Project Summary Information (PSI)
Project Name
Country
Sector
Project No
Sponsor
Environmental and Social Category
Date of PSI prepared or updated
Estimated Date of Board
Consideration
Concept Decision
I.
Project No: 000017
40 MW Gulshat PV Solar Power Plant
Republic of Kazakhstan
Energy
Power Generation, Renewable Energy, Solar
000017
ACME Cleantech Solutions Private Limited
Category B
24 February 2017
September 2017
Approved
Introduction
Kazakhstan possesses significant renewable energy resources, such as wind, solar and hydro, but these remain
largely untapped today. Renewable energy is mainly represented by hydropower while most of electricity
(80%) is produced by coal-fired power plants.
Recognizing the need for diversification, the Government of Kazakhstan has begun to take the steps to
transition to a green economy. Under this initiative, a number of actions have been planned including the
development of renewable energy sources. The Renewable Energy Law was introduced in June 2013 and
amended in April 2016 by the Government of Kazakhstan setting the framework for the renewable energy
development.
II.
Project Objectives and Expected Results
The Project will increase the renewable energy capacity of Kazakhstan in the country’s remote populations
and reduce the dependence of the coal burnt generation to meet increasing demand. Being located in the south
of Kazakhstan, which is characterized by electricity supply gaps, the Project will help to decrease the region’s
deficit.
III.
Project Description
The Bank is considering provision of debt financing for construction, connection to the power transmission
grid, commissioning and launch of a greenfield 40 MW (48MWp) solar power plant located in the Karaganda
Region, Kazakhstan.
IV.
Environmental and Social Category
The Bank has decided to use the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)’s
Environmental and Social Policy (2014) since (i) it is consistent with the Bank’s Articles of Agreement and
materially consistent with the provisions of the Bank’s Environmental and Social Policy and relevant
Environmental and Social Standards; and (ii) the monitoring procedures that the EBRD has in place to
ascertain compliance with its Environmental and Social Policy are appropriate for the Project. The Bank
agrees with EBRD’s assignment of the Project as Category B.
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The Government of Kazakhstan requires an EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) covering
environmental, social and biodiversity aspects of the Project. This process also provides for a Public Hearing
to be held with the local community. The final EIA and minutes of the Public Hearing will be reviewed by
the State Environmental Department prior to approval of the Project. The final EIA report is expected by the
end of 2016. The ESMP (Environmental and Social Management Plan) for the Project will be formulated
following the finalization of the EIA.
The Sponsor has conducted preliminary environmental and social due diligence which indicates that the
impact of the solar power plant is minimal except for depletion of vegetation cover in the project site, mostly
low ecological value vegetation consisting of perennial shrubs. In addition, the living conditions of the
laborers during the construction phase will be appropriately addressed. A draft Environmental and Social
Action Plan has been formulated to address environmental and social issues in project design.
The Sponsor has taken special care to respond to the Government of Kazakhstan and EBRD’s requirements
on stakeholder engagement and information dissemination. The Sponsor has already engaged a Community
Liaison Officer (CLO) for regular interactions with the community, media, civil society organizations, as well
as, the District Council. The CLO also has the exclusive responsibility to ensure that the local communities
have comprehensive understanding of the project level grievance redress mechanism. The environmental and
social documentation will be posted by the Sponsor and EBRD in the future.
V.
Estimated Project Cost and Financing Source
The Project is estimated to cost US$69.11 million.
The Bank is contemplating a senior loan of up to US$16 million. EBRD, as co-financier, is contemplating a
senior loan of up to US$30 million. EBRD’s Project Summary Document can be found in the following link:
http://www.ebrd.com/work-with-us/projects/psd/gulshat-solar-power-plant.html
Contact Points
AIIB:
ACME Cleantech Solutions:
Ms. Carmen de Castro Ovejero
Project Team Leader/Investment Operations Specialist
E-Mail: [email protected]
Tel:
+86 10 8358 0082
Ankur Kumar
E-Mail: [email protected]
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