Finance Project ID Project Name P175456 Additional Financing to Rural Electrification Project Parent Project ID (if any) Parent Project Name P170132 Rural Electrification Project Practice Area (Lead) Financing Instrument Estimated Appraisal Date Estimated Board Date Energy & Extractives Investment Project 11/26/2020 1/28/2021 Financing Public Disclosure Proposed Development Objective The project development objectives are to provide electricity access to target settlements in GBAO and Khatlon regions of Tajikistan, and improve electricity supply reliability for grid-connected customers in GBAO. Financing (in USD Million) Amount Current Financing 31.70 Proposed Additional Financing 10.00 Total Proposed Financing 41.70 B. Is the project being prepared in a Situation of Urgent Need of Assistance or Capacity Constraints, as per Bank IPF Policy, para. 12? No C. Summary Description of Proposed Project [including overview of Country, Sectoral & Institutional Contexts and Relationship to CPF] The project would have the following key components: Nov 25, 2020 Page 2 of 12 The World Bank Additional Financing to Rural Electrification Project (P175456) Component 1: Provision of electricity access to target settlements in GBAO region (US$35.2 million IDA grant). This component will have the following sub-components. Sub-component 1.1: Construction of micro-grids, and connection of consumers to micro-grids and centralized distribution network of PEC (US$23.8 million IDA grant). This sub-component will finance provision of electricity supply to 61 settlements in GBAO region with total population of about 11,666. The investments will cover: (a) construction of electricity generation infrastructure, which will include micro-grids comprised of Solar PV, small hydro, wind, and battery energy storage systems (BESS); (b) distribution infrastructure, including expansion of 10 and 0.4 kV distribution lines and distribution transformers; and (c) connections and internal wiring for households and public facilities (e.g. hospitals, schools, kindergartens) to alleviate consumer affordability barriers. Sub-component 1.2: Construction of Khorog-Qozideh OHL (US$10 million IDA grant). This sub-component will finance the construction of 63 km 110 kV Khorog-Qozideh single circuit OHL, which is essential for reliable electricity supply for grid-connected consumers in GBAO. The line would also allow expanding electricity exports to Afghanistan. Sub-component 1.3 (US$1.4 million IDA grant): Project implementation support to PEC, technical assistance for additional geological site investigation works for Sebzor HPP, and promotion of energy efficiency (US$1.4 million IDA grant). This will include financing of: (a) Project Management Consultant (PMC) costs to support PEC with preparation of bidding documents for procurement of goods and works required for micro-grids and connection of settlements to PEC distribution network; carrying of tenders for procurement of contractors to construct the micro-grids and connect Public Disclosure the settlements to the distribution grid; supervision of construction works for micro-grids; and compliance with environmental and social requirements; (b) geological site investigation works for Sebzor HPP; (c) awareness raising program to promote the use of cleaner and efficient electric appliances as well as to educate the local communities about the benefits of energy efficiency renovation in buildings (i.e. building envelope insulation, EE windows, etc.); (d) technical assistance to PEC for the development of a financing mechanisms to support the local communities to purchase efficient appliances; (e) piloting EE measures in selected public buildings, especially elementary schools, boarding schools and health centers in order to demonstrate the cost-efficiency benefits of EE investments as well as improved comfort and well-being of building occupants; (f) monitoring and evaluation costs related to efficiency of citizen engagement and addressing gender gaps under the Project; and (g) incremental operating costs of PEC. Component 2: Provision of electricity access to target settlements in Khatlon region (US$6.5 million IDA grant). This component will have the following sub-components. Sub-component 2.1: Connection of target settlements to the centralized distribution network of BT (US$6 million IDA grant). This sub-component will finance connection to the electricity distribution network of 74 settlements, bordering Afghanistan, in the Khatlon region. The total population of the target settlements is about 31,460 people. The investments will cover the cost of distribution infrastructure, including construction of 35/10/0.4 kV distribution lines, installation of additional distribution transformers in existing substations; as well as connections and internal wiring costs for households and public facilities (e.g. hospitals, schools, kindergartens) to alleviate consumer affordability barriers. For all target settlements, access to energy services will be ensured by connecting the settlements to BT’s centralized network because this is the least economic cost solution considering the proximity of the target settlements to the power distribution network. Most of the settlements are located within 0.5-2 km range from the distribution system. Nov 25, 2020 Page 3 of 12 The