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EIA green light for Adani wind power plants
View(s):India’s Adani Green Energy Limited, which secured approval recently to set up two wind power plants in Mannar and Pooneryn at a total investment of USD 442 million, was given the green light with an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) clearing it of “any significant adverse environmental impacts of marine resources.”
The EIA report compiled by the Sri Lanka Program for Forest Conservation and Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) noted there will be some moderate-minor negative impacts caused by the project during implementation “but assuming that mitigation measures and monitoring requirements are effectively implemented, the Phase I extension of the plant is not expected to have any significant adverse environmental impacts.”
Based on the EIA, the proposed project will be categorised as “prescribed” and can be considered sufficient to meet the environmental assessment requirements of the Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management (CCCRMD) and the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) for the proposed project.
The report also noted that underwater noises of longer duration, such as those produced by motorised fishing vessels, fishing activities – especially bottom trawling, could potentially impact much larger areas, and involve much larger numbers of fish.
“With thoughtful planning, adequate site selection and disposition of wind energy developments enable to secure fisheries activities and social freedom while minimising negative impact. Generally, the amount of information on the impact of sound (noise and vibrations) on fish is sparse,” the report added.
The response of fish to noise and vibrations differ from species to species, due to specific differences regarding hearing thresholds. However, the proposed wind power project will be developed onshore, and thus, impact on fisheries will be minimum and could be easily mitigated. The installation of modern-designed turbines with advances in technology could reduce noise emissions to a minimum level, the report said.
Stressing that there is no significant impact on the marine environment from the proposed development since there are no marine interventions, the report pointed out that special care needs to be taken when constructions are close to the lagoon area. “Ideally, construction should take place during the dry season to minimise the impact on the lagoon and sediment contamination in the lagoon. Sound pressure level modeling is to be conducted to assess the potential impact on fishing camps from the nearby turbines as well as the combined effects.”
On February 22, the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) issued a letter of approval to India’s Adani Green Energy Limited, for two wind power plants to be set up in Mannar and Pooneryn at a total investment of USD 442 million.
According to the BOI, the wind power plant in Mannar will operate at a capacity of 250 MW, while the plant in Pooneryn will operate at a capacity of 100 MW. The two plants are scheduled to be commissioned in two years and will be added to the national grid by 2025.
Adani’s total networth witnessed a sharp drop of USD 140 billion in recent weeks following the publication of a critical analyst report by US-based short seller company Hindenburg that accused it of stock market manipulation and fraud in Adani-owned stocks in global markets.
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