The World Bank Accelerating Sustainable And Clean Energy Access Transformation In Burundi (ascent Burundi) (P181494) Concept Environmental and Social Review Summary Concept Stage (ESRS Concept Stage) Public Disclosure Date Prepared/Updated: 04/25/2024 | Report No: ESRSC04266 Feb 07, 2025 Page 1 of 8 The World Bank Accelerating Sustainable And Clean Energy Access Transformation In Burundi (ascent Burundi) (P181494) I. BASIC INFORMATION A. Basic Operation Data Operation ID Product Operation Acronym Approval Fiscal Year P181494 Investment Project Financing (IPF) ASCENT Burundi 2024 Operation Name Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation in Burundi (ASCENT Burundi) Country/Region Code Beneficiary country/countries Region Practice Area (Lead) (borrower, recipient) Burundi EASTERN AND Energy & Extractives SOUTHERN AFRICA Borrower(s) Implementing Agency(ies) Estimated Appraisal Date Estimated Board Date Republic of Burundi REGIE DE PRODUCTION ET DE 24-May-2024 26-Jun-2024 DISTRIBUTION D'EAU ET D'ELECTRICITÉ, WEZA Power Estimated Concept Total Project Cost Public Disclosure Review Date 19-Apr-2024 279,900,000.00 Proposed Development Objective To increase access to electricity for households, enterprises, and public institutions in Burundi. B. Is the operation being prepared in a Situation of Urgent Need of Assistance or Capacity Constraints, as per Bank IPF Policy, para. 12? No C. Summary Description of Proposed Project Activities The ASCENT Burundi Project will support electricity access scale up in Burundi by supporting the public utility REGIDESO in expanding its MV/LV networks, strengthening and automating the grid to improve supply quality and reliability and further strengthening the performance of REGIDESO and overall sector governance. It will also leverage private investment in grid distribution through the private utility Weza Power, D. Environmental and Social Overview Feb 07, 2025 Page 2 of 8 The World Bank Accelerating Sustainable And Clean Energy Access Transformation In Burundi (ascent Burundi) (P181494) D.1 Overview of Environmental and Social Project Settings Burundi is an FCV context, and it is one of the seven member states of the East African Community (EAC). Repeated episodes of conflict and fragility have created an uncertain and risky environment which has constrained investment, leading to low and volatile economy. The proposed Project is a part of the second phase of the regional ASCENT MPA program (P180547) approved on November 28, 2023. Component 1 will reinforce the 30 kV network outside of Bujumbura. Component 2 will support the rehabilitation, modernization and extension of Bujumbura and it’s periphery’s distribution network with the installation of 40 000 new connections. Under components 1 and 2, the project will finance the construction/upgrading of 6 HV/MV substation, 274 MV/LV substation, the installation of 275 distribution transformers and the construction of 1593 km of MV and LV distribution lines. Component 3 will finance TA activities to strengthen the Energy sector and include policy reforms as well as technical studies to accelerate the pace of electricity access in the country. The project will be implemented in 10 out of 18 provinces in Burundi including Bujumbura, Bubanza, Cibitoke, Muramvya, Cankuzo, Makamba, Mwaro, Ruyigi, Gitega and Bururi. These provinces include high-biodiversity values in protected areas such as Kibira National Park, Ruvubu National Park and Bururi Forest Nature Reserve. The forests and rural areas often inhabit the Batwa populations, in addition to a high number of them also being present in the periphery as well as the city of Bujumbura. The main focus of the project is on urban areas, with network reinforcement works planned across the entire country, for both new and existing systems. Nevertheless, the implementation of these works will exclude remote or highly isolated areas, thereby restricting the potential risks, benefits and impact on communities residing in isolated regions. The specific areas will be further defined and assessed during preparation. Public Disclosure D.2 Overview of Borrower’s Institutional Capacity for Managing Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts This project will be implemented by REGIDESO, a state-owned company in charge of water and electricity in Burundi. REGIDESO has experience implementing Bank-supported projects applying Safeguard policies, including the on-going PHJIMU (P133610, Category A) and two completed projects (P117225 & P122217). REGIDESO PIU’s to implement PHJIMU is supported by an Owner’s Engineer and includes an E&S Management unit to oversee the implementation and supervision of E&S performance. The Owner’s Engineer assists the REGIDESO’s PIU with overall project management and supervision including coordination of the implementation of the ESMPs and RAPs. PHJIMU has experienced prior E&S performance issues, but is currently rated Moderately Satisfactory. While REGIDESO has developed some capacity in environmental and social aspects (under safeguards policies), particularly within the framework of PHJIMU, it has no prior experience with the ESF. The proposed project plans to follow a similar structure as PHJIMU, including establishing a new PIU, appointing an Owner’s Engineer and establishing a dedicated E&S unit within the PIU with a dedicated Environmental Specialist, a