Ensuring effective communication with care for people, by complying with social and environmental protection requirements, is among the implementation priorities of the Energy System Development Project (PDSE) in Moldova.
To assess the progress in implementing social and environmental requirements under PDSE, a working meeting was held on March 23, 2023, at the World Bank office, with the participation of the team from the Consolidated Unit for Implementation and Monitoring of Energy Projects (UCIPE).
During the meeting, several aspects directly related to the construction of the overhead transmission line and the land expropriation process were discussed. UCIPE specialists informed the World Bank expert about the design stages of the transmission line, with the contractor currently in the process of finalizing the technical design. At the same time, actions are underway to ensure a favorable social and environmental impact along the corridor of the overhead transmission line. Mitigation measures for environmental and social impact are included in the site-specific Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) and the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP).
The parties also reviewed and discussed the implementation status of the Resettlement Action Plan, the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Report, the site-specific Environmental and Social Management Plan, the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM), and the establishment and functioning of Social and Environmental Impact Monitoring Committees, in accordance with World Bank requirements. The necessity of conducting public consultations in April–May 2023 in the eight affected districts was also discussed: Cahul, Leova, Ialoveni, Hîncești, Cimișlia, UTA Gagauzia, Taraclia, and Băcioi commune in the municipality of Chișinău.
The Energy System Development Project of the Republic of Moldova is funded by the World Bank and aims to construct a high-voltage overhead transmission line along the Vulcănești–Chișinău route, modernize/expand two substations, and strengthen the electricity dispatch and metering system.
The project beneficiary is ÎS Moldelectrica.
Implementation period: 2022–2024.