World Bank Additional Financing to Rural Electrification Project (P175456) Sub-component 2.2: Project implementation support to BT (US$0.5 million IDA grant). This sub-component will finance the cost of: (a) PMC to help BT with preparation of bidding documents for works to connect target settlements to its distribution grid; carrying of tenders for procurement of contractors to connect the settlements to the distribution grid of BT; technical supervision of grid-connection activities; and compliance with environmental and social requirement; and (b) monitoring and evaluation costs related to measuring availability of electricity service, efficiency of citizen engagement and addressing gender gaps under the Project. The construction of Sebzor HPP, 18 km line 110 kV power transmission line from Sebzor HPP to Khorog substation, and construction of substation at Qozideh are considered as Associated Facilities to the Project and the implementation of the ESS for these Associated Facilities will be included as part of the Bank’s regular implementation review. D. Environmental and Social Overview D.1. Detailed project location(s) and salient physical characteristics relevant to the E&S assessment [geographic, environmental, social] Tajikistan is a small landlocked country in the heart of Central Asia, bordering Afghanistan, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Uzbekistan. The project’s regions -Khatlon and GBOA- are home to interesting endemic flora and fauna, including some protected species like the snow leopard; and protected areas like the Pamir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The route of Public Disclosure the 63 km 110 kV Khorog-Qozideh overhead transmission line (OHL) runs parallel to the Panj River, which is a Ramsar site, through rocky cliffs, villages and their surrounding farmland and orchards - all considered modified habitats. Natural hazards such as floods, earthquakes, landslides, mudflows, avalanches, and heavy snowfalls are quite common. Khatlon and GBAO account for the highest level of absolute and relative poverty measures. Unemployment of the youth and vulnerable peoples is quite high, which represents a source of instability and a potential threat for the country as a whole. The economy is dependent predominantly on remittances and associated with this large-scale male migration and very high female headed households. All these have are exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic downturn, making Tajikistan even more fragile. Geographically, the two regions share a permeable border of 1,300 km to the south with Afghanistan, resulting in increased illicit activities and the associated risks thereof. Thus, salient social characteristics of the project area include: (i) high degree of diversity in terms of linguistic as well as political orientations; (ii) inter-regional as well as rural-urban disparities; and (iii) low income and employment opportunities. These can become impediments during the construction stage, especially in the spheres of security and labor management and labor influx. Providing power supplies in these regions is quite an uphill task as these are mountainous areas with extremely difficult accessibility. In order to resolve the issue with electricity access and supply reliability, the Government of Tajikistan embarked on electrification and supply reliability program in GBAO and Khatlon. The investments in GBAO include construction of renewable energy based micro-grids (financed by the Bank), construction of Sebzor HPP (financed by KfW and EU), construction of power transmission line to connect Sebzor HPP to Khorog substation Nov 25, 2020 Page 4 of 12 The World Bank Additional Financing to Rural Electrification Project (P175456) (SECO), and construction of 63 km Khorog-Qozideh power transmission line (to be financed under this proposed AF). Sebzor HPP will be located on the Shokhdara River some 20 km south east of Khorog town. The proposed AF will finance construction the 63 km 110 kV Khorog-Qozideh OHL. D. 2. Borrower’s Institutional Capacity The proposed AF will be implemented by the Pamir Energy Company (PEC), which is owned 70 percent by Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) and 30 percent by IFC, and holds a 25-year concession on power sector assets in GBAO. Under the parent project, PEC is responsible for carrying of the additional geotechnical studies required for Sebzor HPP as well as electrification solutions in GBAO – both connection of target settlements to centralized distribution network and construction of renewable energy based micro-grids (solar PV, wind, batter storage systems, and micro hydro). While PEC has some experience with project implementation and management, including mitigating environmental and social risks, the parent project is the first energy sector project in Tajikistan prepared under the Bank’s new Environment and Social Framework (ESF). It is expected that the client’s capacity to deliver an ESF based project is limited; therefore, capacity building for the client and contractors is included in the project ESMF, and the Khorog-Qozideh OHL ESMP, and in other environmental and social instruments already prepared/ to be prepared during preparation and implementation. II. SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL (ES) RISKS