EIA Zouk - EKF

Environmental Impact Assessment 

for the preparation of the tender documents for the 

“Installation and Operation of medium speed 

reciprocating engine power generation units” at the 

existing Zouk thermal power plant 

ordered by 

April 2011

Project: “Installation and Operation of medium speed reciprocating engine power generation 

units” at the existing Zouk thermal power plant, Annex 1a: Environmental Impact Assessment 


for the preparation of the tender documents for the 

“Installation and Operation of medium speed 

reciprocating engine power generation units” at the 

existing Zouk thermal power plant 

Tobias Kampet 

Norbert Paetz 

Ole Johansen 

Marieange Saidy 

Azzam Sankari 

Raia Dayekh 

Contact: n.paetz@mvv-decon.com 

ordered by 

April 2011 

2



Contents 

List of acronyms and abbreviations used ...................................................................... 7 

1 Summary ............................................................................................................... 10 

1.1 Background of the project .............................................................................10 

1.2 Project description ........................................................................................10 

1.3 Changes predicted before the project commences .......................................11 

1.4 Overall assessment of environmental impacts ..............................................11 

1.5 Alternatives considered * ................................................................................13 

1.6 Mitigation measures, environmental management plan and 

monitoring plan .............................................................................................14 

2 Institutional requirements and conditions ............................................................... 15 

2.1 Policy and project background......................................................................15 

2.1.1 Power development policy ..................................................................15 

2.1.2 Project background.............................................................................18 

2.2 Institutional framework .................................................................................21 

2.2.1 Institutional Framework for the Protection of the Environment ............21 

2.2.2 Main Public Stakeholders concerned with the project .........................23 

2.2.3 Ministry of Energy and Water (MoEW)................................................23 

2.2.4 Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MoPWT).......................24 

2.2.5 Higher Council for Urban Planning (HCUP) ........................................25 

2.2.6 Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) ........................................................25 

2.2.7 Ministry of Interior and Municipalities ..................................................26 

2.2.8 Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR) ..........................27 

2.2.9 Municipalities ......................................................................................28 

2.3 Legal framework ...........................................................................................29 

2.3.1 Lebanese environmental legislation....................................................29 

2.3.2 Synopsis of the Legislative Framework for Environmental Protection...29 

2.3.3 International agreements and treaties.................................................34 

2.3.4 Relevant Lebanon's international guidelines and standards................36 

2.3.5 Objectives of the EIA Report...............................................................38 

2.3.6 Legal background of the project..........................................................39 

2.4 Administrative Framework.............................................................................39 

2.4.1 Project team........................................................................................39 

2.4.2 Applied methodology ..........................................................................39 

2.4.3 Technical background of the project ...................................................40 

2.4.4 Further documents used.....................................................................40 

2.5 Environmental requirements .........................................................................41 

2.5.1 Emission standards and warranties ....................................................41 

2.5.2 Ambient air quality standards..............................................................43 

2.5.3 Water quality standards ......................................................................43 

3



2.5.4 Noise standards .................................................................................48 

2.5.5 Solid Waste standards........................................................................49 

3 Project description ................................................................................................. 50 

3.1 Introduction...................................................................................................50 

3.2 Project location and plant layout ...................................................................50 

3.2.1 Project location ...................................................................................50 

3.2.2 Traffic system .....................................................................................52 

3.2.3 Plant layout.........................................................................................53 

3.3 Plant concept................................................................................................54 

3.3.1 Mechanical plant.................................................................................54 

3.3.2 Electrical plant ....................................................................................55 

3.3.3 Civil plant............................................................................................56 

3.3.4 Fuel supply .........................................................................................56 

3.3.5 Water supply and treatment................................................................57 

3.3.6 Gaseous pollutants and noise emissions ............................................58 

3.3.7 Waste water treatment........................................................................58 

3.3.8 Solid waste disposal ...........................................................................60 

4 Baseline study for the situation before the project.................................................. 61 

4.1 Description of the relevant physical conditions..............................................61 

4.1.1 Topography ........................................................................................61 

4.1.2 Geology ..............................................................................................61 

4.1.3 Seismic data .......................................................................................61 

4.1.4 Climate ...............................................................................................63 

4.1.5 Hydrology ...........................................................................................65 

4.1.6 Ambient air quality ..............................................................................67 

4.1.7 Noise pollution ....................................................................................67 

4.2 Description of the relevant biological conditions............................................68 

4.2.1 Flora ...................................................................................................68 

4.2.2 Fauna .................................................................................................70 

4.3 Description of socio-economic conditions .....................................................71 

4.3.1 Overall situation in Lebanon................................................................71 

4.3.2 Overall situation in the site area..........................................................77 

4.4 The current existing plant in Zouk .................................................................79 

4.5 Changes predicted before the project commences .......................................79 

4.5.1 Construction phase.............................................................................79 

4.5.2 Operation phase .................................................................................79 

5 Identification and assessment of environmental impacts........................................ 81 

5.1 Introduction...................................................................................................81 

5.2 Impacts during the construction phase..........................................................82 

5.2.1 Impacts of land clearing on local people .............................................82 

5.2.2 Land used...........................................................................................84 

5.2.3 Impacts from traffic and transportation................................................84 

4



5.2.4 Impacts caused by labour concentration.............................................85 

5.2.5 Impacts by civil works and construction of the power plant .................86 

5.3 Impacts during operation phase....................................................................88 

5.3.1 Impact on climate................................................................................88 

5.3.2 Impacts on the ambient air..................................................................89 

5.3.3 Noise impact.......................................................................................92 

5.3.4 Impacts on water ................................................................................93 

5.3.5 Impacts on soil....................................................................................95 

5.3.6 Impacts on flora and fauna..................................................................96 

5.3.7 Visual impact ......................................................................................97 

5.3.8 Socio-economic impacts.....................................................................97 

5.4 Risks ..........................................................................................................98 

5.4.1 Water and soil contamination from oil storage tanks ...........................98 

5.4.2 Water and soil contamination from chemicals .....................................99 

5.4.3 Fire accident .......................................................................................99 

5.5 Overall assessment of environmental impacts ..............................................99 

5.5.1 Construction phase...........................................................................100 

5.5.2 Operation Phase...............................................................................100 

6 Alternatives and their analysis.............................................................................. 101 

6.1 Introduction.................................................................................................101 

6.2 Situation without the project........................................................................101 

6.3 Considered alternatives ..............................................................................101 

6.3.1 Alternative sites ................................................................................101 

6.3.2 Alternative fuel..................................................................................105 

6.3.3 Alternative technology.......................................................................105 

6.4 Comparison and conclusion........................................................................107 

7 Mitigation plan...................................................................................................... 110 

7.1 Design phase..............................................................................................110 

7.2 Construction phase.....................................................................................111 

7.2.1 Protection of ground water and soil quality........................................111 

7.2.2 Protection of air quality .....................................................................111 

7.2.3 Noise ................................................................................................112 

7.2.4 Impact by Traffic ...............................................................................112 

7.2.5 Summary ..........................................................................................112 

7.3 Operation phase .........................................................................................112 

7.3.1 Long term air pollution ......................................................................113 

7.3.2 Water................................................................................................113 

7.3.3 Soil ...................................................................................................113 

7.3.4 Noise ................................................................................................114 

7.3.5 Industrial and other solid wastes.......................................................114 

7.3.6 Summary ..........................................................................................114 

8 Environmental management plan......................................................................... 116 

8.1 Organisation ...............................................................................................116 

5



8.2 Training Programme ...................................................................................118 

9 Monitoring plan .................................................................................................... 120 

9.1 Legal documents ........................................................................................120 

9.2 Atmospheric pollution monitoring ................................................................120 

9.3 Noise monitoring.........................................................................................121 

9.4 Water pollution monitoring ..........................................................................122 

9.5 Monitoring agencies....................................................................................122 

10 Qualitative conclusions on the dispersion of the exhaust gases......................... 123 

11 References ........................................................................................................ 125 

12 Annexes............................................................................................................. 129 

12.1 Specifications of the fuel oil delivered to the Zouk power plant 

between 24 May 2009 and 13 August 2010................................................129 

12.2 Quality parameter for the fuel oil ................................................................130 

12.3 Pollutants classification into groups (inorganic solid pollutants, 

inorganic gas pollutants) .............................................................................131 

12.4 Pollutants classification into groups (organic gas pollutants)......................132 

12.5 General environmental limit values of the emissions related to 

the air pollutants .........................................................................................136 

6



List of acronyms and abbreviations used 

a 

a.s.l. 

ALARP 

Bara 

BMLWWE 

BOD 

BPEO 

BTEX 

C.C. 

CAW 

CCPP 

CDR 

CEMP 

CESMP 

CO, NOx, 

SO2 

COD 

CZM 

d 

D.O. 

dB(A) 

DGA 

DGUP 

EA 

EDL 

EHS 

EIA 

EIB 

EISM 

ELARD 

EMG 

EMP 

ES & SR 

ESIA 

ESM 

ESMP 

ESP 

FGD 

g 

GCC 

GDP 

GT 

year 

above sea level 

As low as reasonably practicable 

Pressure measured from absolute zero 

Beirut and Mount Lebanon Water and Wastewater Establishment 

Biochemical Oxygen Demand 

Best Practicable Environmental Options 

Benzene Toluene Ethyl Benzene Xylene 

Combined Cycle 

Combined Air and Water Backwash 

Combined Cycle Power Plant 

Council for Reconstruction and Development 

Construction Environmental Management Plan 

Construction Phase Environmental and Social Management Plan 

Formulas of chemical Compounds 

Chemical Oxygen Demand 

Coastal Zone Management 

Day 

Distillate Oil fuel 

Decibel (A) 

Directorate General of Antiquities 

Directorate General of Urban Planning 

Environmental Assessment 

Electricité du Liban 

Environmental Health and Safety 


European Investment Bank 

Environmental Impact Severity Matrix 

Earth link and Advanced Resources Development 

Environmental Management Group 

Environmental Management Plan 

Environmental Safety and Social Representative 

Environmental and Social Impact Assessment 

Environmental and Social Manager 

Environmental and Social Management Plan 

Electrostatic Precipitator 

Flue Gas Desulphurisation 

Earth acceleration 

Gas-fired combined cycle plant 

gross domestic product 

Gas Turbine 

7



GW 

HBR 

HCUP 

HEP 

HFO 

HP/IP/LP 

HRSG 

IEE 

IFC 

IGV 

IL 

kWh 

LHV 

LRA 

mbar 

mg eqv/l 

mg/l 

MHER 

mm 

MIn 

MoA 

MoC 

MoE 

MoEW 

MoI 

MoIM 

MoPH 

MoPWT 

mS/cm 

MSDS 

MW 

n.a. 

NFPA 

NGO 

NSEQ 

ODS 

OESMP 

OP/BP 

OSHA 

PAD 

PAH 

PM 

PMU 

PPE 

ppmv 

PTS 

Giga Watt 

Hybrid burner ring 

Higher Council of Urban Planning 

Hydro Electric Power plant 

Heavy Fuel Oil 

High-, Intermediate-, Low Pressure 

Heat Recovery Steam Generator 

Initial Environmental Examination 

International Finance Corporation 

Inlet Guide Vane 

Intensity Levels 

kilo Watt hours 

Lower Heating Value 

Litani River Authority 

Millibar 

Concentration of Ions 

Milligram per litre 

Ministry of Hydraulic and Electric Resources 

Millimeter 

Ministry of Industry 

Ministry of Agriculture 

Ministry of Culture 

Ministry of Environment 

Ministry of Energy and Water 

Ministry of Interior 

Ministry of Interior and Municipalities 

Ministry of Public Health 

Ministry of Public Works and Transportation 

milliSiemens per centimeter 

Material Safety Data Sheets 

Mega Watt 

not available 

National Fire Protection Association 

Non Governmental Organization 

National Standards for Environmental Quality 

Ozone Depleting Substances 

Operation Environmental and Social Management Plan 

Operational Policy / Bank Procedures 

Occupational Safety and Health Administration 

Project Appraisal Documents 

Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons 

Particulate Matter 

Project Management Unit 

Personal Protective Equipment 

Parts per million Volume 

Persistent Toxic Substances 

8



PWWE 

QA/QC 

RAP 

S.C. 

SAC 

ST 

TBM 

TMP 

TOR 

TSP 

USD 

VEC 

VOC 

WB 

WHO 

WTW 

WWTP 

Public Water and Wastewater Establishment 

Quality Assurance / Quality Control 

Resettlement Action Plan 

Single Cycle 

Seismic Analysis Code 

Steam Turbine 

Tunnel Boring Machine 

Traffic Management Plan 

Terms of References 

Total Suspended Particulate 

United States Dollars 

Valuable Ecosystem Component 

Volatile organic compounds 

World Bank 

World Health Organization 

Water Treatment Works 

Wastewater Treatment Plant 

9



1 Summary 

The significant findings and the recommended actions for the extension of the 

existing Zouk power plant can be summarised as follows: 

1.1 Background of the project 

Lebanon’s electricity supply is earmarked but frequent current interruptions and by 

important energy imports. The existing power plants with their limited capacities are 

unable to meet the demand for electricity which is expected to further grow in the 

future. 

Therefore, the extension of the power plant in Zouk is an important project for the 

national electricity provider EDL towards a reliable a stable electricity supply in the 

greater Beirut area and in Lebanon. 

1.2 Project description 

Fig. 1-1: The location of the area foreseen for the extension of the existing Zouk 

plant (marked in red on the photo taken from a model on the 5 April 2011) 

10



The project comprehends the extension of the already existing thermal power plant 

by identical 4-stroke diesel engines running on heavy fuel oil of a total net output of 

180 MW e with medium speed, complete with excitation system, AVR, engine and 

alternator control and instrumentation system, air intake, exhaust, cooling systems, 

lubricating oil system and fuel oil systems as specified, and suitable for parallel 

operation. 

The plant will be capable for conversion for burning natural gas. The option for 

conversion will be exercised in the future. 

1.3 Changes predicted before the project commences 

It is anticipated that during the construction phase of the project road traffic to/from 

the site will increase over a short period. This may have a negative impact on the 

local environment (exhaust fumes, dust, noise, etc.). These potential negative 

impacts will pose an intermediate impact to the local communities and once the plant 

enters the operation phase this will no longer apply. 

On the positive side is predicted that during the construction phase the project will 

offer additional short-term employment opportunities for construction workers, and 

once the plant enters commercial operation additional high quality long-term 

employment will be ensured. 

The operation of an additional block of 180 MW in the Zouk power plant will generate 

unavoidable additional effects on the environment. Examples for this are additional 

• amounts of exhaust fumes emitted into the air, 

• additional amounts of cooling water taken from the Sea and let into the Sea, or 

• a visual impact. 

However, all this should be seen in forefront of the impacts already existing from the 

current operation situation at the Zouk power plant. 

1.4 Overall assessment of environmental impacts 

The impacts are divided into impacts during construction phase and impacts during 

operation phase (see Table 1-1). 

Summarising it can be said that during the construction phase 

• The impacts are only temporary 

• The impacts can be assessed as slight or intermediate 

11



• For implementation of such an important project, the impacts can be stated as 

acceptable. 

Table 1-1: Summarising the Assessment of Environmental Impacts from the 

extension of the existing Zouk power plant 

During the operation phase of the extension of the existing Zouk power plant the 

impacts on the environment and major risks are the following: 

• The impacts on the climate from the CO 2 emission, 

• the emissions of dust, NO X , SO 2 , CO, VOC and smells from both, the boilers as 

well as the oil sludge incineration plant as foreseen in the TOR, 

• a potential noise emission affecting the Zouk community which is in direct vincinity 

to the plant (see Figure 1-2), 

• and the risk of water and soil contamination from HFO. 

Summarising, the socio-economic impact is positive and the impacts on the 

environment can be stated as acceptable. 

However, In the current situation of the project it is not decided of the existing stack 

with a height of 125 m can (and will) be used for the planned extension of the Zouk 

power plant. If this will be the case, the height of the stack will prevent the emission 

from the extension of the power plant to impair the adjacent communities. 

12



Fig. 1-2: The community of Zouk in direct neighborhood of the power plant (Photo 

taken on the 5 April 2011) 

If the existing stack will not be used, the currently available tender documents for the 

planned extension of the Zouk power plant foresee a “stack with minimum height of 

20 m from ground level“. 1 However, seeing the residential area of Zouk and Adonis 

Kesserwan communities laying leeward and being situated some meters higher than 

the level of the power plant (see Figure 1-2), it can be concluded that a stack of a 

height of 20 m will not prevent a non-negligible impairment of the adjacent 

communities. Quantitative conclusions on the necessary height of the stack to avoid 

such impairment should be based on calculations with a dispersion model. 

1.5 Alternatives considered 

The Zouk power plant is needed to satisfy the increasing electricity demand in 

Lebanon. Starting from the situation, the following alternatives have been developed 

and analysed: 

No construction of a power plant (with the respective consequences for the 

electricity supply), 

1 

Chapter 2.1.13 of the technical specifications as of March 2011. 

13



A number of alternative sites (Beddawi, Hraiche, Jieh, Zahrani) 

Alternative fuel and 

Alternatives to the technology. 

Summarising, it can be said that due to technical as well as to economical issues, the 

plant concept of Zouk plant is the most suitable technology selection for generation of 

power at this site. 

1.6 Mitigation measures, environmental management plan and 

monitoring plan 

For the most important impacts during the operation phase, mitigation measures are 

developed in Chapter 7 of this report. 

The Zouk Management Board should be responsible for the internal environmental 

management and monitoring of the plant. For this purpose, the board will have to 

nominate and appoint an Environmental Engineer as head of an “Environmental 

Management Group” (EMG). For monitoring atmospheric pollution, noise and water 

pollution, 

• the parameters to be monitored, 

• the location, method and frequency as well as 

• the responsibility for the measurements 

have been identified according to the legal and administrative requirements. 

14



2 Institutional requirements and conditions 

This chapter presents an overview of all environmental legislation and standards 

relevant to the construction and operation of the project. This section sheds light on 

the legal and institutional framework and identifies gaps and deficiencies in the 

national legal and institutional system. 

The objective is also to ensure compliance not only with the Lebanese environmental 

laws and regulations, but also with the relevant international agreements, standards 

and guidelines of which Lebanon is signatory and to observe non-statutory corporate 

standards and good practice guidance. 

2.1 Policy and project background 

2.1.1 Power development policy 

This section of the EIA Report presents an overview on the energy profile in Lebanon 

and a summary of the electricity sector situation. 

EDL is the public authority in charge of generating, transmitting and distributing 

power in Lebanon. This entity reports to the Ministry of Energy and Water. 

EDL’s Board of Directors comprises presently five members, including the Chairman. 

The organization is composed of ten directorates, each headed by a director who 

reports directly to the General Director, who is also the Chairman. These directorates 

include Administrative Affairs, Financial Affairs, General Auditing, Transmission, 

Equipment Selection, General Affairs, Generation, Studies, Distribution for Beirut 

Mount Lebanon, and Distribution for Districts. Outside Beirut, there are regional 

offices that handle customer service and local matters. 

Electricity in Lebanon is generated by many types of power plants installed in 

different areas of the country. In fact, electric energy is produced from hydroelectric 

and thermal power plants and purchased from Syria and Egypt through regional 

interconnections: 

• Power Purchase: The purchases from Syria (589 GWh) and Egypt (527 GWh) 

constituted 7.5% of the total energy production. 

• Hydraulic power plants: The installed capacity of all hydro plants is 274 MW but 

the actual generation capacity is 190 MW. The energy produced from the hydro 

plants (Litani, Nahr Ibrahim and Bared) constitutes 4.5% from the total production. 

• Thermal Power Plants: The installed capacity of thermal power plants is 2038 

MW but the actual capacity is 1685 MW. Thermal capacity is divided into HFOfired 

steam-turbines at Zouk, Jiyeh and Hraycheh, diesel-fired Combined Cycle 

15



Gas Turbine (CCGT) at Beddawi and Zahrani and diesel-fired Open Cycle Gas 

Turbine (OCGT) at Sour and Baalbek. The energy produced from these plants is 

88% of the total production and the fuel cost vary widely from 9 USC/kWh to 22 

USC/kWh. 

The Figure 2-1 lists the different power plants in Lebanon and the total energy 

produced by each power plant. 

Name of Power Station N.of units Provided by Rated capacity 

Deir Ammar combined cycle power 

plant Lebanon 

3 Ansaldo / Siemens 

Zahrani combined cycle power plant 3 Ansaldo / Siemens 

Zouk power plant 4 3 Ansaldo + 1 Alsthom 

Jiyeh power plant - South Lebanon 5 

2 Toshiba + 3 Brown 

Bovery company (BBC) 

2x150 MW + 

1x170 MW 

2x150 MW + 

1x170 MW 

3x153.6 MW + 

1x182 MW 

2x65 MW + 

3x72.5 MW 

Hreishi power plant – North Lebanon 1 Elin + Franco -Tosi 70 MW 

Baalback power plant 2 Alsthom 35 MW 

Sour power plant – south Lebanon 2 Alsthom 35 MW 

Table 2-1: 

The power plants in Lebanon and their capacities 

Electricity demand met by EdL grew from 7,300 GWh in 1998 to 8,056 GWh in 2006 

according to data collected from EdL. This represents an average increase of 1.2% 

per annum (p.a.) over that period, during which the increase was stronger between 

1998 and 2002 at 3.6% p.a. and actually decreased by 1.7% p.a. between 2002 and 

2006 (see Figure 2-1). 

16



Fig. 2-1: Historical demand met (i.e., electricity supply by EdL) 1998-2006 in GWh 

The decrease in demand met by EdL in 2006 is partially explained by destruction to 

the electricity infrastructure caused by the hostilities with Israel in July-August 2006. 

However, the pattern demand met by EdL otherwise suggests that EdL is 

increasingly unable to satisfy the country’s overall demand for electricity, and, as a 

consequence, the share of electricity demand met through self-generation increased 

over the period. 

On that basis, the electricity consumed in Lebanon can be estimated at 13,200 GWh 

in 2006, of which about 61% was supplied by EdL, 34% was supplied by self 

generation, and the rest represented suppressed demand (Figure 2-2). 

Fig. 2-2: Estimated Total Demand of Electricity in 2006 (in GWh) 

17



The distribution of total electric power consumption per sector is shown in Figure 2-3 

where the residential sector has the highest contribution at 38.5%. 

Fig. 2-3: Electric energy consumption in Lebanon by sector 

The average cost of electricity in 2009; including EdL’s fixed costs, was 17.14 

USC/kWh (255 LBP) of which 10.77 USC/kWh are fuel (high fuel bill) and 6.37 

USC/kWh are for generation, transmission and distribution. The contribution of the 

fuel bill to the total cost was around 1450 M$ (75%) and 1165 M$ (62%) in 2008 and 

2009 respectively due to fluctuations in the cost of fuel. 

Concerning the energy charge for low voltage residential customers, it varies from 35 

LBP to 200 LBP per KWh in blocks of 100 kWh. In addition, customers pay a monthly 

subscription fee of 1,200 LBP/5A and a rehabilitation fee of 5,000 – 10,000 

LBP/month. 

The transmission system has 1427 km of 66, 150, 220 and 400 kV lines. 

The distribution system has 18,182 transformers. 

