An Environmental Impact Assessment(EIA)was conducted for 2×150 MW Floating Photovoltaic(FPV)plants,based on the World Bank’s new Environmental and Social Framework(ESF).The project was the first of its kind fina...An Environmental Impact Assessment(EIA)was conducted for 2×150 MW Floating Photovoltaic(FPV)plants,based on the World Bank’s new Environmental and Social Framework(ESF).The project was the first of its kind financed by the World Bank in Pakistan and was geared towards renewable energy development in the country.Key components of the project included the installation of high-density polyethylene floats,Photovoltaic(PV)panels,underwater transmission cables to floating or shoreline inverters and transformers,and overhead transmission lines to existing or new substations.The EIA was commissioned to identify all environmental,health,and safety challenges associated with the construction and operation of the FPV plants.A risk screening criterion based on the World Bank ESF was employed to identify these challenges,while a mitigation hierarchy and hierarchy of control were used in providing measures to address these challenges.The environmental challenges identified were pollution of surface water and degradation of aquatic habitat from bird droppings on the floating panels;changes to the thermal structure and evaporation rate of the water body as a result of decreased sunlight access;direct impacts of shading on fish and aquatic algae;impacts on migratory birds and their habitats;and impacts on fish movements due to the anchoring and cabling of the floats.Likewise,the project-specific occupational health and safety challenges identified were the risk of falling and drowning in the water during the installation and maintenance of the panels over the water.Mitigation measures were provided for the identified challenges.In conclusion,the construction and operation of FPV plants have environmental,health,and safety issues.It is therefore recommended that the mitigation measures provided should be incorporated into the earlier stages of the design and operation of future similar FPV plants around the world.展开更多
文摘An Environmental Impact Assessment(EIA)was conducted for 2×150 MW Floating Photovoltaic(FPV)plants,based on the World Bank’s new Environmental and Social Framework(ESF).The project was the first of its kind financed by the World Bank in Pakistan and was geared towards renewable energy development in the country.Key components of the project included the installation of high-density polyethylene floats,Photovoltaic(PV)panels,underwater transmission cables to floating or shoreline inverters and transformers,and overhead transmission lines to existing or new substations.The EIA was commissioned to identify all environmental,health,and safety challenges associated with the construction and operation of the FPV plants.A risk screening criterion based on the World Bank ESF was employed to identify these challenges,while a mitigation hierarchy and hierarchy of control were used in providing measures to address these challenges.The environmental challenges identified were pollution of surface water and degradation of aquatic habitat from bird droppings on the floating panels;changes to the thermal structure and evaporation rate of the water body as a result of decreased sunlight access;direct impacts of shading on fish and aquatic algae;impacts on migratory birds and their habitats;and impacts on fish movements due to the anchoring and cabling of the floats.Likewise,the project-specific occupational health and safety challenges identified were the risk of falling and drowning in the water during the installation and maintenance of the panels over the water.Mitigation measures were provided for the identified challenges.In conclusion,the construction and operation of FPV plants have environmental,health,and safety issues.It is therefore recommended that the mitigation measures provided should be incorporated into the earlier stages of the design and operation of future similar FPV plants around the world.
