COLOMBIA - Amoya River Environmental Services

closed

The Amoya River Environmental Services Project aims to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the power sector in Colombia through the promotion of a 80 MW run-of-river generation facility. Once in operation, the project is expected to displace an estimated 1.87 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (Co2e) up to year 2012, and an estimated 4.56 Mmt C02e up to 2019. It will also support an environmental program for the protection of the Paramo de Las Hermosas, a unique, high-mountain biotope, upstream from the generation facility, and a social program that will contribute to improvements in the welfare of the local community in the area of the project. The project supports 3 components: A. Renewable Energy Production: A run of the run-of-river power plant, with a nominal capacity of 80 MW and an anticipated generation of 568 GWh/year will be supported. The power plant will be connected to the grid through an 18km transmission line. The plant is expected to be in operation by the end of 2005. B. Environmental Program. The program aims at promoting conservation of the Paramo ecosystem in the area of the project, therefore maintaining its ability to regulate the water cycle in the surrounding area (the Paramo replenishes the rivers and acts as a climate regulating system) and thus would contribute to maintaining the long-term water supply to the region and the power plant. These conservation activities will also contribute to the maintenance of the highly bio-diverse habitat, characteristic of the Paramo Las Hermosas. Specifically, the program includes activities that support the long term sustainability of the Paramo's ecosystem, and divert potential anthropogenic interventions induced by global warming (potential occupation of buffer zones induced by warmer temperatures). This program will be managed locally and includes the following activities: 1. Characterization and conservation plan for the Paramo's soil cover. 2. Water cycle study for the Paramo. 3. Program for environmental education and awareness on the role and services of the Paramo. 4. Program for the Conservation of the Endangered Megafauna of the highlands, with emphasis in Spectacled bear and Mountain Tapir and Monitoring and conservation program for small vertebrates and plants. 5. Characterization and recovery study for restoration of the natural ictio-fauna in the Amoya River. C. Social Program consisting of activities resulting from a thorough consultation with the local community, that included public audiences and innovative workshops. The activities are: health and sanitation to improve sanitation conditions, access to potable water, and health services; education activities to improve infrastructure and access; communication for rural development; community strengthening and sustainable production; and conservation of the watershed.