2.1.2 Project background 

The Lebanese electricity sector is at the heart of a deep crisis. The problems in the 

sector are well identified but the technical and financial numbers vary widely and 

carry large uncertainties. The sector is unable to supply the reliable electricity needed 

by homes, offices and industry leading to additional costs on the consumers and 

increasing the public debt of the country. 

Lebanon suffers from a severe public finance crisis. Public debt (about US$40 billion) 

reached 185% of GDP in 2006; ranking among the highest in the world. A key 

18



contributor to the public finance crisis is the continued drain on resources by the 

power sector which is estimated to cost Lebanon 4% of GDP in 2007. 

The average capacity and imports available in 2009 was 1500 MW; the average 

demand was 2000-2100 MW and the instantaneous peak in the summer was 2450 

MW. The total energy demand in 2009 was 15,000 GWh (7% increase from 2008) 

whereas the total production and purchases was 11,522 GWh (6% increase from 

2008) which resulted in energy not supplied (deficit) of 3,478 GWh (23%). The supply 

of energy averaged 21.22 hours for greater Beirut area and 15.79 hours for the South 

with an average of 18 hours (75%) for the whole country. 

Therefore, Lebanese electricity consumers suffer from frequent power failure and 

substantial spending on back-up generation for as much as one third of their 

electricity consumption. This is estimated to cost the average residential consumer 

an additional 25% on top of what they pay EdL every month; and the industry sector 

about US$360 million in lost sales per year. Demand for electricity is likely to reach 

over 4,000 MW by 2015 which would require an additional new capacity. Unless EdL 

improves its ability to supply electricity and install new capacity and restore consumer 

confidence, back-up generation will increase its share of electricity supply in Lebanon 

from 33% in 2008 to close to 60% by 2015. 

The average firm reports losing 7% of its sales value due to these interruptions. 

Larger firms are better able to compensate for power failures than small firms and 

report losing about 5% of sales. Small firms report losing as much as 8% while 

medium-sized firms about 6%. Firms located outside Beirut experience somewhat 

higher average sales losses (about 8%) than those within. The industries most 

affected by power interruptions are textile and clothing firms, which report losing 

10.3% of sales, and hotels, which report losing 9% of sales. Assuming that affected 

industries are mainly in the industrial sector, which represented 20.8% of GDP in 

2004, and based on an estimated GDP of US$22 billion (2004 estimate), the 

economic loss to Lebanon may be as high as US$360 million per year. 

Concerning the effects on the electric sector, the total losses on the system are about 

40% (more than $300 million): 15% technical losses; 20% non-technical Losses and 

5% uncollected Bills. The arrears and uncollected bills are worth more than $1.3 

billion with 75% by the private sector and 25% by the public sector, Frontier Villages 

and Palestinian Camps. 

The non-technical losses are not uniform as they vary between provinces from 9.6% 

to 58% and then between regions from 15% to 78%. Similarly, there is no uniformity 

in the collection rates as they vary from 83% to 97% in provinces and from 62% to 

97.5% within the regions. 

Lack of spare parts, plant engineers and overall staffing reduces the power output 

and efficiency significantly below the designed value. 

19



In Zouk power plant, unit #3 caught on fire in December 2005 and its restoration was 

achieved in November 2008. Currently, Zouk power plant is not functioning in its full 

capacity due to technical and maintenance problems. Therefore the produced 

capacity (300 MW) is half of the installed one (641 MW). 

Unit No. Fuel consumption- 

Design value (gr/kWh) 

Actual value in 2006 

(gr/kWh) 

Deviation from design 

Value 

1 250 310 24% 

2 250 328 31% 

3 240 286 19% 

4 240 288 20% 

5 240 288 20% 

Note: Fuel heat content is assumed: 40600 kJ/kg or 9700 Kcal/kg 

Table 2-2: 

Jiyeh’s efficiency measured by fuel consumption and fuel requirement 

Regarding Jiyeh power plant, during the hostilities with Israel the fuel oil storage 

tanks at the Jiyeh plant were bombed and caught on fire. Leaks of 15,000 tons of fuel 

oil contaminated the coast of much of northern Lebanon (150 km), and caused the 

most severe environmental disaster in Lebanon to date. Consequently, the generated 

electricity of the power plant was reduced due to the lack of fuel supply. 

It is important to mention that since the installation of Jiyeh and Zouk power plants in 

1971 and 1984 respectively, both plants did not follow any overall rehabilitation, 

leading to a farther reduction in there capacities and to the variation of the fuel 

consumption design value (Figures 2-5 and 2-6). The conclusion is that these two 

plants could operate for up to an additional ten years if they are rehabilitated and 

then properly maintained and operated. 

Unit No. Fuel consumption- 

Design value (gr/kWh) 

Actual value in 2006 

(gr/kWh) 

Deviation from design 

Value 

1 224.8 267.4 19% 

2 223.3 251.5 13% 

3 223.3 - 

20



4 215.8 241.8 12% 

Note: Fuel heat content is assumed: 40600 kJ/kg or 9700 Kcal/kg 

Table 2-3: Zouk’s efficiency measured by fuel consumption and fuel requirement 

The two most recently constructed power plants are the Combined Cycle Gas 

Turbines (CCGTs): Beddawi and Zahrani. They are not operating under optimal 

conditions. The most pressing issue is that they use a very uneconomical fuel, gas-oil 

rather than natural gas, making this generation technology un-economical despite its 

higher fuel efficiency (50% compared to 38-40% for steam-cycle plants). This is 

because the price of gas-oil tends to be double that of natural gas to feed the same 

energy input. In addition, the gas turbines (stators) at both Beddawi and Zahrani 

suffered from manufacturing defects in 2006 and 2007, causing the plants to operate 

at half load. 

The problems of the electric energy sector to cover the existing gap is caused by the 

lack of worthy investments; high fuel bill (62%-75%); the operating status of power 

plants half of which are old and inefficient and the other half uneconomical; high 

technical and commercial losses in transmission and distribution; wrong tariff 

structure and low average tariff; deteriorating financial, administrative, technical and 

human resources of EdL, all this in the presence of convoluted legal and 

organizational frameworks. 

2.2 Institutional framework 2 

2.2.1 Institutional Framework for the Protection of the Environment 

In 1981, a state Ministry of Environment was created for the management of 

environmental affairs such as the use of pesticides, deforestation and forest fires, 

solid waste disposal, protection of native biodiversity, etc. . 

In April 1993, Law 216/93 established the Ministry of Environment (MoE) and defined 

its mandates and functions. Then, the law was amended according to Law 667/97. In 

August 2005, Law 216/93 and its amendment were canceled, -except the Article 1 of 

Law 216/93 - according to Law 690 (defining the functions of the Ministry of 

Environment and its organization), Article 11. 

Based on the new law- Law 690- MoE is charged in many tasks, mainly: 

• Putting strategies in order to protect the environment and preserve the natural 

resources. 

2 

Source: Earth Link and Advances Resources Development S.A.R.L. (ELARD): Environmental and 

social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for Awali-Beirut Water Conveyer Project (Study Update), Final 

Report, August 2010. 

21



• The preparation of legislation and standards to ensure the integrity of the 

environment and the sustainability of natural resources, and specifies the 

responsibilities and the penalties in case of environmental abuse. 

• Participating in the preparation of conventions and treaties relating to the 

environment sector. 

• Determining the environmental conditions of the license for establishing 

institutions and implementing projects that have an impact on the environment 

and the natural resources. 

• Determining the environmental conditions to protect all forms of ecosystems. 

• Identifying natural sites for the establishment of nature reserves and the 

conditions to be provided in these reserves. 

• Imposing the conduction of an Environmental Impact Assessment and 

Environmental Impact Statement for all the projects that are mentioned in this law. 

A major step was achieved when, in July 2002, a comprehensive environmental 

protection law – Law 444 - was introduced. Law 444 sets the fundamental principles 

that govern the management of the environment and the use of natural resources. 

In doing so, the Ministry of Environment does not undertake its environmental 

management efforts in isolation. Indeed a number of other government ministries and 

bodies have also environmental responsibilities Table 2-4 lists the main stakeholders 

concerned with the environment. 

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 

Ministry of Environment 

(MoE) 

Ministry of Energy and Water 

(MoEW) 

Ministry of Public Works and 

Transportation (MoPWT) 

Higher Council of Urban 

Planning (HCUP) 

PREROGATIVES 

MoE reviews, approves or refuses Environmental Impact 

Assessment reports prepared by engineering and/or consultancy 

firms for existing or for potential projects. 

MoEW monitors surface and underground water quality. It also 

estimates water needs and uses in all the regions, and identifies 

the conditions and systems needed for surface and underground 

water exploitation. It then develops the schemes for distribution of 

water (drinking and irrigation). 

The Ministers of Energy, Water and Environment determine every 

measure or policy aimed at developing an integrated management 

of natural resources on the environment. 

MoPWT manages, via its different directorates, roads, bridges and 

water channels. Through its different directorates, it manages land 

and maritime transportation as well as land use planning. 

HCUP is responsible for urban and rural planning. In doing so it 

reviews designs and plans of villages and towns, including zoning 

proposals for these areas. It also reviews project decrees aiming 

at expropriation. 

22



Ministry of Public Health 

(MoPH) 

MoPH is responsible for safeguarding and improving public health 

through for example inspecting water quality and protecting water 

resources, specifically coastal underground water reservoirs. 

Ministry of Interior (MoI) 

Council of Development and 

Reconstruction (CDR) 

MoI stops all kinds of infractions and violations. 

The CDR is responsible for the Planning and programming of 

reconstruction/rehabilitation projects in all sectors and across 

Lebanon. It is also mandated to develop a masterplan for urban 

planning. It also suggests the economic, financial, and social 

policies needed for the implementation of these plans and 

accordingly sets the priorities and presents them to the CoM for 

approval 

Municipalities Municipalities and municipal federations have many 

responsibilities (all that concern physical development in their 

territorial limits). They implement urban projects, follow up on 

cleanliness and public health issues, water works, public transport 

and tax collection. They may also request from the DGUP the 

definition of urban master plans the municipalities have the 

necessary resources. Municipalities are also responsible for 

receiving applications for construction permits and issue permits 

Table 2-4: Main Public administrations and stakeholders concerned with the 

protection of the environment 

2.2.2 Main Public Stakeholders concerned with the project 

Several stakeholders play an important role in the management of natural resources 

and livelihood strategies within the Project area. These stakeholders and their 

mandate relevant to the project are presented in the following sections. 

2.2.3 Ministry of Energy and Water (MoEW) 

Since its creation, the Ministry of Energy and Water handles energy issues and the 

production of electric energy through thermal resources, water, renewable or through 

other resources. 

The new law organizing the energy sector – Law 462/2002– confirmed the ministry’s 

role. According to the Article 6 of the law, the ministry is responsible of the followings 

concerning the electric sector: 

• Developing a general policy and a master plan for the sector; 

• Proposing rules for the organization of the services related to the production, 

transfer and distribution of electric power; 

• Proposing draft laws and decrees concerning the electricity sector; 

23



• Proposing the public safety conditions and the environmental conditions and the 

technical specifications that should be available in the electrical constructions and 

equipments; 

• Making the necessary contacts with other countries for the exchange of electric 

energy and to conclude the necessary agreements; 

• Taking all measures to address any imbalance in any of the activities of the 

electricity sector that would adversely affect the interests of the sector or the 

rights of consumers and their interests. 

Concerning the regulation of the water sector, Law 221/2000 and its amendment, 

Law 377/2001, specified the ministry’s functions. Indeed, Article 2 of the Law 

377/2001 enumerates the competencies and missions of the Ministry of Energy and 

Water as follows: 

• Protecting water resources against losses and pollution by elaborating legal texts 

and taking necessary measures and action to prevent water pollution and restore 

its initial natural quality; 

• Monitoring, studying, and estimating the volume of water resources, and 

estimating water needs and uses in all regions; 

• Monitoring the quality of surface and groundwater and establishing relevant 

standards; 

• Developing a general scheme for the allocation and distribution of drinking water 

and irrigation water throughout the country; designing and continuously updating 

a Master plan for water to be submitted through the Minister to the Council of 

Ministers (CoM) for approval; 

• Designing, studying, and implementing large water projects such as dams, 

mountain lakes, tunnels, diversion of riverbeds, water networks, etc., and 

overseeing their operation; 

• Developing standards to be adopted in the studies conducted by Water and 

Wastewater Establishments, and the implementation of their works; in addition to 

guidelines and regulations for the exploitation of surface and groundwater and the 

management of wastewater, and standards for the protection and monitoring of 

water quality. 

2.2.4 Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MoPWT) 

According to Decree 2872/1959 (Organization of the Ministry of Public Works and 

Transportation) and its amendments, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport is 

composed of five directorates having each its own prerogatives. 

The Directorate General of Urban Planning (DGUP) is in charge of setting rules, 

regulations and designing plans relative to land occupation. Therefore, the 

Directorate is responsible for specifying and organizing land use planning through 

zoning of regions, specifying allowed investments for different land uses, as well as 

24



architectural constraints, and suitable conditions for ensuring the integration of 

projects within their surrounding from an aesthetic, architectural, infrastructural, 

environmental, and socio-economic point of view. As for actual enforcement, it is the 

responsibility of the local authority (municipality/ district) and the Security Forces. The 

DGUP interferes in the case of complaints, and plays an inspection role upon 

termination of building construction by verifying the compatibility of facilities with 

permit conditions and specifications. 

On the other hand, the Directorate General of Roads and Buildings (Decree 

13379/1998), is in charge of the design, execution and maintenance of roads, 

bridges, walls, and water channels. The Directorate also designs, expropriates, 

subcontracts and supervises works including maintenance of public buildings and 

assets. The presence of a Department of Environment and Traffic Safety within the 

Directorate General of Roads and Buildings should be noted, which is responsible for 

assessing the environmental impact of projected roads, and recommending 

mitigation measures. 

The Ministry of Public Works and Transport, in cooperation with the Ministry of 

Environment are responsible of protecting the beaches and the Lebanese territorial 

waters from the risk of pollution. 

2.2.5 Higher Council for Urban Planning (HCUP) 

The Higher Council for Urban Planning (HCUP) that was created in 1983 (decreelaw 

69/1983) is the party responsible for urban and rural planning. It comprises 

representatives from CDR, MoIM, MoPWT, MoE, MoC and other concerned 

ministries, municipalities as well as Order of Engineers and Architects. It can meet 

with the concerned parties (such as municipalities and public institutions) for 

discussing issues pertaining to them and it will give opinion regarding 

• Designs and plans of villages and towns, and zoning designs 

• Project decrees aiming at the creation of real estate companies, conducting 

expropriation and allotment 

• Revision of building permits and allotment 

• Projects aiming at modifying urban planning and building laws 

2.2.6 Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) 

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) is responsible for safeguarding and improving 

public health, through the prevention of disease, supervision of health care 

institutions, suggestion of new legislation or modification of existing ones. The MoPH 

consists of Central and Regional Departments, as well as a Department of Projects 

and Programs. 

25



Besides suggesting the modification of laws and regulations relating to health 

prevention, as prompted by social and scientific developments; and preparing 

relevant project laws and decrees, MoPH is also responsible for setting allowable 

levels for contaminants in the water, the springs, the rivers and their courses, the 

lakes and ponds, the swamps and in the distribution networks for drinking water and 

irrigation canals, all with a close cooperation with the ministry of environment. The 

Ministry is also in charge of: 

• Conducting studies and suggesting protocols aiming at preserving the 

environment's safety from threats to public health; 

• Formulating project decisions on sanitary and preventive guidelines for all kinds of 

classified establishments; 

• Suggesting specifications and technical conditions required in the construction of 

sewage and potable water networks, and solid waste collection and disposal 

projects. 

With regards to the Regional Departments (or Public Health Services), they are 

distributed in all Governorates except in the Governorate of Beirut, and all districts. 

They are responsible for implementing health protocols in the Governorates, 

providing preventive and laboratory services. As for the District Physicians, they 

monitor potable water quality, solid waste disposal, and sanitary guidelines in 

residential, recreational and occupational settings. 

2.2.7 Ministry of Interior and Municipalities 

The Ministry of Interior and Municipalities is concerned with Lebanon's internal policy 

affairs, encompassing preparation, coordination, and execution; in addition to 

safeguarding discipline and security; overseeing the affairs of governorates, districts, 

municipalities, unions of municipalities, the Independent Municipal Fund, mayors, 

local elected councils, villages, parties, NGOs; and managing motor vehicle and 

traffic affairs, etc. 

The Ministry of Interior and Municipalities is composed of several distinct directorates 

having different prerogatives as set in Decree 4082/2000, based on the Law 

247/2000. 

• The Directorate General of Administrative and Local Councils mainly has a 

supervisory and monitoring role over municipalities. Overseeing the application of 

laws and regulations relating to local affairs, municipalities and their unions, and 

other local councils; suggesting plans and developing studies aiming at the 

development of local life and activities and promoting public participation in them, 

and submitting these studies to the Minister of Interior and Municipalities; 

• The Directorate General of Internal Security Forces plays a monitoring and 

enforcement role, responsible for implementing laws and regulations and for 

26



sanctioning violations, in coordination with the enforcement body affiliated to the 

MoPWT. 

2.2.8 Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR) 

The CDR is a public institution that was created in 1977 - in partial replacement of the 

Ministry of Planning - to be the Government unit responsible for reconstruction and 

development. CDR has unprecedented powers to avoid any administrative routine 

that could slow down the reconstruction process, especially in the financial field. It is 

financially and administratively independent, and directly affiliated to the Council of 

Ministers (CoM). Decree Law 5/77 specified CDR’s responsibilities which are 

formulated around 4 main axes: 

1. Planning, 

2. Consultancy and Guidance, 

3. Financial, 

4. Implementation and Monitoring. 

These are to be implemented in cooperation with other ministries and stakeholders 

and can be summarized as follows: 

Planning: 

• Development of a general plan, consecutive plans and programs for construction 

and development activities; in addition to the suggestion of economic, financial, 

and social policy in line with the general plan. All of these plans and policies are 

submitted for approval to the CoM ; 

• Developing a budget for the implementation of the general plan; 

• Suggesting project laws relating to construction and development and presenting 

them to the CoM; 

• Developing a general guidance framework for urban planning and presenting it to 

the CoM for approval. 

Consultancy and Guidance: 

• Giving opinion to the CoM on economic and financial relationships with other 

countries, foreign associations and organizations; 

• Getting in contact with foreign associations and organizations for the purpose of 

seeking economic, cultural, technical and social assistance; 

• Preparing and publishing statistical studies relating to economic and social 

activities and projects; 

• Conducting the necessary studies in the developmental and construction fields, or 

designating qualified parties to conduct them, and suggesting the enhancement of 

the Council's scientific capabilities; 

• Requesting ministries, public institutions, and municipalities to prepare projects in 

line with the Council's developmental and construction overall objectives; 

27



• Providing relevant information for ministries, public institutions, municipalities, and 

the private sector; 

• Giving suggestions on the creation, development and guidance of financial 

establishments and companies working on development issues. 

Financial duties: 

• Securing financing for the implementation of the various projects or programs, the 

source of funds being the CoM or international donors. 

Implementation and Monitoring tasks: 

• Conducting feasibility studies for construction and developmental projects figuring 

in the general plan, or preparing programs required for the development of plans 

• Executing the projects figuring in the general plan, consecutive plans and 

programs, in addition to any other construction/development project requested by 

the CoM. The CDR selects the appropriate public institution, municipality, or 

company for the execution of these projects, and the appropriate means (bidding, 

subcontracting, partnership,…). 

• The CDR is the exclusive party responsible for expropriation procedures, and 

issuing administrative authorizations and licenses, except in the case where the 

CoM issues them. 

• Monitoring of all projects figuring in the plans and programs, and those referred by 

the CoM, and submitting relevant reports to the CoM 

• Monitoring the proper allocation of economic and financial subsidies to their 

proper targets. 

2.2.9 Municipalities 

A municipality is the level of local government with legal status, financial and 

administrative independence, which exercises powers and responsibilities over the 

territory it is granted by law. 

The municipal machinery is made up of a decision-making power (invested in the 

elected municipal council) and an executive power (held by the President of the 

municipality or Mayor himself). The law grants municipal councils decision making 

powers and responsibilities relating to all activities of public interest within the 

municipal area based on a non-exhaustive list which sets out the relevant areas of 

public interest. According to Decree 118/1977, they are responsible for: 

• Determining municipal taxes or fees; 

• Developing TORs for services, works and supplies, or for selling municipal 

properties; 

• Accepting or rejecting funds and donations; 

• General programs of works, cleanliness, health affairs, water and lighting projects, 

etc.; 

• Planning, rectifying and enlarging roads, creating parks and public places; 

28



• Formulating designs for the town and the master plan in cooperation with the 

Directorate General of Urban Planning (DGUP); 

• Creating parks, courts, museums, hospitals, libraries, sewerage networks, and 

waste disposal options, etc.; 

• Organizing transportation and specifying prices; and 

• Approving permit applications for the exploitation of classified shops, restaurants, 

resorts, cafes, hotels, and all kinds of tourist and leisure facilities. 

2.3 Legal framework 

2.3.1 Lebanese environmental legislation 

The Lebanese Constitution represents the strongest legislative text in Lebanon and 

when in contradiction with the Constitution, a proposed legislation(s) cannot be 

issued. International treaties/agreements ratified by Lebanon have the second priority 

in the Lebanese legislative framework. Table 2-5 describes the legal structure in 

Lebanon. 

Laws 

Decree Laws 

Decrees 

Resolutions/ 

Decisions 

Table 2-5: 

Laws are passed by the Lebanese Parliament. The Council of Ministers or deputies 

propose a project of law that is discussed by the appropriate parliamentary 

committees prior to being promulgated in a plenary parliamentary session. 

Environmental legislations are generally reviewed and assessed by the 

Parliamentary committees dealing with Agriculture, Tourism, Environment, and 

Municipalities as well as Public Works, Transportation, Electric and Hydraulic 

Resources and Planning and Development. 

In exceptional cases (like absence of the Parliament or non respect of constitutional 

delays), the President of the Republic can pass these decree laws which have the 

same legal standing and powers as laws. 

The Council of Ministers issues decrees that are usually proposed by a certain 

ministry. The Council of State is consulted before the issuance of a decree to ensure 

that the latter does not contravene existing laws. 

Ministers issue resolutions without the pre-approval of the Council of Ministers but 

after consulting the Council of State to ensure the integrity with existing laws. 

Legal Pyramid in Lebanon 

2.3.2 Synopsis of the Legislative Framework for Environmental 

Protection 

29



Number Date Subject 

Law 216 2/4/1993 The establishment of the ministry of environment 

The Minister engineer Samir Moukbel 

Generalization 

1/93 


2/93 

11/5/1993 Preventing tires burning 

20/5/1993 

Decision B/2 21/5/1993 

Organizing the work of the careers, quarries, mattocks sand and 

mixers of the asphalt. 

Preventing the use and the importation of the birds sounds 

recording machines. 

Decision B/7 10/1/1994 Organizing birds hunting and game fishing 

Decision B/8 10/1/1994 

Decision B/15 21/9/1994 

Decision B/20 2/11/1994 

Decision B/22 14/11/1994 Licensing a private career. 

Decision 110/1 19/5/1995 Organizing the hunting. 

The Minister Pierre Faraoun 

Preventing birds hunting on all the Lebanese territories for a period 

ranging between 1/1/1995 and 31/12/1997 

Arresting the careers and quarries that are working without a 

license. 

