Environmental

and Social
Impact
Assessment
October 2017

Combined Cycle
Gas Turbine
Power Plant
Project at Fort
George,
Mauritius

Poonam Tatayah
Biodiversity
Consulting Ltd
 Environmental and Social
Impact Assessment

Fort George, Mauritius

2017

Issue and revision record

Poonam Tatayah
Ecology Consultant
Biodiversity Consulting
Ltd
River view Lane, Verdun. 2
BRN: C 15130202
 Environmental and Social
Impact Assessment

Fort George, Mauritius

2017

Abbreviation and acronym

ACC Air Cooled Condenser
BPML Business Parks of Mauritius Ltd
BTX Benzene
CBD Central Business District
CCGT Combined Cycle Gas Turbine
CCR Central Control Room
CCWS closed cooling water system
CEB Central Electricity Board
CEL Consolidated Energy Limited
CERC Cambridge Environmental Research Consultants Ltd
CHCL Cargo Handling Corporation Ltd
CNOI Chantier Naval de l’Océan Indien
CO2 Carbon Dioxide
COD Chemical Oxygen Demand
CWA Central Water Authority
dB decibel
DEFRA Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
DFO Diesel Fuel Oil
EDF Électricité De France
EIA Environmental Impact Assessment
EMF Electric and Magnetic Fields
EMP Environmental Management Plan
EPA Environmental Protection Act
EPC Engineer, Procure and Construct
ERMP Emergency Response Management Plan
ERP Emergency Response Plan
ESIA Environmental and Social Impact Assessment
FDM Froid Des Mascareignes Ltée
FGPS Fort George Power Station
FO Fuel Oil
GDP Gross Domestic Product
GIS Geographic Information System
GPS Global Positioning System
GSU General Step Up
GT Gas turbine
GTG Gas Turbine Generator
GWh Giga Watts per hour

Poonam Tatayah
Ecology Consultant
Biodiversity Consulting
Ltd
River view Lane, Verdun. 14
BRN: C 15130202
 Environmental and Social
Impact Assessment

Fort George, Mauritius

2017

HACCP Hazard analysis and critical control points

HAZOP Hazard and Operability Study
HFO Heavy Fuel Oil
HRSG Heat Recovery Steam Generator
HSHFO High Sulfur Heavy Fuel Oil
HV High Voltage
I&C Instrumental and Control
IOML Indian Oil Mauritius Limited
IPPs Independent Power Producers
Km Kilometers
LMLC Les Moulins de La Concorde Ltée
LNG Liquefied Natural Gas
LSHFO Low Sulfur Heavy Fuel Oil
MCFI Mauritius Chemical and Fertilizer Industry Limited
MFD Mauritius Freeport Development
mm millimeter
MOI Mauritius Oceanography Institute
MPA Mauritius Port Authority
NDRRMC National Disaster Risk Reduction management center
NFPA National Fire Protection Association
NHF National Heritage Fund
Nox Nitrogen Oxides
NPCS National Park Conservation Service
NPK Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium
OCGT Open Cycle Gas Turbine
OEM Original Equipment Manufacturers
OHM Oil and hazard materials
ORSA5 Passive Sampling Tube from Dräger company
OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OSHWA Occupational Safety, Health and Welfare Act
PEHD Polyethylene high-density
PLHDCU Port Louis Harbour and Docks Union
PM/ PM10 Particulate Matter
PPA Power Purchase Agreement
PPE Protective personnel Equipment
RW Weighted Sound Reduction Index
SO2 Sulfur Dioxide
SPL Sound Pressure Levels
ST Steam Turbine
STG Steam Turbine Gas

Poonam Tatayah
Ecology Consultant
Biodiversity Consulting
Ltd
River view Lane, Verdun. 15
BRN: C 15130202
 Environmental and Social
Impact Assessment

Fort George, Mauritius

2017

SWL Sound power level

UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
USD United States Dollar
USEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency
VCA Village Council Authority

