Dibamba Power Development Corporation

Project Description

Note: the text of this ESRS covers two projects: Kribi Power Development Company and Dibamba Power Development Company.

Actis plans to acquire the assets of AES in Cameroon, and will assume AES’ responsibilities for the two Independent Power Producer (IPP) projects using its wholly owned subsidiary Globeleq Africa Holdings (GA). The “Project” considered in this ESRS comprises GA’s acquisition and expansion of the two IPP projects, namely, 1) the Kribi gas fired project (Kribi Operation), owned by the Kribi Power Development Company (KPDC) and 2) the Dibamba HFO fired project (Dibamba Operation), owned by the Dibamba Power Development Company (DPDC). Both KPDC and DPDC are owned 56% by AES and 44% by the Government of Cameroon. AES Sonel (of which, AES is a 56% shareholder) is the sole off-taker of electricity produced by both Operations. Actis’ plan to acquire the AES’ shares in AES Sonel is covered in a separate ESRS.

The Kribi Operation comprises the operation of a 216 MW reciprocating engine gas-fired thermal power plant. The Kribi Operation is located 9 km north-east of the coastal city of Kribi in the South Region of Cameroon. The gas for the Kribi Operation is supplied by the Sanaga Sud Project Central Processing Facility via an 18 km pipeline, which is fed by the Sanaga Sud offshore gas field. Construction of the Kribi Operation started in 2010, and commercial operations commenced in May 2013. A 100 to 120 MW expansion to the facility is currently in the development phase. All of the electricity produced is delivered to the Southern Interconnected Grid (SIG).

The Sanaga Sud gas field is located 14 km offshore northwest of Kribi, and was developed in parallel with the Kribi Operation specifically to supply gas to the power plant. While not considered part of the Kribi Operation, the Sanaga Sud gas field, gas processing facility and pipeline are nevertheless considered ‘associated’ facilities of the Kribi Operation.
The Dibamba Operation comprises the operation of an 88 MW heavy-fuel oil (HFO) fired power plant. The Dibamba Operation is located at Yassa village about 15 km from the regional center, Douala. HFO is delivered to site via road. The potential for expansion of the facility or conversion of the facility to run on gas is currently being considered. Construction started in 2008, and commercial operations commenced in August 2009.

The Kribi Operation has been supported by a World Bank (WB) Partial Risk Guarantee (PRG) and an IFC Loan, which were approved by a joint board in November 2011. Other Development Financial Institutions (DFIs) involved in the Kribi Operation include African Development Bank (AfDB), European Investment Bank (EIB), PROPARCO, Development Bank of Central African States, and The Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO). The IFC undertook due diligence of the Kribi Operation in 2010, and the WB completed their due diligence in 2011. A supervision mission was undertaken by the WB team (including environmental and social specialists) to the Kribi plant site in January and February 2013, and the mission found environmental and social (E&S) compliance of the Operation to be satisfactory.

The Dibamba Operation is supported by an IFC loan, which was approved by the board in 2010. IFC completed due diligence of the Dibamba Operation in 2009, and continues to undertake regular supervision missions, as per IFC E&S procedures, with the most recent visit in July 2012. IFC also receives E&S Annual Monitoring Reports (AMR) from the Dibamba Operation. Other DFIs involved include AfDB and FMO.
For the sake of this ESRS, the Kribi and Dibamba Operations (combined) are considered, ‘the Project’. For the Project, MIGA due diligence relied in part on the previous due diligence undertaken by IFC (for both the Kribi and Dibamba Operations) and the WB (for the Kribi Operation), as well as any information available from supervision missions by IFC, WB and lenders’ independent monitoring consultants. MIGA’s due diligence also took into consideration the recent E&S assessment, contaminated land study, independent engineering reports and due diligence audit commissioned by Actis / Globeleq as part of their due diligence for the acquisition.

GA is an experienced operating power company. GA is a subsidiary of Globeleq Generation Limited, which was launched in 2002. Over its history Globeleq has owned an interest in and/or operated multiple power facilities with a total capacity of over 4,000 MW of generation capacity in more than 25 countries.

