IMPACT OF ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION LINES ON MIGRATORY BIRDS IN UGANDA AND MEASURES BEING UNDERTAKEN Presented at Uganda Natural History Society Symposium, Uganda Museum, 8th August 2015 Presented by JOSEPH JONES OGWAL (MSc/BSc (For), PGD (PPM), Prince2 SENIOR ENVIRONMENT OFFICER- UETCL Joseph.ogwal@uetcl.com / ogwaljoe@yahoo.com +256 772 605550 Overview of the Energy Sector Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development Four Directorates--Energy Resources Devt (4 Departments: Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency and Conservation, Electrical Power, Nuclear Energy) -Finance and Admin. -Geological Surveys & Mines -Petroleum The Electricity Sector The Electricity Act (1999) liberalized the Electricity Sector Uganda Electricity Board (UEB) was unbundled into 4 entities Generation (Uganda Electricity Generation Co. Ltd)-UEGCL Transmission (Uganda Electricity Transmission Co. Ltd)-UETCL Distribution (Uganda Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd)-UEDCL Regulation (Electricity Regulatory Authority)-ERA Rural Electrification Agency (REA)-created to implement govt plan of extending power to rural area The power sector is regulated by ERA. Uganda Electricity Transmission Co. Ltd UETCL commenced operations on 1st April 2001 Owned wholly by Govt of Uganda and has two shareholders Buys, transmits and sells bulk power produced by IPPs-single buyer market modal Operates high voltage transmission system from 66 kV and above. Holds licence from UCC to operate optical fibre ground wire-OPGW (some telecom companies lease some of our cores) TRANSMISSION NETWORK AND BIRDSImportant Bird areas in Uganda Ugandan IBA system & T-line footprint Total no. of IBAs: 34 12 National Parks are IBAs (only Karuma Reserve (MFNP)-35 km, QENP- 52 km affected by UETCL investments) 9 Central Forest Reserves are IBAs (Mabira-16 km, Nabijoka, Mubuko, Bugoma , Bujawe affected by UETCL investments) 10 Wetlands are IBAs (Ramsar sites)- No Ramsar siteis directly affected, but a line traverses Tilder area where waterfolws congregate 2 Non-protected areas T-line network and protected areas Elements of a T-line line system Wooden or steel lattice structures (max height about 35 meters) Components include cross arms, Insulators, conductors etc Distance between phases: 2.5 M (132 kV), 4 M (220 KV) Total network: About 1445 km Substation 17 all over the country (without planned investments) Impact of T-lines on migratory birdsDirect impacts Accidental collisions (no. not known)- night time, flocks etc Electrocution (no. not known) Disorientation (interference with magnetic orientation)-needs to be proved! Indirect impacts Breeding-some birds use pylons for breeding (alternative for high rise trees in urban areas) Weed control along wayleaves-(some chemicals kill insects, which are eaten by birds=accumulation of chemicals in food chain since some birds sit on top of the food chain)-needs research to confirm Birds also affect transmission lines Urea (ammonia) from their droppings corrode the conductors reducing its lifespan (conductor lifespan is between 30 to 50 years depending on load growth). Birds can disrupt power supply-esp. if they cause two conductors to collide and explode! Also a jet of urine from large birds can cause power outages They increase O & M cost- (substations) Droppings-nuisance Impact of T-lines on migratory birds may be insignificantbecause of Hunting pressure in communities where birds are eaten-these may not be documented?? Bush Fires-smoke can cause change in migrations-what happens thereafter?? High rise buildings / telephone masts-collisions?? Habitat loss-wetlands /forests degradation is increasing, population projected to increase to 100 M by 2050??? Poisoning-insecticides at flower farms /rice fields Control-remember aerial spraying of quelia birds in kibimba by Ministry of Agriculture Migratory routes with illegal hunting in Europe and Africa Specific action on birds during operation All new projects (study phase); ToR for EIA is specific on fauna EIA reports (bird studies standalone reports) Mitigation provides measures for birds Design interventions (conductors, insulators and cross-arms) EMP becomes part of tender documents and hence the contract (with EPC contractors) Installing bird diverters along known pathways Routing lines in open landscapes, along roads etc to increase visibility Installing anti-perching devices on cross-arms/insulators to prevent electrocution Design to ensure wide clearance> 60 cm between insulators and cross-arms Use of Long suspended insulators makes electrocution risk very low Use of bird rejecter's above insulators to rejection urination effects that can cause outages and risk of electrocution Use of underground cables is the most ideal- but very expensive (cost /KM is over 7.5 Million USD per phase at 400 KV X 3 just one for circuit) Monitoring by lead agencies? Diverters on conductors to preventcollision Diverters for birds on R. Nile (Masindi port) Flight diverters & Flappers Anti-perching devices & suspended insulators on cross-arms to prevent electrocution Anti-perching prevents birds from standing on cross-arms Insulators suspended away from cross-arms reduce risk of contact UETCL Project Cycle and integration of Environmental and Social Safeguard Measures-which include birds Stage 1: Project InitiationCompliance mechanism Preliminary site visits by project team & lenders Project categorization (A, B, C) Preparation of Terms of Reference (ToR) for ESIA Obtaining NEMA approval on TOR Seeking financiers No Objection on ToR NB: THE PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE FOLLOWED Implications for Biodiversity Key sensitivities identified Biodiversity hots identified Nature