AND IMPACTS A. Environmental and Social Risk Classification (ESRC) Substantial Public Disclosure Environmental Risk Rating Substantial The Environmental Risk Rating for the AF, like the parent project, is Substantial due to the fact that the project is building the Sebzor run-of-river HPP in the remote GBAO province and the AF is constructing the 63 km 110 kV Khorog-Qozideh OHL along the Panj River, a Ramsar site. The capacity of PEC for addressing the relevant ESSes is expected to be moderate and require some capacity building. Most of the expected risks related to the Khorog-Qozideh OHL are likely to occur during the construction phase (occupational health and safety hazards, generation of solid waste, air pollution and noise, disruption of traffic, etc.); however, as the Panj River is a Ramsar Site, there are potential risks to migrating birds for the lifetime of the project. A Preliminary Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), including an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for the proposed OHL was prepared, consulted on, reviewed by the World Bank, and disclosed during the preparation of the Parent Project. The Khorog-Qozideh ESIA/ESMP will be finalized based on 1) a Biodiversity assessment and management plan, which is currently being finalized by PEC; and 2) final design work for the OHL. A Contractor’s ESMP, will also be prepared by the selected contractor prior to construction. The Government of Tajikistan, in coordination with the World Bank Environment and Social Team, has updated the Environment and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) that details the timing for the above-mentioned documents and capacity building needs for strengthening Pamir Energy’s environmental and social management system. Social Risk Rating Substantial Nov 25, 2020 Page 5 of 12 The World Bank Additional Financing to Rural Electrification Project (P175456) The Social Risk of this AF, like under the parent project, is Substantial owing primarily due to the construction of Sebzor HPP (an Associated Facility, being financed by KfW). The risks across other components of the main project are Moderate. The scale and scope of risks and impacts arising from the construction of the 63 km 110 kV Khorog-Qozideh OHL along the Panj River to be financed under the AF are similar to those under the parent project, and are primarily due to the type, location, sensitivity and scale of the project, which are not significant. However, contextual risks - diverse regions, common fragility, the remoteness & extremely difficult access, the border vulnerability, absence of sustainable job opportunities and income-generating activities leading to unemployment and poverty, migration & remittances consequently increased female headed households - as well as client capacity risks are high. Consequently, security risks to contractors and laborers as well as migrant laborers and community safety warrant attention. All of these will have a bearing on the project’s activities: (i) micro-grids to connect remote households; (ii) connection of some consumers to centralized power distribution network of PEC; and (iii) improving connectivity through transmission distribution lines. Construction of this OHL essentially would mean erecting towers, which require lands on relatively very small scale. As most lands are under public ownership, no major land acquisition and/ or physical displacement is expected. The land acquisitions and resettlement, if any, would be carried out consistent with the requirements of the Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF), which was prepared, consulted, approved by the Bank, and disclosed. Construction of OHL mostly likely would be conducted by international contractors and hence some labor influx is expected. Therefore Occupational Health and Safety as well as Community Health and Safety will also assume importance. There may also be security risks to contractors and laborers as well as migrant laborers and community safety warrants attention Public Disclosure As against this OHL situation, the construction of Sebzor HPP (an Associated Facility, being financed by KfW), does bear Substantial risk. The risks across other components of the main project are ‘moderate’. Thus, the risks vary across the various components. While hydro-power plant construction bears substantial risk, other interventions are likely to be moderate. However, the overall social risk is rated as Substantial considering various factors and variables. B. Environment and Social Standards (ESSs) that Apply to the Activities Being Considered B.1. General Assessment ESS1 Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts Overview of the relevance of the Standard for the Project: The environment and social risks are rated Substantial. Two categories of risks are recognized: one, as related to the impacts of the project activities; and the other, contextual. The former relates to: civil works related environmental disturbances, and land acquisition and resettlement. The latter, contextual risks, at times, could have a bearing on security to contractors and laborers and community safety. All the risks are identifiable and manageable. These risks are covered by ESS 1, ESS 2, ESS 3, ESS 4, ESS 5, ESS 6, ESS 8, and ESS 10. Environmental risks relate