The Kribi Operation is categorized as Category A under MIGA’s Policy on Environmental and Social Sustainability (2013). Potential environmental and social impacts and risks associated with the Kribi Operation include impacts on indigenous people, risks and impacts associated with the associated Sanaga Sud Project, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, pollution typical of thermal power plants (e.g. air emissions, water supply and effluent, noise, hazardous and non-hazardous waste) and risks related to occupational and community health and safety. Based on current information, most of the identified impacts can be avoided or reduced to acceptable levels through the application of the proposed mitigation measures.

In 2010, the IFC and WB categorized the Kribi Operation as Category A primarily reflecting the risks and impacts associated with the physical displacement of 60 households and the risks associated with the Sanaga Sud Gas Project. Recent supervision site visits (WB 2013) and independent engineering due diligence reports indicate that the risks associated with physical displacement were satisfactorily managed during construction.

The Dibamba Operation is categorized as Category B under MIGA’s Policy on Environmental and Social Sustainability (2013). Potential environmental and social impacts and risks associated with the Dibamba Operation include energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, pollution typical of thermal power plants (e.g. air emissions, water supply and effluent, noise, hazardous and non-hazardous waste) and risks related to occupational and community health and safety. The IFC had also categorized the Dibamba Operation as Category B.

While all Performance Standards are applicable to this investment, current information indicates that the investment will have impacts which must be managed in a manner consistent with the following Performance Standards:

• PS 1: Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts
• PS 2: Labor and Working Conditions
• PS 3: Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention
• PS 4: Community Health, Safety and Security
• PS 7: Indigenous People

For the construction phase of the Kribi Project, the IFC triggered all eight performance standards, and in addition to the PS listed above, for the Dibamba Project, PS 5 and PS 8 were also triggered. As no further land acquisition, resettlement, vegetation clearance or habitat disturbance are required for the Project, PS 5 (Land Acquisition and Involuntary Resettlement) and PS 6 (Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resource) are not triggered for the operations phase. Similarly, PS 8 (Cultural Heritage) was previously triggered due to the potential for chance finds during the construction phase, which is no longer a risk during operations.
IFC and WB monitoring of the Kribi Operation has indicated that the implementation of the Resettlement Action Plan is now complete, and thus far, the resettlement has been compliant with the requirements of PS 5. AMRs and subsequent IFC and WB monitoring indicate that the Grievance Mechanism is in place, and working effectively.
While PS 6 is not triggered by the Project, the WB (through their PRG support) has required the Government of Cameroon to carry out a detailed biodiversity study and regional environmental assessment to ensure that the broader biodiversity management framework is strengthened to ensure the regional environmental protection of the Kribi area.
The World Bank Group (WBG) Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) guidelines applicable to this project include the General Guidelines and sector-specific EHS guidelines for Thermal Power Plants, Electric Power Transmission and Distribution, and Off Shore Oil and Gas (applicable to the Sanaga Sud facilities associated with the Kribi Operations).

The following key documents were reviewed by MIGA:

• Kribi Power Project Annual Monitoring Report (2012);
• Dibamba Power Project Annual Monitoring Report (2012);
• Kribi Environmental & Social Review Summary and attachments (IFC, 2010, available at www.ifc.org/disclosure);
• Dibamba Environmental & Social Review Summary and attachments (IFC, 2009, available at www.ifc.org/disclosure);
• Kribi Power Project Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Report (Scott Wilson, updated January 2010);
• Dibamba Power Project Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Report (Scott Wilson, January 2008);
• Notes from IBRD Supervision Mission to the Kribi Project (January – February 2013);
• Notes from conference call on 12 September 2013 between Lenders’ E&S Specialists (specialists from EIB, FMO, WB, Standard Chartered, Afriland First Bank, and IFC).

In addition to the above listed documents, MIGA’s due diligence included review of engineering and environmental assessments and due diligence studies undertaken by independent consultants on behalf of Globeleq in prepration for the transaction.

MIGA’s assessment considered: the Company’s system for the management of its environmental, occupational health and safety, performance in the establishment and operation of its facilities; and compliance with national and local permitting requirements.

