Azura-Edo Independent Power Plant Environmental Impact ... - IFC

impact on a small number of inhabitants. This is not likely under normal
operating conditions. Although negative impacts associated with the
operation phase are limited, the low capacity of local infrastructure means a
low sensitivity of the receptor such that the extent to which the local
communities might benefit from increased power supply is restricted. The
overall sensitivity of the receptors to impacts on infrastructure is assessed to
be moderate. With these comments in mind, it is clear that provision of
increased local access to electricity is likely to be one of the project’s largest
positive impacts on infrastructure.
Based on these considerations, the overall impact of the Project on
infrastructure is considered to be positive and the significance is major.
7.14.3 Impact Description and Significance: Decommissioning
Impact Description
The Azura Edo IPP is expected to provide 450MW of electricity to the national
power grid, helping to meet Nigeria’s growing demand for energy. Locally, it
is not known to what extent the Project will rely on or invest in infrastructure,
including roads, sewerage and water supply. This assessment has assumed
that there will be at least some investment in infrastructure development by
the Project over the course of operations, in order to support Project activities
(such as road improvements for Project transport). It is also assumed that
increases in population and economic activities in the region associated with
Project operation will lead to some level of ancillary infrastructure investment.
There are currently no clear plans for infrastructure development at the local
level, which limits the impact Project closure would have. However, the
decline in population and economic activity that would accompany Project
decommissioning would likely have an impact on government investment in
infrastructure in the area. Potential implications include:
• Some loss of power to the national grid due to closure of the Project;
• Associated loss of power at the local level;
• Decline in local infrastructure maintenance by the Project; and
• Decline in government investment in local infrastructure development
and maintenance.
Impact Significance
While impacts to power supply will be national, it is assumed that closure of
the Project would be associated with an increase in national electricity
production in some other way. As such, the extent of the impacts of closure
will be limited to the regional level. The duration of impacts would likely be
long term. Due to the high level of uncertainty around the state of
infrastructure in the area at the point of Project implementation, the
probability of impacts can only be assessed as likely, resulting in an overall
minor impact magnitude.
AZURA EDO IPP
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DRAFT EIA REPORT