The World Bank Regional Solar Park Of The Gambia (P504421) Appraisal Environmental and Social Review Summary Appraisal Stage (ESRS Appraisal Stage) Public Disclosure Date Prepared/Updated: 06/26/2024 | Report No: ESRSA03578 Feb 07, 2025 Page 1 of 7 The World Bank Regional Solar Park Of The Gambia (P504421) I. BASIC INFORMATION A. Basic Operation Data Operation ID Product Operation Acronym Approval Fiscal Year P504421 Investment Project Financing (IPF) RSPG 2025 Operation Name Regional Solar Park of The Gambia Country/Region Code Beneficiary country/countries Region Practice Area (Lead) (borrower, recipient) Gambia, The Gambia, The WESTERN AND CENTRAL Energy & Extractives AFRICA Borrower(s) Implementing Agency(ies) Estimated Board Date Ministry of Finance National Water and Electricity 24-Jul-2024 and Economic Affairs Company , Ministry of Finance and Petroleum Public Disclosure Total Project Cost 1,350,000.00 Proposed Development Objective The Project Development Objective is to mobilize private investments through the piloting of a sustainable solar and battery energy storage system competitive bidding process. 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 To support the Gambia develop a competitive solution for a regional solar park of 50MWp with Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) via a competitive tender process thereby mobilizing private sector investment into the energy sector. This is the first phase of the operation earmarked for local consumption. A possible expansion to 150MWp is planned for potential exports to the sub-region. Feb 07, 2025 Page 2 of 7 The World Bank Regional Solar Park Of The Gambia (P504421) D. Environmental and Social Overview D.1 Overview of Environmental and Social Project Settings Component 1 of the RSPG will support the selection of an IPP through a competitive bidding process to develop a solar park. The site of the solar park has been identified and is near the Karantaba Village and Soma Town in the Jarra West District of the Lower River Region of The Gambia and very close to the Senegal-Gambia boundary. The proposed project is approximately 2.50 km away from the international border of Senegal. The nearest major town is Soma, about 1 km northwest of the project site. The proposed Project site is located at Latitude 13°25'54.37"N and Longitude 15°31'0.06"W. An ESIA and RAP have been prepared for the site under the WB financed IPF WAPP Project (P162580). These E&S instruments have been prepared under the Operational Policies of the World Bank. The ESIA has received the necessary environmental permits from the National Environment Agency (NEA) of The Gambia and non-objection from the Bank. The RAP was approved in October 2023 for the compensation of approximately 239 ha of land, used mainly for the cultivation of agriculture, held under private and/or customary tenure. In total, 17 landowners have been identified and there are 165 PAPs. The estimated budget of the RAP is 11,100,000 USD. D.2 Overview of Borrower’s Institutional Capacity for Managing Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts The overall responsibility for the implementation of project activities will be under IPP. NAWEC and MOPE will facilitate/support IPP to get the necessary approval/permit/license from the relevant national authority in The Gambia. NAWEC will be responsible for implementing this recipient executed trust fund (RETF). NAWEC has previously worked on bank-financed project under the Safeguard Policies including the GERMP Project (P163568) that has developed a solar park and associated transmission lines. NAWEC also has a well-established Project Implementation Unit (PIU) staffed with Environmental and Social Experts that are experienced in implementing and monitoring environmental and Public Disclosure social standards. NAWEC will work in close collaboration with the NEA for ensuring compliance with national environmental laws, policies, and regulations. The responsibility of the NEA will be to exercise general supervision and coordination over all matters relating to the environment. However, capacity building would still be needed given the ESF application with a wide range of new environmental and social issues. A capacity building program, therefore, would target NAWEC staff, MOPE, and key stakeholders. II. SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL (ES) RISKS AND IMPACTS A. Environmental and Social Risk Classification (ESRC) Moderate A.1 Environmental Risk Rating Moderate The environmental risk classification of the proposed technical assistance (TA) associated with the solar project is rated as moderate given that its deliverables are limited only to studies and do not include any infrastructure that could potentially generate direct adverse environmental impacts and risks. The TA activities do not themselves have