Key Facts:
Client: Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Location: Bukhara Province, Uzbekistan
Status: Completed
Sector: Infrastructure, Heating
Start date: 01/07/2024
End date: 01/05/2025

Project Information:

The Government of Uzbekistan, through the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Communal Services and the Public-Private Partnership Development under the Ministry of Economy and Finance desire to increase private sector investment and participation in the urban infrastructure sector generally, and in the district heating services in the cities of Bukhara and Jizzakh in particular through the implementation of the district heating projects in the form of public-private partnerships and other similar modes with direct involvement of a private sector. The main objectives of the assignment are to:
a) Prepare a Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment Report for the Project;
b) Carry out field inspections in Bukhara region and data collection and analysis;
c) Engage with the Client, the Government, other stakeholders including but not limited to the Center for State Ecological Expertise, and other external consultants as required and to ensure the Preliminary EIA Report is acceptable;
d) Provide specialist support on environmental and social matters relating to the Project.

Project Activities:

• Provided support to the Client and the Government on environmental and social issues associated with the procurement process for the Bukhara District Heating Network Project, which is structured as a public-private partnership (PPP);
• Reviewed outputs prepared by other consultants retained for the Project and identified additional data required to undertake the Preliminary EIA Report;
• Inspected the Project site and held meetings with relevant Government bodies responsible for environmental matters in Uzbekistan;
• Provided information about the general environmental settings of the Project area as baseline data;
• Provided information on potential impacts of the Project and the characteristics of the impact, magnitude, distribution, the affected groups, and their duration;
• Provided information on potential mitigation measures to minimize the impact, including mitigation costs;
• Identified potential environmental issues and risks that may impact the development of the Project through PPP modalities;
• Prepared a Preliminary EIA Report comprising: a) description of the Project, b) description of the environment, c) screening of potential environmental impacts and mitigation measures, d) institutional requirements and environmental monitoring plan, e) public consultation and information disclosure, and findings and recommendations;
• Provide support to the Client in other matters related to the Preliminary EIA Report or environmental and social matters as they arise.