Transcript panel of experts purpose of first visit

Proposed Rogun Hydropower and Regional Reservoir Project (Rogun HPP)
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
Report by Panel of Experts*
Almaty May 2011
Torkil Jønch Clausen (Chair)
Erik Helland-Hansen
* Desk review by Richard Fuggle and Frederic Giovannetti
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PANEL OF EXPERTS
PURPOSE OF FIRST VISIT
Inception visit:

Review of consultants’ Inception Report
( - detailed comments to consultants)

Site visit

Initial discussions with Government of Tajikistan and
World Bank and consultants
First impressions
Questions and identification of some key issues/challenges
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ROLE OF ESIA
Independent comprehensive assessment:
 All environmental and social impacts
positive and negative
all stages: construction through operation
all affected areas, from reservoir to Aral Sea
 Based on good international practice
Sound basis for national and regional
assessment
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ESIA and TEAS
Two studies - two consultants - two POEs
ONE Rogun HPP
Need for close coordination, on e.g.
 Hydrology
 Geology
 Economics
 Dam optimization, cost and operations
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THE BASIN CONTEXT
Rogun HPP in Vakhsh-Amu Darya context:
 Vakhsh River contributing some 20-30% of Amu Darya flow
 Upstream of Nurek Dam (300 m, initial reservoir 10.5 cu.km.)
 Upstream in Vakhsh cascade
Potential incremental impacts to be
seen in basin context, and extent of
project impacts defined
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THE NUREK DAM
Nurek HPP:
 Similar size as Rogun HPP
 Operation for hydropower (3000 MW) with irrigation off-takes
 Effective sediment trap
Almost 40 years of operational and impact experience
Need to draw on Nurek lessons learned
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CATCHMENT AND RESERVOIR
Some key biophysical issues:
 Highly naturally erosive upstream catchment
 Loss of fertile agricultural land
 Deep stratified reservoir
Marginal human influence on upper catchment
Particular focus on future reservoir behavior/conditions
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RESETTLEMENT
Resettlement in progress – a promising start:
 Formation of Directorate
 Resettlement of several households in progress
 Concern about former Soviet resettlement legacy
Compensation or enhancement?
Start Public Consultation and Disclosure Plan early
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DAM SITE ISSUES
Some site visit impressions:
 Deficiencies in occupational health conditions
 Site preparation, waste and land management challenging
Accident records/analyses as basis for improvement
Immediate focus on site conditions
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DOWNSTREAM ISSUES
- THE SETTING Rogun HPP downstream impacts:
 On the Nurek HHP
 From Nurek to Vakhsh/Pyanj confluence
 Downstream Amu Darya from confluence
Vakhsh/Pyanj
Need for factual information
Dialogue among riparians
(Nukus Declaration spirit)
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DOWNSTREAM ISSUES
- KEY ANALYSES Rogun HPP downstream impact assessment calls for:
 Strong focus on hydrology: entire Basin, agreed datasets
(TEAS- ESIA cooperation)
 Nurek history/experience
 Impacts in Vakhsh cascade context
Assessment now: Stage 1,
alternatives/SEA, Stage 2
Hydrometry stations on both Vakhsh
and Pyanj
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PARTICULAR COORDINATION ISSUES
Rogun HPP alternatives:
 Study of power supply options of Tajikistan
- including Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)
- including analysis of alternatives
 Optimization of dam height
Scheduling and coordination challenge
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CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate change analysis included in TOR, but adequately?
 Hydrologic stationarity problem => uncertain flow estimates
 Downstream impacts from entire basin
Need for up-to -date, state-of-art analysis of entire basin
Need for risk management approaches
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SUMMARY OF KEY DRIVERS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
KEY DRIVERS FOR THE ANALYSIS
1. Basin hydrology
2. Dam height
3. Reservoir operations
KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ESIA PROCES
1. Coordinate TEAS and ESIA closely
2. Assess Rogun HPP in the wider basin context
3. Give immediate attention to site conditions and occupational
health
4. Promote dialogue and information sharing among riparians
5. More attention to climate change
6. Incorporate lessons learned from Nurek HPP
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THANK YOU
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