Specifying the criteria and constants related to the environmental 

protection from the pollution. 

Decision 5/1 18/8/1995 Related to the importation of the Petrocoque substance. 

Decision 9/1 18/9/1995 

Modification of the resolution 5/1 related to the importation of the 

Petrocoque substance. 

Decision 14/1 6/10/1995 Establishment of the natural reserve “Karm Chbat” 

Decision 15/1 5/10/1995 

Preventing any action or any change in the area around Fakra 

bridge in the Kasrwan district (and the removal of any offense and 

the prosecution of the dissenting). 

Decision 22/1 6/11/1995 Imposing environmental conditions on the factories. 

Decision 23/1 6/11/1995 

Forbidding the importation and the use of fire brigade working with 

liquid materials. 

Decision 25/1 11/11/1995 Establishing the natural reserve of Bentaeel 

Decision 26/1 27/11/1995 

Decision 27/1 6/12/1995 

Modification of the resolution 9/1 concerning the importation of the 


Modification of the resolution 9/1 concerning the importation of the 


Decision 37/1 18/1/1996 Subject the Abestos substance to a previous license. 

Decision 40/1 20/3/1996 

Decision 41/1 26/3/1996 

Modification of the resolution 22/1 related to imposition of 

environmental conditions on the factories. 

Modification of the resolution 37/1 related to subjecting of the 

Asbestos substance to a previous license. 

Decision 42/1 26/3/1996 Forbidding totally the importation of the Asbestos substance. 

Decision 52/1 29/7/1996 

Decision 91/1 24/10/1996 

Specifying the criteria and the specific rates to limit the air, water 

and land pollution. 

Forbidding the importation of the waste intended to manufacturing 

unless from the classified and licensed companies with a specified 

conditions. 

30



The Minister Akram Chehayeb 

Decision 22/1 17/12/1966 

Decision 34/1 4/1/1997 

Decision 51/1 13/1/1997 

Decision 57/1 4/4/1997 

Decision 71/1 19/5/1997 

Modification of the Resolution 91/1 (in 24/10/1996) related to the 

exportation of the plastic waste. 

Classifying Nahr Ibrahim one of the natural locations subjects to the 

protection of the ministry of Environment. 

Forming an advisory committee to follow up the industrial pollution 

in the areas of Salaata and Chekka. 

Forming an advisory committee to follow up the careers and 

quarries subject. 

Organizing waste importation, modifying Resolution 22/1 issued on 

17 17/12/1996. 

Decision 72/1 28/5/1997 Applying the Eternite Chekka company’ s obligatory program. 

Decision 76/1 28/5/1997 

Decision 103/1 4/7/1997 

Decision 118/1 12/8/1997 

Decision 151/1 17/10/1997 

Forming an advisory committee to follow up the solid waste subject 

in Lebanon. 

The ministry of environment takes lead in the supervision of the 

landfills 

Refer all the factories’ transactions built on unclassified real-estates 

to the ministry of industry. 

Classifying an environmental location (known as Kadisha’s valley: 

kannoubin and kezhaya) 

Decision 161/1 31/10/1997 Modifying Resolution 71/1 on 19/5/1997. 

Decision 165/1 12/9/1997 

Forbidding the importation of the calling, attraction, and birds voice 

recording machines. 

Decision 182/1 7/11/1997 Determining the documents and conditions for quarries investment 

Decision 183/1 7/11/1997 

Decision 184/1 7/11/1997 

Decision 185/1 7/11/1997 

Decision 186/1 7/11/1997 

Decision 191/1 8/10/1997 

Determining the documents and conditions for the investment of the 

sand pickers or naturally fragmented gravel. 

Identifying the documents and conditions for the quarries 

investment to mosaic manufacture. 

Identifying the documents and conditions for the decorative stones 

(block) and building stones’ investment. 

Identifying the documents and conditions for quarries’ investment 

for soil manufacturing. 

Application of the guidance note for the cement industry in Lebanon 

and its environmental pollution as consequence. 

Decision 200/1 14/11/1997 Classifying an area one of the natural locations (Wata Salam). 

Law 667 29/12/1997 Amend the law 216 

Decision 22/1 24/2/1998 Classifying “Nahr el Jawz” course (Batroun). 

Decision 97/1 2/7/1998 Classifying “ Nahr el Kalb” course. 

Law 64/88 

12/8/1988 Protection against hazardous wastes that could harm air, water, 

biodiversity, soil, and people. 

Decision 129/1 1/9/1998 Classifying the location known as the course of “Nahr al Damour” 

Decision 130/1 1/9/1998 Classifying the location known as the course of “ Nahr Beirut” 

Decision 131/1 1/9/1998 Classifying the location known as the course of “Nahr al Awali” 

Decision 132/1 1/9/1998 

Classifying as natural locations the following areas: the forest 

located between “Ain el Hour”-“Darayya”-“Diyyeh”-“Berjin”/ “Al 

31



Cheikh Ousman” forest/ Surrounding area of “ Deyr El Moukhales”/ 

Surrounding area of “Ain Wazin” hospital/ “Dalboun” forest/ “Al Mal” 

valley/ “Kafra” wells/ “Ighmid” valley/ “Ain Bal” valley. 

Decision 174/1 2/11/1998 Forbidding the importation of some kinds of the Asbestos. 

Decision 187/1 17/11/1998 

Classifying a natural location (“Al moukammel” mountain: “Al 

kourne al sawda”). 

Decision 188/1 19/11/1998 Classifying “Aarka” river’s course. 

Decision 189/1 19/11/1998 Classifying “Aassi” river’s course. 

The Minister Artur Nazarian 

Decision 14/1 16/2/1999 

Decision 15/1 13/3/1999 

Decision 75/1 5/9/2000 

Decision 90/1 17/10/2000 

Cancellation of the resolution related to the real-estate 448 “Wata 

salam”. 

Forbidding the importation and use of fire brigade working with 

liquid materials especially with cars and machines. 

Environmental conditions to license the establishment and 

investment of factories who works in leather pigmentation. 

Environmental conditions to license the residential buildings located 

within the rivers protected by the Ministry of Environment. 

The Minister Doctor Michel Moussa 

Decision 5/1 30/12/2000 

Decision 3/1 12/1/2001 

Decision 4/1 12/1/2001 

Decision 5/1 12/1/2001 

Decision 8/1 30/12/2001 

Decision 16/1 21/3/2001 

Decision 29/1 31/5/2001 

Decision 60/1 10/9/2001 

Decision 61/1 10/9/2001 

Environmental conditions to license the establishment/investment of 

fruits and vegetables conserving companies (Freezing, pickling, 

cooking, packing). 


the meat and poultry waste treating factories by cooking or dry way 

fermentation. 


the slaughterhouses. 


the fuel distribution stations. 

Criteria and standards related to air pollutants and liquid waste 

generated from classified companies and water treating stations. 


cows/ poultry/ pets (e.g. rabbits, pigs…) farms. 


dairy products factories. 


building stones factories. 


plastic factories. 

Decision 5/1 5/2/2002 Review of the environmental inspection reports. 

Decision 6/1 5/2/2002 

Decision 15/1 4/3/2002 

Processing the review of the reports related to the determi-nation of 

the scope of environmental impact assessment and to the 

evaluation of the impact assessment. 


glass factories. 

32



Decision 16/1 4/3/2002 

Decision 19/1 11/3/2002 


rubber (caoutchouc) factories. 

Subject “Alkamouaa” region/ caza “Alay” to the Ministry of 

Environment protection. 

Decision 20/1 8/3/2002 Declaring 9 march the national day of reserves. 

Decision 21/1 11/3/2002 

Decision 22/1 11/3/2002 

Decision 44/1 4/5/2002 

Decree 8006 11/6/2002 

Subject “Alkarkir” valley/ caza “Zgharta” to the Ministry of 


Subject “Dalhoun” forest/ caza “Chouf” to the Ministry of 


Law 444 29/7/2002 Environment Protection Law 

The Minister Fares Boueiz 

Modification of the Resolution 20/1 by declaring 10 march the 

national day of reserves. 

Determine the types of health institutions waste disposal and how to 

discharge it 

Law 580 4/3/2004 The organization of land hunting in Lebanon 

Decision 8/1 10/3/2004 Classifying “Balou’ Be’tara” in Tannourine as a natural location. 

The Minister Wiam Wahhab 

Decision 9/1 2/11/2004 

Decision 6/1 12/1/2005 

Decision 13/1 22/2/2005 

The Minister engineer Yaacoub Al Sarraf 

Decree 14865 1/9/2005 

Decision 3/1 6/8/2005 

Decision 4/1 6/8/2005 

Law 690 26/8/2005 


24/1 

Table 2-6: 

14/10/2005 

Defining the minimum distances that should separate all kinds of 

planed farms and their establishment/investment in the unorganized 

areas from the residential areas. 

Giving all the companies and factories a grace period of 6 months 

to correct their situation and apply the environmental requirements. 

Modification of the Resolution 132/1: excluding “Ighmid” valley 

location from the classified locations in “Chouf” area. 

Determine the conditions and mechanism of the Ministry of 

Environment to provide contributions to the bodies Ataatoky profit 

for the environmental activities 

Specifying the environmental conditions to license the 

establishment or investment of the small treating water stations. 

Specifying the environmental conditions to license the 

establishment or investment of mixers of the hot asphalt. 

Defining the functions of the Ministry of Environment and 

organization 

Confirmation of forbidding the hunting on all the Lebanese territory 

within the taken measures to prevent the Avian influenza infection. 

The main environmental legislations in Lebanon 

To date, the current Lebanese environmental regulations are generally scarce with 

some dating back several decades. Table 2-6 presents an overview of the main 

environmental legislations found in Lebanon dealing with the management of water 

33



resources, solid waste and wastewater as well as air quality and pollution control; 

these legislations are listed in reverse chronological order. 

According to the article 4 of the Decree 9765/2003 of the Ministry of Industry, the 

authorities in charge of the industrial pollution control are the Ministry of Industry- 

Control Department, the Municipalities and the competent authorities of MoE and 

MoPH. 

2.3.3 International agreements and treaties 

Table 2-7 summarizes all relevant international conventions and agreements that are 

signed or ratified by Lebanon. They include provisions relevant to the proposed 

project operations and waste management practices. 

34



AGREEMENT OBJECTIVE RELEVANCE TO PROJECT 

Stockholm Convention on 

Persistant Organic pollutants 

for adoption by the conference 

of plenipotentiaris-2001 

Signed by Lebanon in 2001 

United Nations Framework 

Convention on Climate 

Change.-Rio de Janeiro- 1992 

Ratified by Lebanon in 1994 

Basel Convention on the 

Control of Transboundary 

Movements of Hazardous 

Wastes and their Disposal- 

1989 


Convention to Combat 

Desertification - 1994 Ratified 

by Lebanon in 1994 

Vienna Convention for the 

Protection of the Ozone Layer 

– 1985 

Montreal protocol on ozonedepleting 

substances - 1987 


Barcelona Convention: 

Protocol for the Protection of 

the Mediterranean Sea 

against Pollution from Landbased 

Sourcwes-1980 

Signature in 1980 and 

accession in 1994 

to protect human health and the 

environment from chemicals that 

remain intact in the environment for 

long periods, become widely 

distributed geographically, 

accumulate in the fatty tissue of 

humans and wildlife, and have 

adverse effects to human health or 

to the environment. 

to achieve stabilization of 

greenhouse gas concentrations in 

the atmosphere at a level that 

would prevent dangerous 

anthropogenic interference with the 

climate system. 

To control the transportation of 

dangerous non-radiant materials 

and their disposal across the border 

To combat desertification 

To protect human health and the 

environment from any activity that 

modifies the ozone layer 

Adopt measures to control human 

activities found to have adverse 

impact on the ozone layer 

Describe all practicable steps 

to ensure that POPs are 

managed in a manner which 

will protect human health and 

the environment against the 

adverse effects which may 

result from such organic 

chemical substances. 

Lists precautionary measures 

to anticipate, prevent or 

minimize the 

causes of climate change 

and mitigate its adverse 

effects. 

Regulates the transfer of 

potentially hazardous wastes 

across national boundaries 

Medical and industrial waste 

Hazardous Demolition waste 

Control land clearance and 

project footprint size 

Regulates the use of ODS 

(ozone depleting substances) 

Reconstruction activities 

To protect the coastal area 

from landfills and 

uncontrolled dumping 

practices in the Study Area 

35



Protocol Concerning Cooperation 

in Combating 

Pollution of the Mediterranean 

Sea by Oil and Other Harmful 

Substances in Cases of 

Emergency-1976 


Convention for the Protection 

of the Mediterranean Sea 

against Pollution-1976 


International Convention 

relating to Intervention on the 

High Seas in cases of Oil 

Pollution Casualties.-Brussels- 

1969 


Convention on the Prevention 

of Marine Pollution by 

Dumping of Wastes and Other 

Matter-1972 


International Convention for 

the Prevention of Pollution of 

the Sea by Oil.-London- 1954 


Table 2-7: 

To ensure protection of the 

Mediterranean Sea and aquatic 

species from effluent discharges 

(solid/liquid waste) 

International Agreements Ratified or Signed by Lebanon 

resulting in leachate 

generation and run-off which 

pose a threat to the existing 

water resources. 

Disposal of wastewater in the 

Mediterranean sea 

2.3.4 Relevant Lebanon's international guidelines and standards3 

Table 2-8 summarizes some of the WB/IFC safeguard policies that are applicable to 

the project. 

3 




36



OPERATIONAL 

POLICY / DIRECTIVE 

OP/BP 4.01 

Environmental 

Assessment 

OP 4.04 

Natural 

Habitats 

OP 4.36 

Forestry 

KEY FEATURES 

Trigger: Any project with potential environmental and social impacts 

• Potential environmental consequences of project identified early in 

project cycle – projects categorized as A (significant impacts); B 

(limited impacts); C (no impacts); FI (Financial Intermediary) 

• Environmental Assessments (EAs) and mitigation plans are 

required for projects with significant environmental impacts or 

involuntary resettlement 

• EAs should include analysis of alternative designs and sites or 

consideration of “no option” 

• Requires public consultation with and information disclosure to 

affected communities and NGOs before World Bank Board approval; 

at least two public consultations with affected communities are 

required for category A projects 

Required document: Environmental Assessment(EA) for category A 

and B projects 

Trigger: Potential to cause significant loss or degradation of natural 

habitat 

• Prohibits financing of projects involving “significant conversion of 

natural habitats unless there are no feasible alternatives 

• Requires environmental cost/benefit analysis 

• Requires EA with mitigation measures 

Required document: issues and mitigation measures included in EA 

Trigger: projects that impact the health and quality of forests; projects 

that affect the rights and welfare of people dependent upon forests; 

projects that change the management and use of forests 

• Discourages financing of projects that significantly convert natural 

habitats and critical forest areas unless there are no feasible 

alternatives 

• Projects cannot contravene international environmental agreements 

and conventions 

• For industrial-scale commercial harvesting, the harvesters must be 

certified by a third party as meeting standards of responsible forest 

management or agree to a time-bound phased action plan that can 

meet such standards 

• Local people must be involved in developing standards for 

certification 

• Prohibits financing for commercial logging operations or acquisition 

of equipment for use in primary moist tropical forests 

Required documents: forestry issues included in EA, time-bound 

action plans included in Project Appraisal Document (PAD) 

APPROVAL 

DATE 

January 

1999 

June 2001 

November 

2002 

37



Table 2-8: 

WB/IFC safeguards policies that are applicable to the project 

2.3.5 Objectives of the EIA Report 

The EIA is an important decision-making tool required by the Ministry of Environment 

and by the World Bank, that ensures that the environmental hazards and effects of 

the Project are identified and evaluated prior to operations, and that appropriate 

control measures are implemented. The main objective of this study is to determine 

the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed Project. 

The objectives of this EIA study are to: 

• Identify all applicable Lebanese national legislation, policies, standards and 

international treaties, agreements, industry standards and guidelines and 

regulatory environmental requirements for the project, etc.; 

• Provide a detailed description of all Project activities and work plans to be carried 

out in sea and on land. 

• Describe the existing environmental baseline conditions of the study area 

covering the physical, biodiversity, socio-economic, and cultural elements likely to 

be affected by the proposed dredging and disposal activities and/or likely to cause 

adverse impacts upon the project, including both natural and man-made 

environments; 

• Identify and assess the potential impacts on environmental and social resources 

associated with the project; 

• Identify the nature and extent of any significant potential environmental and social 

impacts be they positive (beneficial) or negative (adverse), temporary or 

permanent. This shall include routine, non-routine (planned) operations and 

unplanned (accidental) events; 

• Identify any significant cumulative or transboundary impacts of the project and 

recommend appropriate actions to mitigate or minimize these impacts during the 

project execution; 

• Identify and evaluate appropriate mitigation measures for these impacts; 

• Identify any residual impacts following application of mitigation; and 

• Identify, assess and specify methods, measures and standards to be included in 

the detailed design, operation and handover of the project, which are necessary 

to mitigate these impacts and reduce them to acceptable levels. 

The EIA study shall ensure that: 

• The project complies with international treaties, agreements and industrial 

standards and guidelines. 

• The Project under assessment complies with relevant Lebanese legislations, 

standards and World Bank requirements. 

• In the absence of any relevant Lebanese standards or requirements for sampling, 

construction and disposal operations, the project should be at a minimum, 

38



compatible with international standards, such as those issued by the World Bank, 

IFC or OSHA. 

• Transparency in Project activities and engagement of local authorities and 

community regarding its environmental, social and economical aspects. 

2.3.6 Legal background of the project 

The Project is governed by Lebanon’s main Environmental Framework Law (Law 

444/2002 on Environmental Protection). 

A draft EIA decree was issued in 2000 which abides by specifications and standard 

criteria for environmental standards and requirements and sets principles and 

measures necessary to assess the environmental impact of development projects 

(refer to Environmental Protection Law No. 444/ 2002). The draft EIA decree 

comprises sixty-eight articles that address the objectives of the regulation, definitions, 

as well as various stages of the national EIA process such as screening, scoping, 

implementation, and review of the EIA report, in addition to the period of validity, and 

the appeal process. The EIA draft decree also lists all the activities for which EIA or 

permit conditions are mandatory, and those that require an Initial Environmental 

Examination (IEE). 

2.4 Administrative Framework 

2.4.1 Project team 

This report has been prepared by an international team of experts. The experts team 

is composed of: 

• Mr Tobias Kampet, Senior environmental engineer, MVV decon, Germany 

• Mr Norbert Paetz, vice head of the energy services department, MVV decon, 

Germany 

• Dr. Samir Mahfoud, regional expert, MVV decon, Germany 

• Mrs Marieange Saidy, Santec, Lebanon 

• Mr Azzam Sankari, Santec, Lebanon 

• Mrs Raia Dayekh, Santec, Lebanon 

2.4.2 Applied methodology 

The Assessment of the possible impacts of the Power Plant on the environment was 

based on the following methods: 

39



2.4.2.1 Judgement 

Based on the scope of work as approved by the MoEW for project implementation, 

on international literature and on its experience, the judgement was used for the 

preliminary assessment of the impacts of the project on the environment. 

This assessment has been deepened and justified by site-specific visits and in-situ 

data acquisition in April 2011. 

2.4.2.2 Classification of Potential Impacts 

In this study the evaluation of the potential impacts is based on experience with 

similar projects and on the environmental conditions present in the site surrounding 

area. The anticipated negative environmental impacts are classified into 4 categories 

"High", "Intermediate", "Slight", and "Negligible". 

• A high impact can destroy an element of the environment or create a strong 

environmental modification. Such an impact can greatly affect an 

environmental component if it is impossible to adopt adequate mitigation 

measures. 

• An intermediate impact may partially reduce a value or use of an 

environmental component and have an affect on a limited portion of the 

population. 

• A slight impact may slightly reduce the value or use of an environmental 

component and slightly affect a small group of the population. 

• Some activities of the project may not create evident negative impacts on the 

environment. In such cases, the assessment will not be detailed but same 

commentaries will be given. This type of impacts is identified as negligible. 

2.4.3 Technical background of the project 

The technical documents which have been used for the preparation of this EIA report 

are the documents published by the Ministry of energy and Water for the preparation 

of the tender documents for the “Installation and Operation of medium speed 

reciprocating engine power generation units” at existing Zouk and Jiyeh thermal 

power plants. 

2.4.4 Further documents used 

A list of additional documents has been used for the preparation of this report, For 

details please refer to the references of this report. 

40



2.5 Environmental requirements 

2.5.1 Emission standards and warranties 

The MoE has defined general emission standards according to the Law 8/1. These 

standards are valid for all industrial plants, including all kind of power plants. 

The assignment of different pollutants to the respective groups of particulate 

inorganic pollutants; gaseous inorganic pollutants and cancer causing pollutants are 

given in the Annex as well as the list and classification of gaseous organic 

compounds. 

Emissions standards are identified by mass flow and concentrations; for mass flow 

lower than the ones indicated in column 3 in Table 2-9, no concentration emission 

limit value exist, otherwise limit values of column 2 will automatically apply. 

Parameter Emission limit value Remark 

Dust [mg/m 3 ] 

Particulate inorganic pollutants [mg/m 3 ] 

Gaseous inorganic pollutants 

Gaseous organic pollutants 

Cancer causing pollutants 

200 for new establishments 

500 for old establishments 

Non containing hazardous 

compound 

Group I 1 Mass flow > 5 g/h 

Group II 10 Mass flow > 25 g/h 

Group III 30 Mass flow > 50 g/h 



Group III 30 Mass flow > 1 Kg/h 

Group IV 500 Mass flow > 10 Kg/h 


Group II 100 Mass flow > 4 kg/h 

Group III 200 Mass flow > 6 Kg/h 

Group I 0.2 Mass flow > 5 g/h 


Group III 10 Mass flow > 50 g/h 

Table 2-9: 

General emissions limit values in Lebanon 

41



Parameter Category A (new 

establishments) 

O 2 correction 3 % 5 % 

Dust [mg/m 3 ] 150 500 

CO [mg/m 3 ] 250 1000 

NOx (calculated as NO 2 ) [mg/m 3 ] 

Diesel fuel (European standard) 300 800 

Other fuel 500 1000 

SOx (calculated as SO 2 ) [mg/m 3 ] 

Diesel fuel (European standard) - - 

Other 1700 3500 

Category B (old 

establishments) 

Table 2-10: Oil fired combustion plants: boilers, steam, energy production > 1 MW 

and < 50 MW thermal capacity 

Parameter Category A Category B 

O 2 correction 3 % 5 % 

Dust [mg/m 3 ] 50 250 

As + Pb+ Cd+ Cr+ Co+ Ni 50 15 

CO [mg/m 3 ] 250 1000 

NOx (calculated as NO 2 ) [mg/m 3 ] 500 1000 



Other 2500 3500 

Table 2-11: Oil fired combustion plants > 50 MW thermal capacity 

Moreover specific regulations are given for the Energy Sector. In the Tables 2-13 to 

2-16, the specific ELV’s for stack emissions are given. 

