Saint Paul 2 Hydropower Project Phase 1

pipeline

Prospective

The proposed operation is the first phase of the Saint Paul 2 Hydropower Project (SP2) Multiphase Programmatic Approach in Liberia. Phase 1 is designed to establish the enabling conditions for private sector investment in the SP2 hydropower development while improving access to infrastructure and selected services for communities in the project area. The operation comprises four components: (i) Main Works Investment Readiness, including PPP transaction support, technical review, and preparation of environmental and social instruments for the main hydropower scheme; (ii) Early Works and Associated Infrastructure, including access roads, river crossings, site offices, and worker camps; (iii) Environmental and Social Management, including land acquisition and resettlement, community development and benefit-sharing activities, biodiversity and other environmental and social management measures, stakeholder engagement, and grievance redress; and (iv) Institutional Strengthening and Project Management, including implementation support, supervision, and capacity building for sector institutions and LEC. As Phase 1 will not finance the main hydropower plant itself, it will focus on project preparation, early enabling infrastructure, and risk management so that Phase 2 can proceed with competitive private sponsor selection, financial close, and subsequent construction of the hydropower facility and associated transmission infrastructure.Given the nature and location of the proposed operation, the environmental and social risk classification is assessed to be High. Key risks and impacts relate to land acquisition and resettlement, labor influx and community health and safety associated with early works, biodiversity and aquatic ecosystem impacts, and the preparation of environmental and social instruments for the main hydropower scheme. Phase 1 will therefore prioritize early risk identification and mitigation through the preparation and implementation of relevant ESF instruments, stakeholder engagement, grievance redress, biodiversity and livelihood measures, and targeted capacity support to strengthen environmental and social management by LEC and other responsible institutions.

World Bank Group

Project

Road, Power Generation (CCGT), Hydro, Commercial