GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 2193

PURSUANT to regulation 21 of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations, 2003, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has received an Environmental Impact Assessment Study Report for the above proposed project. The proponent, Hybrid RE 1 SPV Limited, proposes to develop a wind, solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage of up to I20MW. It will comprise of wind turbines, Solar PV panels, battery storage components, transmission line, substation, associated facilities and amenities in Athwana Ward, Meru County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Possible Impacts Mitigation Measures Loss of biodiversity • Avoid forest area of SA 1-2, and if not — Terrestrial possible prepare a plan to minimize the ecology loss and offer habitat replacement on and/or offsite. • If valued ecological receptors are found during supervised construction works, they will be moved out of the construction zones. • Implement proper management measures to prevent damage to biodiversity within the proposed Project site. • Ensure proper demarcation and delineation of the Project construction site. • Develop a plan to maintain the during indigenousvegetation construction. • Develop a plan to improve the quality of vegetation around the Project site. • Designate access routes and a parking area within the site to reduce vegetation disturbance. • Ensure regular inspection of construction works. • Avoid dumping of food waste and other rubbish within the site to discourage scavengers or other prey species from coming to the site. • Prohibit hunting within the Project site. • Prohibit the collection of firewood from within the SAs. • Clear demarcation of the roads, transmission line and other site facilities before construction. • All the activities and equipment will be confined in the demarcated areas. • Management of the habitat immediately surrounding the Project area to ensure no net loss of habitat in the area. • Speed limits will be adhered to within the construction zone. 5th March, 2021 Mitigation Measures • Avoid impacts to riverine and wooded habitats (e.g. when micro-siting the placement of WTOsiinfrastructure) and where possible avoid and minimise impacts to other types of natural habitats. • Any large trees or bushes that are to be removed should be checked first for bats to ensure no animal is directly harmed by the activity. • Removal of any large animal carcass within 2 km radius of the Project area. • Avoid dumping of food waste and other rubbish within the site to discourage scavengers or other prey species from coming to the site. • Regular surveys to check for new active nesting birds including ground nesting areas so that such areas can be clearly marked and avoided if appropriate. • Develop a Wastewater Management Plan for use at the site in line with wastewater management regulations and water quality regulations. • Ensure proper storage of wastewater at the site before disposal to a designated facility by a contracted waste handler registered by NEMA. • Prohibit illegal disposal of wastewater into water resources around the Project site. • Ensure regular inspection of wastewater management practices within the Project to check for compliance. • Ensure there is proper and adequate sanitation facilities on during construction. • Control the speed limit for all motor vehicles coming to or leaving the construction site. • Train all workers on the management of air pollution from vehicles and machinery. • Prohibit engine idling and over revving of construction vehicles and machinery to minimise emissions. • Sprinkle water at the construction site and on access roads to minimize fugitive dust during dry weather conditions. • Ensure regular inspection and scheduled maintenance for all construction vehicles and machinery. • Provide workers with dust masks at all times when working in dusty conditions. • Continuously monitor dust emission levels at construction site. • Ensure the vehicles transporting loose materials like soil and cement are properly covered. • Develop and implement a Solid Waste Management Plan before commencement of construction activities in line with the governing regulations. • Train workers on proper solid waste management practices. Possible Impacts Loss of biodiversity — Bats, Ornithology Pollution—Liquid Waste Change in ambient air quality Pollution—Solid Waste Possible Impacts Mitigation Measures • Segregate all solid wastes at source. • Re-use, re-cycle or reduced solid waste generation onsite to the extent possible. • Dispose all construction wastes that cannot be recycled or reused to a NEMA approved licensed solid waste disposal sites in Meru County using a licensed refuse handler. • Provide facilities for proper handling and storage of wastes at designated points. • Do not leave wastes on site at the end of the work. • Provide adequate number of properly contained litter bins and containers properly marked with type of wastes. • Strictly prohibit burning or dumping of any wastes at the site. • Perform regular inspection of solid waste management practices onsite. Pollution— • Develop and implement Hazardous Hazardous Wastes Waste Management Plan, especially for oil, in line with the governing regulations. • Train site workers on proper hazardous waste management. • Segregate site wastes by separating hazardous waste from non-hazardous waste. • Ensure the hazardous waste collection containers are emptied at appropriate intervals to prevent overflow. • Ensure that hazardous materials are stored in proper areas, where they cannot reach land in case of any spillage. • Incorporate dripping pans at machinery, equipment and area prone to contamination by leakage of hazardous materials such as oil and fuel. • Regular maintenance of all equipment and machines used onsite so as to minimise leakage of hazardous materials. • Containers for storing hazardous waste including used oil should be securely bundled, labelled and disposed in line with the governing regulations. • Undertake regular inspection of hazardous waste management practices onsite. • Strictly prohibit illegal disposal of hazardous wastes onsite. • Store hazardous materials in designated areas secured with a fence. Noise and vibration • Restrict all construction activities to day time during normal working hours. • Conduct construction activities within the maximum permitted noise levels. • Provide prior information to the community of any planned noisy activity that is likely to exceed the permitted noise levels. • Strictly ensure the use of Personal Protective Equipment at all times while on site such as use of silencers and ear Possible Impacts Mitigation Measures mufflers by employees. • Regularly monitor noise levels to comply with permitted maximum