Social Development and a GBV Specialist should it be required following the assessment to be conducted during preparation. The Bank will carry out a capacity assessment of REGIDESO as part of due diligence to ascertain the potential for strengthening the E&S unit of the PHJIMU PIU to support the proposed project, identify whether whether there are existing units within that have competencies for aspects E&S management that could be relied on, training needs and the potential for skills transfer. At the national level, the Burundian office for the protection of environment (OBPE) is the National Environmental Agency that regulates EIA under the Ministry of Environment. The OBPE regularly reviews and approves ESIA documents and issues Environmental Compliance Certificate. National Law has gaps when compared to ESSs. Feb 07, 2025 Page 3 of 8 The World Bank Accelerating Sustainable And Clean Energy Access Transformation In Burundi (ascent Burundi) (P181494) II. SCREENING OF POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISKS AND IMPACTS A. Environmental and Social Risk Classification (ESRC) Substantial A.1 Environmental Risk Rating Substantial Environmental risk is rated Substantial based on screening. Key direct, indirect and cumulative risks and impacts related to the nature and scale of construction/upgrading of HV, MV and LV substations, MV and LV distribution lines, and installation of transformers and other electrical equipment under Components 1 and 2 have the potential to convert or degrage natural habitats, require disposal of legacy hazardous materials/waste (e.g. PCBs, asbestos), cause fatalities to workers (e.g. working at heights, live power lines etc.), and cause fatalities or injuries to community members due to traffic disruptions and works in densely populated areas. Key operations risks and impacts include potential management and disposal of hazardous materials/waste and GHG emissions from leakage of gas-insulated (SF6) switchgear. Most of these environmental risks and impacts are considered to be predictable and can be mitigated through design and implementation of established mitigation measures. Technical assistance (TA) under Component 3 will support the Government in preparing the second phase of its access strategy which would allow to connect about 3 million households. This includes the preparation of technical studies that could lead to future investments, including Energy sector governance and long-term viability studies (i.e. tariffs, Power Sector Fiscal Sustainability Plan, capacity building in financial modeling, planning and public-private partnerships, etc), and the second phase of the energy access strategy (to benefit 3 million individuals). These TA activities are considered as Type 2 and Type 3 as per the OESRC Advisory Note (05/2019) and hence the TOR, workplans or other documents defining the scope and outputs of TA activities will need to be reviewed and cleared for consistency with ESSs 1-10. Public Disclosure The anticipated risks and impacts of these downstream investments are not expected to exceed the risks associated with this project. Given the limited information available. Substantial A.2 Social Risk Rating The social risk rating is substantial at concept stage. While the project is expected to have positive social impacts by facilitating access to electricity for a large number of people. , key social risks and adverse impacts associated with the project include: (i) potential impacts associated with land acquisition and land-use restrictions as a result of the expansion of the 30kV network outside Bujumbura and establishment of new connections for non-electrified areas, along with temporal or permanent loss of economic assets; (ii) potential exclusion in access to employment opportunities, particularly for vulnerable groups (including women), and indigenous communities who are often marginalised, have limited decision-making at community level, and lower social status and influence ; (iii) potential increase in GBV/SEA/SH levels (to be asessed during preparation), especially during capacity building and training initiatives, during the mobilization of contractors and consultants, as well as workers in close proximity with women and girls in rural and remote areas; (vi) potential exclusion of vulnerable groups from project benefits (especially of persons with disabilities, gender/sexual minorities, and ethnic minorities); (v) community health and safety risks, including those associated with the technical works and the transmission of communicable diseases (including VIH/AIDS and COVID-19). While the PIU has limited environmental and social risk management capacity, it is expected to recruit an environmental and a social specialist, and GBV/SEA/SH specialist (should it be required following assessment), and implement capacity building trainings for project staff and consultants. The social risk rating while Substantial at concept will be further reviewed during preparation and prior to appraisal once assessments are Feb 07, 2025 Page 4 of 8 The World Bank Accelerating Sustainable And Clean Energy Access Transformation In Burundi (ascent Burundi) (P181494) conducted to better understand risks pertaining to resettlement, risks related to social exclusion, Indigenous Communities, gender and other. B. Relevance of Standards and Policies at Concept Stage B.1 