Parameter Category A Category B 



Other 2000 3500 

Table 2-12: 

Additional requirements for plants > 50 MW 100 MW



2.5.2 Ambient air quality standards 

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) 

Averaging Period Guideline value in mg/m 3 

24-hour 

125 (Interim target-1) 


20 (guideline) 

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) 


PM10 

10 minute 

1-year 

1-hour 

1-year 









PM2.5 

24-hour 

1-year 









Ozone 

24-hour 

8-hour daily 

maximum 



37.5 (Interim target-3) 



100 (guideline 

Table 2-14: Ambient air quality standards of World Bank 4 

2.5.3 Water quality standards 

In the following tables (Table 2-15 for waste water discharged into the sea; 

Table 2-16 for waste water discharged into the surface water and Table 2-17 for 

waste water discharged into the sewage system) the ELV for existing facilities are 

given as allowed for and set in Law 8/1. 

4 

World Health Organisation (WHO): Air Quality Guidelines, Global Update, 2005. 

43



Parameter ELV for existing facilities ELV for new facilities 

PH 5 - 9 6 - 9 

Temperature 35°C 35°C 

BOD 5 mgO 2 /L 100 25 

COD mgO 2 /L 250 125 

Total Phosphorous mgP/L 16 10 

Total Nitrogen mgN/L 40 30 

Suspended solids mg/L 200 60 

AOX 5 5 

Detergents mg/L 3 3 

Coliform Bacteria 37°C in 100ml 2000 2000 

Salmonellae absence Absence 

Hydrocarbons mg/L 20 20 

Phenol index mg/L 0.3 0.3 

Oil and Grease mg/L 30 30 

Total Organic Carbon (TOC) mg/L 75 75 

Ammonia (NH + 4 ) mg/L 10 10 

Silver (Ag) mg/L 0.1 0.1 

Aluminium (Al) mg/L 10 10 

Arsenic (As) mg/L 0.1 0.1 

Barium (Ba) mg/L 10 2 

Cadmium (Cd) mg/L 0.2 0.2 

Cobalt (Co) mg/L 0.5 0.5 

Chromium total (Cr) mg/L 2 2 

Hexavalent Chromium (Cr VI ) mg/L 0.5 0.2 

Copper total (Cu) mg/L 1.5 1.5 

Iron total (Fe) mg/L 5 5 

Mercury total (Hg) mg/L 0.05 0.05 

Manganese (Mn) mg/L 1 1 

Nickel total (Ni) mg/L 2 0.5 

Lead total (Pb) mg/L 0.5 0.5 

Antimony (Sb) mg/L 0.3 0.3 

Tin total (Sn) mg/L 2 2 

Zinc total (Zn) mg/L 10 5 

Active Cl 2 mg/L 1 1 

Cyanides (CN - ) mg/L 0.1 0.1 

Fluoride (F - ) mg/L 25 25 

Nitrate (NO 3 ) mg/L 90 90 

Phosphate (PO 3- 4 ) mg/L 5 5 

Sulphate (SO 2- 4 ) mg/L 1000 1000 

Sulphide (S 2- ) mg/L 5 1 

44



Table 2-15: 

ELV of waste water discharged into the sea 

Parameter ELV for existing facilities ELV for new facilities 

PH 5 - 9 6 - 9 

Temperature 30°C 30°C 

BOD5 mgO2/L 100 25 

COD mgO2/L 250 125 

Total Phosphorous mgP/L 16 10 

Total Nitrogen mgN/L 40 30 

Suspended solids mg/L 200 60 

AOX 5 5 

Detergents mg/L 3 3 

Coliform Bacteria 37°C in 100ml 2000 2000 

Salmonellae absence Absence 

Hydrocarbons mg/L 20 20 

Phenol index mg/L 0.3 0.3 

Oil and Grease mg/L 30 30 

Total Organic Carbon (TOC) mg/L 75 75 

Ammonia (NH4+) mg/L 10 10 

Silver (Ag) mg/L 0.1 0.1 

Aluminium (Al) mg/L 10 10 

Arsenic (As) mg/L 0.1 0.1 

Barium (Ba) mg/L 2 2 

Cadmium (Cd) mg/L 0.2 0.2 

Cobalt (Co) mg/L 0.5 0.5 

Chromium total (Cr) mg/L 2 2 

Hexavalent Chromium (CrVI) mg/L 0.5 0.2 

Copper total (Cu) mg/L 1.5 0.5 

Iron total (Fe) mg/L 5 5 

Mercury total (Hg) mg/L 0.05 0.05 

Manganese (Mn) mg/L 1 1 

Nickel total (Ni) mg/L 2 0.5 

Lead total (Pb) mg/L 0.5 0.5 

Antimony (Sb) mg/L 0.3 0.3 

Tin total (Sn) mg/L 2 2 

Zinc total (Zn) mg/L 5 5 

Active Cl2 mg/L 1 1 

Cyanides (CN-) mg/L 0.1 0.1 

Fluoride (F-) mg/L 25 25 

Nitrate (NO3) mg/L 90 90 

Phosphate (PO43-) mg/L 5 5 

Sulphate (SO42-) mg/L 1000 1000 

45



Sulphide (S2-) mg/L 1 1 

Table 2-16: 

ELV for waste water discharged into surface water in Lebanon 

Parameter 

ELV for existing and new facilities 

PH 6 - 9 

Temperature 35°C 

BOD 5 mgO 2 /L 125 

COD mgO 2 /L 500 

Total Phosphorous mgP/L 10 

Total Nitrogen mgN/L 60 

Suspended solids mg/L 600 

AOX 5 

Salmonellae 

Absence 

Hydrocarbons mg/L 20 

Phenol index mg/L 5 

Oil and Grease mg/L 50 

Total Organic Carbon (TOC) mg/L 750 

Ammonia (NH + 4 ) mg/L - 

Silver (Ag) mg/L 0.1 

Aluminium (Al) mg/L 10 

Arsenic (As) mg/L 0.1 

Barium (Ba) mg/L 2 

Cadmium (Cd) mg/L 0.2 

Cobalt (Co) mg/L 1 

Chromium total (Cr) mg/L 2 

Hexavalent Chromium (Cr VI ) mg/L 0.2 

Copper total (Cu) mg/L 1 

Iron total (Fe) mg/L 5 

Mercury total (Hg) mg/L 0.05 

Manganese (Mn) mg/L 1 

Nickel total (Ni) mg/L 2 

Lead total (Pb) mg/L 1 

Antimony (Sb) mg/L 0.3 

Tin total (Sn) mg/L 2 

Zinc total (Zn) mg/L 10 

Cyanides (CN - ) mg/L 1 

Fluoride (F - ) mg/L 15 

Nitrate (NO 3 ) mg/L - 

Phosphate (PO 3- 4 ) mg/L - 

46



Sulphate (SO 2- 4 ) mg/L 1000 

Sulphide (S 2- ) mg/L 1 

Table 2-17: ELV for waste water discharged in sewage system 

Pollutant or parameter 

PH 6-9 

BOD 50 

COD 250 

Oil and grease 10 

Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 50 

Metals 

Heavy metals, total 10 

Arsenic 0.1 

Cadmium 0.1 

Chromium 

Hexavalent 

Total 

Limit (milligrams per liter, except for pH, 

bacteria, and temperature) 

0.1 

0.5 

Copper 0.5 

Iron 3.5 

Lead 0.1 

Mercury 0.01 

Nickel 0.5 

Selenium 0.1 

Silver 0.5 

Zinc 2 

Cyanide 

Free 

Total 

0.1 

1 

Ammonia 10 

Fluoride 20 

Chlorine, total residual 0.2 

Phenols 0.5 

Phosphorus 2 

Sulfide 1 

Coliform bacteria 

Temperature increase < 3°C 

*MPN, most probable number 

< 400 MPN/100 ml* 

47



Table 2-18: Limits for Process Wastewater, Domestic Sewage, and Contaminated 

Stormwater Discharged to Surface Waters, for General Application 

2.5.4 Noise standards 5 

Table 2-19 and Table 2-20 present respectively the noise levels and the occupational 

Noise Exposure standards allowed for and set in Decision 52/1. Table 2-21 displays 

the World Bank ambient noise level guidelines. 

Type 

Limit dB(A) 

Residential areas having some 

construction sites or commercial activities 

or that are located near a road 

Day time 

7 a.m.- 6 p.m. 

evening time 

6 p.m.- 10 p.m. 

Night time 

10 p.m.- 7 a.m. 

50-60 45-55 40-50 

Urban residential areas 45-55 40-50 35-45 

Industrial areas 60-70 55-65 50-60 

Rural residential areas 35 – 45 30 – 40 25 – 35 

Table 2-19: 

Maximum Allowable Noise Levels 

Duration per day (hrs) 

Sound level (dB(A))) 

8 85 

4 88 

2 91 

1 94 

½ 97 

¼ 100 

Table 2-20: 

Permissible Noise Exposure Standards 

Maximum allowable log equivalent (hourly measurements), in 

dB(A) 

Receptor Day (7:00-22:00) Night (22:00-7:00) 

Residential, institutional, 

educational 

55 45 

Industrial, commercial 70 70 

Table 2-21: World Bank ambient noise level guidelines 6 

5 




48



2.5.5 Solid Waste standards 

Most if not all of the industrial waste generated in Lebanon is managed with little or 

no environmental controls. Industrial solid waste continues to be either co-disposed 

with the municipal solid waste (MSW) stream in the country’s landfills and dumps or 

otherwise dumped into the environment, either directly or indirectly through sewer 

networks. 

MoE is drafting pertinent legislation, including: 

• a decree to classify and manage industrial hazardous waste, 

• a decree to manage healthcare waste, and 

• a permitting and authorization decree for handling any kind of hazardous 

waste. 

This decree will set environmental guidelines and procedures for the safe handling of 

hazardous waste including its temporary storage, transport, treatment and final 

disposal. MoE also will draft technical guidelines for managing specific types of 

waste, such as used oil, asbestos, solvents, lead batteries and printing waste. 

Concerning the municipal solid waste, it has been managed in the Greater Beirut 

Area (GBA), in accordance with the 1997 Emergency Plan for Solid Waste 

Management. The plan called for closing the Bourj Hammoud dump and for 

establishing an integrated MSW management system. 

6 

IFC: Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines, noise management. 

49



3 Project description 

3.1 Introduction 

Lebanon’s electricity supply is earmarked but frequent current interruptions and by 

important energy imports 7 . Therefore, the extension of the power plant in Zouk is an 

important project for the national electricity provider EDL towards a reliable a stable 

electricity supply in the greater Beirut area and in Lebanon. 

3.2 Project location and plant layout 

3.2.1 Project location 

The extension of the plant is foreseen on the area of the already existing Zouk plant 

(see Figure 3-1). 


plant (marked in red on the photo taken from a model on the 5 April 2011) 

7 

In 2009, 1.114 billion kWh electricity imports and a national consumption of 9.793 billion kWh 

(https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/countrytemplate_le.html). 

50



This land is owned by EDL and is currently not used (see Figure 3-2). 

Fig. 3-2: The area foreseen for the extension of the existing Zouk plant (photo taken 

on the 5 April 2011) 

Fig. 3-3: The existing Zouk plant and the area foreseen for the extension seen from 

the sea side (photo taken from a model on the 5 April 2011) 

51



The project site is located in the northern part of greater Beirut, south of Jounieh. It is 

directly on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. The precise location is 

• Latitude: 33° 58 N 

• Longitude: 35° 36 E 

An area of 180,000 m² is foreseen for the extension of the Zouk plant. The altitude of 

the plateau at the plant site is 6 m above sea level. 

3.2.2 Traffic system 

The area of the Zouk power plant is in close neighbourhood to the highway Beirut – 

Tripoli (see Figure 3-4), therefore a good and fast road accession to the area is 

given. 

Fig. 3-4: The project location of the Zouk power plant. The cooling water outlet into 

the Mediterranean Sea can clearly be seen, as well as the direct 

neighbourhood to the highway Beirut – Tripoli and to the buildings of the 

Zouk and Adonis Kesserwan communities (photo by Google Earth). 

According to the tender documents for the extension of the Zouk power plant, “the 

Contractor shall use every reasonable means to prevent any of the highways or 

52



bridges communicating with or on the routes to the Site form being damaged or 

injured by any traffic of the Contractor or any of his sub-contractors”. 8 

The fuel delivery to the power plant will continue to be by ship, thus, no impact from 

overland fuel transports will be generated. 

3.2.3 Plant layout 

Fig. 3-5: The existing second stack directly beside the area foreseen for the 

extension of the Zouk power plant (Photo taken on the 5 April 2011) 

The extension of the existing Zouk Power Plant will be installed next to an already 

existing plant. The facilities to be newly erected can be divided in different functional 

building as the power house, control room, switchgear room or engineering office. 

8 

General conditions of the contract, Chapter 11.3: Extraordinary Traffic, March 2011. 

53



According to the tender documents 9 , the power house will be structurally separate in 

order to avoid the transmission of vibrations, but “the Power House and all the 

various ancillary buildings are to form one architectural pattern which shall be based 

and designed on professional architectural advice“. 

The oil storage area that will be built is precisely specified in the tender documents. 

For the exhaust fumes, it is to be checked if it is technically possible to use the 

already existing second stack of 125 m height which is adjacent to the area foreseen 

the extension of the plant (see Figure 3-5). 

3.3 Plant concept 10 

The Plant process may be summarised as follows: 

3.3.1 Mechanical plant 

The mechanical part of the new plant will comprehend: 

• Identical 4-stroke diesel engines running on heavy fuel oil of a total net output 

of 180 MWe with medium speed, complete with excitation system, AVR, 

engine and alternator control and instrumentation system, air intake, exhaust, 

cooling systems, lubricating oil system and fuel oil systems as specified, and 

suitable for parallel operation. 

• The plant should be capable for conversion for burning natural gas. The option 

for conversion will be exercised in the future. 

• The minimum capacity of each engine should not be less than 7 MWe. 

• Centrifugal lubricating oil purifier 

• Lubricating clean oil tanks and tanks for dirty and refurbished oils 

• Lubricating oil transfer pumps, and associated piping and structures 

• Complete cooling system air-cooling) 

• Fuel oil daily tanks 

• Heavy fuel oil (HFO) centrifugal purifier clarifies and accessories 

• LFO storage tank for 30 days as fuel using as a pilot and for start-up, if it is 

necessary 

• Storage HFO tank sufficient for 30 days of operation with all unit in base load 

mode 

• HFO and LFO transfer pumps 

• Complete equipment for HFO system 

• Ventilation system for the engine room and AC for control room, MCC room 

and switchgear room 

• Fire fighting system - extinguishers and detecting systems 

9 

Chapter 4.3 of the “Technical specifications” in the version of March 2011. 

10 

An in-depth description of the plant concept is given in the technical specifications and other 

tender documents for the project. 

54



• Overhead crane in the engine room 

• Oily water treatment plant 

3.3.2 Electrical plant 

The electrical plant consists of the following: 

• 15 kV Switching Station 

• Copper bars adequate to withstand maximum load current at site 

conditions and short circuit current impacts. 

• Generator circuit breakers (according to proposed number of generator 

units) 

• Station transformer circuit breakers (according to proposed generation 

number of units) 

• outgoing circuit breaker(s). 

• Measuring voltage and current transformers. 

• Protective and supervisory relays. 

• Measuring instruments. 

• Rehabilitation of one existing 150 kV SF6 indoor switchgear bays 

within the indoor 150 kV SF6 switchgear plant for the Steam Power Station 

Zouk. This one 150 kV bay will be available to receive 180 MW power from the 

new diesel power plant for onward transmission into the national grid 

• New 150 kV Switching station. Complete system and. The new 150 kV 

Switching station to be complete in every respect to be controlled and 

operated from the new control room for ICE Zouk 

• Power Transformers 150/15 kV 

• Generator Transformers 150/15 kV 

• New control system & control desk with synchronizing equipment, 

circuit breaker control, measuring instruments and alarm and signalling. 

• Auxiliary transformers (15/0.4 kV) 

• Control Desk which includes overall power station control procedures 

• Auxiliary unit and station electrical motors together with their control 

and protective devices 

• High Voltage (15 kV) power cables which includes the following 

connections to the relevant 15 kV equipment: Generators to Busbar, Station 

transformers to Busbar, Busbar to 150/15 kV 

• High Voltage (150 kV) power cables which includes the following 

connections: Generator transformers to 150 kV switchgear, 150 kV switchgear 

to existing 150 kV switchgear building Zouk and to the relevant 150 kV 

equipment 

• Low Voltage power cables for all units and station auxiliaries 

• DC system including battery, block Battery charger, DC cables, DC 

distribution, distribution board etc 

• Earthing system 

• Lightning Protection System 

• Insulation Coordination system 

55



• Control cables 

• Control and instrumentation system 

• Power protection system 

• Two voltage distribution boards 

• Lighting system including indoor, outdoor and emergency lighting 

3.3.3 Civil plant 

The civil works for the construction and installation for the new power station in Zouk 

will cover but not limited to the following: 

• Preparing the site from “brown field” to “green field”. 

• Power house. 

• Electrical annex: switchgear room, control room, LV room. 

• Office and sanitation. 

• Store room. 

• Roads. 

• Trenches. 

• Drainage system. 

3.3.4 Fuel supply 

Fig. 3-6: The fuel tanks at the Zouk power plants (Photo taken from a model on the 

5 April 2011) 

56



The fuel supply for the already existing plant and for the extension will be by ship 

from the Mediterranean Sea (see figure 3-6). 

The fuel storages comprehend a HFO storage tank sufficient for 30 days of operation 

with all unit in base load mode and a LFO storage tank for 30 days as fuel using as a 

pilot and for start-up. 

The fuel oil burnt in the Zouk power plant has a sulphur content of less than 1%. It 

has been reported from the management of the power plant that, recently, there are 

higher amounts of ashes from the burning process which may result from a higher 

sodium and vanadium content in the fuel. It has been suggested by the management 

to install a filtering system for the fuel to remediate this too high ash generation. 

The quality parameters of the fuel delivered in the plant as well as the quality 

parameters for the fuel are given in the Annexes. 

3.3.5 Water supply and treatment 

Fig. 3-7: The existing cooling water inlet (blue arrow) and the outlet (red arrow) of 

the existing Zouk power plant (Photo taken from a model on the 

5 April 2011) 

In the existing power plant, sea water is used for cooling water after desalination and 

chemical treatment to remove the metal ions contained in the sea water. The amount 

57



used is 10 t/h per block. The water is let back into the Sea with temperature 

difference of 10° C. 

However, according to the management of the plant, a new installation for cooling 

water is necessary for the extension of the plant as the existing one is already not 

sufficient for the blocks in operation. 

3.3.6 Gaseous pollutants and noise emissions 

In the tender documents for the extension of the power plant 11 , there are no specific 

requests for the treatment of the gaseous pollutants. If the already existing second 

stack will be used for the extension of the power plant (see Figure 3-5), the exhaust 

fumes will undergo an electrostatic precipitator (ESP) system which is already 

installed at the stack. 

According to the tender documents the noise level is to be tested 12 on completion of 

the plant and “The noise level shall preferably be limited to the following values: 

a. Inside the power station while all engines are at MRC shall be 100 dB(A). 

b. Outside the power station one meter from the wall of the Engine Hall Building 

shall be 80 dB(A). 

c. Inside the control room shall be 60 dB(A).” 13 

Different measures are requested in the tender documents to prevent the generation 

or transmission of vibrations. 14 

However, the emissions of gaseous pollutants, vibration and noise must follow the 

requirements of the Lebanese environmental legislation as described in Chapter 2 of 

this report. 

3.3.7 Waste water treatment 

In the existing plant, the wastes from the sanitary rooms are discharged without any 

treatment into the Mediterranean Sea. 

11 According to the “Technical specifications” in the version of March 2011. 

12 According to Chapter 5 of the “Technical specifications” in the version of March 2011. 

13 

According to Chapter 1.5 of the “Technical specifications” in the version of March 2011. 

14 

According to the “Technical specifications” in the version of March 2011. 

58



Fig. 3-8: The area foreseen for the extension of the existing Zouk plant. In the 

background, a recreation area available to the staff of the plant and EDL 

can be noticed (photo taken in north eastern direction on the 5 April 2011) 

The extension of the plant will be equipped with an oily water treatment system 15 . 

The function of the oily water treatment system is to collect the oily water and 

separate it into clean water and sludge. After the treatment the clean water can be 

discharged into the water sewage system while the sludge shall be collected for 

further disposal or incineration. The main components of the system shall include but 

not limited to the following: 

• Oily water collecting pits 

• Oily water transfer pump units 

• Oily water setting tank 

• Sludge transfer pump units 

• Oily water treatment unit 

• Sludge tanks 

• Sludge loading pump units 

A treatment or discharge system for the sanitary waste water is not requested in the 

tender documents for the extension of the power plant. 16 

15 

According to Chapter 2.1 of the “Technical specifications” in the version of March 2011. 

16 


59



3.3.8 Solid waste disposal 

In the existing plant, the solid waste is not treated: The ashes from the electrostatic 

precipitator are brought without additional treatment to a dump which is close to the 

power plant. 

In the tender documents for the extension of the power plant 17 , there are no specific 

requests for the treatment of the solid wastes. However, the discharge of the oily 

slags from the oily water treatment system, the solid wastes from the ashes separator 

and all other waste must follow the requirements of the Lebanese environmental 

legislation as described in Chapter 2. 

17 


60



4 Baseline study for the situation before the project 

4.1 Description of the relevant physical conditions 

4.1.1 Topography 

Please refer to the output of task 3: Topographic Survey. 

4.1.2 Geology 

Please refer to the output of task 4: Soil Investigation and Geotechnical survey. 

4.1.3 Seismic data 

The overall theme for the last sixty million years has been that the great oceanic 

seaway, the Tethys, which once lay to the north of the Arabia, has almost been 

entirely consumed as Africa and Arabia have collided with Eurasia. 

Figure 4-1: Modern day regional tectonic map 

61



The Arabia Plate kept on moving north and rifted away from the larger African body. 

The spreading ocean that resulted is the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The movement 

of this new plate past the Levantine protrusion of the African Plate has given rise to 

the Dead Sea Transform Fault zone. The Dead Sea Fault System forms an excellent 

transform margin between the Arabian Plate and the Levantine part of the African 

Plate. Both are moving northwards but the Arabian plate is moving faster. Figure 4-1 

shows the region diagrammatically. 

Concerning Lebanon, it is cut by faults of every scale. Figure 4-2 merely shows some 

of the main ones. 

Figure 4-2: Simplified structural map of Lebanon 

The longest fault in Lebanon is the Yammouneh Fault that runs along the western 

margin of the Bekaa and links the major fault of the Jordan Valley to the Ghab Valley 

Fault of Northern Syria. This is a lateral, or strike slip fault and is the Lebanese 

segment of the Dead Sea Transform Fault. It originated around 12 to 10 million years 

ago as the boundary between the Arabia Plate and the Levantine part of the African 

Plate and has been moving since. The result of this is that the Bekaa has moved 

some 50 km northwards with respect to Mount Lebanon. 

62



The Roum Fault, which runs from near Marjayoun towards Beirut is probably where 

most of the plate tectonic motion is going on now and may be the present plate 

boundary between the Arabian and the African Plate. The last recent earthquakes in 

Lebanon have been along this fault including the Chhim earthquake of 1956 that 

caused many deaths and much damage. 

There are other major faults particularly in the Anti-Lebanon. The main highway to 

Damascus shows a good deal of faulting in the road cuts as it passes through this 

area. The Serghaya Fault in particular is apparently another major strike slip fault. 

