Indonesia - Geothermal Resource Risk Mitigation Project : Revised Environmental and Social Management Framework

Overview & Synopsis

he development objective of the Geothermal Resource Risk Mitigation Project for Indonesia is to scale up investment in geothermal energy development and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Indonesia. Some of the negative impacts are include : (i) land clearance for well pads, roads, pipelines and supporting infrastructure will cause direct damage or destruction to natural habitats; (ii) water abstractions and discharges to water of treated wastewater or drilling fluids and other wastes cause direct or indirect impacts on habitats and species; (iii)indiscriminate dumping of hazardous and solid waste to riparian zones and waterways; (iv) discharge of contaminated muds and fluids to ground; (v) loss of topsoil, landslides and other severe erosion from road construction, pipelines, pad construction, borrow pits, quarries, fill sites; (vi) interference from pumping or reinjection of geothermal water, or from abstraction of freshwater; (vii) contamination of groundwater from interference with geothermal water from abstraction wells or reinjection wells; (viii) drilling rig operations, increased traffic, well discharge testing, heavy machinery, and blasting for roads or quarrying – all emit noise not otherwise experienced in the project area; (ix) dust emissions from road construction, land clearance, site activities; (x) risks relating to working with machinery ,traffic accidents, falling into ponds, scalding from hot fluids and steam, toxic gas emissions; Some of the mitigation measures are include : (i) remove and decommission infrastructure after exploration and re‐contour where necessary to natural ground conditions and re-commercial species (depending on land use); (ii) resource planning and management, in conjunction with authorities and communities to locate storage ponds away from sensitive areas; (iii) dispose of unrecyclable waste to designated landfills that have permits from local authorities; (iv) avoid discharging fluids to ground; (v) design bank stability, slope protection and drainage systems into road design, borrow pit design etc.; (vi) identify and avoid significant features (values such as cultural, historical, spiritual, scientific, biological, landscape, ecotourism etc.); (vii) monitor well levels and pressure to identify leaks early and repair casing or decommission wells to avoid further contamination; (viii) use noise barriers such as bunds, or the natural topography; (ix) control dust with water during windy and dry conditions; (x) shielding surfaces where working with hot fluids and steam; (xi) establishment of grievance mechanism to collect and facilitate resolution of affected communities’ concerns and grievances regarding the sponsor’s environmental and social performance.