Relevance of Environmental and Social Standards ESS1 - Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts Relevant The Borrower is preparing Feasibility Studies (FS) for Component 1 and 2 that includes a preliminary environmental and social assessment (ESA). This preliminary ESA will be used for early consultation and engagement with stakeholders during preparation and publicly disclosed prior to Appraisal. Site-specific ESIAs/ESMPs will be prepared during implementation for activities under Components 1 and 2 when technical details become available, as well as RAPs and IPPs whose number will be defined during preparation. As abovementioned, a social assessment will be conducted during preparation to identify any new or existing social risks that could be induced by the project. The TORs for technical studies to be financed under Component 3 will include appropriate elements of the ESF. A separate analysis may be conducted in order to identify potential economic, E&S risks and impacts of the planning or regulation around energy, and propose appropriate measures to minimize them. ESS10 - Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure Relevant The Borrower will prepare and disclose a draft SEP prior to appraisal, proportional to the nature and scale of the Public Disclosure project and associated risks and impacts. The Borrower will need to engage in meaningful consultations with all stakeholders and do so throughout the project life cycle, paying close attention to the inclusion of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, including culturally appropriate consultations and engagement with IPs and other vulnerable or marginalized groups, providing them with timely, relevant, understandable and accessible information, and consult with them in a culturally appropriate manner, free of manipulation, interference, coercion, discrimination, and intimidation. A record of the consultations carried out during preparation, including those with IPs, will need to be included in the SEP to be disclosed prior to Appraisal. ESS2 - Labor and Working Conditions Relevant The project, is likely to engage various types of workers, including direct, contracted project workers, and primary suppliers who could be exposed to different types of risks from project activities. The PIU will be supported by consultants, civil and public servants at the various implementing agencies at the national and subnational levels. While the number of workers cannot be estimated at the current stage, no large-scale labor influx is expected as use of local labor but not community workers is anticipated for sites with civil works. The Borrower will develop and implement LMP and worker’s GM during implementation to capture workers complaints. Awareness-raising campaigns will be carried out on the availability of GM for workers and compliance with a code of conduct with SEA/SH provisions to prevent and deal with harassment, intimidation and/or exploitation. OHS risks will be managed through LMP for direct workers and for contractors workers through the ESIA/ESMPs. ESS3 - Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention and Management Relevant Feb 07, 2025 Page 5 of 8 The World Bank Accelerating Sustainable And Clean Energy Access Transformation In Burundi (ascent Burundi) (P181494) The ESIAs/ESMPs will assess risks and impacts and propose mitigation measures related to air pollution from dust and vehicle exhaust, soil and water pollution from leakages and run off from equipment and machinery; noise and vibration from construction works; management of construction and hazardous wastes, including old electrical equipment such transformers and capacitors to be removed that could contain PCBs or asbestos; and potential GHG emissions from gas-insulated switchgear. ESS4 - Community Health and Safety Relevant The ESIA/ESMPs will address ESF requirements for community health and safety, as relevant, with particular attention to natural hazards; road and traffic safety; and indirect effects of labor influx including GBV/SEA/SH and transmission of diseases. The social assessment will present mitigation measures for potential risks on vulnerable and Batwa populations, as well as considerations for community health and safety for these populations. The proposed project will be implemented in urban and rural areas to bring electricity to the population. ESS5 - Land Acquisition, Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement Relevant The project is expected to have impacts to people’s assets and services, leading to potential impacts associated with land acquisition and land-use restrictions, particularly as a result of the both components 1 & 2, along with temporal or permanent loss of economic assets. The Borrower will develop a RPF that will include the procedures and approaches for land acquisition. The RPF will provide guidance for preparation of site-specific RAP as required before civil works can commence on specific sub-projects. A RAP will need to be prepared and implemented for fair and realistic compensation before activities creating these impacts start, and a RAP implementation report must be Public Disclosure prepared after completion. The RAPs will be prepared, consulted upon, cleared by the Bank and implemented prior to commencement of any construction, rehabilitation and/or land acquisition. Taking into account the