Environmental Impact Assessment Study for <strong>400</strong> <strong>kV</strong> OHL SS Stip – Macedonian-Serbian BorderOperational phaseRegarding the operational phase, impacts on the transmission line on the geologicalstructures and soil, hydrogeological and engineering appearances and geologicalphenomena, and processes are not expected, except in periods of maintenance andservicing of the transmission line, when the risks of disruption and erosion, as well as indirectand direct contamination of soils and rock masses, through vertical infiltration of fuel, oil orchemicals, again become current.107
Environmental Impact Assessment Study for <strong>400</strong> <strong>kV</strong> OHL SS Stip – Macedonian-Serbian Border4.4 Impacts on Air quality and ClimateDuring its operational phase, the transmission line will not produce emissions of harmfulpollutants in the air. The corona effect can result in a negligible production of ozone (O 3 )around the transmission line conductors.The transmission line has no potential to cause changes in climate parameters in the area ofthe corridor of the route.The impact on air quality will be during the construction phase of the transmission line.Construction phaseThe construction work on each of the locations of towers typically includes performance ofearth and concrete works for construction of concrete foundations, and installation of towerstructures. There will be movement of different type of vehicles, construction machinery, andlabor force across the access roads within the established construction zones.During the construction phase, the main sources of air-pollutants are the exhaust systems ofthe construction machinery and vehicles for transporting segments of tpwers, work force, andmaterials. The group pollutants of this type include NOx, SO 2 , CO, etc. The intensity of theseimpactsa is short term and limited to completion of the construction works, and is in relationto the level of standards for fuels that are used in Macedonia, i.e. limit value for the content ofsulfur, lead, benzene, etc. The level of emission depends also on the manner of maintenanceof the vehicles.Fugitive dust emissions can be expected because of the establishment of a constructionsite(s), expanding the existing and building new access roads, transport, and handling ofconstruction materials, earth works, construction of the concrete foundations for the towerconstruction and others.During the construction phase, there will be no odour emissions.The emissions of pollutants and dust in the air can affect the local population, depending onthe direction and speed of wind. It is expected that this impact is insignificant because of:• the fact that most of the micro locations of the towers will be of considerabledistance from settlements• the existing vegetation along the route of the transmission line is kind of a barrier forthe dispersion of emissions, and• environmental management and mitigation measures will be taken.108