亚开行-特殊项目协调人办公室的经验教训：斯里兰卡清洁能源和网络效率投资项目（英文）-2021.3-53页_3mb

Summary of the Sri Lanka Clean Energy and Network Efficiency Investment Project (CENEIP)

Core Content

The Sri Lanka Clean Energy and Network Efficiency Investment Project (CENEIP), supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), aimed to promote sustainable development through the enhancement of clean energy and the improvement of the electricity transmission and distribution network, especially in conflict-affected regions. The project focused on two major transmission line components: the Anuradhapura-Mannar 220-kilovolt (kV) transmission line and the Thulhiriya-Kegalle 132-kV transmission line. The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) was the main implementing agency, while the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority handled the solar rooftop power generation pilot.

The project's objectives included:

• Supporting the development of clean energy
• Strengthening the transmission and distribution network
• Improving system reliability and reducing technical losses
• Ensuring an adequate, reliable, and affordable power supply for economic growth and poverty reduction

The project was originally planned to be completed by December 2016, but due to unforeseen circumstances, it received a 2-year extension, with the loan closing in June 2017.

Main Project Components

Anuradhapura-Mannar 220-kV Transmission Line

• Length: 138 kilometers
• Route: Traversed 10 Divisional Secretary's Divisions (DSDs) and 3 districts: Anuradhapura, Vavuniya, and Mannar
• Environmental Considerations: The transmission line was routed through forested and rural areas to minimize environmental impact. Tree removal was limited to the right of way (ROW), and compensation was provided for affected trees and land.
• Challenges:
  • Land mine clearance in the Vavuniya-Anuradhapura section
  • Tree removal in forest reserves and wildlife sanctuaries
  • Inadequate documentary evidence for land rights among affected people (APs)

Thulhiriya-Kegalle 132-kV Transmission Line

• Length: 22 kilometers
• Route: Traversed four DSDs in the Kegalle district
• Population: Estimated at 883,545, with 91% in rural areas
• Implementation: Completed in August 2018

Key Lessons and Good Practices

Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM)

• The GRM was designed to be predictable, transparent, and credible, ensuring that grievances from affected people were addressed in a fair and effective manner.
• The Divisional Secretaries played a crucial role in granting ROW clearances and handling grievances. They were empowered by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) to accept complaints, organize hearings, and submit recommendations.
• A D Notice was issued to affected households to seek their consent for wayleave clearance and to allow them to raise objections. The notice provided a clear timeline for responses, with a 21-day period for APs to express their views.

Problem-Solving and Compliance

• The Accountability Mechanism (AM) and Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) were used in tandem to ensure that the project remained compliant with ADB's operational policies and that grievances were resolved effectively.
• Consultations were held with key stakeholders such as the Forest Department, Department of Wildlife (DOW), Irrigation Department, and Department of Archaeology (DOA) to secure clearances and address concerns.

Compensation Assessment

• CEB was responsible for assessing and paying compensation to affected people.
• Compensation was based on market rates for trees and land, with specific amounts:
  • Palmyrah tree: SLR90,000
  • Coconut tree: SLR50,000
• A committee was formed to ensure fair compensation, including representatives from the Provincial Council, Land Ministry, Survey Department, and Department of Agrarian Services (DAS).
• Land devaluation was compensated at 50% of the market value.
• The Survey Department was advised to include the ROW in land surveys to protect the land rights of people who had occupied the land before the war.

Communication and Awareness

• An awareness-raising program was conducted with Divisional Secretaries and other stakeholders to explain the project's scope, ROW, and compensation process.
• The program emphasized the powers vested in Divisional Secretaries under the Electricity Act and its amendments.
• House-to-house visits were made to further explain the compensation scheme to APs, which helped in gaining their acceptance.

Key Information

• Project Duration: 2013–2019 (with a 2-year extension)
• Total Outputs: 3
  • Transmission infrastructure development in Northern Province
  • Transmission and distribution network efficiency improvement
  • Solar rooftop power generation pilot
• Total Affected People: Not explicitly stated, but it is estimated that a significant number of households were affected.
• Compensation Process:
  • APs were given a 21-day period to respond to the D Notice.
  • Compensation was paid based on market value and life cycle of trees.
  • Timber Corporation was involved in uprooting trees, but manual labor was sometimes used due to low profitability of light machinery.
• Compliance and Transparency:
  • The project followed ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS), which focuses on minimizing environmental and social impacts.
  • ADB’s Accountability Mechanism (AM) was used to ensure transparency and public participation.
• Challenges:
  • Lack of documentary evidence for land rights
  • Land mine clearance in certain areas
  • Stakeholder coordination was essential for smooth implementation

Conclusion

The CENEIP project provided valuable insights into the implementation of GRMs and the problem-solving process in ADB-assisted projects. It highlighted the importance of stakeholder engagement, transparent communication, and fair compensation in ensuring the social and environmental sustainability of large infrastructure projects. The lessons learned from this project can be applied to similar initiatives to enhance public participation, compliance with policies, and project effectiveness.