directly to the construction and operation of the 63 km 110 kV Khorog-Qozideh OHL such as: (i) air pollution and noise from trucks and other construction machinery; (ii) soil disturbance during earthmoving and material (gravel/sand/soil) extraction; (iii) tree-cutting and loss of vegetation; (iv) generation and disposal of Nov 25, 2020 Page 6 of 12 The World Bank Additional Financing to Rural Electrification Project (P175456) construction and household solid waste; (v) construction camp management; and (vi) potential bird collisions during operation. Social risks relate mainly to resettlement and labor management. The construction of the 63 km 110 kV Khorog- Qozideh OHL would require lands, which may result in permanent and temporary impacts. Given that construction activities will take place in FCV areas, labor management – labor influx, camps, security, ESHS, relationship with local communities, SEA/SH- may also need attention. Those risks will be addressed by ESF instruments prepared for the parent project as well as those prepared specifically for the 63 km OHL being financed by the AF. Those prepared for the Parent Project include: 1) the Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF); 2) the Labor Management Procedures (LMP) prepared for the activities in GBAO implemented by PEC; and 3) The Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) prepared for the activities in GBAO implemented by PEC. For the AF, a Preliminary Environment and Social Impact Assessment/Environment and Social Management Plan (ESIA/ESMP) was prepared for the Khorog-Qozideh OHL, consulted on, and disclosed during preparation of the Parent Project. The initial ESIA/ESMP captures the key construction risks and necessary mitigation for the OHL. It also calls for the inclusion of the following in the finalized ESIA/ESMP: 1) the biodiversity assessment and management plan that includes analysis of bird migration along the Panj that is currently under preparation by PEC; and 2) ground truthing based on the final designs, which are dependent on the completed biodiversity assessment. The Final Public Disclosure ESIA/ESMP will be consulted on and finalized, to the satisfaction of the Bank, under the AF prior to the issuing of bidding documents for construction. Additionally, two new ESF instruments, prepared to the satisfaction of the Bank, consulted on, and disclosed are required for the AF: 1) A Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) to be prepared for the Khorog-Qozideh OHL and implemented prior to construction. 2) A Contractors ESMP, based on the ESIA/ESMP, biodiversity action plan, LMP, and SMP will be finalized prior to construction. All updated and new ESMF instruments will be disclosed on the PEC and Bank websites in association with the parent project and the AF. Documentation and information available and reviewed as part of Environmental and Social screening are as follows: 1. Documentation related to the Tajikistan Rural Electrification Project (P170132); 2. “Tajikistan: Country Economic Update, Spring 2018.” World Bank, Washington, DC. 3. OECD State of Fragility Report, 2018. 4. Tajikistan Risk and Resilience Assessment, World Bank, Washington, DC, 2017. 5. Sebzor Hydro-Power Environmental Project Brief, SWECO Energuide AB, 2015. 6. Sebzor Hydro-Power Project Environmental Impact Assessment, SWECO Energuide AB, 2016. Nov 25, 2020 Page 7 of 12 The World Bank Additional Financing to Rural Electrification Project (P175456) 7. Sebzor Hydro-Power Project Stakeholder Engagement Plan, SWECO Energuide AB, 2016. 8. Sebzor Hydro-Power Project Environmental Management Plan, SWECO Energuide AB, 2016. 9. Sebzor Hydro-Power Project Resettlement and Compensation Action Plan, SWECO Energuide AB, 2016. 10. CASA 1000 Transmission Line - North Segment Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, Barqi Tojik, October 2020. 11. Jobs Diagnostic Tajikistan, World Bank, Washington, DC, 2017. 12. Dodwell, Brian, Daniel Milton, and Don Rassler. The Caliphates Global Workforce: An Inside Look at the Islamic States Foreign Fighter Paper Trail. United States Military Academy Combating Terrorism Center West Point United States, 2016. Toktomushev, Kemel. "Promoting Social Cohesion and Conflict Mitigation: Understanding Conflict in the Cross-Border Areas of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan." (2017). 13. Government of Tajikistan. State Committee of National Security, presentation to Parliamentary Session on “Prevention of youth involvement in terrorist organization and implementation of the Law in the Republic of Tajikistan”, November 7, 2018. http://saidomardum.tj/ma-lisi-ol/peshgirii-albi-avonon-ba-tashkiloti-terrorist-vazifai- omeai-sha-rvand-niz-ast/ https://eurasianet.org/s/tajikistan-former-students-of-islam-return-to-nothing 14. World Bank. 2017. “REDUCING MULTI-HAZARD RISKS ACROSS TAJIKISTAN: Protecting Communities Through Quality Infrastructure. 