According to the Bank’s website, the Gulf of Suez (GoS) has world class wind resources but is also located on the second largest migratory bird flyway in the world. More than 1.5 million birds fly through the area each year between Europe and Africa. Various wind power projects are located in the GoS, including those financed by the EBRD. Wind projects and their associated power lines present a significant collision risk to migrating birds. Egypt, and wind developers, have undertaken substantial studies over the years to understand this risk and designed turbine shut down measures to reduce it allowing for the development of wind power while at the same time protecting the flyway. Bird fatalities still occur but are significantly lower than they would be in the absence of the turbine shut down programme. This work has served as a benchmark for sustainable wind development and earned Egypt a strong international reputation. EBRD, and other DFIs, have been able to finance multiple wind projects in the GoS on the basis of such studies and mitigation measures.

With the substantial, and successful, development of the GoS over the years, previous studies are now outdated and do not consider future, and the extensive, renewable development planned in the area, which has high likelihood of causing irreversible impacts on global migratory bird populations if not planned, designed and managed in a strategic and sustainable manner. EBRD can no longer rely on individual Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) and previous strategic studies to support future projects in the area. A new, GoS wide, Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA), as well as Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA), is required to allow EBRD to finance future projects in the GoS, to ensure that projects avoid the most sensitive areas and to ensure that projects are developed in the most sustainable way possible protecting migratory bird populations and other biodiversity. The Government of Egypt has agreed on the need for a new SESA-CIA and is looking to EBRD to provide financial and technical support for the delivery of the SESA-CIA.

The Project will support the following tasks undertaken by a qualified consults, which are critical tools to ensure that the GoS's renewable energy transition is aligned with biodiversity conservation objectives while supporting sustainable renewable energy development.

Investment amount not available at the time of disclosure.

No contacts available at the time of disclosure.

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

You can request information by emailing: accessinfo@ebrd.com or by using this electronic form: https://www.ebrd.com/eform/information-request

ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF EBRD

The Project Complaint Mechanism (PCM) is the independent complaint mechanism and fact-finding body for people who have been or are likely to be adversely affected by an European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)-financed project. If you submit a complaint to the PCM, it may assess compliance with EBRD's own policies and procedures to prevent harm to the environment or communities or it may assist you in resolving the problem that led to the complaint through a dialogue with those implementing the project. Additionally, the PCM has the authority to recommend a project be suspended in the event that harm is imminent.

You can contact the PCM at: pcm@ebrd.com or you can submit a complaint online using an online form at: http://www.ebrd.com/eform/pcm/complaint_form?language=en

You can learn more about the PCM and how to file a complaint at: http://www.ebrd.com/work-with-us/project-finance/project-complaint-mechanism.html