context of the project area, a third party may need to be recruited to support the implementation. ESS6 - Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Relevant Resources Provinces outside Bujumbura supported by the project feature high-value biodiversity, primarily within protected areas. The ESIA/ESMPs will assess potential biodiversity risks and impacts, including potential indirect and cumulative risks and impacts. The ESCP will include exclusionary criteria prohibiting activities that would adverse impact critical habitat or protected areas. Where impacts to non-critical, natural habitats are identified that cannot be avoided, the ESMPs will include a biodiversity management plan to mitigate those impacts consistent with ESS6 requirements. ESS7 - Indigenous Peoples/Sub-Saharan African Historically Underserved Traditional Relevant Local Communities Project activities involve areas inhabited by Batwa communities, including the natural reserves and forests (in the hills overlooking Bujumbura), who have historically faced discrimination and marginalization. Batwas in Burundi are systemically excluded in regards to access to education, healthcare, and other basic services, which has contributed to their poverty and social exclusion. Moreover, their land rights have not been recognized, and they have been displaced from their ancestral lands, leading to further marginalization and impoverishment. Once specific areas of intervention are identified, the project will prepare an IPPF and/or an IPP to further identify the risks for this group in relation to the project activities and develop measures to address them. The IPPF/IPP interventions should integrate Feb 07, 2025 Page 6 of 8 The World Bank Accelerating Sustainable And Clean Energy Access Transformation In Burundi (ascent Burundi) (P181494) core stakeholder engagement activities per the SEP that will be prepared, as well as ensure that GBV mitigation measures are culturally appropriate for the Batwa communities. ESS8 - Cultural Heritage Relevant The project will support construction activities that will include land excavation for substations and electricity poles. These activities may have adverse effects on tangible cultural heritage. The ESIA/ESMPs will confirm the existence of tangible or intangible cultural heritage in the project areas. Construction contracts will include a “Chance Find” clause which will require contractors to stop construction if cultural property sites are encountered during construction and follow national laws and requirements. ESS9 - Financial Intermediaries Not Currently Relevant ESS9 is not relevant for this project. No Financial Intermediaries (FIs) are envisaged to be engaged. B.2 Legal Operational Policies that Apply OP 7.50 Operations on International Waterways No OP 7.60 Operations in Disputed Areas No B.3 Other Salient Features Public Disclosure Use of Borrower Framework No Use of Common Approach TBD The project will leverage different sources of financing that include co-financing form European Investment Bank (EIB), European Union (EU) and French Development Agency (AFD). Institutional arrangements between co-financiers are still under discussion. C. Overview of Required Environmental and Social Risk Management Activities C.1 What Borrower environmental and social analyses, instruments, plans and/or frameworks are planned or required by Appraisal? Actions to be completed by Appraisal are: - Prepare, consult and disclose a preliminary Environmental and Social Assessment documents - Prepare and disclose a Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) - Prepare and disclose an Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), including Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) sensitive to SEA/SH and a record of the consultations carried out until then, including those with Indigenous Peoples (IPs) - Prepare and disclose a draft Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) - Prepare and disclose Labor Management Procedures (LMP), including workers’ code of conduct and GM (based on assessment of the National labor law and WB directives. Feb 07, 2025 Page 7 of 8 The World Bank Accelerating Sustainable And Clean Energy Access Transformation In Burundi (ascent Burundi) (P181494) - Assess the client's institutional capacity to manage E&S risks and impacts during implementation Other E&S risk management instruments expected during implementation are the following: - Site specific ESIAs/ESMPs - Resettlement Action Plans (RAP). - Labor Management Procedures (LMP), including workers’ code of conduct and GM (based on assessment of the National labor law and WB directives. - Indigenous Peoples Framework or Plan (IPPF/IPP) - SEA/SH Action Plan III. CONTACT POINT World Bank Task Team Leader: Juliette Suzanne Georgette Besnard Title: Senior Energy Specialist Email: jbesnard@worldbank.org TTL Contact: David Majambere Job Title: Energy Specialist Email: dmajambere@worldbank.org Public Disclosure IV. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT The World Bank 1818 H Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20433 Telephone: (202) 473-1000 Web: http://www.worldbank.org/projects V. APPROVAL Task Team Leader(s): Juliette Suzanne Georgette Besnard, David Majambere ADM Environmental Specialist: Christophe Ngongo Muzyumba ADM Social Specialist: Boyenge Isasi Dieng Feb 07, 2025 Page 8 of 8