Environmental management plan - EPBIH

The objective of the project is to facilitate Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) participation in the Energy Community of South East Europe (ECSEE) through investments to maintain domestic electricity generation, improve safety and environment compliance at generating facilities, enhance revenue realization and communication capabilities of the distribution network, and, upgrade the capability of the BiH Independent System Operator. Given construction works that may potentially affect the environment, this environmental assessment provides the following mitigation measures. To prevent, or minimize oil leakages from the 220 KV oil cables, leaking will be diverted into an appropriate capacity reservoir, and stored in compliance with standard regulations, in addition to the installment of metallic drip pans in areas likely to experience oil leaks. For safety reasons, neighboring plants will be temporarily disconnected during works, to reduce potential, harmful impacts of electric fields. Additionally, workers will be provided with specific equipment and protective gear. Likewise, in terms of fire prevention and control, appropriate equipment - fire extinguishers and related equipment - will be in place. While noise disturbances in the project area will not affect local populations, since no villages exist in the vicinity), works will nonetheless be performed during daylight hours. Waste disposal will follow an adequate waste management, in accordance with local regulations, disposed of at selected sites. Dismantling of the existing equipment and assembly of the new one will be performed by a local contractor (there is no agricultural land in the neighboring area, although specific attention will be given to nearby forests, and water flows to prevent contamination). Concerning the presence of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB), it is confirmed no PCBs will be contained within the Plants, while in addition, bidding documents will specify no equipment shall contain PCBs.