4.1.4 Climate 

The climate of Lebanon is typically Mediterranean, humid to sub-humid in the wet 

season to sub-tropical in the dry season. The wet season coincides with winter period 

that lasts from November till April. In winter, the atmospheric pressure perturbations 

originating from Southern Europe cause abundant rainfall at the coast and on the 

mountains parallel to it. The dry season coincides with summer period, which starts in 

June till the end of September. During this period, no rain is recorded and a state of 

high pressure dominates the whole country. 

The proposed project falls in a coastal area characterized by abundant rainfall 

distributed over winter season and a hot and dry weather in the summer season. 

4.1.4.1 Precipitation 

Fig. 4-3: Monthly precipitations recorded at Beirut Airport Station (2009-2010) 18 

18 

Source: Beirut International Airport. 

63



Rain fall is regular where the majority of precipitation occurs between January and 

March. Figure 4-3 presents the average monthly precipitation as recorded at Zouk 

Mikael and Beirut airport stations, the two closest stations to the project location. 

4.1.4.2 Temperature 

Beirut has a Mediterranean climate characterized by a hot, dry summer, a pleasant 

autumn and spring, and a cool, rainy winter. August is the hottest month, with a 

monthly average high temperature of 29 °C, and January and February are the 

coldest months with a monthly average low temperature of 15 °C. Figure 4-4 shows 

the temperature recorded at Beirut Airport Station Stations, the closest station to the 

project location. 

Fig. 4-4: Temperature recorded at Beirut Airport Station (2009-2010) 19 

4.1.4.3 Wind 

According to Figure 4-5, the general wind direction is southwest. The average wind 

speed varies from about 1.6 m/s to about 4.7 m/s over the year. 

The data from the station of Beirut International Airport were used in this section due 

to lack of data from other stations. 

19 


64



Fig. 4-5: Wind rose for Beirut for the year 2005 20 

4.1.5 Hydrology 

4.1.5.1 Springs 

There are two springs located in Zouk Mosbeh: Ain Bou Ghoson and Ain Rabbaya. 

The location of these springs is indicated on the Figure 4-6. 

4.1.5.2 Surface water 

The major surface water that is close to the Zouk power plant is the river Naher El 

Kalb. Located at 13 km for Beirut, Naher El Kaleb has a watershed of 264 km 2 ; it runs 

31 km from the source to the Mediterranean Sea. Its average flow is 8 m 3 /s. The 

resurgence of Jeita cave is located at 6km from the sea, the course of the river itself 

with 27 km long starts well in advance and receives the waters of two tributaries: El 

Assal and El Laban sources whose elevations are respectively at 1570 m and 1653 

m consisting the northern part of the watershed, while small episodic streams 

crisscross its southern part (Figure 4-7). 

20 


65



Fig. 4-6: The location of the springs in Zouk Mosbeh 

Fig. 4-7: Course of Naher El Kaleb 

66



Many restaurants are located near the sources and discharge directly into the river 

their organic waste. El Laban source is bacteriologically polluted by the septic tanks 

of the resorts and stations all along the river. All the watersheds are polluted due to 

the sewage spill of the villages and due to the intense touristic activities. In addition, 

the river receives at some kilometers from the mouth of the effluents from the 

industrial area of Zouk. 

Ii is important to note that Zouk Mosbeh is a costal town, located on the 

Mediterranean Sea. 

4.1.6 Ambient air quality 

Air quality, at the existing conditions, has not been monitored in the study area. The 

proposed project will be implemented next to the existing power plant which is 

present in a residential and commercial area. There are several existing sources of 

ambient air pollution in this region which include vehicles and the emissions from the 

industrial activities. 

The emission is one of the major environmental issues of the thermal power plant 

due to the characteristics of the plant, the type of fuel and the vicinity of the plant to 

many houses and human activities. Due to several complains from the nearby living 

population, EdL decided to burn fuel oil with less than 1% of Sulphur since the 

beginning of 1996. Besides that, no other measures for gas emissions reduction are 

undertaken by the plant. 

4.1.7 Noise pollution 

It is evident that at any setting, both the frequency and magnitude of environmental 

ambient noise may vary considerably over the course of the day. In fact, the 

proposed project will occur next to the existing power plant where businesses and 

residential buildings stand. Noise levels in the plant are in general acceptable, even if 

no measurements are done by the regulatory authorities, nor by the power plant 

organization. This implies that noise sources in the surrounding of the plant are traffic 

jam, and daily business transactions. 

Concerning the noise-sensitive receptors to the proposed project, several residential 

buildings and businesses are located next to the existing power plant, where the 

closest ones are at less than 200 m form the plant. These might be potential 

receivers to the ambient noise pollution caused during the operation phase of the 

project. The potential nuisance from ambient increased noise levels during the 

phases of construction and operation are subject to preventive and mitigation 

measures (by noise muffling and attenuation). 

67



4.2 Description of the relevant biological conditions 

Lebanon's biological wealth has been influenced by successive civilizations, and is 

closely related to its geomorphology and micro-climates. Roughly three quarters of 

the total surface area of the country is mountainous, which gives rise to many microclimates, 

favourable to the occurrence of many plant and animal species and 

communities. There are 5 geomorphological regions in Lebanon: 

(1) the coastal zone, 

(2) the Mount Lebanon range, 

(3) Bekaa Plain, 

(4) The Anti-Lebanon Range and 

(5) South Lebanon (Figure 4-8). 

The number of known species in fauna and flora in Lebanon are 4,486 and 4,633 

respectively. 

Fig. 4-8: Distribution of geomorphological regions of Lebanon 

4.2.1 Flora 

Fig. 4-9: Breakdown of flora species by habitat 

68



Relative to its size, Lebanon boasts one of the highest densities of floral diversity in 

the Mediterranean basin, which in turn is one of the most biologically diverse regions 

in the world. More than 80 percent of plant species in Lebanon are terrestrial plants 

(Figure 4-9). 

Lebanon has a high percentage of endemic plant species. According to the 

Biodiversity Reports, approximately 400 plants are endemic to Lebanon, Syria and 

Palestine, of which 92 are presumed endemic to Lebanon only. 

Fig. 4-10: 

Approximate forest coverage by Caza in percent 

Concerning the forest, in 1996, the MoA reported that forests in 1966 covered 6.7 % 

of the country’s surface area and were distributed across cazas as shown in 

Figure 4-10. 

The main forest species in Lebanon are the following: Kermes Oak (Q. calliprinos), 

Kermes Oak (Q. calliprinos), Haired Oak (Q. cerris), Aleppo Pine (P. halepensis) , 

Brutia Pine (P. brutia) , Stone Pine (P. pinea) , Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani) , Fir 

(Abies cilicica) , Juniper (Juniperus excelsa) , Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens). 

Figure 4-11 shows the distribution of forest species. 

69



Fig. 4-11: Percentage distribution of forest species 21 

4.2.2 Fauna 

Of the 4,486 known fauna species in Lebanon nearly half are terrestrial (Figure 4-12). 

Insects and butterflies total 1,216 known species, or 27 % of the total number of 

fauna species. 

Fig. 4-12: Breakdown of faunal species by habitat 22 

There are 52 reported mammal species and at least 372 species of birds in Lebanon. 

The National Center for Marine Sciences (NCMS) has inventoried 218 marine fish 

species. Zooplankton account for the largest share of marine faunal diversity with 

more than 747 species recorded. Other families of marine organisms include the 

cephalopods (octopuses, cuttlefish and squids), reptiles (loggerhead turtle and green 

sea turtle) and mammals (dolphins and porpoises and, less common in local waters, 

whales and seals). 

21 

Source: MoA/UNEP, 1996c. 

22 

Source: MoA/UNEP, 1996c. 

70



The biodiversity surrounding the project area has become threatened due to the 

uncontrolled urban expansion destruction, the absence of a good urban planning and 

permanent alteration of the coastal zone. 

In fact, many industries are located in Zouk Mosbeh, and discharge their effluents in 

the surface and sea water leading to a destruction of these ecosystems. In addition, 

the uncontrolled urban extension and the absence of an appropriate infrastructure 

have contributed to an additional alteration of the biodiversity in the area. Though, 

some agricultural activities take place in the area, such as greenhouses for 

vegetables production and the cultivation of fruit trees. 

4.3 Description of socio-economic conditions 

4.3.1 Overall situation in Lebanon 

4.3.1.1 Demographics and Population 

Mouhafaza Cazas Cadastral zones Surface area (Km 2 ) 

Beirut - 12 19.6 

Mount Lebanon 6 495 1968.3 

North 7 387 2024.8 

South 3 227 929.6 

Nabatiyeh 4 147 1098 

Bekka 5 224 4160.9 

Total 25 1492 10201.2 

Table 4-1: 

Administrative regions and localities at mouhafaza level 

Lebanon is an upper-middle-income country, with a GDP per capita of US$4 360. 

According to “Country Cooperation Strategy for WHO and Lebanon 2005–2009”, the 

population density has reach a total of 4 million with over 80% living in urban areas. 

Lebanon is divided into six administrative regions (mouhafaza), which are further 

subdivided into 25 districts called cazas, not including Beirut (Table 4-1). Each caza 

is made up of several cadastral zones (mantaka ekarieh). In total, there are 1492 

cadastral zones. The Bekaa is the largest mouhafaza (4161 km 2 ), followed by the 

North (2025 km 2 ) and Mount Lebanon (1968 km 2 ). The capital Beirut is home to 

about 1.6 million persons. Other major cities are Tripoli, 91 km north of Beirut, with 

about 350 000 inhabitants; Saida (Sidon), 41 km south of Beirut, with about 80 000 

persons; Tyre (Sour), 79 km south of Beirut, with about 30 000 inhabitants; and 

Zahle, 47 km east of Beirut, with about 80 000 persons. 

71



The average family size was 4.76 persons, with the highest number in North 

Lebanon, 5.5 persons per household. 

Information on gender and age distribution of the Lebanese population is provided by 

CAS (1998) and has not been updated since 2001 (Table 4-2). The male to female 

ratio is approximately 1:1. This ratio varies slightly according to the age group. 

Age group ( years) Total (1997) Male (%) Female (%) 

0-19 1558083 51.5 48.5 

20-39 1342447 49.5 50.5 

40-59 703977 48.6 51.4 

>60 391232 51 49 

Unknown 9286 35.5 64.5 

Total 4005025 50.2 49.8 

Table 4-2: Population breakdown by age group and gender 23 

4.3.1.2 Public Health and Health Care Services 

In the past few years, various reports have shown a steady increase in life 

expectancy (up to 72.6 years at birth, combined sexes) and decline in mortality rates 

(crude death rate down to 5.4 per 1000). Life expectancy at birth is 69 for men and 

72 for women, and the infant mortality rate, estimated to be 27 per 1000 live births in 

2000, appears to have continued to improve over the past 10 years. The total fertility 

rate declined from 3.1 children per woman in 1991 to 2.29 in 2003. 

Mohafaza 

No. of Hospitals 

Share of Total 

Private 

Hospitales (%) 

No. of Beds 

Share of Total 

No. of Beds (%) 

Beirut 34 21.1 3672 27.2 

Mount Lebanon 56 34.8 5044 37.3 

North 23 14.3 1561 11;6 

South 24 14.9 1784 13;2 

Beqaa 24 14.9 1454 10;7 

Total 161 100 13515 100 

Table 4-3: 

Distribution of Private Hospitals and their Bed Capacity by Mohafaza 

The national target with respect to reduction of the infant mortality rate and under-five 

mortality rate for 2001 was below 24 and 28 per 1000 live births respectively at the 

national level, and 35 and 45 per 1000 live births respectively in under-served areas. 

23 

Source: CAS study, No.9/1998. 

72



The main causes of child morbidity are respiratory infections and diarrhea. The 

maternal mortality ratio is 104 per 100 000 live births. 

Lebanon’s health service delivery is dominated by the private sector which accounts 

for more than 90% of health care services. 

Lebanon has 182 private and public hospitals, with a total capacity of 15,780 beds. In 

Beirut and Mount Lebanon only, there are 96 hospitals with a bed capacity of 9,738 

(about 62% of total bed capacity). Tables 4-3 and 4-4 depict the geographical 

distribution of hospitals and contracted beds by Mohafaza. 

Mohafaza No. of Hospitals No. of Avilable Beds No. of Utilizable Beds 

Beirut 2 739 14 

Mount Lebanon 4 328 310 

North 5 380 229 

South 3 255 214 

Nabatiyyeh 3 227 197 

Beqaa 4 335 171 

Total 21 226 1135 

Table 4-4: Distribution of Public Hospitals and their Bed Capacity by Mohafaza 

In 2001, there were 787 and health centres in Lebanon. Mount Lebanon has the 

lion’s share (30.3%), followed by the South (26.8%), North (24%). Beirut and Beqaa 

have the lowest share, with 12.8% and 6.1% respectively. 

4.3.1.3 Cultural Properties 

In 2002, there were 1,024,238 students, 2,698 schools and 36 colleges and 

universities in Lebanon. There were 396 vocational and technical training schools 

with an enrolment of 82,647 students. The languages taught are Arabic, French and 

English. 

The total number of students enrolled at all levels in both the private and the public 

sectors has reached 899,508; compared with 258,854 students who were enrolled in 

1970-1971 and represents a 248% increase. Some 351,177 students are enrolled in 

public schools, 113,658 students in free private schools, and 434,673 in private 

schools. The percentages of students included in the three types of schools are fairly 

evenly distributed throughout Lebanon. Beirut and Nabatiyyeh have the lowest 

percentage of students attending schools (9.6% and 6.9% respectively), while the 

Mohafazas of North Lebanon and Mount Lebanon have the highest (23.5% and 

23.2%). 

Table 4-5 shows the distribution of schools per mohafazat and per school type. 

73



Mohafaza 

Public 

Schools 

Free Private 

Schooling (%) 

Paid Private 

Schooling (%) 

Total (%) 

Beirut 2.2 0.8 4.3 7.3 

Mount Lebanon (incl. Beirut 

Suburbs) 

Mount Lebanon (without 

Beirut Suburbs) 

4.2 2.6 10.6 17.4 

6.9 1.5 5.3 13.7 

North 16.3 2.7 5.6 24.6 

Beqaa 9.9 3.4 4.8 18.1 

South 5.6 1.3 3.2 10.1 

Nabatiyyeh 5.3 1.4 2.1 8.8 

Total 50.4 13.7 35.9 100 

Table 4-5: 

Distribution of Schools according to Mohafazat and School Type 

Lebanon has 396 vocational and technical training schools, with an enrolment of 

82,647 students who are unevenly distributed between 44 public schools with 25,918 

students and 352 private schools with 56,729 students. 

The University System is constituted of 36 universities and colleges in Lebanon, with 

124,730 students enrolled, of which 54.7% are females. 

Having a percentage of 31.8% in 1970, the illiteracy rate marks a sharp decrease and 

reaches 11.6 % in 1997, leading to an adult literacy rates are 92% for males and 

80% for females in 2004. 

4.3.1.4 Employment and Distribution of Income 

Lebanon is characterized by a service-oriented economy with a weak agriculture 

sector. In 2004, it contributed less than 7 percent of the GDP (12 percent in 1994). In 

this context, agriculture plays a minor role in the economy. Major sub-sectors are 

commerce, tourism and financial services. The industry and manufacturing sector 

accounts for 21 percent of the GDP. 

Figure 4-13 shows the distribution of the labor force on the different economical 

sectors in Lebanon. 

According to a study made by the USJ (Université Saint Joseph) in 2003 “La 

Population Libanaise et Ses Caractéristiques”, the rate of unemployment reaches 

11.5% at the national level. 

74



Fig. 4-13: Distribution of the labour force in Lebanon 24 

4.3.1.5 Existing Land Use 

The total agricultural land was approximately 270 000 ha in 2006, of which nearly 50 

percent is under irrigation. With 39 % of the nation’s agricultural area, the Bekaa 

Valley has the largest acreage of agricultural land in Lebanon. North is second to 

Bekaa, with 26 % of the agricultural land, followed by South, Nabatiyeh and Mount 

Lebanon, with 12, 11 and 10 %, respectively. 

Forests in Lebanon constitute an important natural resource. The forests cover 

139 376 ha, while the other wooded land extends over 108 378 ha. The total area 

covered by the forests and other wooded land represents about 23 % of the surface 

area of the country. Other lands with trees (including fruit and olive trees) extend over 

a surface of 113 000 ha or 11 % of the country. 

Figure 4-14 shows the main existing land uses in Lebanon. 

24 

Source: Damage and Early Recovery Needs Assessment of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, 

November 2006. 

75



Fig. 4-14: 

The main existing land uses in Lebanon 

76



4.3.2 Overall situation in the site area 

Fig. 4-15: Overview on Zouk Mosbeh. The power plant can be seen in the 

background 

Zouk Mosbeh is a costal town, located in the caza of Keserwan, 12 kilometers 

(7.4568 mi) away from Beirut the capital of Lebanon (see the Figures 4-15, 4-16 and 

4-17). Its elevation is off to 400 meters above sea level. Zouk Mosbeh surface 

stretches for 453 hectares. 

Fig. 4-16: 

Location of the caza of Keserwan 

Zouk Mosbeh is a very densely populated area. Some private residences are located 

close to the east of the power plant (less than 200 m). Big commercial centers, 

77



recreational activities (swimming), tourist activities (hotel, restaurants, etc.) and other 

civil activities are concentrated in this region. There are 167 companies with more 

than 5 employees in Zouk Mosbeh. The main industries present in the area are 

chemicals industries, metal industries, timber and furniture industries, textile and 

clothing industries, rubber and plastic industries, stone shaping industries, paper 

industries, cement industries and food and beverages industries. 

Fig. 4-17: 

Location of Zouk Mosbeh in caza of Keserwan 

Moreover, in the area there are lots of greenhouses for vegetables production and 

agricultural activities along the river consisting of citrus fruit and bananas grown on 

the coastal plain. 

Zouk Mosbeh account 3 schools, 1 public school and 2 private schools. Thus, 212 

students are schooled in the public institution, and 4421 are schooled in the private 

ones. 

In Zouk Mosbeh there is one private university, Notre Dame University of Louayzeh 

(NDU). The number of students registered in the academic year of 2006-2007 

reached around 5,000 compared to 4,584 in 2004-2005 and 3,563 in 2000-2001. 

The only remaining archeological vestige in the area is the Nebuchadnezzar Setel, 

located on the border of Nahr Al-Kalb (Dog River). 

78



4.4 The current existing plant in Zouk 

The existing power plant in Zouk comprehends four blocks: three blocks of 135 MW 

and one block of 182 MW. However, due to technical problems from lacking 

maintenance (leakages, problems in boilers etc), the power plant cannot work with its 

full capacity of about 600 MW, but only 300 MW are in operation. 

4.5 Changes predicted before the project commences 

For the consideration of the changes from the extension of the existing Zouk power 

plant, two different situations must be considered: 

4.5.1 Construction phase 

It is anticipated that during the construction phase of the project road traffic to/from 

the site will increase over a short period. This may have a negative impact on the 

local environment (exhaust fumes, dust, noise, etc.). These potential negative 

impacts will pose an intermediate impact to the local communities and once the plant 

enters the operation phase this will no longer apply. 

On the positive side is predicted that during the construction phase the project will 

offer additional short-term employment opportunities for construction workers, and 

once the new plant enters commercial operation additional high quality long-term 

employment will be ensured. 

4.5.2 Operation phase 

The operation of an additional block of 180 MW in the Zouk power plant will generate 

unavoidable additional effects on the environment. Examples for this are additional 

• amounts of exhaust fumes emitted into the air, 

• additional amounts of cooling water taken from the Sea and let into the Sea, or 

• a visual impact. 

All this should be seen in forefront of the impacts already existing from the current 

operation situation at the Zouk power plant: For instance, it has been reported that 

inhabitants of the adjacent community Zouk complained on black smoke coming from 

the power plant’s stacks. It is obvious that any emission from the power plant will 

have a direct impact, seeing the close neighbourhood of the power plant and the 

community (see Figure 4-18). 

However, seeing the current operation situation of the power plant with a too low 

budget for doing the necessary maintenance or repairs and seeing the resulting 

impairment to the surrounding environment, the additional impact from the extension 

79



of the power plant is considered to be a slight impact. A mitigation from the current 

situation will come from the improved operation after rehabilitation of the existing 

plant and improved operation conditions. 

Fig. 4-18: The community of Zouk in direct neighbourhood of the power plant (Photo 


Furthermore the extension of the Zouk power plant will allow to increase the 

generation capacity in Lebanon by 180 MW which will allow to mitigate the existing 

tense situation in electricity supply in the country and to meet the future demand. 

80



5 Identification and assessment of environmental 

impacts 


The project for the extension of the capacity of the Zouk thermal power plant will play 

an important role in the development of the Lebanese Energy Sector, particularly in 

the greater area of Beirut. The project will help to turn the electricity supply towards 

more stability and reliability. 

In this section of the report, the impact of the Zouk Power Project on the environment 

will be investigated. All relevant types of emissions and influences are considered in 

the study including those, that may have an impact on the physical and biological 

resources in the vicinity of the project, as well as those that could affect humans and 

their quality of life. 

Beside significant beneficial impacts, and despite the use of a modern, clean 

technology, the project may have minor negative effects on the environment. But the 

design, approach and implementation are to be intended to minimize such negative 

effects as much as possible. 



81



In the following section the impacts during the construction phase and especially 

during the long lasting operation phase, as well as socio-economic aspects will be 

investigated and assessed in more detail. 

5.2 Impacts during the construction phase 

Possible impacts during design and construction phase are: 

Impacts of land clearing on local people 

Impact on land used 

Impacts by traffic and transportation 

Impacts caused by labour concentration 

Impacts by civil works and construction of the power plant. 

5.2.1 Impacts of land clearing on local people 

Type of waste remarks Potential use or disposal Marked in Fig. 5-2 as… 

Concrete and 

stones 

Old parts of buildings to 

be dismantled 

Potential use in road 

construction 

Plastic waste Potential contamination Potential use for 

recycling depending on 

potential contamination 

Steel barrels 

Potentially 

contaminated soils, 

slags 

Old metals 

wood 

Other 

materials 

mixed 

Potential contamination 

of the soil from 

decomposition of the 

containers and from 

sweeping of pollutants 

into the ground (oil, 

chemicals?) 

Potential use for 

recycling depending on 

potential contamination 

Disposal according to 

current legislation 

Potential use for 

recycling 

To be disposed in 

landfills 

Disposal according to 

current legislation 

yellow 

orange 

blue 

violet 

red 

white 

Table 5-1: Overview on the different types of wastes on the plot foreseen for the 

extension of the existing Zouk plant 

The extension of the already existing Zouk plant will be installed beside the existing 

plant on a not used area (see Figure 5-1). Therefore no land clearing is necessary as 

no settlements are on this terrain. 

82



However, the area foreseen for the extension of the Zouk plant is currently used for 

dumping waste. From Figure 5-2, it can be seen that steel barrels, plastic bags and 

other materials are decomposing there under open sky. If this plot will be cleared 

before the construction work will start, these materials must be removed. Some minor 

parts might be sold as secondary raw materials. The greatest part, however, must be 

discharged as waste. This must be done according to 

• The current legislation, 

• Request by municipalities as well as 

• The agreements achieved with the contractor according to the TOR. 

Table 5-1 and Figure 5-2 give an overview on the different types of waste to be 

discharged. 

