Zagreb Waste Water Treatment Plant BOT-increase of the loan

complete

The increased loan proceeds will be used for capacity increase of the waste-water treatment plant and the construction of the supporting infrastructure and drainage canals. The initial loan is utilized for design, construction, and maintenance of the first waste-water treatment plant for the city of Zagreb on a Build Operate Transfer (BOT) basis for 28 years. Objective of the transaction: To achieve a treatment of municipal waste water to comply, in stages, with EU standards. The project introduces the private sector to the provision and financing of municipal waste-water services through a process of full international competitive bidding. The borrower is Zagrebacke Otpadne Vode d.o.o., a special-purpose, limited liability company incorporated in Croatia and owned by a sponsor consortium consisting of RWE AQUA GmbH (owned indirectly by RWE AG) and SHW Hölter Wassertechnik GmbH (fully-owned subsidiary of Berlinwasser Holding Aktiengesellschaft). The EBRD would provide an increase of EUR 15.31 million to the existing senior debt of EUR 55.2 million. EBRD loan is syndicated to Dexia and Bank Austria. Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) provides parallel financing of EUR 104.5 million and will increase its loan size proportionally by EUR 16.7 million. EUR 250 million. This project was screened A/0, requiring an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the proposed investment project. An EIA study was carried out by an independent local consultant. The findings of the EIA indicate that some environmental impacts will be caused by civil engineering works, such as higher noise levels, dust caused by soil excavation and management and disposal of excavated soil and waste. These impacts will be temporary and will be managed by applying international good working practices. Once the waste-water treatment plant is completed, its operation will cause limited local impacts such as aerosol emissions, odour and noise, and will require adequate provisions to prevent chemical spills and to ensure adequate sludge management. Relevant mitigation measures are proposed and will be implemented during construction, start-up and subsequent operation and maintenance of this facility. A monitoring programme will be prepared, which will include monitoring of surface water quality (the river Sava), sludge management and disposal, ground-water quality and air emissions. Noise level and any potential impact on flora and fauna will also be monitored according to Croatian and EU environmental standards. None. Zagrebačke otpadne vode d.o.o. Markus Voss, General Manager Tel.: +385 (0)1 2415 700 Fax: +385 (0)1 2415 710