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Electric Energy Distribution as part of the COMPACT II of the Millenium Challenge Corporation Benin

Electric Energy Distribution as part of the COMPACT II of the Millenium Challenge Corporation Benin

Assessment of the environmental condition and the management of hazardous materials

This project is part of the second Donation Agreement (COMPACT II) between the Benin government and the Millenium Challenge Corporation (MCC).

The objectives of COMPACT II are to modernize energy distribution infrastructure in order to increase grid capacity and meet current and future demand, while taking into account its high growth. The project must also lead to an improvement in the reliability and performances of the grid.

In compliance with the Performance Standards in matters of environmental and social sustainability of the Société Financière Internationale (SFI), and prior to works to reinforce the energy distribution infrastructures in Cotonou and the regions, the environmental state and management of the active sites in question were assessed.

Assessment of the environmental condition and the management of hazardous materials
Assessment of the environmental condition and the management of hazardous materials
Assessment of the environmental condition and the management of hazardous materials
Assessment of the environmental condition and the management of hazardous materials

Challenge Description

Antea Group was given a mission to: 

  • Make sure the sites concerned by the project do not generate risks incompatible with the environment and the direct use in the long term,
  • Guarantee the safety upgrade of the installations and equipment on site with a view to the future developments,
  • Eliminate project financing risks (sites and installations) likely to re-commission contaminated sites or equipment.

Solution Description

Firstly, the 13 project sites we the subject of environmental diagnoses including:

  • An environmental audit;
  • Environmental investigations;
  • A quantitative assessment of Health Risks (EQRS);
  • A plan to manage potentially contaminated land and water. 

In addition, a project hazardous and non-hazardous waste management plan was drawn up including:

  • The identification and characterization of waste deposits produced by the project, including the management of dismantled power and distribution transformers potentially contaminated by PCBs;
  • The identification of adapted processing, recycling or final storage solutions compliant with good environmental practices;
  • The identification of 3 possible sites for the temporary or final storage of waste;
  • The preparation of the specifications for the required waste management units.

Key Figures

  • 53 Ground soundings
  • 18 Piezometers installed
  • 23 Transformer oil samples taken (PCB risk)
  • 20 Miscellaneous oil samples