PS1: Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts

Environmental and Social Assessment:

An environmental and social assessment of the current status of both the Kribi and Dibamba Operations was undertaken in July 2013 by an independent consultant (ERM) on behalf of GA as part of their due diligence. In addition to this assessment, an engineering due diligence review was undertaken by an independent consultant, which included consideration of Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) management.

KPDC carried out in 2010 an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (“ESIA”) for the Project by retaining independent experts including a UK-based consulting firm (Scott Wilson) and a Cameroon-based archaeological expert (Institut de recherche pour le développement). The original ESIA was submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Protection of Nature in 2006, and approved in April 2007. An updated ESIA was compiled in January 2010, which combined the original ESIA (2006) with two addenda (2007 and 2008) and other supplemental documents (Environmental and Social Management Plan, 2009 and Stack Height Assessment, 2009). The ESIAs (including addenda and supplemental documents) were prepared in accordance with Cameroonian legislation, the IFC performance standards and WBG EHS Guidelines.

A separate ESIA was prepared by SNH/Perenco with assistance from a Netherlands-based environmental consulting firm (Royal Haskoning) for the development of the Sanaga Sud gas field and Central Processing Facility. Royal Haskoning also prepared a separate ESIA and Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) for the pipeline from the Central Processing Facility to the Kribi site.

An ESIA for Dibamba was completed by independent experts (Scott Wilson) and approved in 2008.

Management Program and Monitoring:

Both operations have international standard Environmental and Social Management Systems (ESMSs) and ESMPs in place that are compliant with the requirements of PS 1 and encompasses all aspects of mitigation, management and monitoring. Both plants also have a maintenance program in place based on standard industry practice that consists of preventative, predictive and planned maintenance. IFC and WB supervision missions have indicated that implementation of ESMSs and ESMPs at the two projects are largely satisfactory. Once the transaction is complete, GA will continue to regularly improve and update the ESMS and ESMP.

GA is planning to implement an environmental monitoring program consisting of regular Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) audits to track performance against the relevant standards e.g. international air emissions and ambient air quality standards, IFC / MIGA Performance Standards and to ensure annual stack emissions testing and water contamination testing.

Environmental management of the Sanaga Sud facilities and pipelines is the responsibility of the site EHS Manager. A site visit in 2012 indicated that implementation was in compliance with project ESMP. To minimise the environmental and social risks of the associated facility, during construction, the KPDC EHS manager held weekly meetings with the Perenco EHS Manager. During operations, these risks will be managed by joint coordination and communication, as is currently undertaken.

Organizational Capacity and Training: 

The Dibamba and Kribi operations are currently fully staffed and minimal or no turnover is expected to result from the acquisition. GA will conduct a review of the EHS team at both sites and assess resource needs, and strengthen these teams (either by training or recruitment of new personnel) where appropriate. GA has the technical capability, depth of staff and experience in Africa to be able to adequately manage environmental and social aspects of the projects. GA is also able to draw on the expertise of Actis’ central ESG team and technical staff and consultants at other portfolio companies.

Reporting:

KPDC and DPDC have incorporated annual monitoring into their ESMS as part of their commitment to the IFC and other lenders. Both operations produce AMRs, which are submitted to lenders. The Kribi operation further has annual independent reviews by the Lenders’ “Independent Engineer” and an annual third party monitoring report. These reporting practices will be refined for consistency with GA’s annual reporting requirements (which are consistent with the requirements of MIGA).

PS2: Labor and Working Conditions

The Kribi Operation has a total of 82 employees, including three (3) expatriates, and the Dibamba Operation has a total of 73 staff (no expatriates). There is no worker accommodation at site for either project. All staff live in the nearby towns – Kribi (for the Kribi Operation) and Douala (for the Dibamba Operation). There are 4 shift teams that work an 8 hour shift in a 3 day pattern: 3 days of morning shift, 3 days of afternoon shift, 3 days of night shift and 3 days of leave. Expansion of the Kribi Operation will be staffed largely by existing employees, supplemented with additional local hires and expatriates, contractors and sub-contractors as required. IFC and WB monitoring indicate the Operations are compliant with the requirements of PS 1.

