Vez Svoghe mini hydro project

Overview
Project Summary Document
Environmental and Social Documentation
Procurement
Complaints

Project ID 36032

Status Complete

Location

Bulgaria

Business Sector

Energy

Notice Type

Private

Project timeline

Exploratory
Passed Concept Review
Passed Structure Review
Passed Final Review
Board Approved
Signed
Implementing
Completed

Project ID 36032

Status Complete

Location

Bulgaria

Business Sector

Energy

Notice Type

Private

Environmental Category

Approval Date

06 Nov 2007

Disclosure date

03 Aug 2007

As per section 1.4.2 (iii) of the Directive on Access to Information: "For Projects approved by Bank management where the Board of Directors has delegated the approval authority, the PSD shall be disclosed at the start of the relevant no-objection notification period to a member country of the Bank in accordance with Article 13 (iii) of the Agreement Establishing the EBRD."

Project Description

The EBRD is considering providing a financing for the construction of nine small hydro power plants (combined installed capacity of 25.7 MW) along a 33 km stretch of the middle section of the river Iskar. The plants will be built, owned and operated by Vez Svoghe Ltd – a special purpose company owned by Petrolvilla Bulgaria (90%) and the municipality of Svoge (10%). Petrolvilla Bulgaria is controlled by the Petrolvilla & Bortolotti S.p.A. group, which is primarily engaged in the provision of energy and energy-related products and services in northern Italy.

It should be noted that the first two of these nine plants are being partially financed under the Bulgarian Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Credit Line (www.beerecl.com) and that construction of these two plants has begun. As part of its financing of the remaining seven plants, EBRD will consider re-financing the first two plants. Therefore, all nine plants have been included into the project scope.

Transition Impact

The transition impact stems from supporting an investment that is expanding the Bulgarian renewable energy sector and the demonstration effect arising from the project; the Project development is expected to strengthen the framework for the renewable energy market in Bulgaria as it will be implemented based on the provisions of the supporting Renewable Energy and Bio-fuels Law in Bulgaria. Petrolvilla & Bortolotti has experience in building and operating technically similar small hydro power plants in Italy and in undertaking such projects in cooperation with municipalities. The latter aspect has the potential to help promote the development of public – private partnerships for smaller renewable energy projects. Finally, the Bank’s participation will ensure that the project is implemented in accordance with best environmental practices.

The Client

Vez Svoghe Ltd, supported by Trentino Energia, a renewable energy developing company within the Finenergy Group (Italy).

EBRD Finance

EUR 75 million.

Project Cost

Anticipated to be approximately EUR 115.9 million.

Environmental Impact

Screening category and justification

The project involves the development and operation of nine small hydro plants along the Iskar River in Bulgaria. Due to the nature of the development and its potential cumulative impacts on the Iskar River, the EBERD has categorised the project A/0.

Due diligence undertaken and outcomes

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was carried out by independent experts in accordance with national law and EBRD’s Environmental Policy (2003) requirements in 2007. This consisted of an assessment of environmental and social impacts associated with the construction and operation of the nine mini hydro plants and updating the Bulgarian EIA to take account of the Bank’s Environmental Policy requirements and best international practice. To meet the Bank’s EIA process requirements, a Public Disclosure and Consultation Plan and an addendum to the Bulgarian EIA were also prepared.

Overall, the construction of the small hydro power plants has been assessed to result in a net positive environmental impact through reduced greenhouse gas emissions and the diversification of energy sources away from nuclear and fossil fuels. To maximise the benefits of the investment, it is important to mitigate the potential adverse environmental impacts and risks. These include any potential detrimental impact on the following: adjacent nature protection areas; flora and fauna (in particular fish populations); visual impressions; river sediments; and cultural / architectural heritage. The environmental EIA showed that there are no significant environmental issues associated with the project and that the project is likely to improve the environmental condition of the river and increase the amenity value to the local communities. An Environmental Management Plan (“EMP”), including relevant mitigation and monitoring measures, was developed as part of the EIA and this is being implemented by the Company and its contractors.

Following a request for the Bank to consider providing additional financing to the project, the Bank has undertaken a monitoring visit and an assessment of the project against the Bank's Environmental and Social Policy (2008) and its Performance Requirements. The investigations concluded that the EIA that has been disclosed since 2007 is fit for purpose. The Company has been implementing the requirements set out in the original EIA. The ESDD also confirmed that the Company has sufficient capacity to implement the project in accordance with the relevant Bank's Performance Requirements.

Implementation requirements

The Company will provide the Bank with an annual environmental report, including updates on the EMP, and notification on any material accidents of incidents.
The Company and its facilities will conduct its business with due regard to national regulations and EU environmental standards.
The Company will arrange for periodic environmental audits and monitoring visits by Bank staff or appointed representatives, if and when deemed necessary.

