Electropaz

completed

Environmental Review Summary (ERS)Project Name: Bolivia: ElectropazRegion: Latin America and CaribbeanSector: Power and DistributionProject No: 0093721. The project involves the improvement of the distribution system of Electropaz, a private Bolivian electricity distribution company distributing power in Bolivia since 1994, primarily in the cities of La Paz and El Alto. Electropaz was acquired in December of 1995, by Iberdrola from Cobee, Bolivia’s largest private utility.2. This is a category B project according to IFC’s environmental and social review procedure because specific impacts may result which can be avoided or mitigated by adhering to generally recognized performance standards, guidelines or design criteria. The review of this project consisted of appraising technical and environmental information submitted by the project sponsor, as well as a technical appraisal and site review completed by IFC’s Technical and Environment Department staff. The following potential environmental, social, health and safety impacts of the project were analyzed:· existing environmental conditions;· siting and right-of-way alignment for new facilities;· solid and liquid waste management;· management of transformers or equipment containing PCBs;· possible impacts on local residents; and· worker health, safety and training programs.The sponsor has presented plans to address these issues and demonstrate that the proposed project will comply with applicable governmental and World Bank requirements. The information provided about how these potential impacts are addressed in the development of the project is summarized in the paragraphs that follow3. The supply of energy to the city of La Paz is currently provided through 10 substations with underground network feeder of medium tension. The city of El Alto supply is through 5 substations with aerial network feeders, the only underground cables are at the outlet of the network feeders and those with electric service connection of medium tension to industrial consumers. The design and construction of the primary aerial distribution lines is in radial circuits with the possibility of interconnection. The network is built on wood structure poles from Bolivian sources (palm without treatment and eucalyptus treated), poles of imported pine, poles of imported tubular iron, and concrete poles. The length of the poles for the primary lines is between 10 to 12 meters. The design for the primary underground distribution cables consists of a duct system, passage chambers and transformer vaults plus the corresponding underground cables and equipment.4. Electropaz has established a master plan that identifies all the measures to improve the operation of electric power distribution, including the upgrading and improvement of several substations. Short-term plans include the civil work and installation and operation of equipment. The medium term plans, which consider the years of 1998-2002, are intended to increase capacity in the city of La Paz by using a transfer of load between the substations of Challapampa, Catacora and Caiconi in the North area and between Arce, Rossasani and Tembladerani for the Central area. During this period the Challapampa substation will be relocated and the equipment for protection for the high and medium tension will be improved. Two new substations for the La Paz area will be constructed during 2001. Long-term plans, which cover the years of 2003-2007, include the installation of a second transformer unit of 16 MVA in the substation of Rio Seco in the city of El Alto, as well as the replacement of the existing transformers. For the city of La Paz, the Achumani substation will be constructed and connected with a capacity of 32 MVA. 5. According to Bolivian regulations, in order to construct and establish an electric distribution line Electropaz needs to have approved surveyed plans by the “Direccion de Administracion Territorial (DAT)” of the municipal government, as well as a geological study approved by the same entity. The municipal government verifies the width of the right-of-way (ROW) by reviewing the design and location of the ROW in relation to communities. It also provides a verification that the ROW does not cross private property, but government property. In the event that a distribution line passes through private property, the necessary steps under the Law of Right-of-Way are implemented and proper compensation is provided. For medium and low-tension lines the ROW is projected through the streets and avenues utilizing the government survey plans. For high tension lines Electropaz identifies the initial and final connecting points for the line, as well as the conditions of the area including the topography, trees, telephone lines, the right-of-way for the highway, rivers etc. In addition the quality of the soil and characteristics are reviewed.6. Electropaz has prepared a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) for the phase-out of capacitors containing PCBs. Electropaz will follow Bolivian norms and standards for removal and treatment of PCBs, which are in the process of being developed. The CAP will be implemented in three years, and will consist in the identification of all the units containing PCBs, removal and storage. The storage area will have appropriate secondary containment and fire fighting equipment.7. Solid waste such as soil generated during the various activities will be reused in the construction activities; other materials such as wires, and cables will be recycled. Domestic waste generated will be collected by a private contractor and disposed of according to local regulations.8. In the Tejada Alpacoma area of El Alto, a high-tension tower caused concerns among the community when severe rains caused a landslide in an area approximately 100 meters from the high-tension tower. The steel tower was installed in 1979 and supports a 69 kV line from the Tiquimani and Kenko substations. As a result of concerns that the tower could collapse a complaint was presented to the municipal government of the El Alto City on February 18, 1997. In response, Electropaz began a new project to re-route the distribution lines and presented it to the municipal government of El Alto with appropriate supporting documentation such as geological and geotechnical studies. The municipal government of La Paz approved the rerouting on August 28, 1997 and the approval from the municipal government of El Alto was given on October 17, 1997. However, at the beginning of the new project the community once again voiced opposition and requested that Electropaz and the municipal government stop the operation because construction would affect houses and property. Electropaz, the community of Alpacoma and the municipal government had several meetings in which information regarding the project was presented to the community. The number of participants in the meetings was about 80 people. An agreement between the parties was reached on February 12, 1999. The agreement will re-route the line to the Av. Panoramica side along the right sidewalk. The period of time for construction will be approximately three months, and will include contracts for local labor. According to information provided by the municipal government, only one wall will need to be demolished. The demolition of the wall will be done directly by the neighborhood in coordination with the municipal government of El Alto and the sidewalk will be constructed by Electropaz.9. Electropaz has a formal training and safety program for employees. The training for operators is provided every six months, and for others once a year. Employees are required to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and the level of safety for the PPE depends on the type of work performed. External contractors are required to provide equivalent PPE for their employees, as well as training.10. IFC will monitor ongoing compliance with World Bank environmental, social, health and safety policies and guidelines during the lifetime of the project by evaluating reports submitted annually to IFC by Electropaz and by conducting periodic supervision.11. Based on its review of available information regarding potential environmental impacts and proposed mitigation measures, IFC concludes that Electropaz’s proposed project will meet World Bank environmental, social, health and safety policies and guidelines and host country requirements.