Glossary of terms
Area of Influence: The geographic area whose social, economic, and/or environmental conditions is significantly
affected by changes due to the project.
ATEX: related to equipment and work environment allowed in an environment with an explosive atmosphere
Baseline Studies: Work done to determine and describe the environmental conditions against which any future
changes can be measured or predicted and assessed.
Base load: the base load on a grid is the minimum level of demand on an electrical grid over a span of time
Biodiversity: The variety of life forms, the different plants, animals and micro-organisms, the genes they contain and
the eco-systems they from. It is usually considered at three levels: genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem
diversity.
CadnaA: Computer Aided Noise Abatement is an internationally recognized software for calculation, presentation,
assessment and prediction of environmental noise, developed by Datakustik.
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA): The systematic, reproducible and interdisciplinary
identification, prediction and evaluation, mitigation and management of impacts from a proposed development and
its reasonable alternatives.
Environmental Management Plan (EMP): A structured plan that outlines the mitigation, monitoring and
management requirements arising from an environmental impact assessment
Facility – The new power plant
ISO: The International Organization for Standardization develops and publishes International Standards
LAeq : A weighted Equivalent Sound Level in dB measured over a period of time
Mitigation Measures: Methods employed to avoid, reduce, remedy or compensate for significant adverse impacts
of development proposals.
Non-Technical Summary: Information for the non-specialist readers to enable them to understand the main
environmental impacts of the proposal without reference to the main environmental statement.
Operational Impacts: These are impacts that are the result of the operational phase of works on a project. During
the operational phase, these can be monitored and mitigated against to reduce or eliminate the impacts caused.
Peak load: Peak load is the time of high demand. These peaking demands are often for only shorter durations.
Residual Impacts: Those impacts that would remain after the effect of mitigation measures have been accounted
for.
Scoping: The process of identifying the issues to be addressed by an ESIA. It is a method of ensuring that an ESIA
focuses on the important issues and avoids those that are considered to be less significant.

Poonam Tatayah
Ecology Consultant
Biodiversity Consulting
Ltd
River view Lane, Verdun. 16
BRN: C 15130202
 Environmental and Social
Impact Assessment

Fort George, Mauritius

2017

1
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1 Non technical summary

17
 Environmental and Social
Impact Assessment

Fort George, Mauritius

2017

1 INTRODUCTION
This section is a Non-Technical Summary that provides a brief overview of the proposed development,
the potential significant associated environmental impacts and the proposed mitigation measures.
The promoter, the Central Electricity Board (CEB) intends to set up a new combined cycle gas turbine
technology in Fort George, Port Louis (see Map 1).
Therefore, an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report has been prepared in
accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Protection Act of Mauritius of 2002. An ESIA is
a process for identifying, describing and assessing the potential direct and indirect impacts of a
development on the environment.

2 PROPOSED PROJECT IN FORT GEORGE

The proposed Fort George combined cycle power plant CCGT project will consist of the installation and
commissioning of two heavy duty dual fuel gas turbines and one steam turbine in a combined cycle
arrangement. The CCGT power plant will successively operate with different fuels/ technologies:

• Section 1: Open cycle (OCGT) on Diesel Fuel oil (DFO): The OCGT power plant will be
used for peaking purpose
• Section 2: Combined cycle (CCGT) on Natural Gas (NG), DFO remain as a back-up fuel.
The CCGT power plant will be used for base load operation and will be rated between 105 - 120MW
when operating on DFO and be capable of producing up to 140MW when operating on Natural Gas.
The project lies on a vacant land within the port area adjacent to existing heavy fuel oil (380cSt) power
generation plant (in service since 1992) at Fort George. The site is situated in the District of Port Louis,
and is of an extent of 2 Ha.
Combined-cycle generation is a configuration using both gas turbines and steam generating units. In a
combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT), the hot exhaust gases of a gas turbine are used to provide all, or a
portion of, the heat source for the boiler, which produces steam for the steam generator turbine.
The term Combined cycle refers to the two thermodynamic cycles that are combined for maximum
efficiency. The basic principles of operation of a typical combined cycle power plant are presented in
Figure 1 hereunder.

Poonam Tatayah
Ecology Consultant
Biodiversity Consulting
Ltd
River view Lane, Verdun. 18
BRN: C 15130202
 Environmental and Social
Impact Assessment

Fort George, Mauritius

2017

Or fuel

Figure 1 The basic principles of operation of a typical combined cycle power plant

Liquid fuel (e.g Diesel DFO, Kerosene, Naphta oil etc or Gas (e.g Natural Gas) is mixed with
compressed air and burned in the combustion chamber (1) producing hot gases at constant pressure
which spin a turbine coupled to a generator (2) producing electricity. The gas turbine exhausts flue
gasses are captured in a heat recovery steam generator (3) that creates superheated steam to spin a
steam turbine (4) coupled to another generator (5).
Gas turbines when operated in combined cycle mode have higher efficiencies as compared to when
they are operated in simple (open) cycle mode as a portion of the energy contained in the gas turbine
exhaust gases is used to produce Steam and drive a steam turbine unit