Fig. 5-2: Examples for the different types of wastes on the plot foreseen for the 

extension of the existing Zouk plant (photo taken on the 5 April 2011). For 

the explanation of the coloured marks please refer to Table 5-1. 

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5.2.2 Land used 

Further requirements of soil due to infrastructure enlargement or the establishment of 

transmission lines will not be necessary. At the moment, it can be expected that the 

present road condition is sufficient for the delivery of construction materials and spare 

parts. Necessary road extensions, however, are to be done according to the TOR. 

Pieces of greater volume or heavier weight can be delivered via seaway as the 

construction site is in direct vicinity of the sea line (see Figure 5-3). 

5.2.3 Impacts from traffic and transportation 

It is anticipated that during the construction phase of the project road traffic to and 

from the site will increase over a short period. It is expected that the major impact will 

be on the road, which links the highway to the site. The emission of noise, dust and 

exhaust gases of cars and trucks will reach an increased level which will be directly 

attributable to the civil and construction activities. 


plant (marked in red on the photo taken on the 5 April 2011) 

The Zouk Power Plant is located in a populated area with a short distance to the 

closest houses. The respective authorities should evaluate if temporary and 

appropriate traffic control measures should be taken, e.g. a speed control or the 

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locking the northern access to the plant (which goes through Zouk village) for 

construction vehicles and trucks. 

Any additional delivery traffic to the construction site which comes from ships will 

have no noticeable negative impact. 

However, these potential negative impacts will pose a negligible risk to the local 

communities and once the plant enters the operation phase this will no longer apply. 

The increase of traffic may cause a higher probability of traffic accidents, it will be 

one of main concern of the people living in Zouk to maintain the traffic safety. The 

traffic control measures mentioned above may also help to remediate the situation in 

this sense. 

5.2.4 Impacts caused by labour concentration 

5.2.4.1 Temporary offices and sanitary accommodation for contractor's staff 

and labour 

According to tender documents 25 , the contractor shall provide, furnish and maintain 

office and other temporary accommodation including sanitary and, where necessary, 

catering and canteen facilities for his own and his sub-contractor's staff and 

workmen. 

The sanitary accommodation shall be in approved positions on the site and shall be 

kept in a clean and orderly condition to the approval of the Public Health Authority. 

The sanitary accommodation shall be removed on completion of the works and all 

trenches shall be chemically treated and completely backfilled. The contractor shall 

be responsible for building and running the canteen for his employees. 

5.2.4.2 Living accommodation 

If the contractor wishes to provide on or near the site temporary housing and/or camp 

accommodation for his or his sub-contractor's employees, the contractor shall submit 

for prior approval plans of all accommodation he proposes to erect before any 

construction commences. 26 The contractor will be responsible for all the costs 

associated with any temporary housing and/or camp accommodation provided by him 

and for all costs of leasing land required for any purpose concerning the works but 

not forming part of the site. 

25 

According to Chapter 14.6 of the “General Conditions of Contract (Part I)” in the version of March 

2011. 

26 

According to Chapter 14.7 of the “General Conditions of Contract (Part I)” of the tender documents 

in the version of March 2011. 

85



All temporary housing and camp accommodation shall be run and maintained in an 

efficient manner in accordance with the laws in force in the Republic of Lebanon 

during the period of the Contract. 

The Contractor will be responsible for providing adequate transport to and from the 

site for any of his own or his sub-contractor's employees. 

5.2.5 Impacts by civil works and construction of the power plant 

During construction phase of the extension of the Zouk thermal power plant and 

associated civil works, the following impacts are to be expected: 

• Temporary increase in air pollution from the construction site, from 

construction materials utilised on site and from the transportation of 

construction materials 

• Temporary noise and vibration pollution produced by construction 

equipment. 

5.2.5.1 Impacts on air quality 

In the construction phase air pollution is predominately produced by dust and 

exhaust gas from trucks and construction machinery. It is indicated that during site 

preparation, the following construction equipment will cause adverse impacts on air 

quality: trucks, compactors, pile drivers, jackhammer and drills, generators, asphalt 

heating equipment, concrete processing stations. Because most of this equipment 

uses gasoline or diesel, they will emit particulate matter, SO 2 , NO X and VOC into the 

air. 

The major air pollutant during the construction phase will be dust produced by earth 

works (digging, excavation, filling, levelling), particularly during the dry season. 

Receptors, which can be affected, are areas surrounding the construction sites, as 

well as houses and buildings located at a distance of approximately 200 m from the 

construction site. At this distance in the dry season and at the peak of construction 

hours, ambient air quality may be degraded. However, as the construction area is 

opposite from the residential and the impairment is limited to the construction phase, 

the impact of air pollution on these types of receptors is considered to be 

intermediate. 

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5.2.5.2 Noise impact 

The assessment of the noise impact is based on the national Lebanese Maximum 

Allowable Noise Levels and the World Bank noise standards. 

The present station does comply with international standards and is not exceeding 85 

dB (A) at a distance of 1m from the noise producer. 

• World Bank noise standard for commercial areas are as follows: 

o 7 h to 22 h 70 dB(A) 

o 22 h to 7 h 70 dB(A) 

• World Bank noise standard for residential areas are as follows: 

o 7 h to 22 h 55 dB(A) 

o 22 h to 7 h 45 dB(A) 

The Maximum Allowable Noise Levels and the Permissible Noise Exposure 

Standards according to national Lebanese guidelines are given in Table 5-2 and 

Table 5-3. 

Type 

Limit dB(A) 

Residential areas having some 

construction sites or commercial 

activities or that are located near a 

road 

Day time evening time Night time 

7 a.m.- 6 p.m. 6 p.m.- 10 p.m. 10 p.m.- 7 a.m. 

50-60 45-55 40-50 

Urban residential areas 45-55 40-50 35-45 

Industrial areas 60-70 55-65 50-60 

Rural residential areas 35 – 45 30 – 40 25 – 35 

Table 5-2: 

Maximum Allowable Noise Levels 

During the construction phase temporary noise emissions may be caused by: 

• Construction equipment 

• Concrete mixing plant 

• Pile driving for construction 

• Rock blasting and drilling 

• Earth moving activity 

• Generators 

• Vehicles used for material transport. 

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Table 5-3: 

Duration per day (hrs) 

Sound level (dB(A))) 

8 85 

4 88 

2 91 

1 94 

½ 97 

¼ 100 

Permissible Noise Exposure Standards 

For most of the above mentioned construction equipment the noise level in 15 m 

distance will be in a range of 70 to 90 dB(A). The noise level at further distance can 

be determined using - 6 dB(A) every time distance is doubled and there is no 

obstacle. Thus, the maximum level will be 84 dB (A) at 30 m, 78 dB (A) at 60 m, 72 

dB (A) at 120 m, 66 dB (A) at 240 m and 60 dB (A) at 440 m. Since the residential 

areas are located in distance of less than 1000 m to the construction site, the noise 

impact will be within an acceptable level (according to World Bank guidelines) only if 

the maximum noise level of the equipment used will not reach the 80 dB (A). 

5.3 Impacts during operation phase 

The potential environmental impacts of the operation of the thermal power plant are: 

• Climate (greenhouse effect) 

• Ambient air quality 

• Noise 

• Water 

• Soil 

• Flora and Fauna 

• Visual impact 

• Socio-economic effects 

These impacts will be discussed in more detail in the following. 

The Zouk power plant will use heavy fuel oil as the primary fuel. According to EDL 

responsible, natural gas will not be available in short or mid term perspective.27 

5.3.1 Impact on climate 

In the existing Zouk plant as well as in extension, heavy fuel oil will be used as 

primary fuel. Its main components are mainly alkenes, cycloalkanes and highly 

27 

EDF, p.54. 

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condensed aromatic hydrocarbons (asphaltenes) with about 20 to 70 carbon atoms 

per molecule. Each combustion process burning fossil fuels containing carbon 

material, produces carbon dioxide, CO 2 , according to the carbon content in the fuel. 

Heavy fuel oil has an emission factor of 78 tons of CO 2 per TJ or 280 g CO 2 per kWh. 

Carbon dioxide is the major gaseous combustion product. It is not poisonous, but it 

causes the undesirable greenhouse effect, which will lead to an increase in the 

average temperature and other detrimental disturbances of the global climate. There 

is no practical way yet of disposing of large quantities of carbon dioxide other than to 

release them into the atmosphere. The only measures that can be taken to limit CO 2 

emissions is to use fuels with low specific carbon content and to increase the plant 

efficiency in order to keep the carbon dioxide emission per produced electric energy 

unit as low as possible. 

5.3.2 Impacts on the ambient air 

The most relevant impacts on the ambient air from the extension of the Zouk plant 

will be the emissions of dust, NO X , SO 2 , CO, VOC and smells from both, the boilers 

as well as the oil sludge incineration plant as foreseen in the TOR. However, in the 

tender documents for the extension, no specifications on emissions of air pollutants 

are given 28. However, the plant and the emission values guaranteed by the contractor 

for both, the emission from the boiler plant and from the sludge incineration plant, 

must fulfil all requirements as described in Chapter 2. 

Parameter 24 hrs average (mg / Nm³) Annual average (mg / Nm³) 

SO2 0.15 0.05 

NO2 0.15 0.10 

TSP 0.23 0.08 

PM10 0.15 0.05 

Table 5-4: Ambient Air Quality Standards of World Bank for Thermal Power Plants 29 

In Table 5-5, the emission values in the exhaust gas of the new plant according to 

the tender documents are given for the operation by HFO (foreseen currently for the 

first seven years) and by natural gas (foreseen after the 7th year). It should be 

28 

According to the tender documents in the version of March 2011. 

29 

International Stationary Engines – World Bank Standards. Revision 2006.10. 

http://www.dieselnet.com/standards/inter/wbank.php 

89



noticed that these data for emission cannot by compared with the ambient air quality 

data in Table 5-4. 

In 1998, the World Bank Group has issued “Thermal Power: Guidelines for New 

Plants”, which define procedures for establishing maximum emission levels for fossilfuel 

based thermal power plants with a capacity of 50 or more megawatts of 

electricity (MWe) that use coal, fuel oil, or natural gas. The guidelines include 

emission limits for particulate matter, SO 2 and NO x for various types of power plants, 

including engine-driven power plants. The guidelines also include ambient air quality 

standards (see Table 5-4). 

The guidelines have been adopted to assist the World Bank in making funding 

decisions for new power plants. However, internationally, the World Bank’s guidelines 

have been widely used as the minimum norm if the host country does not have its 

own specific legislation for engine-driven power plants. 

Emissions 

Unit 

Maximum if operated by HFO* 

Maximum if operated by natural gas* 

SO2 mg/m³ 1700 35 

NOx mg/m³ 450 150 

CO mg/m³ 175 100 

Dust mg/m³ 50 5 

Noise dB(A) 85 85 

*expressed in mg/m 3 and related to dry combustion products with 3% contents O2 at 0° C and 

101.32 kPa 

Table: 5-5: Emission value in the exhaust gas of the new plant according to the 

tender documents available in May 2011 

The maximum emission levels are expressed as concentrations, to facilitate 

monitoring. The emission limits are to be achieved through a variety of control and 

fuel technologies, as well as through good maintenance practice. Dilution of air 

emissions to achieve the limits is not acceptable. 

The following are emission limits for engine driven power plants: 30 

30 

International Stationary Engines – World Bank Standards. Revision 2006.10. 


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• Particulate matter: PM emissions (all sizes) should not exceed 50 mg/Nm 3 . 

• Sulfur dioxide: Total SO 2 emissions should be less than 0.20 metric tons per 

day (tpd) per MWe of capacity for the first 500 MWe, plus 0.10 tpd for each 

additional MWe of capacity over 500 MWe. In addition, the SO 2 concentration 

in flue gases should not exceed 2,000 mg/Nm 3 , with a maximum emissions 

level of 500 tpd. 

• Nitrogen oxides: Provided that the resultant maximum ambient levels of 

nitrogen dioxide are less than 150 µg/m 3 (24-hour average), the NO x 

emissions levels should be less than 2,000 mg/Nm 3 (or 13 g/kWh, dry at 15% 

O 2 ). In all other cases, the maximum NO x emission level is 400 mg/Nm 3 (dry at 

15% O 2 ). 

The Figures 5-4 and 5-5 show a comparison of the emission values for operation with 

HFO (Figure 5-4) and for the operation modus with gas (Figure 5-5). The comparison 

of the emission values guaranteed by the contractor (in blue) for SO 2 , NO x and dust 

is done with the World Bank engine emission standards (in red). Additionally, the WB 

standards for small combustions plants (30-50 MW) are shown (in green). However, 

the information for small combustions plants are complementary as the plant 

foreseen will have a higher capacity. 

Fig. 5-4: Comparison of the emission values guaranteed by the contractor (in blue) 

for SO 2 , NO x and dust with the World Bank engine emission standards (in 

red) and the standards for small combustions plants (30-50 MW) (in green) 

for the operation with HFO 

91



Figure 5-5 shows the corresponding comparison for the plant when it will be operated 

with natural gas. 

Fig .5-5: Comparison of the emission values guaranteed by the contractor (in blue) 

for SO2, NOx and dust with the WB engine emission standards (in red) and 

the standards for small combustions plants (30-50 MW) (in green) for the 

operation with natural gas. N.B.: No emission standards for small 

combustions plants are given for SO 2 and dust. 

Summarising it can be said that the maximum emission values in the exhaust gas 

from the extension of the Zouk plant are for all three parameters clearly below the 

required World Bank Standards for engine emissions. This is the case for both, the 

operation with natural gas as well as for the operation with HFO. Also the standards 

for smaller power plants than foreseen published by the World Bank, are fully 

fulfilled. 31 

Furthermore, the Lebanese emission values for oil fired power plants >50 MW will be 

fulfilled (please refer to Table 2-11). 

5.3.3 Noise impact 

During the operation of the plant, turbines, ventilators, and air compressors may 

create high noise emissions, impacting on the workers and surrounding residents. If 

31 

N.B.: No emission standards for small combustions plants are given for SO 2 and dust. 

92



noise exceeds permissible levels, they may have a negative impact on human health. 

Noise can reduce labour productivity and can lead to worker attention being 

distracted, which could lead to safety incidents. 

The requirements for noise emissions are based on the ISO standards which are 

described in Chapter 2. The necessary measures for the reduction of noise emission 

and the achievement of the given ISO Standard on the plant site and at the plant 

boundary have been considered and guaranteed by the contractor of Zouk power 

plant extension. 

Since the residents of the Zouk village did not complain on noise impairment and the 

extension of the plant will be on the opposite side from the community, the noise 

generated will mainly impact the plants' working areas. The areas' main noise source, 

the traffic with its unexpected peaks and volume, will reduce the perception of the 

noise from the power plant. The noise emissions affecting the surrounding shall not 

exceed the values listed in the Table 5-2. To assure this, a detailed noise level study 

should be performed at the site boundary. 

5.3.4 Impacts on water 

5.3.4.1 Marine water 

The Zouk power plant is located directly on the border of the Mediterranean Sea (see 

Figures 5-1 and 5-3). The impacts on the marine water to be considered are the 

following: 

• Cooling water intake and outlet: 

The currently existing plant in Zouk has a cooling water consumption of 10 t/h 

per block. Sea water is used for cooling water and is brought back to the Sea 

with a temperatute 10° C higher than the inlet. For the new plant to be built, 

another separate cooling water system will be installed as the existing one is 

not sufficient for the extension. This plant must fulfill all requirements set by 

both, the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Energy and Water that is 

resposible for identification for the conditions for water exploitation. 

• Impacts from fuel transportation: 

The fuel is delivered by ship to the power plant. The management of the Zouk 

plant and its respective parts (see Chapter 8.1) should take care that the 

impacts from the fuel delivery on the Mediterranean Sea are minimised. 

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• Waste water discharge: 

In general a thermal power plant can have an impact on the surface and 

ground water in the surrounding area. The impact can be caused by the 

following sources: 

Waste water from various chemical processes, such as demineralised 

water treatment 

Waste water from washing and cleaning of plant and equipment 

Rainwater drainage 

Sanitary waste water 

In the tender documents as available 32 , no requirements for the waste water 

treatment are specified beside the installation of an oily water treatment 

system. However, the wastewater will have to be treated (e.g. neutralisation) in 

order to meet the requirements of the World Bank and Lebanese Discharge 

Standard (see Chapter 2). Also the rest of the arising industrial waste water 

will be treated in adequate wastewater treatment systems to achieve the 

standards set. The treated wastewater will be monitored (see Chapter 7) and 

discharged according to the requirements which will be set by the Ministries of 

Environment and of Energy and Water. 

The rainwater drainage systems to be designed will be based on the long term 

data on rainfall (e.g. over the previous ten years) to ensure adequate and 

sufficient drainage. Areas with high potential to be contaminated by oil and 

grease will have a separate collection system. 

The sanitary effluent of Zouk power plant will have to be collected by a pipe 

system and routed to a sewage treatment plant, where it will be treated in an 

aerobic process, after settling solids and residues in a primary clarification 

process. After a final clarification process the treated water will be piped into 

the Sea. The water discharge will comply with World Bank and Lebanese 

standards. 

5.3.4.2 Potable water 

The impact on sweet water from the Zouk plant is the fresh water consumption. 33 The 

sanitary and other water-consuming installations in the plant should be selected, 

maintained and operated in a way that the water consumption will be minimised. 

Respective information should be given to the staff. 

32 

According to the tender documents in the version of March 2011. 

33 

For waste water discharge please refer to Chapter 5.3.4.1. 

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5.3.5 Impacts on soil 

The Impacts on soil (surface and ground) by the extension of the Zouk plant can be 

described as follows: 

5.3.5.1 Impacts from HFO 

In the Zouk plant, heavy fuel oil (HFO) is used as primary fuel. HFO, however, has a 

high potential for contaminating the soil and the ground (incl. ground water) once it 

has penetrated into the soil surface. Respective measures should be taken that the 

impacts from the fuel on the ground are minimised, e.g. 

• clean work without oil dripping or 

• appropriate measures to avoid the oil is swept from sealed surfaces into the 

ground. 


in eastern direction on the 5 April 2011) 

95



5.3.5.2 Soil sealing and compaction 

Through the construction of the buildings, roads and the other infrastructure, a part of 

the soil will be sealed and compacted. The sealing will lead to a reduction of the soil 

surface available for rain water infiltration. 

It should be mentioned in this context, that the sealing of the areas where HFO can 

drop out can protect the soil as the sealing prevents the penetration of the fuel into 

the ground (see Chapter 5.3.5.1). 

5.3.5.3 Other impacts 

Currently, the area foreseen for the extension of the Zouk plant is used only for 

dumping waste. As can be seen from Figure 5-6, that steel barrels, plastic bags and 

other materials are decomposing there under open sky and (together with the 

contents of the barrels and other containers) bear the risk of a soil contamination. 

Once the construction for the extension of the plant will have started, the area will 

have to be cleared and the risk of soil contamination from the waste will be 

eliminated. 

5.3.6 Impacts on flora and fauna 


in eastern direction on the 5 April 2011) 

96



The area foreseen for the construction of the extension of the Zouk plant is an 

unused part of the power plants ground where only spontaneous flora and fauna 

have developed (see Figure 5-7). It is not expected that rare species exist in this 

zone. Therefore the impact of the project on flora and fauna is considered to be 

negligible. 

5.3.7 Visual impact 

The extension of the Zouk power plant will be built on the power plant area, on 

opposite site from the village. From the sea side, the new construction will be seen in 

the forefront of the already existing power plant. 

Furthermore, according to the tender documents for the project, “the Power House 

and all the various Ancillary buildings are to form one architectural pattern which shall 

be based and designed on professional architectural advice”. 34 

Therefore, the visual impact from the extension of the Zouk power plant is considered 

to be negligible. 

5.3.8 Socio-economic impacts 

The most important socio-economic impacts from the extension of the Zouk plant can 

be described as follows: 

5.3.8.1 Improvement in employment opportunity 

The construction of the plant will provide significant temporary employment for local 

labourers and construction workers. 

Also during the operation phase, the extended plant in Zouk will offer additional 

employment possibilities. 

5.3.8.2 Contribution to the security of the electricity supply 

The operation of the 180 MW from the extension of the Zouk plant will contribute to 

the security of the power grid in greater Beirut area and in the whole country of 

Lebanon. Consequently, this will promote socioeconomic growth in the zone, and 

indirectly of Lebanon. 

34 

Chapter 4.3.14: Architecture of the Technical specifications from March 2011. 

97



5.4 Risks 

5.4.1 Water and soil contamination from oil storage tanks 

The Zouk power plant has a fuel tank capacity of 95,000 m³. From these tanks, the 

risk of soil and groundwater contamination exists. However, it has been reported that 

no leakages appeared up to now. If a good maintenance for the fuel tanks and 

connecting pipes is done and if the new storage tanks and the respective pipe 

system are well built according to the requirements of the respective specifications 35 , 

the risk of soil and groundwater contamination can be considered as minimal. 

However, it should be noticed that an unknown amount of oil sludge is formed at the 

bottom of the oil tanks as they are in use since 20 years without cleaning. The 

removal and disposal of these sludges constitutes a risk to the environment and, 

therefore, should be realized in an environmentally-friendly manner. 

Fig. 5-8: The fuel tanks of the Zouk power plant can be seen in the background 

(Photo taken on the 5 April 2011) 

35 

Please refer to Chapter 4.3.13 of the Technical specifications. 

98



5.4.2 Water and soil contamination from chemicals 

For the operation of the power plant, a number of chemicals are necessary, e.g. for 

processing the salted marine water in order to use it as cooling water. For these 

processes, a number of chemical substances are used which are all stored in 

chemical storage area. For hydrochloric acid, special safety measures are taken s it 

is the only dangerous substance used. 

5.4.3 Fire accident 

It has been reported that a fire fighting system is installed for the existing plant, but it 

is not working properly. This risk is considered to be a high risk as, in case of a fire 

accident, the surrounding environment of Zouk could be heavily affected. 

During the construction for the extension of the plant, the contractor is obliged 

provide and maintain adequate fire fighting equipment on the site and in all 

temporary offices and labour camps during the performance of the contract to the 

approval of the local fire authority. 36 

As specified in the tender documents for the plant 37 , a fixed CO 2 fire fighting system 

shall be installed in the 15 kV and 11 kV switchgear rooms and in the LV rooms. 

The system is to be completed with necessary fire detectors arranged to shut off the 

system automatically in the event of fire and initiate the alarms in the power station 

and in the main control room of the plant. 

Fire detectors shall be provided in the control room, offices and cable trenches. They 

may also be placed in other places to initiate alarms locally and in the main control 

room of the plant. 

The portable fire fighting equipment shall be approved by the authorities before 

installation. 

Sufficient replacement spare parts for extinguishers and of the foam making 

equipment shall be provided. 

5.5 Overall assessment of environmental impacts 

Based on the results gained in the previous Chapters, the main environmental 

impacts of the extension of the Zouk power plant are summarised in Table 5-6. The 

36 

According to Chapter 14.8 of the “General Conditions of Contract (Part I)” of the tender documents 

in the version of March 2011. 

37 

According to Chapter 2.1.21 of the “Technical specifications” in the version of March 2011. 

99



impacts are divided into impacts during construction phase and impacts during 

operation phase. 

5.5.1 Construction phase 

Summarising it can be said that during the construction phase 

• The impacts are only temporary 

• The impacts can be assessed as slight or intermediate 

• For implementation of such an important project, the impacts can be stated as 

acceptable. 