of expertize needed among consultants known Financiers concerns integrated in ToR (funding may be withheld if sensitivity is detected) NEMA concerns integrated in ToR Joint site visits (JICA study team during ToR preparation and Appraisal for Ayago Interconnection project) Stage 2: Feasibility studies Compliance mechanisms FIVE levels of disclosure of PROJECT INTENTIONS AND LIKELY IMPACTS; Approval of ToR (NEMA, fiananciers) Scooping (external stakeholders) Review of draft reports (internal review by uetcl team + lenders) Public disclosures (online, NEMA library etc) Approval of revised final reports (mandatory review by NEMA + lead agencies) Implications for biodiversity Use of MCA critical Findings influence engineering designs Project financing may be delayed unless some issues are addressed All stakeholder interests are addressed Gaps, omissions rectified Report tested Stage 3: Implementation Actions towards compliance Project financing tied to NEMA approval of ESIA Once approved, NEMA certificate becomes part of the tender documents for EPC Preparation of SEAP (contractorsbid and during implementation) Obtaining all needed permits (forests, wetlands, roads, waste discharge) Monitoring (NEMAteam, uetcl officers) and reporting Implication for migratory birds Project design modified to suit the environment eg use of monopoles in wetlands, use of bird diverters / flaps Routes aligned to avoid sensitive areas (as much as possible) Implementation of offsets (paying lead agencies equivalent value) Monitoring by financiers WORLD BANK SITE VISIT TO ISIMBA OVER KALAGALA OFFSET AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK MONITORING CONSTRUCTION OF TORORO LIRA LINE. THE CONTRACTOR WILL INSTALL BIRD DIVERTORS ON THE LINE Stage 4: Close out / commissioning Post project monitoring Lessons learnt Refine ToR for other upcoming assignments Environmental safeguard protocols followed The National Environment Act Cap 153, 1995 The Constitution, 1995 The Land Act, Cap 227 The Natural Forests & Tree Planting Act, Cap , 2003 The Wildlife Act, Cap 200, 2000 The Electricity Act, Cap 145, 1999 The EIA regulations, 1998 The Investment Code, no. 18, 1991 Other sectorial laws, etc International environmental and social safeguards applied by UETCL Generally the Equator Principals are followed Project categorization-Category A, B, C follows defined categories as required World Bank: 11 Operational / Bank Procedures (OP/BP) applicable International Finance Cooperation (IFC): 8 Performance Standards African Development Bank: 5 Operational Safeguards (OS) applicable JBIC (JICA): 7 Guidelines (Environmental and Social considerations) NORAD: Follows World Bank safeguards French Development Agency (AFD): Follows World Bank safeguards Asian Development Bank: Islamic Development bank: Applicable Conventions and treaties followed (specific birds) Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)-provides for offsets / compensation etc Convention on Migratory species (CMS)- provides for protection of species including Palearctic migrants / waterfowls etc African Eurasian Migratory Water bird Agreement (AEWA)-supplements CMS The Ramsar Convention on wetlands-provides for protection of habitats & flyways etc Examples of projects UETCL has paid for biodiversity offsets Bujagali Interconnection Project (founded by World Bank, JICA, AfDA, GoU), 220 kV line Payment of about 680 Million to NFA for biodiversity and environmental services affected in Mabira forests Obtaining permits (wetlands, forests, roads, pollution) Developing and implementing KALAGALA OFFSET PLAN + sustainable management plan-includes specific action on birds Environmental monitoring committee (NEMA + lenders) Environmental audit(several lender missions ) Examples continued Mbarara Nkenda Project (founded by AfDB, GoU), 132 kV line Payment of 1 million USD to UWA for biodiversity offset, footprint reduction in QENP Signing MoU with UWA before construction starts and payment of required fees Payment to NFA for impact on land in Kashyo-katomi (plantation section) Diverting line to avoid Kalinzu forests Obtaining wetland permits Change of tower design (monopoles) + greening + reflectors for birds/aircraft Examples continuedKawanda Masaka 220 kV Transmission line project (founded by World Bank, GoU) Payment of 29,163,160 to NFA for lost biodiversity services, including tourism for Nabijoka forests Wetland and forest permits Nkenda-Hoima-Fortal 220 kV Transmission line project (founded by French Devt Agency) Payment of 1.56 Billion to NFA for impact on parts of Bugoma, Bujawe and Mobuku CFRs Wetland permits obtained Some conditions tied to Oil devt since it will transmit from Mputta. Examples cont. Payment of Environmental fees to NEMA For all projects under implementation, UETCL has paid environmental fees to NEMA as part of the pre-approval requirement. In several millions of shillings Challenges Lack of shared specific information-migration routes, endangered species, worst seasons etc Post construction monitoring still weak- role of DEOs minimal (someone should take a lead) Birds also affect power lines-ammonia in their droppings lead to corrosion of structures, reducing lifespan of investments Monitoring effective use of money paid to lead agencies?? Opportunities WE NEED ELECTRICITY FOR DEVT, WE ALSO NEED THE BIRDS FOR TOURISM REVENUE- we need to reflect on the National Devt Plan and Vision2040. You are not alone in conservation- we are on payroll for the same service We need to strengthen monitoring plans (how many birds, where and ecological factors) NEMA / district coordination- forum needed Opportunities for researchers to answer unknown questions (which bird spp, which season, which area, what interventions etc) END OF PRESENTATION