Chapter 4 Evaluation of Environmental and Social Impacts
In conclusion, a number of steps are recommended to ensure the long-term reliability and sustainability of water supply to the Kosovo C TPP and water resources in the Iber-Lepenc system overall. Key steps include: •
Allocating funds to rehabilitation of the IberLepenc canal;
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Developing a river basin management plan for the Iber-Lepenc system along the guidelines specified in the EU Water Framework Directive;
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Development of water infrastructure investment plans and feasibility studies for the IberLepenc system, identified in the river basin management plan.
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Revising the water legal framework to allow for long-term water usage rights for industrial water users and mechanisms for addressing competing water demands; and
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Developing a policy framework and criteria to guide strategic allocation of water resources to various water using sectors with competing water demands.
In addition, based on a more thorough assessment conducted within the framework of a river basin management plan, greater use might be made of more water efficient technologies in Kosovo C, such as a dry cooling tower system, in order to reduce water consumption from the Iber-Lepenc system, making it more available to other uses. Water Quality. Contamination of rivers and streams is high all over the project sites. Modern technologies, which will be adopted for Kosovo C and new mining development, will comply with legislative standards and best practices. In particular, the new plant will monitor and treat wastewaters prior to discharge into rivers. Water quality should therefore improve.
Noise Noise Emissions. The planned project would be developed according to legislation in force (all equipment will comply with noise standards and guidelines) and the power plant and mines will be located as far as possible from villages; should the future situation become intolerable, people would be resettled. The houses most affected are those located within 1.000 m from
the power plants and 100 m from the belt conveyors. Monitoring activities will be carried out to identify hot spots, mitigate impacts as necessary and verify compliance with applicable standards, both for workers and residents. Noise Immissions. In future, receptors closer to the mines and belt conveyors and to the power plants will be exposed to continuous noise levels. Good equipment design, monitoring before and during project implementation, and use of natural or artificial barriers will need to be adopted for Kosovo C and new mining development, and the development will need to comply with legislative standards and best practices.
Solid Waste Production of Ashes, Industrial and Municipal Waste. Waste production in terms of ashes and sludge, when Kosovo C is fully operational (2,000 MW), will increase, passing from the present 1 Mt/y to about 3.2 Mt/y (see Table 16). However, ashes produced by Kosovo C will be used to fill exploited parts of the new mine and will contribute to land reclamation at the end of mine development. Under Kosovo C, measures will be taken to collect and manage industrial wastes according to best practices as applicable (specific procedures to be defined). Hazardous materials and potentially hazardous waste from the power plant (such as transformer oil, batteries, cables, insulation, chemicals and chemical packaging) will be stored in adequate conditions. Asbestos will not be used in Kosovo C power plants or connected facilities. Household waste generation will not be impacted by the project. No new landfills are foreseen in the area of interest.
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