5.5.2 Operation Phase 

Summarising it can be said that during the operation phase of the extension of the 

existing Zouk power plant the impacts on the environment can be assessed as slight 

and, therefore, the impacts can be stated as acceptable (see Table 5-6). 

Table 5-6: Summarising the Assessment of Environmental Impacts from the 

extension of the existing Zouk power plant 

100



6 Alternatives and their analysis 


This section is based on the alternative schemes presented in the study with the title 

”Etude complémentaire au schema directeur de la production et du réseau de 

transport d’électricité du Liban” made by EDF (Électricité De France) in January 

2010. This study presents different options in order to increase the electricity 

generation in Lebanon. 

6.2 Situation without the project 

The “Do-Nothing” scenario implies that the existing situation of the electrical sector in 

Lebanon and the current technologies used for the production will remain the same. 

However, the existing plants with their limited capacities will remain unable to meet 

the demand of electricity. In fact, most of the power plants in Lebanon do not work 

with full capacities due to absence of the regular maintenance and the long operation 

period, especially in Jiyeh and Zouk (installed in 1971 and 1984 respectively). 

Furthermore, the demand for generation capacity will increase to 4,000 MW by 2015 

which would require an additional capacity. 

It is worth mentioning that the installation of the new extension in Zouk power plant 

will have an important positive impact on the development of the Lebanese Energy 

Sector in general and in the greater area of Beirut in particular. 

Although the “Do-Nothing” scenario will avoid temporary environmental negative 

impacts associated with construction activities and operation, in the long-term the 

new proposed extension will mainly improve the efficiency and increase the 

generation capacity in Lebanon and, thus, help the Lebanese Energy Sector to meet 

with the need of the consumers. 

6.3 Considered alternatives 

The following alternatives were considered: 

6.3.1 Alternative sites 

6.3.1.1 Beddawi site 

Beddawi site, located near Deir Amar a few kilometers north of Tripoli, is currently 

operating as a power plant equipped with two combustion combined cycle turbines 

101



Alstom of 150 MWe with a steam turbine Siemens of 170 MWe installed on a 

terraced platform, located about ten meters above sea level. 

These combined cycle turbines are used interchangeably with natural gas from Syria 

or diesel. The natural gas is supplied via a buried pipeline that passes through the 

refinery located near the South of the site. The pipeline is able to satisfy 100% of the 

needs of the 2 installed combustion turbines and the needs of two additional 

combustion turbines combined cycle. 

The supply of fuel takes place by ships from the Mediterranean Sea or through a 

pipeline from the refinery located near the south of the site. 

Only 40% of fuel needs are supplied by gas, 60% of the fuel used is diesel oil. 

This site offers, at its West, to the boundary, an available zone in one plot, located 

between an important traffic roadway and the seaside. This available zone has an 

area of approximately 159,000 m 2 that can be used for the installation of the new 

extension. 

The suggested extension will increase the plant’s capacity by 450 MWe. The 

respectively considered technologies are: 

• 4-stroke diesel engines, 

• 2-stroke diesel engines and 

• Combined cycle combustion turbines. 

However, for the Beddawi site, there are plans of the MoEW to install a CCGT plant 

burning HFO in the coming years which will be inverted to natural gas when it will be 

available at this site. 

For the exhaust fumes, it is to be checked if it is technically possible to use one of the 

tow already existing stacks of 60 m height. 

6.3.1.2 Hraiche site 

The site, away from any residential area, is currently equipped with steam turbine 

operating on HFO and having a total installed capacity of 75 MWe. 

The site is located in an elongated plot from east to west enclosed between the sea 

at the North and a major roadway at the South. The platform of the central is located 

13 meters above sea level. The site has several available areas that could be used 

for the installation for the extension. These available areas with a total area of 

20,750 m² are as follows: 

102



• The north-east plant boundary at the sea, an area of 13,000 m² occupied by 

buildings and facilities that could be demolished. This area requires major 

work of deconstruction to be done on almost all its surface to make available a 

free platform and buildable. 

• At the seafront, in the opposite of the knuckle disposed in the middle of the 

site, an area of 1500 m² is predominantly occupied by foundations. The 

presence of these heavy structures of reinforced concrete does not predispose 

the area to be reused except after implementing some very important works of 

deconstruction. Furthermore, it is important to note that the presence of a 

major paved gutter receiving the cooling water line from the block 5 makes any 

road access impossible to this area from the north. This zone will not be used 

for the installation of new extension. 

• At the west of the site, an area of 6250 m² is partially occupied by buildings 

that could be demolished. However, the area could be used for the extension. 

The only chimney of the plant has a height of about 40 meters and cannot be used 

for an extension of the plant. 

The installed facility for demineralised water production has a production capacity 

(about 150 m 3 /day) slightly above the needs of the existing facilities. Therefore a new 

demineralisation plant should be established in case of the installation of the new 

extension in this site. 

The plant is fed with HFO and diesel by road tankers; HFO is supplied from the 

storage of HFO of the Zouk plant. The unloading area for the road tankers, located in 

the southwest corner of the site, comprises four unloading stations which are 

operational, but may require rehabilitation. 

The planned project has a total capacity of 100 MWe. The respectively considered 

technologies are: 

• diesel engines and 

• combined cycle combustion turbines. 

The transport of heavy loads can be carried by road from the port of Tripoli. 

6.3.1.3 Jiyeh site 38 

This site is a crescent-shaped terrain enclosed between the sea to the west and a 

public road to the east. Following the indications on the plan, the site has three areas 

38 

For more details please refer to the documents for the project: “Installation and Operation of 

medium speed reciprocating engine power generation units” at the existing Jiyeh thermal power 

plant: Environmental Impact Assessment. 

103



available for use for the installation of the new project. These areas available with a 

total area of 25,600 m² are as follows: 

• At the north of the site, next to the sea, an area of 13000 m², free of any 

building or facility, except chlorination building (21 x 15 m) is available. 

• To the north-east of the site, at the edge of a public road, a zone of 5600 m², 

free of any building or facility can be used. This zone, separated from the 

previous one by an internal road to the site, can be considered as unbuildable. 

• In the middle of the site, between the fuel tank and the Post 150 kV, an area of 

7000 m², occupied by a car parking. 

In addition to these three main available areas, other areas exist and can be used for 

the installation of the project: 

• An area of 1 390 m² free of all buildings and installations, 

• An area of 600 m² serving as offices and 

• An area of 450 m² partially occupied by a concrete slab. 

This site contains 5 steam turbines functioning on HFO and having a total installed 

capacity of 347 MWe. 

HFO supply is provided by oil ships from the sea. Primary storage is provided by 

three metal tanks lately installed. This storage provides maximum autonomy of 45 

days of average consumption in the plant (about 1700 t/day). 

The plant has a fire protection installation with two tanks of water storage (2 x 4000 

m 3 ) installed next to the primary reservoirs of HFO. According to operators, the water 

pumping station must be strengthened to meet the needs of protection if any new 

production facilities will be installed, as well as the necessary additional training of 

the rescue group. 

The desalination station for the production of freshwater has a sufficient capacity to 

meet the needs of the new production facility, as well as for the demineralization 

plant. 

The planned project has a total capacity of 60 to 80 MWe. The respectively 

considered technologies are: 

• diesel engines and 

• single cycle combustion turbines 


The transport of heavy and bulky loads may be made: 

• by ship via the port of Beirut and then by a barge or a pontoon to the port of 

Jiyeh, 

104



• landing by rolling in the port of Jiyeh, located a mile north of the site, and then 

• by road transport to the site. 

6.3.1.4 Zahrani site 

The site of Zahrani, a few miles south of Sidon, is equipped with two combustion 

combined cycle turbines of 150 MWe Alstom fuelled by diesel with a steam turbine of 

150 MWe Siemens installed on a terraced platform located about ten meters above 

sea level. 

The existing site has an available area in a single plot and is situated between a 

major roadway to the east and the waterfront to the west. 

The available area in this site that can receive the proposed project is about 

145 000 m² located between the fence of the plant at the south and the sea at the 

west. This area is far from any residential constructions. It is partially occupied in its 

southeast corner, by the passage of 220 kV underground cables. The concerned 

area is fenced and identified. 

The suggested extension will increase the plant’s capacity by 300 MWe by HFOfuelled 

engines. The respectively considered technologies are: 

• 4-stroke diesel engines, 

• 2-stroke diesel engines and 


The transfer of engines by road is possible from the commercial port of Sidon without 

obstruction. 

6.3.2 Alternative fuel 

According to the current expectations of the MoEW, natural gas might be available in 

7 years. In Table 6-1, the efficiency of the ICE unit and the emission values in the 

exhaust gas of the new plant according to the tender documents available in May 

2011 are shown. 

6.3.3 Alternative technology 

The alternative technology suggested is the combustion turbine type Siemens 2000E 

and GE 9E running on gas or Diesel Oil (DO) with a capacity of 168 MW and 

125 MW respectively. 

105



Emissions Unit Maximum if operated by HFO* Maximum if operated by natural gas* 

SO2 mg/m³ 1700 35 

NOx mg/m³ 450 150 

CO mg/m³ 175 100 

Dust mg/m³ 50 5 

Noise dB(A) 85 85 

Efficiency % 39,4% 41% 

*expressed in mg/m 3 and related to dry combustion products with 3% contents O 2 at 0° C and 

101.32kPa 

Table: 6-1: Efficiency of the ICE unit and emission value in the exhaust gas of the 

new plant according to the tender documents available in May 2011 

6.3.3.1 Economic aspects 

In the absence of gas, HFO is more economic and more affordable by the Lebanese 

Government then DO. In fact, the study of the evolution of prices shows that the price 

of HFO is substantially at two third of the price of the DO. The prices on the 

Mediterranean market in 2010 are about: 

• 650 USD/ton for the DO and 

• 450 USD/ton for the HFO. 

Therefore, the expected gain is about 200 USD / ton, or about 30%. However, 

integrating the maintenance costs and the differences in performance and 

availability, this expected gain for the specific cost (USD / kWh) for a simple cycle 

combustion turbine is reduced to about 15%. 

6.3.3.2 Technical aspects 

Running the turbines on HFO implies a significant reduction in their capacity: 

• Siemens 2000E: 168 MW on gas/DO decreasing to 150 MW on HFO. 

• GE 9E: 125 MW on gas /DO decreasing to 105 MW au HFO. 

106



Adding to the previous reduction in the capacity due to the use of HFO, the reduction 

in the capacity due to the deposits in the machine during the process should also be 

taken into consideration. Therefore, the use of HFO leads to a total capacity loss of 

15-20%. 

For basic use and production, the theoretical availability is necessarily low, about 

78%, taking into account washes that last about 20 h of operation all 250 to 300 h to 

which must be added the extremely heavy maintenance (3 inspections per year). 

In addition, the phenomena of corrosion should lead to changing almost all of the hot 

parts of the machine after two years of operating base. In fact, the use of HFO in 

these combustion turbines lead to a smoke composition (corrosive elements) that can 

have significant impact on the design as well as on the risks of corrosion of the heat 

exchangers. 

This mode of operation seems to be possible to uses at peak time or to a few 

hundred hours per year. This operational mode allows performing washes without 

many constraints. The use in the base load production mode will lead to more acute 

problems. 

HFO requires the installation of centrifuges for separation of water and a portion of 

the corrosive elements. This treatment, however, has no effect on vanadium and 

sulphur. 

It is important noting that the combustion turbines have a clear advantage on the 

diesel engines: The relatively easy passage to gas. However, after being running on 

HFO, a major inspection should be performed because many parts of the turbine will 

be replaced including the burners. 

6.4 Comparison and conclusion 

From the point of view of the structure of the national Lebanese electricity system, 

preference should be given to place the capacity extensions close to the highest 

voltage grid, i. e. for Lebanon today a voltage of 220 kV. Under this consideration, 

the best sites places are in Beddawi and Zahrani. 

On these two sites where the gas is possible via the gas pipeline connecting Syria to 

Beddawi and via creation of a gas terminal at Zahrani, the most economic solution is 

the installation of a GCC Class F with 57% yield (see Table 6-2). 

However, this solution has several disadvantages because it involves: 

• Several years to be implemented (approximately three years after the decision 

instead of two for other solutions) 

107



• A long-term reliable operation of a machine of class F on DO can not be 

guaranteed yet by the manufacturers. Indeed, the dual-fuel option proposed 

by the manufacturers is only intended for short-term operation and as 

emergency fuel. 

For Zahrani, there are two short-term options: 

• If the Lebanese authorities are ready to decide on the creation of a gas 

terminal, the installation of two diesel oil-fuelled combustion turbines is 

recommended. These turbines may be changed later in GCC. 

• If the Lebanese authorities are not ready to decide on the creation of a gas 

terminal, a set of up to 300 MW diesel engines should be installed. 

• If a decision on the gas supply will be taken later, the diesel engines can be 

converted from their HFO operation mode with an efficiency reduction of about 

4 points. 

Table: 6-2: Economic comparison of different technologies and different fuels. 39 

DE: diesel engine; 4-S: four stroke; HFO: heavy fuel oil; NG: natural gas; 

E: class E; F: class F; CC: combined cycle; GT: gas turbine. 

N.B.: For HFO-fuelled CC and GT, the given performance data are 

theoretical, the real performance might be lower. 

39 

Prices without taxes. Source: EDF: Etude complémentaire au Schéma Directeur de la Production 

et du Réseau de Transport d Electricité du Liban. Janvier, 2010. 

108



For Beddawi, the potential development of the gas supply in the country must be 

taken into account. The existing gas pipeline is able to supply at least three GCC of 

440 MW (24 to 70 bars). The following two options are possible: 

• If the Lebanese authorities want to follow plans to increase the volume of the 

contract of gas deliveries, the installation of two diesel oil-fuelled combustion 

turbines is recommended. These turbines may be changed later into GCC. 

• If not, the installation of a set of up to 300 MW diesel engines is 

recommended. 

At sites of Zouk and Jiyeh, there is only a mid to long-term perspective for a gas 

supply. When designing the diesel-fuelled plant, the switcht to natural gas should 

therefore be considered. The sites Zouk and Jiyeh are connected to a lower voltage 

grid (150 kV and 66 kV), they are therefore intended to sideline the plants connected 

to the 220 kV grid. 

An installed capacity of 80 MW for Jiyeh and 180 MW for Zouk can be envisaged in 

the short term at each of the two sites, a higher capacity in Zouk would require the 

connection to the 220kV that is not in sight for the next two years. It should be noted 

that Zouk and Jiyeh are located in relatively densely populated urban zones and, 

therefore, their might be problems with the acceptance of such extensions. 

At the Hrayché site, there is no possibility of capacity extension in the short term 

given the currently insufficient grid. The upgrading of the network is not in sight in the 

time requested. 

Thus, summarising, it can be said that, according to the Policy Paper of the Ministry, 

the planned volume of the extension of the capacity by 600 to 700 MW can be 

distributed on the sites Beddawi, Zouk and Jiyeh under condition of the achievement 

of the corresponding network developments. 

109



7 Mitigation plan 

The mitigation plan for the extension of the existing Zouk power plant considers three 

different phases: 

• The design phase, 

• The construction phase and 

• The operation phase. 

7.1 Design phase 

In the project area there are no mosques and churches or other religious or cultural 

buildings, no natural forests or wildlife sanctuaries that could be encroached upon by 

the construction or operation of the extension of the Zouk power plant. Therefore, 

measures for encroachment limitation of populated, cultural and protected sites are 

not necessary. The project will be established on empty land of the Zouk power plant 

territory (see Figure 7-1). Due to this no people have to be resettled and no 

Resettlement Action Plan is required for this project. 



110



The design of the new plant should ensure that: 

• The emissions of CO, dust, SO 2 and NOx are minimised and will meet the 

emission standards. 

• The requirements of the World Bank and Lebanese noise regulations will be 

respected. 

• The waste water treatment systems will be completed according to the 

requirements of the Lebanese and World Bank guidelines. 

• All required safety measures (fire prevention with adequate control measures, 

workers health and safety) will be in accordance with Lebanese regulations. 

7.2 Construction phase 

The following measures will be considered during the construction phase of the 

extension of the Zouk power plant: 

7.2.1 Protection of ground water and soil quality 

• Disposal of solid waste (construction waste, sand, stone etc.) and waste 

grease and oil from construction equipment to the soil and local ground water 

will be prevented. All the waste will be collected and transported to the 

approved disposal sites. 

• Installation of adequate sanitation systems (for example mobile toilet facilities) 

for workers to prevent untreated or inappropriate domestic waste water 

discharge. 

7.2.2 Protection of air quality 

Air pollution during the construction phase (mainly during civil work activities) may 

occur mainly due to dust emission. The Contractor will be required to implement and 

apply the following measure to mitigate dust and prevent traffic accidents: 

• Limitation of the maximum speed at the construction site, and the access road 

leading to the site. 

• Watering of the site during works 

• Install a wind sealed fence at the border of site. 

• Vehicles transporting open loads of construction materials such as sand or 

clay shall be covered. 

111



7.2.3 Noise 

The closest residential buildings are only some hundred meters away from the site. 

To reduce noise during the construction phase appropriate measures shall be taken 

to comply with local regulations: 

• Prohibition of noisy activities during the night. 

• Speed restrictions to be applied to heavy / articulated vehicles, which pass 

through residential areas. 

7.2.4 Impact by Traffic 

To maintain the traffic safety it is considered to keep the traffic slow which will pass 

through residential areas by appropriate measures such as speed limits and giving 

safety education to the drivers. 

7.2.5 Summary 

A summary of all important impacts during the construction phase and the applied 

mitigation measures are given in Table 7-1. 

No. Impact Possible Effects Assessment / Mitigation Measures 

1 Traffic/ 

Transportation 

2 Construction 

labour and 

activities 

3 Socio-economic 

impact 

Increase in traffic 

volume 

Increase in air 

pollution, noise and 

waste quantity 

Employment aspects 

Temporarily affects. Transport of all plant equipment 

by road. Keep the traffic slow for safety 

Temporarily affects. Avoiding of dust pollution by 

periodic watering of site during civil works. Avoiding 

of noisy activities during the night. Wastewater and 

solid waste disposal according to the local 

regulations 

Positive effects on temporary employment for local 

workers 

Table 7-1: The main project impacts and mitigation measures during construction 

phase 

7.3 Operation phase 

As shown in Chapter 6, there are no acceptable alternatives to the extension of the 

Zouk power plant and to the use of HFO as fuel in the short and medium term 

perspective. From this operation mode, a number of impacts on the environment are 

generated: 

• Flue gas emissions into the atmosphere (e. g. NOx, SO 2 , VOC, CO 2 ) 

• Noise within the plant boundary 

112



• Solid waste generation 

• Waste water production 

7.3.1 Long term air pollution 

In the technical specifications for the extension of the Zouk plant, no specific 

requirements for the emission control system to reduce the long term air pollution is 

given. However, the plant must (as a minimum) fulfil completely the requirements of 

the current legislation (see Chapter 2). 

In order to minimize the SO 2 emission, fuel oil with a low content of sulphur should be 

used. 

It should be mentioned that another reduction of the air pollution and a mitigation of 

the ambient air quality will result from a refurbishment of the emission control system 

of the existing Zouk plant. 

7.3.2 Water 

In the technical specifications for the extension of the Zouk plant, requirements for 

the installation of an oily water treatment are laid down. 40 No further building 

regulations for a water pollution control system are given. However, the plant must 

(as a minimum) fulfil completely the requirements of the current legislation in 

Lebanon (see Chapter 2). 

7.3.3 Soil 

In the Zouk plant, heavy fuel oil (HFO) is used as primary fuel. HFO, however, has a 

high potential for contaminating the soil and the ground (incl. ground water) once it 

has penetrated into the soil surface. Respective measures should be taken that the 

impacts from the fuel on the ground are minimised, e.g. 

• clean work without oil dripping or 

• appropriate measures to avoid that oil is swept from sealed surfaces into the 

ground. 

These measures should be considered for both, the use of the HFO for the boilers 

and the connected pipes and tanks as well as for the oil sludge to be burnt on the 

power plant’s plot. 

40 

Chapter 2.1.22 of the Technical specifications as from March 2011. 

113



7.3.4 Noise 

In the technical specifications for the extension of the Zouk power plant, it is laid 

down that “the design of all buildings must ensure that the noise, vibration and 

temperature levels are within acceptable limits. The Contractor shall give full details 

of the measures to be adopted and the materials he proposes to use to achieve 

those requirements.“ 41 

Furthermore, noise tests are foreseen in the technical specifications. 42 However, the 

plant must (as a minimum) fulfil completely the requirements of the current legislation 

in Lebanon (see Chapter 2). 

7.3.5 Industrial and other solid wastes 

Although there are no quantitative regulations to be applied for solid wastes, the 

impact from the power plant on the environment is to be minimised. Examples for 

such impacts are 

• the production of oil sludges, 

• the ashes from the ESP that should be disposed in an environmentally friendly 

manner (e.g. no transport and disposal without coverage in order to avoid the 

blowing away) or 

• solid wastes generated from the staff of the plant. 

All these wastes (as a minimum) must be discharged and / or treated according to 

the current requirements of the Lebanese legislation. 

7.3.6 Summary 

A summary of all important impacts during operation phase and the applied mitigation 

measures are given in Table 7-2. 

41 

Chapter 1.6 of the Technical specifications as from March 2011. 

42 

E.g. according to Chapter 5.2.4 of the Technical specifications as from March 2011. 

114



No Impact Possible Effects Assessment / Mitigation Measures 

1 Climate Greenhouse effect Minimising of specific CO 2 emissions by optimizing 

the plant efficiency 

2 Emissions NO x and SO 2 pollutions, 

dust 

Limitation of SO 2 emission by using fuel oil with low 

sulphur content 

Installation and good maintenance of emission control 

system 

3 Ambient air 

quality 

Increasing of pollutant 

concentration 

Stack height supports good dispersion and reduces 

impact on ambient air quality in the vicinity of the plant 

(see Chapter 109 

4 Noise Plant surrounding Applying noise protection measures in order to meet 

the required standard 

5 Wastewater 

discharge 

6 Solid waste 

disposal 

Soil, ground and sea water 

pollution 

Pollution of the sea, soil 

and ground water 

Applying of wastewater treatment in order to meet the 

required standards 

The solid waste will be disposed by an authorised 

local disposal company according to local regulations 

8 Socioeconomic 

Country and future 

development 

The impact of the project on the local and national 

Lebanese socio-economic development can be 

assessed as positive and important 

Table 7-2: The main project impacts and mitigation measures during operation phase 

115



8 Environmental management plan 

The extension of the Zouk Power Plant with a capacity of 180 MW will be 

implemented on the area of the already existing power plant in a distance of less 

than one kilometer from the Zouk community. The infrastructure systems are already 

present (e.g. roads, power transmission lines) or need to be constructed (e.g. the 

additional cooling water treatment). 

The development of this project is designated an "Environmental Screening Category 

A" project, for which, according to the EBRD and World Bank policies, the EIA report 

shall include an Environmental Management Plan (EMP). 

According to the World Bank Operational Policies (OP.4.01, January, 1999, revised 

in August 2004) the EMP shall describe mitigation 43 , monitoring 44 and institutional 45 

measures to be taken during implementation and operation of the project to eliminate 

adverse environmental and social impacts, or reduce them to acceptable levels. 

