Seli Hydropower will conduct its business in a manner that is environmentally-sustainable and socially-responsible, that protects the health and safety of its employees and communities, and that is ethical, throughout the development, construction and operation of Bumbuna II.
We actively manage the impacts and risks of Bumbuna II on the environment, neighbouring communities, employee health and safety, and contractors and sub-contractors, and engage ethically and transparently with all stakeholders. We will effectively and responsibly avoid, minimise, mitigate, and compensate for environmental impacts, through the implementation of an environmental and social management system. We aim to meet or exceed legal requirements and good international industry practice in hydropower development and operation.
Resettlement
Bumbuna II will require the relocation of over 600 households, and will require land that is farmed by these and other households. Seli Hydropower is committed to providing replacement housing, replacement farmland, and compensation for loss of crops, trees and other resources to all affected. We will implement resettlement as a development opportunity, providing better quality housing and assistance to restore and improve livelihoods, through a transparent, fair, and equitable resettlement process.
Community Development
Seli Hydropower is committed to making a positive contribution to community development in the area in which it operates. Neighbouring communities will be given priority in accessing the project’s benefits including employment and improved local infrastructure, and we will implement a Community Development Action Plan throughout the lifetime of the project.
Biodiversity
Bumbuna II will result in the conversion of natural habitat, and it will affect some species that are threatened. Our priority will be to manage impacts on a number of priority species and habitats, including the Western Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus), a freshwater plant and two fish species that are found only on the Seli River (Ledermaniella yiben, and Enteromius cf. aff. trispilos, Chiloglanis sp.), Gallery Forest, Hillslope Forest, and the freshwater habitat. In cases where it is not possible to avoid impacts, we will support the conservation of habitat elsewhere in the project area through two terrestrial offsets and one aquatic, throughout the project lifetime.
Water Quality, Downstream Flows and Reservoir Management
Hydropower has significant impacts on rivers, including water quality and flows. Bumbuna II will regulate flows in the downstream Rokel river (raising dry season flows, and lowering wet season floods) and create a 86 km2 reservoir. We will monitor water quality in the reservoir and river, pre- and post-project, and take measures to enable the reservoir and regulated river provide positive benefits for local communities.