The hydropower site requires no displacement of communities or people, given its remoteness. The Amaila Hydropower Project is committed to ensuring the local communities and cultures are not adversely impacted and to actively engaging with the local communities throughout the life of the Project. Numerous public consultations with local communities have already taken place and the project is committed to ongoing stakeholder dialogue. The Project should not interfere with the local culture and practices of Amerindians or other communities.
The transmission line will be located outside of local communities and Amerindian Lands. The transmission line alignment will include a 100 m cleared corridor to prevent trees falling and causing any interruption to the national electric grid.
The Project recognizes its responsibility to mitigate social impacts during construction and operation. Some of the actions that will be taken include:
- Locating worker camps away from local communities;
- Requiring workers to comply with a Code of Conduct while ensuring fair and transparent treatment;
- Controlling traffic to the Project during construction; as well as controlling the use of the access roads.
- Ensuring Amerindian traditional uses and access to land areas near the Project site are maintained;
- Maintaining communication ties with rural communities in the region of the Project and ensuring an effective inquiry/grievance mechanism is in place; and
- Working closely with government agencies and non-government organizations (NGOs) in order to implement certain aspects of the Project.
Moreover, the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for the project will consider:
- Environmental and social mitigation measures during project construction and operation;
- Environmental and social monitoring program for both construction and operation;
- Worker health and safety plan, procedures and controls;
- Environmental contingency plan and procedures;
- Environmental, health and safety management system (including personnel, training, documentation, auditing, etc.);
- Supervision and evaluation actions to be implemented.
The environmental and social standards used throughout Sithe Global's worldwide project portfolio have been certified by its partners, including commercial and multilateral lenders and other institutions known for setting stringent environmental, social, and safety standards. AFH continues to engage with local communities and NGOs to ensure that the civil society of Guyana has the opportunity to provide input and help build and improve the Project.
The electricity produced by the Project will initially affect only those consumers currently connected to the grid. However, small communities located in the interior should also benefit from the Project because it will provide low cost electricity that may encourage expansion of the electric grid. The Government of Guyana is in the process of implementing a rural electrification program.