levels in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements. • Inspection of activities during construction by carrying out regular noise level test. Mitigation Measures and disposal of waste streams generated. • Carry out the facility inspection work on regular basis. • Minimize the use of Project construction signage. Necessary signage should be made of non-glare materials and unobtrusive colours. • Emphasize the use of noise reduction techniques such as silencers and ear mufflers to employees while onsite. • Undertake regular inspection and scheduled maintenance program for all vehicles and machineries on site. • Adopt and follow best practicable means to ensure that the quietest available plant and construction techniques are used. • Petition NEMA to accept IFC guideline limits. • Remove in a timely manner all the construction machinery, equipment and vehicles that are not in use and keep them in specific locations within the Project site. • Use dust suppressors to minimize impacts of vehicular traffic and wind on roads and exposed soils. • Ensure proper storage, collection and disposal of waste streams generated. • Undertake regular inspection of site construction activities. • Installation of acoustic fencing on infrastructure such as substation, and invertors/transformers (solar PV and battery storage) if required. • Install fewer WTGs. • Operation of WTGs at reduced noise mode. • Select WTG with lower noise output where economically feasible. • Curtail select WTGs at certain times/wind speeds and directions. • Resettlement of affected neighbours. • If the land where the grave is to be disturbed within SA 1-2, or if the household that the grave belongs to is to be physically relocated, then a Grave Relocation Plan will be designed and implemented. Details of the Grave Relocation Plan will be added to the RAP. • Develop and implement a Chance Find Procedure. • Train workers on the importance of archaeological and cultural resources and how to deal with them. • Employ an archaeologist during topsoil stripping (trenching) to monitor chance find archaeological remains. • In case of chance find, the work should be halted and the area protected and the matter reported immediately to the National Museums of Kenya's for appropriate action. • Develop and implement a Site Rehabilitation and Landscaping plan to restore the site after construction. • Maintain the existing vegetation around the perimeter of the Project, particularly to reduce the direct view of solar / battery storage and other low-lying infrastructure. • Develop and implement a LRP with details on social economic survey done for Project Affected Households (PAHs), cadastral survey, compensation for crop damage, support on available training and employment opportunities. • Grievance mechanism. • Develop and implement a Construction Employment Plan with details on number of people for each category, job description, recruitment and training process, targets for females for both skilled and low-skilled roles, health, safety and legal guidelines for workers. • Implement a worker grievance mechanism. • Report and monitor indicators covering the recruitment process, ongoing management of the workforce and the grievance mechanism. • Prepare Worker Accommodation Plan describing how the accommodation facilities will be selected and inspected to ensure safety. • Implement a Worker Code of Conduct and disclose the Project's grievance mechanism locally in the event that a third-party wishes to raise a complaint about the behaviour of the workforce. • Report and monitor indicators through periodic audits of the facilities used and engaging nearby housing units to check on the behaviour of the accommodated workforce. • Develop an Occupational Health and Safety Plan (for the workers) with details on health and safety risks assessment, PPE provision, training to be provided and implementation of monitoring and evaluation framework. • Provide fully equipped First Aid Kit and sanitary facilities on site, including water for drinking at all times. Archaeology and national heritage Visual and landscape • Restore natural vegetation through planting of indigenous species. • Ensure proper storage, regular collection • Provide appropriate fire extinguishers and train personnel on their use. • Develop a Community Health and Safety Plan that will help to create awareness to Possible Impacts Social—Impacts to livelihoods from land acquisition and access restrictions Social—employment and training Social - Use of local accommodation facilities by non- local workforce Social - Health and safety incidents involving the workforce and local communities 5th March, 2021 Possible Impacts Mitigation Measures the community on the dangers in the construction area and ensure their safety. • Develop a Communicable Disease Plan which includes protection measures associated with COVID-19, HIV and others. • Develop an Emergency Response Plan with details on the nearest hospital, fire station and police station included. Social - Community • Develop a Traffic and Transport Plan health and safety with detail on the requirements for all risks from road Project vehicles and drivers and transport guidelines that the drivers will adhere to. • Implement a road safety campaign in local schools to raise awareness on the associated risks. Shadow flicker • Shadow Flicker Management Plan • Installation of shadow flicker modules on WTGs where limits are breached. • Installation of screening and window blinds. • Grievance mechanism. Social—Collision risk • Carry out Aeronautical study prior to with aircraft, WTGs construction commencing. or met masts • Equip all cranes used with red flashing light as per KCAA requirements and industry standards for any construction Project. • Mark the perimeter of the wind farm with red flashing lights at a specific height and also the WTGs at the top of the nacelle as per KCAA requirements. • Mark the location of the WTGs upon maps and copies provided to the KCAA and local flying clubs, before any are installed. • Ensure the grievance mechanism is available should an aviator wish to raise a concern or make a complaint about the Project. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, NHIF Building, 12th Floor, Ragati Road, Upper Hill, P.O. Box 30126-00100, Nairobi. (b) Director-General, NEMA, Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839-00200, Nairobi. (c) County Director of Environment, Meru County. The National Environment Management Authority invites members of the public to submit oral or written comments within thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this notice to the Director-General, NEMA, to assist the Authority in the decision making process regarding this plan. MAMO B. MAMO, Director-General, MR/1663865 National Environment Management Authority.