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

1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND
This document presents the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the
proposed Azura-Edo Independent Power Project (IPP) (‘the Project’). The
Project proponent is Azura Power West Africa Limited (‘Azura Power’), a
Nigerian-registered subsidiary of Amaya Capital Limited (ACL) (‘Amaya’), a
firm focused on investing in Nigeria and other fast growing markets in West
Africa.
Azura Power proposes to develop a gas fired power plant on the outskirts of
Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Under the terms of the Environmental Impact
Assessment Act No 86 (1992) and in order to fulfil World Bank requirements
for financing, an EIA and the necessary environmental approvals are required
to be undertaken or obtained respectively, prior to implementation of the
Project. Azura Power has appointed Environmental Accord (EnvAccord) and
Environmental Resources Management Limited (ERM) to develop the EIA in
accordance with the local Nigerian regulatory requirements and World Bank
standards. The purpose of the EIA is to ensure that potential environmental
and social impacts associated with development of the Project are identified,
assessed and managed appropriately.
1.2 INTRODUCING THE PROJECT
1.2.1 Project Overview
The Project comprises a 450 MW Open Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT) power
plant, a short transmission line connecting the power plant to the adjacent
Benin North Substation, and a short underground gas pipeline connecting the
power plant to the Escravos Lagos Pipeline System. The proposed power
plant will be constructed in such a way as to allow for potential later
conversion to a Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) plant with a nominal
output of around 670 MW.
The proposed site for the Project is located in the north-eastern outskirts of
Benin City, Edo State in Nigeria (Figure 1.1). The Project site is adjacent to the
Ihovbor-Evboeka Power Plant which is currently under construction under
the auspices of the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP).
AZURA EDO IPP
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DRAFT EIA REPORT