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Environmental

This Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) pertains to the ‘Environmental, Social, and Geotechnical Study for Resilient micro-grids projects in East Grand Bahama’ in support of the “Reconstruction with Resilience in the Energy Sector in The Bahamas BH-L1048” project executed by the Ministry of Finance, Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.


Five (5) locations were identified on East Grand Bahama as meeting criteria suitable for the installation of PV-Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). These five locations include: Freetown, High Rock, McClean’s Town, Sweeting’s Cay, and Water Cay. The ESIA/ESMP will document existing site conditions including environmental and social aspects to support impacts analysis and management relative to the installation of renewable energy for future energy resilience to climatic events.


Overall, the purpose of the study is to recognize and evaluate the environmental and socioeconomic
impacts of the Project. It must record the current site’s physical and biological conditions before any construction activities are undertaken in the proposed areas. These conditions will be used to highlight current or potential impacts/issues, and provide recommendations and mitigation strategies, plans and measures to minimize any adverse effects on the immediate area and its environs.

Scope of Work

The Scope of the Consultation is to assist the PEU in the attainment of the Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) by developing the necessary ESIA and ESMP studies to meet the regulatory and policy requirements of the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) within the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources and requisite social and environmental requirements of the IADB. A Geotechnical Assessment will accompany the ESIA & ESMP to identify and document the natural and physical properties of the soil. A CEC is required for construction activities to commence.


The scope of works for the ESIA include:

 

  • A detailed project description including project rationale supported by the Government of The Bahamas.

  • Establish project ESIA/ESMP Terms of Reference to meet international financing and local environmental permitting requirements.

  • Baseline data collection including environmental and social data to support impacts analysis.

  • Assessment of impacts based on primary data collection, review of existing literature, stakeholder consultation, and economic data in the area of influence.

  • An environmental management framework to manage known and unknown environmental and social impacts through avoidance, minimization, and management.

  • A plan to mitigate known environmental and social impacts.

ESIA/ESMP Team

The ESIA/ESMP Team includes:

 

  • Waypoint Consulting Ltd. Environmental Consulting Services, Nassau, The Bahamas

  • Engineering & Technical Services (ETS), Engineer, Nassau, The Bahamas

  • Heritage Partners, Social Consultants, Nassau, The Bahamas

  • Philip Weech, Hydrologist, Nassau, The Bahamas

  • Jamil Jibriulu, Biologist, Nassau, The Bahamas

To see full ESIA/ESMP, see below:

 © 2024  by  EGBMG BAHAMAS  

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