GA polices require that it comply with local laws, as a minimum. The HR policy includes non-discrimination and equal opportunity provisions. Workers at both project sites are represented by a union and collective bargaining is evident. Jobs at the two operations are considered highly desirable since the current wages and benefits package offered at both facilities compares favorably to the country-wide and sector standards, and therefore staff turn-over is low. As part of the framework agreement signed with the Government of Cameroon, Actis has committed to continuity of employment, honoring the current employment conditions and maintaining employee rights.

GA’s integration plan for the two facilities includes improvement in HR processes (including recruitment, training and development of personnel), implementation of standalone HR policies and procedures that are compliant with requirements of PS 2, and a review of remuneration and incentive structures.

Occupational Health and Safety: 

There have been no lost time accidents (LTAs) at either site since commercial operations commenced. Staff are provided with appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and safety training is provided. KPDC training is particularly focused on plant fire safety. Contractor personnel held training sessions on Fire Detection and Fire Fighting Systems in May and June 2013. Also, at the Kribi operation, all plant staff are trained in First Aid from a regional doctor and a nursing team from AES Sonel. Emergency Evacuation and Response Plans are available for both sites, which are compliant with the requirements of the Performance Standards.

GA’s Health and Safety Policy includes taking account of the recommendations of the WBG EHS Guidelines as a minimum. GA’s integration plan for Kribi and Dibamba includes enhancement of Health and Safety Procedures to ensure consistency with international standards.

PS3: Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention

The Kribi Operation uses reciprocating gas engines, which use natural gas as the main fuel. During maintenance or when there is an interruption in gas supply, back-up diesel fuel is used. It is estimated that diesel fuel is used less than 1% of the total annual operating hours. The Dibamba Operation uses HFO-fired reciprocating engines.

Air quality: 

The Kribi Plant emits Nitrogen oxides (NOx) when fuelled by natural gas, and sulfur oxides (SOx) and Particulate Matter (PM) when diesel is used. Emissions from the Dibamba Operations include NOx, SOx and PM.
Annual Monitoring Reports (AMRs) for both Operations in 2012 indicated that all air emissions were in compliance with local legislation and WBG EHS Guidelines for Thermal Power Facilities. Further, an ambient air emissions summary audit report for Dibamba Operations in 2012 indicated that ambient air quality met WBG General EHS Guideline values and World Health Organization (WHO, 2005).

While monitoring reports from the Sanaga Sud facility are not available, the Environmental Health and Safety Manager for the site informed the IFC monitoring mission in 2012 that the operation was compliant with Government of Cameroon legislation.

Water Use and Quality:

Both plants are designed to minimize the use of water during operations. At Kribi, water is supplied from two wells at the site. The Dibamba Plant also gets water from two wells at the site. Monitoring indicates that the use of groundwater at both sites does not affect local community water resources. Both plant sites include an oily-water treatment plant and a sludge tank to treat water prior to discharge to surface water ways. AMRs indicate that all discharges are in compliance with local legislation and WBG EHS Guidelines for Thermal Power Stations.

Hazardous Materials:

At the Kribi site, the primary hazardous material present is diesel fuel, while at Dibamba, HFO and LFO are the primary hazardous materials present. At both sites, monitoring indicates that hazardous materials are transported and stored in a manner consistent with good international industry practice. Monitoring of the Sanaga Sud facility in 2012 and subsequent regular management meetings indicated that management of hazardous materials at Sanaga Sud was in compliance with PS 3.
Waste:

At both sites, solid waste generation is limited to waste associated with maintenance (e.g. oily rags, used parts), office waste and food / catering and general domestic waste. Solid and liquid wastes are collected from both sites by a waste contractor. Monitoring of the Sanaga Sud facility indicated that liquid and solid wastes are well managed onsite.

Greenhouse Gases:

Both projects emit Carbon dioxide (CO2) Net annual CO2emissions produced from Dibamba in 2011 and 2012 were approximately 676 kgCO2/MWh. Since the Kribi Project was not in operation in 2012, no emissions data was provided in the 2012 Annual Monitoring Report. The 2013 Annual Monitoring Report, which will be submitted in February 2014, will include emissions data for 2013.

