Environment impact assessment for the construction of weather mast at Hoarafushi, HA. Atoll

Abstract

The non-technical summary outlines the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment of the construction of a 77m (with the instrument boom and lightning arrester total hight will be 82m) high weather mast at HA. Hoarafushi for collection of wind data. The proponent of the proposed project is Ministry of Environment and Energy. The total estimated cost of this project is USO 191,000.00. . This project is a component of "Renewable Energy Resource Mapping and Geo-spatial Resource Mapping - Maldives Project". The current works are part of second phase of the project which involves data collection for 24 months at several locations around Maldives for developing a validated mesoscale wind atlas for the Maldives. Key impacts, mitigation measures and alternatives The proposed project is not expected to have any impacts during the operational phase. The Impacts on the environment from various activities of the construction work have been identified through interviews with the project management team, field data collection and surveys and are also based on past experience of consultant. Mitigation measures have also been identified for impacts. Impact analysis was done using the Leopold matrix. Impact analysis showed that impact due to the project was minor and on various parameters of the terrestrial environment such as vegetation and groundwater. Mitigation measures are discussed in the report for potential impacts. Given the scope of the project the only possible alternatives for the project was a no-project scenario or alternative location for construction of tower. The "do-nothing" option or no project scenario would mean that the data requirement for the wind model will not be available and alternative island to be selected. The selection of the island is made based on phase one of the project which identified locations for data points spread around the island for modeling purposes. Since renewable energy ventures and development of the sector is a policy of government it is essential to undertake all data collection and feasibility studies to be able to make an informed decision. Furthermore the project is a grant from World Bank and government is required to fulfill its obligation in facilitating the project. Therefore given that the benefits of project are high and environmental impacts are low, the no project scenario is rejected.