15. Tajikistan Country Gender Assessment, ADB, 2016. ESS10 Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure Public Disclosure The preparation of the parent project made preliminary attempts at mapping the stakeholders. Individuals and groups likely to be affected and some direct beneficiaries have been identified. Mapping of Other Interested Parties such as businesses (including small local entrepreneurs) that benefit from improved electricity supply, government agencies active in the rural communities of Khatlon and GBAO, rival/extremist groups, NGOs and CSOs and non- beneficiaries are being done. The Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) prepared for the parent project covering the activities in GBAO implemented by PEC covers the 110 kV Khorog-Qozideh OHL. The also identifies impediments to reaching out to stakeholders as well as reflect/ build capacity of the client in engaging with stakeholders. The Grievance Redressal Mechanism (GRM) developed for the parent project will be expanded to cover the activities financed under the AF to enable stakeholders air their concerns/ comments/ suggestions, if any. Grievance Mechanism will have a special window to address issues related to SEA/SH. B.2. Specific Risks and Impacts A brief description of the potential environmental and social risks and impacts relevant to the Project. ESS2 Labor and Working Conditions Risk related to labor influx is not expected to be significant, but will be mitigated by the establishment and close adherence to: 1) Labor Management Procedure (LMP) originally prepared for the parent project covering the activities in GBAO implemented by PEC; (ii) labor management plan(s) to be prepared by the Contractor hired for the Nov 25, 2020 Page 8 of 12 The World Bank Additional Financing to Rural Electrification Project (P175456) construction of 63 km 110 kV Khorog-Qozideh OHL as part of the Contractor’s ESMP; and 3) a workers code of conduct acceptable to the Bank. Risk of child/ forced labor is considered to be limited. Project workers for the proposed AF, like similar to those of the parent project, will include Direct Workers, Contracted Worker and Primary Supply Workers. The construction of 110 kV Khorog-Qozideh OHL will likely entail international/regional service providers and contractors. Like under the parent project, unskilled labor under this AF is expected to be hired locally while skilled workers are expected to be hired from other areas of Tajikistan and/or internationally. Labor camps for the parent project and the AF are envisaged, which may not have more than 200 total workers at any given point of time. In accordance with the final ESIA/ESMP, Bidding Documents prepared for the project will include a Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) plan in line with World Bank Group Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Guidelines. A specific Worker Health and Safety Plan for the OHL will also be developed to cover site-specific job hazards, provision of preventive and protective measures for all hazards; information about safe working methods; and road safety measures. The plan will also include procedures on incident investigation and reporting, recording and reporting of non-conformances, emergency preparedness and response procedures and continuous training and awareness to workers. Locally based GRMs specifically for direct and contracted workers, respectively, will be provided. Civil works contracts will incorporate environment and social mitigation measures (ESIA/ESMP; LMP, ESHS guidelines; SEP, RPF, RAP, Contractor’s GRM, etc.). The contract for the construction of 63 km 110 kV Khorog-Qozideh OHL will include industry standard Codes of Conduct that include measures to prevent SEA/SH. Public Disclosure ESS3 Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention and Management The ESIA/ESMP includes sections on resource efficiency and Pollution Prevention and Management. Assessment of risks and impacts due to the construction of 63 km 110 kV Khorog-Qozideh OHL and proposed mitigation measures related to relevant requirements of ESS 3, including raw materials, water use, air pollution, hazardous materials, and hazardous waste. ESS4 Community Health and Safety Construction of 63 km 110 kV Khorog-Qozideh OHL is associated with dust/noise, soil disturbances, temporary blockades, traffic management, waste disposal, and labor influx associated disturbance to local communities and labor camps management. Addressing these issues demands detailed mapping of the communities likely to be affected and an assessment of the impacts thereof. In particular, PEC will identify, evaluate, and put in place a mechanism to manage potential road safety risks and risks to workers, nearby communities, and other road users. The final ESIA/ESMP will include the assessment of the potential scale and risk of the AF due to labor influx and the COVID-19 situation on safety of local communities. Further, as appropriate, a separate OHS plan will also be prepared, as part of the Contractor’s ESMP and based on the final ESIA/ESMP which will include a a template to address impacts/risks including: (i) health to human and livestock; (ii) the COVID-19 pandemic; (iii) HIV/ AIDS; GBV/ SEA; (iv) traffic management; (v) labor influx and labor camp management; and (vi) safe keeping of persons and communities within and outside the project site as a result of the deployment of security personnel. The Contractor will be required to appoint designated community liaison persons as part of the CHS plan who will keep local Nov 25, 2020 Page 9 of 12 The World Bank Additional Financing to Rural Electrification Project (P175456) communities informed of construction schedule, expected