The configuration of the proposed Fort George CCGT power plant is as follows:
Two (2) Gas Turbines,
Two (2) Heat Recovery Steam Generators and

One (1) Steam Turbine

It is estimated that the steam turbine output will account for approximately one third of the CCGT power
plant output.
The development of modern CCGT power plants has allowed the replacement of less efficient and
higher air polluting oil and fossil fuel power plants. It is the most efficient method of enhancing electrical
capacity in the country due to:

• Low capital cost,

• Shorter construction time compared to conventional fossil fuel power plants;
• Low fuel cost, due to higher cycle efficiency (lower cost per kWh) than conventional fossil
fuel power plants;
• Lower exhaust emissions compared to conventional fossil fuel power plants;
• High efficiency and high-power density: a CCGT has a higher thermal efficiency than any
other type of conventional power plant. The energy efficiency of the present project
combined cycle is 54% (modern CCGT power plants have a thermal efficiency in the range
of 50-62%).

Poonam Tatayah
Ecology Consultant
Biodiversity Consulting
Ltd
River view Lane, Verdun. 19
BRN: C 15130202
 Environmental and Social
Impact Assessment

Fort George, Mauritius

2017

Map 1 CCGT Fort George project location site - Mauritius

Poonam Tatayah
Ecology Consultant
Biodiversity Consulting Ltd
River view Lane, Verdun.
BRN: C 15130202 20
 Environmental and Social
Impact Assessment

Fort George, Mauritius

2017

3 METHODOLOGY

3.1 CONSULTATIONS
The CEB along with a team from EDF and Biotope, undertook consultation meetings with the following
stakeholders in December 2016 and in January 2017 based on preliminary design proposals:

• Ministry of Social Security National Solidarity, Environment and Sustainable Development

• Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities
• Mauritius Port Authority
• National Parks and Conservation Service
• National Heritage Fund
• Mauritius Fire and Rescue service
• BDO & Co carried out further consultations with the Cargo Handling Corporation Ltd, Les
Moulins de la Concorde, Trade Unions, several other port-based stakeholders (Chantier
Naval de l’Ocean Indien, Mauritius Freeport Development, Maersk Logistics Mauritius, Coal
Terminal Management Co., Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel & Suffren Hotel, Froid des
Mascareignes, Velogic Ltd) as well as residents of Roche Bois.

3.2 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL BASELINE

Baseline characterization of the area impacted by the project has been conducted (physical, ecological
and socio-economic characterization). The relevant environmental aspects have been addressed:
• Physical environment: geology, topography, soils
• Natural drainage features: surface drainage, flood risk
• Air quality and other impacts: Emissions of flue gas and particulates
• Noise and vibration impacts
• Biological environment: forest/vegetation cover, existing wildlife (flora and fauna), rare or
endangered species, sensitive habitats, species of commercial importance, migratory path
of birds, nuisance species, pests and vectors
• Socio-cultural environment: land use, traffic patterns, proposed developments, public health
issues, demography, employment and solid waste management.

4 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

A combination of quantitative and qualitative assessment techniques, ranging from computer and/or
physical modeling of ambient air emissions and noise, study of past soil contamination impacts to
ecological and socio-economic surveys and visual evaluation, have been undertaken. The results of the
assessment works have been compared with applicable national standards and/or international norms.
This section synthesizes the main environmental and social impacts on: (i) Air Quality; (ii) Noise; (iii)
Fauna and Flora; (iv) Industrial and Hazardous wastes; (v). Socio-economic and Public Health.

Poonam Tatayah
Ecology Consultant
Biodiversity Consulting Ltd
River view Lane, Verdun.
BRN: C 15130202 21
 Environmental and Social
Impact Assessment

