The construction of "Masrik-1" solar photovoltaic station has been stopped. The station is to be built in the administrative territory of Mets Masrik Community in Gegharkunik Region. EcoLur team visited Mets Masrik Community and recorded that the villagers were having their cattle grazing in the area selected for the construction of the station. Locals said that in the area before the war, the topsoil was partially removed, and after the war, the work was stopped and no action has been taken so far.
Meanwhile, Mets Masrik Community Head Armen Asatryan told EcoLur in December 2020that the construction of the station would start in 2021. During a recent visit, Community Head said that the launch of construction work is uncertain. "The construction company does not want to work here ... The region is not safe," Armen Asatryan said.
The winner of the competition for the construction of "Masrik-1" was recognized the consortium of companies - Fotowatio Renewable Ventures B.V. (Netherlands) and FSL Solar S.L. (Kingdom of Spain) with which the Government of the Republic of Armenia signed a Government Support Agreement in 2018 on the organization and implementation of the Project.
“Masrik-1" solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant project has entered into an active phase by the resolution of RA
Thus, "Masrik-1" project became a startup for investments in the field of solar energy development in Armenia. In January 2021, RA Government adopted "Strategic Program for Development of Energy Sector of the Republic of Armenia (until 2040)", which considered the interest of investors in natural energy. Under the project, the share of solar energy production in the electricity balance will be at least 15% or 1.8 billion kWh by 2030.
The halt in the construction of Masrik-1 station raises several questions. How should the investment issues related to the project be resolved if it has already been approved by EBRD and IFC and is officially in the active phase? What decisions have been made about the future of the project due to the force majeure situation? How will this uncertainty over the construction of the largest solar power plant affect the context of the further development of solar energy in Armenia? What responsibility should the company have for the removal of a 70 cm thick layer of fertile soil?
If the company resumes the construction of Masrik-1 plant, what guarantees will there be to ensure compliance with environmental norms and rehabilitation of the area, given that a) external threats have not been eliminated, there is a great deal of uncertainty, b) out of 128 hectares planned, 32.6 hectares have been forcibly alienated from the community in the form of "eminent public domain"; c) the whole area under the solar station becomes unfit for further use; (d) The EIA does not address the issue of recycling or utilization of solar panel waste; (e) the jobs promised by the company have not yet been created. (f) nothing has been done in connection with other activities envisaged for land lease.
What role should our Government play in these conflict issues if an agreement has already been signed by the Government to support this program?
The delay in the construction of the station is also a concern for the residents of Mets Masrik community, which became borderline after the war. Because of the war, most of the population of Mets Masrik lost their basic income, which formed as a result of farming. The promise of the company that built the station to create hundreds of jobs could be the solution to the employment and other social problems in the community.
During the meetings with the locals, "EcoLur" presented all the identified problems and risks. In particular, the service life of world-class solar power plants is estimated at 15-30 years. It is not possible to throw them into the landfill site. Expired panels are recyclable waste. These wastes contain toxic compounds of cadmium, lead and copper. The cost of neutralizing 1 used panel varies between $20-30. One of the hidden risks of the project is that the amount of waste is unknown.
The Project EIA lacks information on the toxic and environmental impact of toxic compounds on waste, a list of mitigation or mitigation measures, soil damage and rehabilitation program. Mets Masrik residents were not aware of all this. Addressing the issues raised, the residents said that during the first meeting with the construction company, they will present those risks and demand solutions.
Concerned with the wastes, still in May EcoLur addressed a letter to RA Environment Ministry to find out how panel recycling and utilization process will be carried out.
“It should be noted that, according to the IFC (WB) Operational Policy (OP) 4.01 on Environmental Assessment, which is co-financing the Project, this project is classified as Category B, therefore it requires an EIA Report and Environmental Management Plan according to the World Bank guidelines. The other co-lender, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, has the same approaches.
Requirement 1. Environmental and Social Impact Assessment and Their Management
Requirement 3. Resource Efficiency, Pollution Control and Prevention
Requirement 6. Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources
… It should be noted that the conclusion of the Environmental Impact Assessment BP-0000610 issued to the environmental impact assessment report of Masrik-1 solar power station on 17.07.2019 does not ensure the fulfillment of the above-mentioned requirements and is not in line with the direction of "green" economy adopted by our country.
This response, however, does not contain any information on how the solar panels/batteries should be disposed of after the expiration date. The ministry considered only used engine oils, used tires and construction waste as waste. “According to state expert opinion BP-00006 issued by “Environmental Impact Assessment Center" SNCO on July 17, 2019, to the environmental impact assessment report of "Masrik 1" solar station, solid and liquid wastes generated during the corridor planning in the construction of a photovoltaic (PV) station and an overhead line (OH), used engine oils, used tires, will be stored in a concrete-covered area before delivery, and construction waste will be transported to landfills provided by Mets Masrik and Geghamasar Municipalities in Gegharkunik Region. A special area will be provided for fuel storage, which will have a concrete platform and a drainage collection system. Additional measures are planned to reduce and eliminate the impact on the environment," the ministry particularly informed.
Station Area with Animals Grazing Afar
September 01, 2021 at 16:58