direct adverse environmental impacts. However, the outcomes of the TA support could have important environmental impacts linked to the selection of project sites, the location and dimensions of infrastructure for the solar parks, and the construction, operation and dismantling of the solar plants as well as solar batteries and waste management. Feb 07, 2025 Page 3 of 7 The World Bank Regional Solar Park Of The Gambia (P504421) Moderate A.2 Social Risk Rating The social risk is rated Moderate. The direct negative social impacts/risks of the TF are relatively limited and will be low risk. They relate to (i) the mobilization of transaction advisory consultants supporting NAWEC in implementing the TF activities; and (ii) the risk of failure to integrate E&S requirements in TORs and the TF-generated outputs (legal, procurement and technical documents). The TA activities do not themselves have direct adverse social impacts. However, the outcomes of the TA support could have important social impacts, including adverse impacts associated with land acquisition during preparation, labor and working conditions, and community health and safety concerns arising from worker influx for plant and substation construction and operation. B. Environment and Social Standards (ESS) that Apply to the Activities Being Considered B.1 Relevance of Environmental and Social Standards ESS1 - Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts Relevant The trust fund grant will not finance any civil works or other activities that could potentially generate direct adverse environmental and social (E&S) risks and impacts. Interactions between the physical, biological, and socio-economic components of the existing environment and the proposed solar project's E&S aspects were used to identify and evaluate the potential risks and impacts. The project and its key components will likely have environmental impacts on baseline parameters such as land use/land cover changes, (conversion from agricultural land and Savana grassland to industrial, and potentially degradation), ambient air quality (dust emission), ambient noise quality, waste Public Disclosure generation (solid, liquid, hazardous, and e-waste), aesthetic and visual impact, terrestrial flora, groundwater, occupational health and safety, community health and safety, and labor influx, etc., especially during the construction phase. The RSPG activities do not themselves have direct adverse E&S impacts. ESS10 - Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure Relevant The Project affected parties include implementing agencies at national level (NAWEC, NEA, Ministry of Land), regional level (OMVG), local authorities in the Lower River Region of The Gambia, private investors – IPPs and concerned communities. In addition, other interested parties include media, local/international NGO and development partners (such as the PTFs of the OMVG, MCC), construction companies, working in the same region. Consultations were undertaken as part of the development of the ESIA and RAP under the World Bank financed WAPP project. The SEP used for WAPP has been revised to include pertinent sections on stakeholder engagement for the Solar Park component. The ESCP will also include stakeholder engagement requirements for the trust fund development. Stakeholder engagement and consultations will be conducted throughout the project cycle. A SEP has been prepared, approved and will be publicly disclosed before project appraisal. ESS2 - Labor and Working Conditions Relevant The TF’s primary activity will be to finance the IPP and its sub-consultants prepare the project bidding documents for the solar park. There are potential for labor management issues related to pay, working conditions and occupational health and safety issues (including SEA/SH). The ESCP will include specific labor management directives to be implemented in the project, with specific timelines and monitoring measures. NAWEC will be required to make that Feb 07, 2025 Page 4 of 7 The World Bank Regional Solar Park Of The Gambia (P504421) the IPP implements strong labor management requirements in line with ESS2 and national laws throughout the duration of the TF. NAWEC must include these conditions in their main contract with the IPP and ensure that the IPP includes the same standards for all sub-consultant contracts. Failure to meet these obligations should have financial repercussions in their contract. In addition, NAWEC employees working on the RETF, the IPP and all of its agent, and any other persons working on the sub-project must sign a CoC and receive training. ESS3 - Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention and Management Relevant The Project itself has no direct adverse impact of pollution, as it is a TA. It has significant indirect positive impacts due to reduction of water generation and