Fort George, Mauritius

2017

4.1 AIR QUALITY

Existing air quality over the Port area in Port Louis, as described by the monitoring campaign of this
study and other studies in 2015 and 2016, is considered as complying with the proposed (2017) national
air quality standards for NO2 and Benzene, and not complying with those standards for SO 2 and PM10.
The CCGT power plant will significantly improve the air quality at Fort George: the switch to NG
operation with implementation of Section 2 will lead to very low air ambient pollutants
concentrations, thus improving the global air quality over Port Louis. The gain in the various
pollutant concentrations range from a factor 3 to a factor 10, depending on the pollutant considered.
During pre-construction phase, there will be little impact on air quality due to emission of dust caused by
excavation works. This can be mitigated through provision of water sprinklers and screens. During the
construction phase, dust, emission of smoke from vehicles or machinery is expected to impact air
negatively, but to a moderate extent if proper mitigation measures are put into action.
During operation, particulate matter in addition to gas emissions of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides
and especially Sulphur dioxide will be reduced when the new CCGT project will operate in combined
cycle configuration, on natural gas. Natural gas is known for its clean combustion with low emission
concentrations. It is worth to mention that the project site is within an industrial area, where the South-
East Trade Wind blows air pollutants to the ocean.
Air quality around the study area will thus be enhanced as the CCGT will operate as a base load power
plant and the operation of the existing Fort George Power Station, which currently runs on HFO, will be
reduced (after implementation of Section 2).
Regarding the fact that after implementation of Section 1 the OCGT power plant will be used only for
peaking purpose, the situation with regard to Air Quality will be quite identical to the actual one as, Fort
George Power Station will continue operating as a base load power plant and the OCGT as a peaking
power plant, thus adding a minor additional contribution to the FGPS.
The impact assessment study revealed that the extent of impact is minor after mitigation measures after
implementation of Section 1 (OCGT), and significantly beneficial after implementation of Section 2, with
the improvement of Air Emission around Fort George.

4.2 NOISE
Noise impacts of the CCGT are to be considered within the existing background noise of the Port area,
which is partly noisy. Moreover, the CCGT site is located at a distance that exceeds 700 meters from
the nearest dwellings, with several large buildings and warehouses in between. The actual noise level
situations and noise propagation conditions are expected to contribute to low levels of noise coming
from the CCGT area.
During construction and pre-construction activities, noise is considered as a negative impact on the
surrounding environment due to continuous works on the project site, involving equipment installation,
digging and other civil works prior to and during the construction of the plant. However, mitigation
measures will maintain this noise to an acceptable level, and will be limited to the nearest
industrial/logistic locations. This noise will not be perceived by the residential population.
Through modeling, the impact of the CCGT power plant in the operational phase has been estimated
and several mitigation measures have been stated: the residential neighbourhood will not be affected,
and the activities in the immediate vicinity of the CCGT power plant will be exposed to noise levels
complying with Mauritian regulations.

Poonam Tatayah
Ecology Consultant
Biodiversity Consulting Ltd
River view Lane, Verdun.
BRN: C 15130202 22
 Environmental and Social
Impact Assessment

Fort George, Mauritius

2017

Vibration topics for this type of project are considered as non-sensitive, as demonstrated in various
documents in international bibliography.
In fact, the vibration levels of combined cycle power plants are of a much lesser magnitude as
compared to power plants using reciprocating (Diesel engines). Vibrations will not be an issue since the
gas turbines and the steam turbine; themselves cannot tolerate high vibration levels.

4.3 ECOSYSTEM
Both current conditions of existing operations and the new project construction and operation have
insignificant impacts on the flora, fauna terrestrial ecosystem. The site is dominated by invasive alien
plants, including grasses and small shrubs. Fauna recorded from the site were largely composed of
invasive alien species. However, the endemic specie found on site, Terminalia bentzoë ssp. mauritiana,
locally known as ‘bois benjoin’, is represented by two trees. Their preservation or relocation is
recommended.

4.4 WATER SUPPLY

The CCGT has its water supply requirements to satisfy the plant operations and to ensure water supply
to workers on site. The importance of the impact of a possible increase of demand in the region is
assessed as moderate. Specific measures will be considered to mitigate this problem e.g. through the
use of closed circuit cooling systems.

4.5 INDUSTRIAL AND HAZARDOUS WASTES-WATER DISCHARGE

The construction activities of the project will generate solid waste and effluent.
Solid waste and wastewater residue, and oily effluent from maintenance works generated during the
operation phase, will impact the working environment and on the nearby areas if they are not safely
handled and disposed of.

4.6 SOCIO ECONOMIC

The overall impact of the project construction on the social component is between neutral and positive.
The Project construction will add temporary job opportunities for technical and non-technical workers.
The overall economic impact is positive through alleviating the power shortages to the consumers
especially in the industrial and commercial sectors as well as the domestic sector. The community’s
standard of living and welfare will be enhanced due to the availability and improvement of electricity-
based services. These services vary from lighting, and electronic appliances in homes and offices, to
services in public bodies and institutions.