PS4: Community Health, Safety and Security

The main health and safety risks associated with the Project are explosion risk at the Kribi Operation, road accidents, unauthorized access to site and public safety risks associated with transmission lines. As described under PS2, the risk of explosion is minimized through staff training and awareness activities. Staff and contractors at the Kribi Operation are regularly trained in fire detection, fire fighting and fire safety. Appropriate, industry standard engineering controls are also utilized to minimize the risk of explosion. The Kribi Project generates very limited additional traffic on local roads. When the plant is operating at full capacity (usually during the dry season), the Dibamba Plant requires 32 tank truck deliveries of HFO and LFO per day. During the wet season, the number of deliveries drops to 16 trucks per day. HFO / LFO are delivered by a licensed contractor, and drivers are trained and required to follow a code of conduct. There have been no reported vehicle accidents associated with either Operation, and the Grievance Mechanism has recorded no grievances related to traffic. The plant sites are fully fenced, and security guards control access and patrol the facilities (see below). Transmission lines are still fairly new, and are in good condition. There is regular monitoring and maintenance of lines and the Right of Way.

Security Arrangements:

Both sites have hired private security services to provide round the clock guards for the facilities. Security staff members receive training prior to deployment.

Once fully invested, GA will ensure that security contractors are adequately trained, including training in the adequate use of force, appropriate conduct toward workers and affected communities and human rights considerations.

PS7: Indigenous Peoples: 

Bakola people (also known as “Pygmies”) reside in the area of the Kribi-associated transmission line. The World Bank Group has recognized Bakola as an Indigenous People because of their attachment to and traditional dependence on forest resources that is distinct from the farming- and fishing-based activities of their neighbors. The Kribi Operation transmission line’s Right of Way (ROW) affects 30 Bakola families through a loss of medicinal herbs, which are important to Bakola livelihood, and rattan, which is important to the construction of dwellings. Two Bakola families also have crop land within the ROW that were directly affected by the implementation of the project.

KPDC prepared and implemented a Community Indigenous Peoples Plan (CIPP) to mitigate the impacts described in the previous paragraph. The results of the supervision mission undertaken in 2013 indicated that, as currently designed, the CIPP did not appear to be working, and as such, Project lenders, including the IFC requested that a reassessment of the CIPP be undertaken, and a revised plan be prepared. KPDC is currently revising the CIPP with the support of lenders social advisors.

For the Dibamba Operations, while there are Bakola people living in the general region of the Project, none are affected, thus PS 7 does not apply.

Both Kribi and Dibamba have obtained all permits and compliance certificates required to operate. The Ministry of Environment and Protection of Nature formally approved the ESIA Report for the Kribi Power Project on April 5, 2007, and the ESIA for the Sanaga Sud offshore facility and the associated Central Processing Facility was approved in 2007. The ESIA for Dibamba was completed in January 2008, and the Ministry of Environment approved it on February 28, 2008.

Communities were engaged throughout the ESIA process for both projects. Since the ESIA, KPDC and DPDC have implemented processes for regularly engaging affected communities. Both KPDC and DPDC have strong grievance redress mechanisms in place where grievances and subsequent redress measures are tracked in an online system, and reported in the Annual Monitoring Reports. GA plans to continue, and improve on, stakeholder engagement processes at both KPDC and DPDC.

The following listed documentation is available electronically as PDF attachment to this ESRS at www.miga.org:

• Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP) for GA’s acquisition of AES shares in Kribi and Dibamba Projects (January 2014)
• Kribi Power Project Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Report (Scott Wilson, updated January 2010);
• Kribi Power Project Resettlement Action Plan (Scott Wilson, December 2007);
• Dibamba Power Project Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Report (ESIA) (Scott Wilson, January 2008);
• Dibamba Power Project ESIA Appendices (Scott Wilson, January 2008);
• Dibamba Power Project Air Quality Addendum to the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Report (Scott Wilson, April 2008)
• Dibamba Power Project Final Resettlement Action Plan (Scott Wilson, May 2008)

It is also available for viewing at the following locations:

• Alex Douglas

Director, Business Development
Globeleq Advisors Limited
2 More London Riverside, SE1 2JT
United Kingdom

Telephone: +44 20 7234 5401

Once the transaction is complete, and Actis has established an office in Cameroon, the details of that location will be disclosed.