Power Development and Nature Conservation-Two scenarios Gabriel Wetangula 1,2 & Joseph Ajayi 1 Faculty of Science, University of Iceland 1 Olkaria Geothermal.

Power Development Power Development and Nature and Nature Conservation-Two scenariosConservation-Two scenarios

Gabriel WetangulaGabriel Wetangula☨☨1,21,2

&&

Joseph AjayiJoseph Ajayi‡‡11

Faculty of Science, University of IcelandFaculty of Science, University of Iceland11

Olkaria Geothermal Power Project, Naivasha, Olkaria Geothermal Power Project, Naivasha, KenyaKenya22

Email: [email protected]: [email protected]‡‡, [email protected], [email protected]☨☨

ContentsContents

Part I: Geothermal power Part I: Geothermal power development, nature development, nature conservation and tourism - Hell’s conservation and tourism - Hell’s Gate Gate National Park, Olkaria, Kenya National Park, Olkaria, Kenya

Part II: Environmental impacts of Part II: Environmental impacts of large hydropower damslarge hydropower dams

Introduction: Olkaria geothermal Introduction: Olkaria geothermal

areaarea Olkaria geothermal resource is located on the southern side of Lake Olkaria geothermal resource is located on the southern side of Lake

NaivashaNaivasha, Kenya, Kenya The resource The resource currently currently supports an existing 45 MWe power station supports an existing 45 MWe power station

(Olkaria I), (Olkaria I), commissioned in commissioned in 1980.1980. IImportant factor in mportant factor in EIAEIA studi studies is es is existence of Hell's Gate National Park, existence of Hell's Gate National Park,

established in 1984established in 1984 The park encloses The park encloses Olkaia I power station (45 Mwe), Olkaia I power station (45 Mwe), new power station new power station

(Olkaria II(Olkaria II – 64 MWe – 64 MWe)), Olkaria III (currently 12 Mwe, but 64 Mwe at fully , Olkaria III (currently 12 Mwe, but 64 Mwe at fully commissioning) developed by commissioning) developed by OrPower4OrPower4 Inc. an IPP Inc. an IPP

LLand usesand uses:: livestock grazing, growing of foodstuffs and livestock grazing, growing of foodstuffs and cut cutflowersflowers for for exportexport, conservation of wildlife within, conservation of wildlife within and around and around the Parkthe Park, generation of , generation of electricityelectricity

Environmental managementEnvironmental management::a vital component in geothermal resource a vital component in geothermal resource development. development.

KenGen, in its endeavour to comply with nationalKenGen, in its endeavour to comply with national,, international international environmental laws/regulations, standards and global environmental environmental laws/regulations, standards and global environmental challenges, established a fully-fledged environmental section in 1985.challenges, established a fully-fledged environmental section in 1985.

TTasks:asks: monitoring environmental impacts, erosion control, sites monitoring environmental impacts, erosion control, sites rehabilitation, monitoring of micro-climatic changes and pollution control.rehabilitation, monitoring of micro-climatic changes and pollution control.

Current & future power developments in the areaCurrent & future power developments in the area

Olkaria II~64MWeOlkaria I~45MWe

Olkaria III-12 ~ 64MWe Proposed Olkaria IV

Hell’s gate National Park establishmentHell’s gate National Park establishment

Hell's Gate and Longonot National Parks were Hell's Gate and Longonot National Parks were gazetted in 1984, gazetted in 1984, 33years after Olkaria I Power years after Olkaria I Power Station commissionStation commissioneded

Major Major constraintsconstraints: m: management of the anagement of the operation of the power stationoperation of the power stationss and the park and the park

A (EIA) study A (EIA) study based onbased on the World Bank the World Bank operational directive 4.0 for the development operational directive 4.0 for the development of of Olkaria II, concluded feasib Olkaria II, concluded feasibility of theility of the within Hell's Gate Park.within Hell's Gate Park.

ThThe above EIA e above EIA resulted in KenGen and Kenya Wildlife resulted in KenGen and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) signing a Memorandum of Understanding Service (KWS) signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 1994 which outlines the harmonious operations (MoU) in 1994 which outlines the harmonious operations of the two parties for the mutual benefit of the country.of the two parties for the mutual benefit of the country.

Envisaged environmental impacts and mitigation Envisaged environmental impacts and mitigation measures to be undertakenmeasures to be undertaken that that require collaboration require collaboration between between the two entities the two entities to ensure no conflicts arise to ensure no conflicts arise during operations are clearly stated in the agreement.during operations are clearly stated in the agreement.