impact and other issues of interest for them, and receive grievances or feedback from them. ESS5 Land Acquisition, Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement The project area is in a sparsely populated area. This enables designing of the alignment such as to avoid (to a great extent) settlements/ structures. So, land acquisition and resettlement impacts are likely to be not significant. The client has already done some preliminary investigations and alternatives drawn for the construction of the OHL. Transmission lines may entail some physical and economic displacement, impacts of which are not expected to be significant. But, as of now, the extent of land acquisition and the impacts thereof (on local people / communities) are not known. Nature and extent of impacts as well as number of people/households likely to be affected would become known as the detailed surveys are done and design firmed up. Hence, to address this situation, a Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) has already been prepared and disclosed during the parent project preparation. The RPF establishes how site-specific Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs) will be prepared, disclosed, and implemented. The same will be re-visited and updated, as appropriate, for the AF activities. It is noted that all sub- projects requiring RAPs will ensure that the RAPs are fully implemented prior to commencement of works. ESS6 Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources The 110 kV Khorog-Qozideh OHL is along the Panj River, a Ramsar Site, which makes up the Afghan border in this remote mountainous area of Eastern Tajikistan. The ESIA/ESMP has examined the biodiversity and living natural Public Disclosure resources on and along the path of the OHL and specifically deals with the risk of bird and bat collision with the proposed OHL, noting that since the line follows the course of the river, which is generally parallel to migration routes, the risk is less. Nevertheless, the ESIA does recommend a biodiversity assessment and management plan that includes the flyways along the OHL which PEC is currently carrying out. The final ESIA/ESMP, which will include the biodiversity assessment and management plan, and address the OHL's final design, will include any necessary mitigation measures for both construction and operation of the OHL. All of these mitigation measures will be included in the Contractor's ESMP. Further, the ESIA prepared for the CASA 1000 Transmission Line - Northern Segment as well as the ESMF for PEC's Rural Electrification work under the parent project, are both resources that deal with bird migration along the Panj and biodiversity issues in GBAO (protected areas, critical habitats, presence of endangered species, etc.). ESS7 Indigenous Peoples/Sub-Saharan African Historically Underserved Traditional Local Communities Based on the screening against ESS 7, this ESS is not considered relevant to the project. ESS8 Cultural Heritage Tajikistan is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Site (the Tajik National Park in the Pamir Mountains in GBAO and the Proto-urban Site of Sarazm in the Northwest) as well as sixteen candidate sites; therefore, it is clear that the planned interventions might also interact with Tajikistan’s unique cultural heritage. Although construction works are not expected to have direct physical impact on any heritage monuments, indirect impacts from the movement of Nov 25, 2020 Page 10 of 12 The World Bank Additional Financing to Rural Electrification Project (P175456) construction machinery, presence of work force, etc. as well as permanent impact on the visual/aesthetic view of any sites on or near the affected roads were looked at and mitigation measures provided in the ESIA/ESMP. The ESIA/ESMP includes a section on protection of Cultural Heritage as well as proper "chance find" procedures which will be reflected in the Contractor's ESMP ESS9 Financial Intermediaries This standard is not currently relevant as no financial intermediaries are party to the project implementation modality. C. Legal Operational Policies that Apply OP 7.50 Projects on International Waterways Yes OP 7.60 Projects in Disputed Areas No B.3. Reliance on Borrower’s policy, legal and institutional framework, relevant to the Project risks and impacts Is this project being prepared for use of Borrower Framework? No Public Disclosure Areas where “Use of Borrower Framework” is being considered: N/A IV. CONTACT POINTS World Bank Contact: Artur Kochnakyan Title: Senior Energy Specialist Telephone No: +1-202-473-6302 Email: akochnakyan@worldbank.org Borrower/Client/Recipient Borrower: Ministry of Energy and Water Resources Borrower: Ministry of Finance Implementing Agency(ies) Implementing Agency: Pamir Energy Company Implementing Agency: Barqi Tojik Nov 25, 2020 Page 11 of 12 The World Bank Additional Financing to Rural Electrification Project (P175456) V. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT The World Bank 1818 H Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20433 Telephone: (202) 473-1000 Web: http://www.worldbank.org/projects VI. APPROVAL Task Team Leader(s): Artur Kochnakyan Practice Manager (ENR/Social) Varalakshmi Vemuru Cleared on 18-Nov-2020 at 17:58:58 GMT-05:00 Public Disclosure Nov 25, 2020 Page 12 of 12