Ethiopia-Sudan Power System Interconnection (ESPI)

This Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) document is for the construction of a power transmission link between Ethiopia and Sudan. The RAP has been developed to meet the requirements set out by the Governments of Ethiopia and Sudan, and the World Bank for the Project in relation to resettlement and compensation. It identifies people affected by the project, the nature and degree of the impacts on them, measures taken to minimize the effects and compensation and other assistance to be delivered to affected people for unavoidable impacts. The Resettlement Action Plan has been undertaken to ensure that a systematic assessment of potential losses is made and action is taken to minimize damage or loss to project affected people. RAP essentially considers loss of access to resources (crops, woodlots, grazing lands, wells, businesses and services, etc.) or temporary displacement due to construction (e.g. earth-moving, tower construction, the stringing of cables and other installation activities). Although minimal, some permanent relocation may occur where transmission lines run above domestic dwellings or social services. Separate RAP reports have been prepared for Ethiopia and Sudan comprising the following considerations with reference to the Projects transmission line options for route sections within their respective countries: census and socio-economic survey information; assessment of Project impacts, land acquisition and resettlement; objectives, policy framework and compensation entitlement criteria framework for public participation, consultation and grievance redress; relocation and rehabilitation options; income restoration strategy; institutional framework; resettlement cost estimates and budget; and implementation arrangements and schedule monitoring and evaluation. The RAP for Ethiopia is organized in two volumes; the extensive field survey results being provided as Volume II- Inventory of Assets.

The objectives of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) are to: Identify potential negative and positive environmental impacts of the different alternatives considered.  Provide technical information and recommendations to help select and design the best alternative, and;  Prepare an environmental management plan which includes: a mitigation program, monitoring plan, program of technical assistance; and describes institutional arrangements for the preferred route. The ESIA considered transmission line route alternatives suggested by previous studies including: i) Gedo-Nekemte-Gimbi-Kurmuk-Roseires (Option A, 614 km); ii) Debre Markos-Injibara-Border-Roseires (Option B1; 448 km); iii) Bahir Dar-Injibara-Border-Roseires (Option B2; 425 km); iv): Bahir Dar-Gonder (Azezo)-Shehedi-Metema-Gallabat-El Gedaref (Option C, 446 km). Although all of these options formed the basis of the ESIA investigation, greater attention was given to preferred route Option C. It is stated in the report that the ESIA has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the governments of Ethiopia and the Sudan and World Bank policies and procedures. The ESIA report essentially: i) provides description of the project including the proposed work (the transmission line and the new Gedaraef substation), operation and maintenance, area of impact, project implementation and cost; ii) provides baseline data on physical, biological and socio-cultural environments, and economic activities; iii) gives account on environmental impacts (public consultation held, different types of impacts considered, and their mitigation measures); iv) presents the analysis of alternatives conducted; v) presents the environmental management plan for the preferred route: management measures for pre-, during- and post-construction phases; institutional arrangements and strengthening; training; and monitoring. The Study concludes that based on detailed field work for the preferred route, secondary data sources and consultations with Project affected people, local, regional and national government agencies and other organizations it is unlikely that the Project will have significant adverse social and environmental impacts. Most adverse impacts are considered to be of a temporary nature during the construction phase and can be managed to acceptable levels with implementation of the recommended mitigation measures in the Environmental Management Plan for the Project such that the overall benefits from the Project will greatly outweigh the adverse impacts.