GHG emission. Given the scale of the infrastructure development for the solar parks, construction and operation of solar power plants, significant use of materials and resources including water and energy would not be expected. It is also anticipated that the project will not generate significant amount of GHG emissions during construction and operation. During construction phase, which is not financed by the TA, there will be some negative E&S impacts including, air quality deterioration due to dust and exhaust emissions. Increased traffic flow towards subproject site could be a nuisance to nearby communities. There are chances of water quality deterioration, in particular during rainy season, due to spills from construction equipment. Good practice in resource efficiency and pollution prevention management will be adopted. ESS4 - Community Health and Safety Relevant The Project activities have limited direct impacts on community health and safety as it is a TA. NAWEC will ensure that the PIU and IPP have measures in place to manage any community health and safety impacts during the TA, Public Disclosure including road safety and the behavior of project employees and contractors. NAWEC will ensure that a Code of Conduct is signed by the members of the PIU, IPP and all of their agents that presents appropriate the expectation of appropriate conduct, including non-tolerance of EAS/HS. As the major community health and safety risks are expected to be after TA during the development of the Solar Park, the IPP will ensure that appropriate E&S clauses, including those related to ESS4 are included in all tender documents. These measures will be included in the ESCP. ESS5 - Land Acquisition, Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement Relevant A RAP has been prepared for the RSPG activities under the WAPP project (P162580) in line with OP 4.12. It has been validated by the national approval process. The RAP has not been implemented, and it will not be implemented until after the TA activities are completed. The IPP will make sure that all bidding documents, including for RAP implementation and construction, include E&S clauses that are in line with the ESF and in particular ESS 5. ESS6 - Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Relevant Resources The Project is financing TA activities, it is not expected any adverse impacts on biodiversity and natural habitats. However, project activities, during the construction phase will lead to vegetation removal, land conversion and potential damage on habitat for terrestrial fauna. Project planning should be ensured that the project takes appropriate measures to minimize potential impacts on biodiversity and natural habitats. ESS7 - Indigenous Peoples/Sub-Saharan African Historically Underserved Traditional Not Currently Relevant Local Communities Feb 07, 2025 Page 5 of 7 The World Bank Regional Solar Park Of The Gambia (P504421) This standard is not relevant as there are no groups and individuals that meet ESS7 criteria. ESS8 - Cultural Heritage Relevant It is not expected that TA activities will have any negative impact on cultural heritage. Therefore, no direct impacts on cultural heritage are expected. The Project will make sure that all bidding documents, including those for the construction contractor, will have a chance- find procedure. This will be included in the ESCP for the RETF. ESS9 - Financial Intermediaries Not Currently Relevant This standard is not relevant as this TA does not involve financial intermediaries. 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 Use of Borrower Framework No The project will not rely on the Borrower’s Framework but will comply with all environmental and social laws, policies and regulations. Public Disclosure Use of Common Approach No Not applicable 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 implementation? The Project ESCP has been developed. It will be approved and disclosed prior to going to board. The SEP has been reviewed and will be disclosed before board. All tender documents that will be produced through the Grant will ensure that E&S risk management measures are integrated into the Solar and Battery Park project, in conformance with the ESF. III. CONTACT POINT World Bank Task Team Leader: Leopold Sedogo Title: Senior Energy Specialist Feb 07, 2025 Page 6 of 7 The World Bank Regional Solar Park Of The Gambia (P504421) Email: lsedogo@worldbank.org TTL Contact: Matarr Touray Job Title: Energy Specialist Email: mtouray@worldbank.org TTL Contact: Rebeca De Bakker Doctors Job Title: Young Professional Email: rdebakkerdoctors@worldbank.org 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): Leopold Sedogo, Matarr Touray, Rebeca De Bakker Doctors Public Disclosure ADM Environmental Specialist: Ahmed Fall ADM Social Specialist: Natasha Kone Feb 07, 2025 Page 7 of 7