There is an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment available for this project.

Technical Cooperation

Technical cooperation funding has been provided by the UK Department for International Development (DFID).

Company Contact

Plamen Dilkov, Managing Director
Vez Svoghe Ltd
7/B Stephan Karadja
1000 - Sofia, Bulgaria

Tel: +359.2.988.85.70
E-mail: plamen.dilkov@finenergy.it
Website: http://www.vezsvoghe.com/

Transition impact

ETI Score:60

PSD last updated

15 Oct 2019

Business opportunities

For business opportunities or procurement, contact the client company.

For state-sector projects, visit EBRD Procurement: Tel: +44 20 7338 6794
Email: procurement@ebrd.com

General enquiries

EBRD project enquiries not related to procurement:
Tel: +44 20 7338 7168
Email: projectenquiries@ebrd.com

Public Information Policy (PIP)

The PIP sets out how the EBRD discloses information and consults with its stakeholders so as to promote better awareness and understanding of its strategies, policies and operations. Please visit the Public Information Policy page below to find out how to request a Public Sector Board Report.
Text of the PIP

Project ID 36032

Status Complete

Location

Bulgaria

Environmental Category

Disclosure date

02 Aug 2007

Purpose of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessments

The proposed project is the construction of nine small hydro power plants (combined installed capacity of 25.7 MW) along a 33 km stretch of the middle section of the river Iskar. The plants will be built, owned and operated by Vez Svoghe Ltd – a special purpose company owned by Petrolvilla Bulgaria (90%) and the municipality of Svoghe (10%). Petrolvilla Bulgaria is controlled by the Petrolvilla & Bortolotti S.p.A. group, which is primarily engaged in the provision of energy and energy-related products and services in northern Italy.

There is a project summary document available for this project.

ESIA Summary

Executive summary (English) (707KB - PDF)

Executive summary (Bulgarian) (863KB - PDF)

Full ESIA availability

Full ESIA documentation is available locally at:
EBRD Headquarters in London, environmentandsocial@ebrd.com

And

Municipal office of Svoge

7, Alexsandar Stamboliiski Street
2260 Svoghe
Bulgaria

Tel: +359 (726) 2098
Fax: +359 (726) 2538; 2539

E-mail: secretary@svoge.bg or svoge@infotel.bg
Contact person: Diana Nikolova, Department of Ecology
Tel: +359 (726) 8545 E-mail: ecology@svoghe.bg

And

Municipal office of Mezdra
27, Hristo Botev Street
3100 Mezdra
Bulgaria

Tel: +359 (910) 92016, 92116
Fax: +359 (910) 92523
E-mail: mezdra@mail.bg or admins@mezdra.org
Contact person: Daniela Draganova, Department of Ecology

And
Vez Svoghe’s office in Sofia
Vez Svoghe Ltd 7,
Stephan Karadja 1000
Sofia
Bulgaria

Tel: +359.2.989.25.06
Website: www.vezsvoghe.com

And

EBRD Resident Office in Sofia:

Enquiries

Vez Svoghe’s office in Sofia

Plamen Dilkov
Vez Svoghe Ltd
7, Stephan Karadja
Sofia, Bulgaria

Tel: +359.2.989.25.06
E-mail: plamen.dilkov@finenergy.it
Website: www.vezsvoghe.com

This document was prepared at an early stage of project development, before consideration by the EBRD Board of Directors. Details of a project may change following disclosure.

Environmental and Social Impact Assessments and ESIA summaries are produced by project sponsors, and the EBRD makes them available without any comment or implied endorsement. Any views expressed or statements made in the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment or the ESIA Summary do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the EBRD.

Last updated 25 June 2014

Selected procurement notices related to this project may be shown below. Further procurement opportunities related to this and other projects, if available, maybe be viewed in the EBRD Procurement Portal.

The EBRD's Environmental and Social Policy (ESP), Access to Information policy (AIP) and Project Accountability Policy (PAP) enable sound and sustainable development in its projects. The Independent Project Accountability Mechanism (IPAM) deals with complaints about environmental, social and disclosure matters related to the Bank’s investments.

No complaints about this project have been made so far.

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Vez Svoghe mini hydro project

Project timeline

Project Description

Transition Impact

The Client

EBRD Finance

Project Cost

Environmental Impact

Technical Cooperation

Company Contact

Transition impact

PSD last updated

Business opportunities

General enquiries

Public Information Policy (PIP)

Purpose of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessments

ESIA Summary

Full ESIA availability

Enquiries