MoU document is always attached to the tender MoU document is always attached to the tender document document for for geothermal projects to inform contractors geothermal projects to inform contractors of the environmental obligations within the Park. of the environmental obligations within the Park.

Geographical location of the parkGeographical location of the park

Park lies between longitudes 36Park lies between longitudes 36 15´ 15´ and 36and 36 25` E and latitude 0 25` E and latitude 0 50` S and 50` S and 00 55` S 55` S

Mau escarpment and Eburru Mau escarpment and Eburru mountains(west), Mt. Longonot mountains(west), Mt. Longonot (southeast) and Lake Naivasha (north)(southeast) and Lake Naivasha (north)

It is surrounded by private ranches; It is surrounded by private ranches; Kedong (341.25 kmKedong (341.25 km22) & Kongoni (76.78 ) & Kongoni (76.78 kmkm22).).

Map Hell´s gate National Park, Olkaria, Map Hell´s gate National Park, Olkaria, KenyaKenya

Park characteristicsPark characteristics

Mean annual rainfall 625-697mmMean annual rainfall 625-697mm Mean monthly maximum temp. 21- 29Mean monthly maximum temp. 21- 29 C C Minimum temp.11-15Minimum temp.11-15CC LLandscape not uniform –plains, hilly areas & cliffsandscape not uniform –plains, hilly areas & cliffs Cliffs-breeding & nesting grounds for various bird Cliffs-breeding & nesting grounds for various bird

species (verreaux’s eagles, Ruppell’s vulture and species (verreaux’s eagles, Ruppell’s vulture and the rare lammergeyer (bearded vultures).the rare lammergeyer (bearded vultures).

No significant surface water in the park thus No significant surface water in the park thus establishment of watering points for use by wildlifeestablishment of watering points for use by wildlife

Fauna in the park and adjacent areasFauna in the park and adjacent areas

Rock hyrax

LeopardWarthog

Zebras

Antelope

Topi

Giraffee

WaterbuckBaboon

Zebras

African jackal

Buffaloes

Hyena

Thomson’s gazelle

Avifauna in the park and around the Avifauna in the park and around the lakelake

Grey heron

Ostrich

White pelicans

White stork

African jacan Fish eagle Fly catcher

HemakopRupell vulture Twany eagle

Yellow billed stork

Bearded vulture

Other attractionsOther attractions

Steaming grounds

Rocky cliffs-hiking

1st geo plant in Africa Olk I

Olkaria hill + steam jet

craterFischer´s tower

Power company involvement in nature Power company involvement in nature conservation and tourism development in conservation and tourism development in

the parkthe park

Kaffee (staff & tourists)

Development of road in the park

Waste management

Park Park rehabilitationrehabilitation

Establish watering points

Wildlife pop. studies

Soil erosion control

Day to day consultation between the stakeholders in the area

Wildlife population studiesWildlife population studies

Wildlife conservation; a key environmental Wildlife conservation; a key environmental management component in geothermal management component in geothermal power developmentpower development

In an attempt to harmonize different In an attempt to harmonize different resource use in the area,the two entities resource use in the area,the two entities and other stakeholders have pursued and other stakeholders have pursued knowledge on wildlife population in the areaknowledge on wildlife population in the area

The knowledge-fundamental to successful The knowledge-fundamental to successful management and conservation of wildlifemanagement and conservation of wildlife

Achieved by gathering data on wildlife Achieved by gathering data on wildlife population dynamics area through a joint population dynamics area through a joint quarterly wildlife census. quarterly wildlife census.

Wildlife populations of selected wildlife spp Wildlife populations of selected wildlife spp in 1in 1stst quarter census quarter census

0

100

200

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400

500

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Jan.'99 Jan.'00 Jan.01

Po

pu

lati

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ers

Zebra T.gazelle Impalla Eland Buffalo G.gazelle

C.hartebeest Waterbuck Warthog Giraffe

Wildlife populations of selected wildlife spp Wildlife populations of selected wildlife spp in 2nd quarter censusin 2nd quarter census

0

100

200

300

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500

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March.'96 March.'97 March.'98 April.'99 April.'00 April.'01

Po

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Zebra T.gazelle Impalla Eland Buffalo G.gazelle

C.hartebeest Waterbuck Warthog Giraffe

Wildlife populations of selected wildlife spp Wildlife populations of selected wildlife spp in 4th quarter censusin 4th quarter census

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

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Sept.'96 Oct.'99 Sept.'00 Sept.'01

