Myanmar Hydro

completed

The Myanmar Hydro E&S Advisory is comprised of Component 1: Improve and ensure implementation of regulatory frameworks for the hydro sector to promote implementation of good international industry practice in E&S standards. This component also aims to build capacity in practical E&S risk management to anticipate, evaluate, and manage cumulative impacts and risks from multiple hydro investments in the same river basin. In collaboration with MOEP & MONREC, IFC will assist in: 1) Establishing/developing a policy guideline for addressing environmental and social risk management for the hydropower sector. IFC's support will draw on these experiences to date and GIIP and assist ECD in its preparation. This guideline will build on the new EIA procedures approved by the government. 2) Technical guidelines on addressing Cumulative Impact Assessments and how to manage impacts from hydropower project will be developed and may be included as part of the hydropower guideline or separate. This will be determined via further consultation with the government and other stakeholders. 3) Providing support in preparing other guidelines that specifically address impacts of hydropower. This includes guidance on downstream flow regimes, benefit sharing arrangements, and stakeholder engagement. 4) Providing capacity building training on IFC's Performance Standards in relation to hydropower projects; promotion of cumulative impact assessment and management; and any guidelines that are formulated under this program. This will be conducted via a series of 2-day modules starting with general overviews of the Performance Standards followed by specific targeted topics relevant to hydropower. 5) A country-wide strategic environmental assessment will be conducted involving wide-spread stakeholder engagement. This study will include an E&S sensitivity prioritization baseline study of hydropower potential based on sustainability criteria linking to environmental and social criteria such as critical habitats, landscapes and/or tributaries of significance, socially sensitive areas with local communities, etc. 6) Selected targeted interventions at selected watersheds as demonstration of CIAM / integrated watershed management good practices for multiple/cascading of hydropower projects will be developed. Component 2: Enable adoption of good industry practice E&S standards by hydropower companies investing in, and developing, hydropower. This component will focus on providing direct support to hydropower companies to provide them the tools, skills and expertise to develop sustainable projects. Specific areas for exploration include: 1) Convene a Hydropower Developers' Working Group (HDWG) drawing on the experiences of the Lao HDWG to draw in world class sponsors, improve the capacity of existing developers and provide expertise related to good international industry practices. The HDWG will provide a space for the private sector to also influence policy by regularly engaging with the government through periodic joint meetings with the Power/Energy Sector Group headed by the Vice President. 2) Provide direct advisory services to the private sector including a) training on the IFC's Performance Standards, b) assessment and training on the environmental and social management system (ESMS); and other areas required by the sector. Component 3: Raising public awareness and developing thought leadership and communications on the values of E&S sustainability standards in the hydropower sector are critical to the success of the program IFC will i) educate the public of E&S good international industry practices in E&S standards; ii) empower the public by providing access to platforms of influence and dialogue spaces; iii) position IFC as a credible, competent, responsible advisor in the hydro sector. A range of tools will be developed such as: videos, fact sheets, expanded website and print and online materials.