Poonam Tatayah
Ecology Consultant
Biodiversity Consulting Ltd
River view Lane, Verdun.
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 Environmental and Social
Impact Assessment

Fort George, Mauritius

2017

Table 1 below summarizes the moderate and major impacts of the project during construction and
operation phase (minor impact will be presented in section 6 of the report)

Table 1 Non-technical summary of impact (moderate and major)

Main environmental Importance of impact before

Item Major source of impact
aspect/impact mitigation measure
CONSTRUCTION PHASE
Nuisance and/or health
Air quality Gaseous pollutant Moderate
effect;
Accidental
spillage/leakage of Soil and groundwater
Moderate
sewage generated by pollution
Soil and construction personnel;
groundwater Contamination from
accidental spillage/leakage Soil and groundwater
Moderate
of chemicals (paints and pollution
thinners) and fuel.
Increase of potable water Insufficiency or decrease of
Water Moderate
consumption of the region. water supply around the site.
Job opportunities for local
Temporary recruitment of
Socio economic labour and increased Moderate beneficial
workers.
economic activities
OPERATIONAL PHASE
Health impact (affecting
Air quality
Gas pollutant emission. workers and neighbours’ Moderate
(Section 1)
respiratory health)
Health impact (affecting
Air quality
Gas pollutant emission workers and neighbours’ Moderate beneficial
(Section 2)
respiratory health)
Accidental
Soil and groundwater
spillage/leakage of Moderate
Soil and pollution
chemicals and fuel;
water/groundwater
Soil and groundwater
Accidental oil or fuel spills Moderate
pollution
Increase in water Insufficiency or decrease of
Water Moderate
consumption of the region. water supply around the site.
Operation of Fort George
Socio-economic Electricity production Major beneficial
CCGT power plant.
Presence of machinery,
Exposure to potential
equipment, iron structures,
Health and safety accidents or other incidents. Moderate
welding equipment, lifting
Risk of physical injuries.
of heavy loads, etc.

Residual impact was assessed as minor or negligible

Poonam Tatayah
Ecology Consultant
Biodiversity Consulting Ltd
River view Lane, Verdun.
BRN: C 15130202 24
 Environmental and Social
Impact Assessment

Fort George, Mauritius

2017

5 CONCLUSION
The assessment has been executed in an organized manner in line with the guidelines of the Ministry of
Social Security, National Solidarity, and Environment and Sustainable Development, International
standards and references from the CEB. The main objective of the EIA was to determine the
environmental impacts associated with the project during its construction and operational phase such as
noise, air emissions, hazards risks, etc. and to propose mitigation measures to reduce or eliminate
these negative effects on the environment.
The assessment indicates that no significant environmental impacts will occur as a result of the
construction or operation of the CCGT power plant and, when taken together, the overall environmental
and social impact will not be significant. The emission of the new CCGT power plant, running on Natural
Gas on Section 2, will contribute largely to improving air quality on site and in the immediate
neighbourhood, as compared with the actual situation of emissions from FGPS running on HFO, while
ensuring additional electricity production.
Moreover, it is worth to mention that damage to the environment is assessed as moderate in case of
hazardous spillage and land emission such as noise, air and water discharge. Besides, the
development will not impact negatively on the local human environment nor will threaten ecological
sensitivity. The risk on the general safety of employees and neighbours is low and depends on process
safety measures, plant integrity and proper implementation of general health & safety standards. The
new power plant will significantly contribute to securing electricity supply for the Country as one of the
main power plants. Henceforth, there will be positive economic and environmental advantages
associated with the development.
However, the report provides a set of mitigating measures devised to deal with every impact and
scenario. Those mitigation measures, combining good practices, organizational measures, choice of
appropriate equipment or building materials and monitoring and control actions, will reduce the impacts
and lead to residual negligible adverse impact. All necessary measures will be taken at construction
stage to mitigate any negative impacts through measures addressing traffic, health and safety, noise or
another potential source of nuisance. At operational level, the necessary measures have been proposed
to monitor all possible risks of accidents or injuries. The plant design and technology will take into
account compliance with all environmental standards.

Poonam Tatayah
Ecology Consultant
Biodiversity Consulting Ltd
River view Lane, Verdun.
BRN: C 15130202 25