Environmental audit report for powerhouse registration at Taj Coral Reef Maldives, Hembadhoo, North Male Atoll

Abstract

Vivanta by Taj-Coral Reef resort is always seeking ways to provide a better service to its customers. Thereby the resort is about to upgrade the existing powerhouse to provide reliable power and to meet the future power demands of the resort. This report provides the status of the existing environment and assesses the possible measures which could be undertaken to minimize any impact on the environment by the operation of the power facility. Currently the powerhouse is operated under a provisional license from Maldives Energy Authority for the operation of tourist resorts. This island is equipped with all the necessary equipment and facilities required for providing quality services to tourists who arrive at the island. Figure 1 shows the resort with the water villas.The purpose of this Environment Audit (EA) report is to meet the regulations of Maldives Energy Authority (MEA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the registration of power generation facilities at the Vivanta by Taj-Coral Reef resort. This EA would attempt to assess the type of project, its impacts on the environment and potential mitigation options to meet the requirements of MEA and EPA on operation of power generation facility. A Term of Reference (TOR) specifying component of the report was drawn in accordance to the EIA regulation of Maldives. Copy of the TOR is given in Appendix 1. Similarly a copy of the MEA regulation with regard to powerhouse registration is given in Appendix 2.