Po

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lati

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Zebra T.gazelle Impalla Eland Buffalo G.gazelle

C.hartebeest Waterbuck Warthog Giraffe

Figure Kedong ranch March/April wildlife Figure Kedong ranch March/April wildlife

population censuspopulation census

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

March.'96 March.'97 March.'98 April.'99 April.'00

Po

pu

lati

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Zebra T.gazelle Impalla Eland Buffalo G.gazelle

C.hartebeest Waterbuck Warthog Giraffe

Figure Kongoni sanctuary March wildlife Figure Kongoni sanctuary March wildlife

censuscensus

0200400600800

1000120014001600

March.'96 March.'97 March.'98 April.'99 April.'00

Po

pu

lati

on

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Zebra T.gazelle Impalla Eland Buffalo G.gazelle

C.hartebeest Waterbuck Warthog Giraffe

Figure Wildlife population density Hell's Figure Wildlife population density Hell's Gate National ParkGate National Park

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Se

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Time

Den

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Zebra T.gazelle Impalla Eland Buffalo

G.gazelle C.hartebeest Warthog Giraffe

Figure Wildlife population densities in Figure Wildlife population densities in Kedong cattle ranch Kedong cattle ranch

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Mar'96 Sept.'96 Mar.'97 Mar.'98 Apr.'99 Apr.'00 Jan.'01

Time

Den

sity

-pe

r s

q.k

m

Zebra T.gazelle Impalla Eland Buffalo

G.gazelle C.hartebeest Warthog Giraffe

Area=341.25km2

Figure Wildlife population densities in Figure Wildlife population densities in

Kongoni game sanctuaryKongoni game sanctuary

0

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Mar.'96 Sept.'96 Mar.'97 Mar.'98 Apr.'99 Apr.'00 Sept.'00 Jan.'01

Time

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sity

(p

er

sq

. km

)

Zebra T.gazelle Impalla Eland Buffalo

G.gazelle C.hartebeest Warthog Giraffe

Area=76.8km2

Environmental management aspectsEnvironmental management aspects

SSurface disturbance-rehabilitation and urface disturbance-rehabilitation and afforestation afforestation

NNoise monitoring oise monitoring SSolid waste managementolid waste management Wildlife population studiesWildlife population studies CChemical discharge monitoring (wastewater, hemical discharge monitoring (wastewater,

trace elements, gases)trace elements, gases) Gravity and Seismicity studiesGravity and Seismicity studies

Other geothermal power plants in popular Other geothermal power plants in popular tourist resorts worldwidetourist resorts worldwide

Rotorua (NZ)

Zunil, Guatemala

Fang, Thailand

IntroductionIntroduction

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF LARGE DAMSOF LARGE DAMS

Ecosystem impact can be classified Ecosystem impact can be classified into 3 ordersinto 3 orders

1.1. PhysicalPhysical,, chemical and chemical and geomorphologicalgeomorphological effects of river blockage effects of river blockage & & alteralteration of ation of natural distribution and timing of stream flownatural distribution and timing of stream flow

2.2. Changes Changes in primary productivity of in primary productivity of ecosystems ecosystems i.e. i.e. effects on riverine plant lifeeffects on riverine plant life, , down stream habitat down stream habitat e.g. e.g. wetlands.wetlands.

3.3. Alterations of Alterations of fauna fauna (e.g. (e.g. fish fish ) ) caused by caused by 11stst impact(impact( blocking migration blocking migration)) or or 2 2ndnd impact ( impact (⇓⇓ availability of planktonavailability of plankton))

ImpactsImpacts

Modified Modified ecosystemsecosystems⇒⇒ changes the changes the biochemical cycle in the natural riverine biochemical cycle in the natural riverine system.system.

Interrupted Interrupted flow of flow of OCOC ⇒⇒EEmissions of missions of GHGsGHGs gases gases ( CH( CH33, CO, CO22)) ⇉⇉Climate Climate change change

Environmental Impacts

Terrestrial Ecosystems and Biodiversity.

•Construction & inundation of the reservoir destrys fauna & flora

•Impoundment eliminate unique wildlife habitats & affect populations of endangered spp

•Flooding a reservoir⇒ clearing of upstream catchment areas, habitat loss, elimination of flora and fauna, land degradation & alterations in hydrologic function.