8.1 Organisation 

In order to properly assess environmental impacts of the extension of the Zouk 

Thermal Power Plant as well as evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation measures 

applied for the abatement of environmental impairment, a program of monitoring and 

oversight of the project will be implemented. This oversight program will be 

implemented by the official administrations in cooperation with the Zouk Plant 

Management Board. 




MoPH. 

Figure 8-1 indicates a possible organisation of the environmental management and 

monitoring of the Zouk Power Plant. 

The Zouk Management Board should be responsible for the internal environmental 

management and monitoring of the plant. For this purpose, the board will have to 

nominate and appoint an Environmental Engineer as head of an “Environmental 

Management Group” (EMG). This group shall be responsible for the execution of 

environmental related issues such as: 

43 See Chapter 7. 

44 

See Chapter 9. 

45 

See Chapter 8.1 and Chapter 8.2. 

116



Zouk 

Management Board 

Zouk PP 

Env. Engineer (EMG) 

Reporting 

Safety 

internal 

organisation 

Cooper 

staff t 

Noise 

internal monitoring 

Emission 

Stack monitoring 

Amb 

mon 

Moise 

Vicinity 

117 

Waste water 

internal



Fig. 8-1: Organisation of Environmental Management for Zouk Power Plant 

• Stack emission monitoring 

• Internal noise monitoring 

• Internal waste management 

• Waste water monitoring 

• Labour safety 

• Coordination with local and regional authorities 

• Power plant related reporting 

• Cooperation in performing labour/staff training 

• Ambient air monitoring 

• Noise monitoring at residential area 

• Waste management for the total complex 

• Coordination with Lebanese authorities 

The organisation of the environmental management of Zouk power plant shall be set 

in place early in order to commence work during the construction phase. 

8.2 Training Programme 

Activity Subject Specialist Duration 

Months 

Staff- 

Months 

Cost 

USD 

Consulting 

Preparation of the training 

program 

Environmental 

Engineer 

2 1 foreign / 

2 local 

30'000 

Consulting 

Support in establishing an 

environmental management 

group and management 

program 

Environmental 

Engineer 

3 1 foreign / 

3 local 

50'000 

Training 

Environmental monitoring 

of thermal power plants and 

potential mitigation 

measures 

Environmental 

Engineer 

2 1 foreign / 

1 local 

25'000 

Training 

Emission monitoring 

equipment: 

• Requirements 

• Specification 

• Operation 

• Maintenance 

1 Environmental 

Engineer of Zouk 

Power Plant 

1 15'000 

Training 

Wastewater analysis and 

waste management 



1 15'000 

118



Power Plant 

Training 

Worker safety and health 

aspects 



Power Plant 

1 15'000 

Table 8-1: Brief Summary of Consultant / Training Services and a first cost estimate 

lt is recommended to conduct a consulting and training program for key personnel of 

the Zouk Power Plant. This will ensure that highly qualified staff will take over the 

responsibility and will work on environmental management and monitoring. The 

training program should be performed in coordination with the responsible local 

authorities. The consulting and training program should commence towards the end 

of the construction period and be completed in the first few months of operation. The 

detailed scope and schedule may be established later, an initial brief outline of a 

possible scope, what could partly be supplied by the Contractor within the framework 

of point 1.4 of the Tender documents 46 , is given in the Table 8-1. 

46 

Chapter “1.4: Training” of the Technical specifications from March 2011. 

119



9 Monitoring plan 

9.1 Legal documents 




MoPH. 

Another important Document related to the requirements of environmental monitoring 

are the “Guidelines of World Bank (OD 4.00, October 1989 and OP 4.01, January 

1999)”. 

9.2 Atmospheric pollution monitoring 

Parameter to 

be monitored 

Location / Method / Frequency 

Responsibility 

Estimated Cost 

Construction 

Phase 

Ambient Air: 

Dust 

• Zouk site and surrounding 

• Approx. monthly during civil 

work activities 

• EMG of Zouk PP 

• Measurement cost: 

10,000 USD 

Operational 

Phase 

Emissions: 

NO Xl SO 2 , CO, O 2 

Temperature 

• Stack 

• Analysers with evaluation unit 

• Automatic, continuously 

• EMG of Zouk PP 

• Cost of instruments: 

ca 

150,000 USD 

Operational 

Phase 

Ambient Air: 

NO x , SO 2 

• Site surroundings 


stations 

• 2 times per year (summer 

and winter) 

• MIn 

• Measurement cost: ca 

15,000 USD/a 

Operational 

Phase 

Meteorological 

Parameters: 

Wind velocity and 

direction, temperature, 

pressure, humidity 

• Site surroundings 


stations 

• 2 times per year (summer 

and winter) 

• MIn 

• Cost included in 

above position 

Table 9-1: Atmospheric Pollution Monitoring Plan 

Impacts on air quality shall be monitored, by measuring the emissions of the Zouk 

power plant as well as by monitoring the ambient air quality and meteorological 

parameters in the area around the plant site. 

120



The Environmental Management Group (EMG) of Zouk Power Plant (see 

Chapter 8.1) shall be responsible for the execution and evaluation of the emission 

measurements at the stacks of the plant and for the ambient air quality monitoring. 

The measurement and monitoring activities shall be performed by the Ministry of 

Industry-Control Department. All monitoring activities shall be coordinated between 

the parties involved. Table 9-1 summarises the recommended scope and plan of air 

pollution monitoring. 

9.3 Noise monitoring 

During operation phase, noise measurements shall be performed in order to monitor 

the noise level within the boundary of the Zouk plant as well as the residential area 

outside of the plant site. The EMG of Zouk shall record the measurements at the 

plant boundary. The measurements should be performed by Ministry of Industry- 

Control Department, according to the World Bank regulations. Table 9-2 summarises 

the noise monitoring plan. 

Parameter Location / Method /Frequency Responsibility 

Construction Phase Noise levels • site boundary, close to nearest 

residential area 

• Portable acoustimeter 

• During peak hours of construction 

EMG of Zouk PP 

Main equipment of 

Zouk PP (e. g. 

turbines, generators) 

Noise levels 

• 1m from equipment 


• 1 time per month 

EMG of Zouk PP 

Noise at surroundings 

of site 

Noise level • Outside Zouk site, close to nearest 

residential area 


• 2 times a year 

MIn 

Table 9-2: 

Noise Monitoring Plan 

121



9.4 Water pollution monitoring 

The discharge of waste water from within the Zouk power plant boundary shall be 

monitored regularly by the Zouk EMG during the operation phase. The monitoring 

plan of Zouk power plant is shown in Table 9-3. 

Parameter 

Parameter to be 

monitored 

Location / Frequency 

Responsibility 

Effluent 

discharge 

pH, susp. Solids, 

oil/grease, BOD 5 , COD, 

coliforms, temperature 

• At boundary of Zouk PP, EMG of Zouk PP 

before discharge into irrigation Measurement in plant 

pond 

laboratory 

• 1 time / month 

Table 9-3: 

Water Pollution Monitoring Plan 

9.5 Monitoring agencies 

In Lebanon, according to the article 4 of the Decree 9765/2003 of the Ministry of 

Industry, the authorities in charge of the industrial pollution control are the Ministry of 

Industry-Control Department, the Municipalities and the competent authorities of MoE 

and MoPH. 

122



10 Qualitative conclusions on the dispersion of the 

exhaust gases 

Based on the information available, the following first analysis for the dispersion of 

the exhaust fumes from the extension of the Zouk power plant can be drawn: 

1. The main wind direction in Zouk is south west (see Figure 10-1), blowing the 

fumes into a north eastern direction. 

2. Leeward the residential area of Zouk and Adonis Kesserwan communities are 

located. The distance from the power plant to these buildings is a few hundred 

meters (see Figure 3-4 and Figure 10-2). 

3. The adjacent residential buildings are situated some meters higher than the 

level of the power plant (see Figure 10-2). 

Fig. 10-1: Wind rose for Beirut for the year 2005 47 

47 


123



From these facts, the following qualitative conclusions on the dispersion of the 

exhaust fumes from the extension of the Zouk power plant can be drawn: 

In the current situation of the project it is not decided of the existing stack with a 

height of 125 m can (and will) be used for the planned extension of the Zouk power 

plant. If this will be the case, the height of the stack will prevent the emission from the 

extension of the power plant to impair the adjacent communities. 

Fig. 10-2: The community of Zouk in direct neighbourhood of the power plant (Photo 


If the existing stack will not be used, the currently available tender documents for the 

planned extension of the Zouk power plant foresee a “stack with minimum height of 

20 m from ground level“. 48 From the facts given above, it can be concluded that a 

stack of a height of 20 m will not prevent a non-negligible impairment of the adjacent 

communities. 

Quantitative conclusions on the necessary height of the stack to avoid such 

impairment should be based on calculations with a dispersion model which considers 

parameters as (e. g.) wind direction and speeds, exhaust gas temperature or the 

topography of the area concerned. 

48 

Chapter 2.1.13 of the technical specifications as of March 2011. 

124



11 References 

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Forestry; FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED 

NATIONS November 2006. 

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Conveyer Project (Study Update), Final Report, August 2010. 

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Réseau de Transport d Electricité du Liban. Janvier, 2010. 

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05/09/2002; Volume 50, p. 5934. 

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Sustainable Development Department, Middle East and North Africa Region, 

January 31, 2008 

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Protection: A Handbook on Environmental Assessment of Regional 

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• IFC (International Finance Corporation): Environmental, Health, and Safety 

(EHS) Guidelines, noise management. April 2007. 


(EHS) Guidelines, air emission and ambient air quality. April 2007. 


(EHS) Guidelines, hazardous materials management. April 2007. 

125




(EHS) Guidelines, waste management. April 2007. 


(EHS) Guidelines, waste water and ambient air quality. April 2007. 

• International Stationary Engines – World Bank Standards. Revision 2006.10. 


• Khaled Fares Nakhle Le Mercure, le Cadmium et le Plomb dans les eaux 

littorales libanaises: Apport et suivi au moyen de biomarqueurs quantitatifs 

(Eponges, bivalves et gastéropodes), Decembre 2003. 

• Ministry of Environment/LEDO: Lebanon Sate of the Environment Report 

2001. 

• Mohafazat Mont Lebanon, Promenade Caza Keserwan. 

• MVV Consulting: Environmental Impact Assessment Report for DEIR 

AZZOUR Combined Cycle Power Plant. By order of Public Establishment of 

Electricity For Generation and Transmission (PEEGT), Damascus, Syrian 

Arab Republic. 2006. 

• MVV decon: Tender document for Installation and Operation of medium speed 

reciprocating engine power generation units at existing Zouk and Jiyeh 

thermal power plants: Technical Specifications as submitted on 8 March 2011. 

By order of the Ministry of Energy & Water & Electricité du Liban (EDL) on 

behalf of the Republic of Lebanon. 



thermal power plants: General conditions of contract, part I, as submitted on 8 

March 2011. By order of the Ministry of Energy & Water & Electricité du Liban 

(EDL) on behalf of the Republic of Lebanon. 



thermal power plants: Conditions of particular application, part II, as submitted 

on 8 March 2011. By order of the Ministry of Energy & Water & Electricité du 

Liban (EDL) on behalf of the Republic of Lebanon. 

• Policy Paper for the Electricity Sector, Ministry of Energy and Water, June 

2010. 

• President of the Republic, Lebanese Law 690; Defining the functions of the 

Ministry of Environment and its organization. Official Gazette 27/8/2005; 

Volume 37, 4200-4211. 

• Sami Karaki, Farid Chaaban, Riad Chedid, and Toufic Mezher, Ali Hamzeh, 

Ahmad Harb, and Fayez Abdulla: Electric Energy Access in Jordan, Lebanon 

and Syria. 

• The Ministry of Environment, Law 444; Protection of the environment, 29 July 

2002. 

126



• The Ministry of Planning and The Ministry of Finance, Legislative Decree 

number 5, 24/1/1977. 

• USJ (Université Saint Joseph) : La Population Libanaise et Ses 

Caractéristiques ; 2003. 

• USJ, SO2 in Beirut: air quality implication and effects of local emissions and 

long-range transport, 2008. 

• Water Sector Regulation, Law No. 221 of date 29/05/2000, Official Gazette 

08/06/2000. Volume 25 , p. 1949. 

• World Health Organisation (WHO): Air Quality Guidelines, Global Update, 

2005. 

• www.moe.gov.lb 

127



128



12 Annexes 

12.1 Specifications of the fuel oil delivered to the Zouk power plant 

between 24 May 2009 and 13 August 2010 

129



12.2 Quality parameter for the fuel oil 

The fuel oil should be conform to the following parameters: 

Parameters Accepted Unaccepted Tests 

Density at 15°C [kg/l] - >0.991 ASTM D 1298:1999 

ASTM D 4052: 1996 

Kinematic Viscosity at 15°C 165 >340 ASTM D 445:1997 

[mm 2 / s] 

Flash point, Pensky-Martens - 1 ASTM D129:2000 

ASTM D 4294: 2002 

Sediment Pct Mass - >0.2 ASTM D 473: 2002 

Water and Sediments %, - >1.5 ASTM D 1796: 1997 

volume 

Ash Content Pct Mass 0.12 >0.15 ASTM D 482:2000 

Sodium content [ppm] 40 >45 ASTM D 5863: 2000 

Vanadium (Va) content [ppm] 110 >135 ASTM D 5863: 2000 

Pour point [°C] >30 ASTM D 97: 1996 

Asphaltenes Pct Mass 3 >5 IP 143 

Heat of combustion [Mj/kg] 18 ASTM D 524: 2000 

130



12.3 Pollutants classification into groups (inorganic solid 

pollutants, inorganic gas pollutants) 

Inorganic solid pollutants 

Group I Group II Group III Group IV 

Cadmium Cd, Mercury 

Hg, Thallium Tl 

Inorganic gas pollutants 

Arsenic As, Cobalt Co, 

Nickel Ni, Selenium Se, 

Tellurium Te 

Antimony Sb, Lead Pb, 

Chrome Cr, Cyanide 

CN, Fluor F, Copper 

Cu, Manganese Mn, 

Platinum Pt, Palladium 

Pd, Rhodium Rh, 

Vanadium V, Pewter 

Sn 


Arsenic hydrogen 

compounds, Cyanide 

chloride, Phosgene, 

Hydrogenphosphorous 

compounds 

Carcinogenic pollutants 

Hydrogen-bromine, 

Chlorine, Hydrogen 

cyanide, Hydrogen 

fluoride, hydrogen 

sulfide 

Hydrogen chlorine 

compounds non 

mentioned in group I 

- 

Sulfur oxides, 

Nitrogen oxides 


Asbestos, 

Benzo(A)pyrene 

compounds, Beryllium 

and its inhalable and 

containing Beryllium 

compounds, Dibenz 

(A,E) intrasin, 2- 

naphtilamin 

Arsenic oxides, 

Chrome compounds III 

and VI, Cobalt, Nickel 

and its inhalable and 

containing Nickel 

compounds, 3,3 

dichlorobenzedene, 

dimethylsulfate, 

ethylamine 

Acrylonitril, benzene, 

3,1 butadiene, 1 chloro- 

3,2 apoxypropane 

(epichlorohydrine), 1,2 

dibromomethane, 1,2- 

epoxypropane, 

ethylene oxide, 

Hydrazine, phenyl 

chloride 

- 

131



12.4 Pollutants classification into groups (organic gas pollutants) 

Organic gas pollutants Chemical formula Group 

1,1,1 trichloroethane C 2 H 3 Cl 3 II 

1,1,2 – trichloroethane C 2 H 3 Cl 3 I 

1,1 – dichloroethylene C 2 H 2 Cl 2 I 

1,1 – dichloroethane C 2 H 4 Cl 2 II 

1,2 – dichloroethylene C 2 H 2 Cl 2 III 

1,2 – dichloroethane C 2 H 4 Cl 2 I 

1,2 – dichlorobenzene C 6 H 4 Cl 2 I 

1,4 dioxane C 4 H 8 O 2 I 

1,4 – dichlorobenzene C 6 H 4 Cl 2 II 

2,2 – aminodiethanol C 4 H 11 O 2 II 

2,4 – xylenol C 8 H 10 O II 

2,6–dimethylheptane –4– one C 7 H 14 O II 

2 – ethoxyethanol C 4 H 10 O II 

2 – propene –1–ol C 3 H 4 O I 

2 – butanone C 4 H 8 O III 

2 – butoxyethanol C 6 H 14 O 2 II 

2 – foraldehyde C 5 H 4 O 2 I 

2 – chloro–1,3–butane C 4 H 5 Cl II 

2 – chloropropane C 3 H 7 Cl II 

2 – chloropri (2 – chloro – 1,3 – butadiene) 

2 – methoxyethanol C 3 H 8 O 2 II 

4 – methyl – 2 – pentanone C 6 H 12 O III 

4–methylenevynildiisocyanate C 9 H 6 N 2 O 2 I 

4–hydroxyl–4 methyl–2 pentanone C 6 H 12 O 2 III 

Ether (diethylether) 

Ethylester (ethylacetate) 

Ethylacetate C 4 H 8 O 2 III 

Ethylacrylate C 5 H 8 O 2 I 

Ethylamine C 2 H 7 N I 

Ethylbenzene C 8 H 10 II 

Ethylene glycol C 2 H 6 O 2 III 

Ethylene glycol ethyl ether (2 – ethoxyethanol) 

Ethylene glycol methyl ether (2 - methoxyethanol) 

Ethylene chloride (chlorethane) 

Azote, azote – dimethylformamide C 3 H 7 NO II 

Azote – methylpyrolidone C 5 H 9 NO III 

Estel aldehyde C 2 H 4 O I 

Acetone C 3 H 6 O III 

Acroleine (2 - propinal) 

Acrylethylester (ethylacrylate) 

Acrylmethylester (methylacrylate) 

132



Alfa – chlorotoleine C 7 H 7 Cl I 

Maleic acid anhydride C 4 H 2 O 3 I 

Aniline C 6 H 7 N I 

Ortho – toloedine C 7 H 9 N I 

Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) 

Isopropenylbenzene C 9 H 10 II 

Isopropylbenzene C 9 H 12 II 

Isobuthylmethylcetone (4 – methyl – 2 – pentanone) 

Brchloroethylene (tetrachloroethylene) 

Propene aldehyde (propanal) C 2 H 6 O II 

Benzylchloride (alpha – chlorotoleine) 

Butylacetate C 6 H 12 O 2 III 

Butyl aldehyde C 4 H 8 O II 

Butyl glycol ester (2 – Butoxyethanol) 

Pyridine C 5 H 5 N I 

Pynene C 10 H 16 III 

Triethylamine C 6 H 15 N I 

Trichloroethylene C 2 HCl 3 II 

Trichlorofluoromethane CCl 3 F III 

Trichlorophenol C 6 H 3 OCl 3 I 

Trichloromethane CHCl 3 I 

Trimethylbenzene C 9 H 12 II 

Diethylether C 4 H 10 O III 

Diethylamine C 4 H 11 N I 

Dioctylphtalate (di – (2 – ethylhexyl ) phtalate) 

Diethanolamine (2,2 Aminodiethanol) 

Diisopropylether C 6 H 14 O III 

Diisopropylcetone (di 2,6 – dimethylheptane – 4 – one) 

Diphenyl C 12 H 10 I 

Dibutylether C 8 H 18 O III 

Disulphidecarbone CS 2 II 

Diphenyl 

Dichlordifluoromethane CCl 2 F 2 III 

Dichlorophenol C 6 H 4 Cl 2 O I 

Dichloromethane CH 2 Cl 2 III 

Dimethylether C 2 H 6 O III 

Dimethylamine C 2 H 7 N I 

Di – (2–ethylhexylphtalate) C 24 H 38 O 4 II 

Thioethyrate 

I 

Thioalcohol 

I 

Acetic acid (vinegar) C 2 H 4 O 2 II 

Acetic acid ethyl ester (ethyl acetate) 

Acetic acid butyl ester (butyl acetate) 

Acetic acid vinyl ester (vinyl acetate) 

Acetic acid methyl ester (methyl acetate) 

133



Acrylic acid C 3 H 4 O 2 I 

Formic acid (formate) CH 2 O 2 I 

Propionic acid C 3 H 6 O 2 II 

Chloroacetic acid C 2 H 3 ClO 2 I 

Metacrylicmethylether acid (methylmetacrylate) 

Tetrachloroethane C 2 H 2 Cl 4 I 

Tetrachloromethane CCl 4 I 

Tetrahydroforane C 4 H 8 O II 

Citrine C 8 H 8 II 

Cyclohexanone (cyclic hexanone) C 6 H 10 O II 

Toleine C 7 H 8 II 

Toleine – 2,4 – diisocyanate (4 – methylenediisocyanate) 

Furfural (2 – furaldehyde) 

Formaldehyde CH 2 O I 

Formic methyl ester (methylformate) 

Phenol C 6 H 6 O I 

Phenylacetate C 4 H 6 O 2 II 

Alkylic Alcohol 

III 

Diacetone alcohol (4 – hydroxyl – 4 methyl – 2 pentanone) 

Furfural alcohol (furfuryl alcohol) C 5 H 6 O 6 II 

Cresol C 7 H 8 O I 

Xylene C 8 H 10 II 

Xylinol (except 2,4 – xylinol) C 8 H 10 O I 

Chloroestelaldehyde C 2 H 3 ClO I 

Chloroethane C 2 H 5 Cl III 

Chlorobenzene C 6 H 5 Cl II 

Chloroform (trichloromethane) 

Chloromethane CH 3 Cl I 

Methylethylcetone (butanone) 

Methylacetate C 3 H 6 O 2 II 

Methylacrylate C 4 H 6 O 2 I 

Methylamine CH 5 N I 

Methylisobutylcetone (4 – methyl – 2 – pentanone) 

Methylbenzoate C 8 H 8 O 2 III 

Methylglycolether (2 – methoxyethanol) 

Methylformate C 2 H 4 O 2 II 

Methylchloroform (1,1,1 - trichloroethane) 

Methylchloride (chloromethane) 

Methylmetacrylate C 5 H 8 O 2 II 

Cyclomethylhexane (Cyclohexane) C 7 H 12 O II 

Methylenechloride (dichloromethane) 

Mercaptan (thioalcohol) 

Alkylic lead compounds 

Oliphinic hydrocarbonic compounds (except 1,3 – butadiene) 

Methanol paraphinic hydrocarbonic compounds (alkylic alcohol) 

I 

III 

III 

134



Naphthalene C 10 H 8 II 

Nitrobenzene C 6 H 5 NO 2 I 

Nitrotoleine C 7 H 7 NO 2 I 

Nitrophenol C 6 H 5 NO 3 I 

Nitrocresol C 7 H 7 NO 3 I 

135



12.5 General environmental limit values of the emissions related to 

the air pollutants 

1 2 3 

Indicator (pollutant) Emission limit values Remarks 

Dust (mg/m 3 ) 

Inorganic solid pollutants (mg/m 3 ) 




200 (new installations), 

500 (existing installations) 

Group I 1 

Group II 10 

Group III 30 

Group I 1 

Group II 5 

Group III 30 

Group IV 500 

Group I 20 

Group II 100 

Group III 200 

Group I 0,2 

Group II 2 

Group III 10 

Do not contain dangerous 

substances 

Blocks flow greater than 5g/h 





Blocks flow greater than 1kg/h 








136

EIA Zouk - EKF

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