•Loss of vegetative cover ⇒ ⇑ in sedimentation, storm flow, annual water yield, ⇓ in water quality

Greenhouse Gas Greenhouse Gas EmissionsEmissions Arise from Arise from

reservoirs due to reservoirs due to rotting vegetation rotting vegetation and carbon inflow and carbon inflow from the catchment from the catchment

EstimateEstimatedd gross gross global emissions 1% global emissions 1% --28%28%

All All reservoirs not reservoirs not only hydropower only hydropower reservoirs emit reservoirs emit GHGsGHGs Fig. GHG emission from reservoir (WCD,

2000)

ImpactsImpacts

impactsimpactsDownstream Aquatic Ecosystems and BiodiversityDownstream Aquatic Ecosystems and Biodiversity Alter Alter natural distribution natural distribution & & timing of stream flowtiming of stream flow Compromises Compromises dynamic aspects of rivers that maintain dynamic aspects of rivers that maintain

the character of aquatic ecosystemsthe character of aquatic ecosystems Natural riversNatural rivers, , their habitats and species are a function their habitats and species are a function

of the flow.of the flow. IntroductionIntroduction of non-native species, modified waterof non-native species, modified water

quality (temperature, oxygen, nutrients),quality (temperature, oxygen, nutrients), loss of system loss of system dynamics, and loss of thedynamics, and loss of the ability to maintain continuity ability to maintain continuity of an ecosystemof an ecosystemImpacts of changes in flow regimes.

•Flow regime is factor for downstream aquatic ecosystems.

•Flood timing, duration and frequency are all critical for the survival of communities of plants and animals living downstream.

–Small flood are biological triggers for fish and invertebrates migration

–major floods maintain habitats transporting sediments.

impactsimpacts

Water temperature and chemistry are alteredWater temperature and chemistry are altered by by storagestorage

Algal growth due to nutrient loading of the reservoir Algal growth due to nutrient loading of the reservoir releasesreleases

Fig. Modification of flow regime due to hydropower dam, Colorado River, USA (WCD, 2000)

impactsimpactsImpacts of trapping sediments and Impacts of trapping sediments and nutrients nutrients

IImpacts on channel, floodplain, coastal delta mpacts on channel, floodplain, coastal delta morphologymorphology, , loss of aquatic habitat for fish loss of aquatic habitat for fish & & other other speciesspecies

DDegradation of the river channel below the facilityegradation of the river channel below the facility⇒⇒ elimination backwaters that provide native fish habitatelimination backwaters that provide native fish habitat; ; elimination of riparian vegetation that provides elimination of riparian vegetation that provides nutrients and habitat for aquatic animals nutrients and habitat for aquatic animals

Changes river water turbidity may affect biota directlyChanges river water turbidity may affect biota directlyBlocking migration of aquatic organisms

•Disrupts the movement of species thus changes in up/downstream species composition & species loss.

•Impeding the passage of migratory fish species

–Anadroumous (eel)

–Catadromuous (salmon)

Floodplain EcosystemsFloodplain Ecosystems

Reduced flooding affects the natural productivity of Reduced flooding affects the natural productivity of riparian areas, floodplains and deltas. riparian areas, floodplains and deltas.

Control of floodwatersControl of floodwaters⇒⇒discontinuity in river system discontinuity in river system with impact on fish diversity & productivitywith impact on fish diversity & productivity

Other impacts are: loss of silt and nutrient Other impacts are: loss of silt and nutrient replenishment; reductions in bird species; reduction in replenishment; reductions in bird species; reduction in groundwater recharge in floodplaingroundwater recharge in floodplain

impactsimpacts

Bujagali Hydroelectric ProjectBujagali Hydroelectric Project controversy controversy

A Message from H.E. Edith Ssempala, Ugandan A Message from H.E. Edith Ssempala, Ugandan Ambassador to the United StatesAmbassador to the United States "A viable industrial base, modern communications "A viable industrial base, modern communications and well-equipped hospitals are the norm in the and well-equipped hospitals are the norm in the United States, but in many parts of Uganda such United States, but in many parts of Uganda such things are considered luxuries. In many of our things are considered luxuries. In many of our towns and villages, children are taught by towns and villages, children are taught by candlelight, workers are paid by the penny, and candlelight, workers are paid by the penny, and patients have access to only the most basic of patients have access to only the most basic of medical care ..."medical care ..." http://www.bujagali.comhttp://www.bujagali.com

Links Links http://www.worldbank.org/html/fpd/energy/geothermal/http://www.worldbank.org/html/fpd/energy/geothermal/

case_studies.htmcase_studies.htm http://www.dams.orghttp://www.dams.org

Which way? Nature, Power or both but harmonious!