1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Preamble

1. This is the fourth and last Semi-Annual Environmental Monitoring Report (SAEMR) for the Power Sector Development Program for the reporting period from January to June 2023.

2. The project became effective in March 2021. The loan closing date is 30 September 2026. The project was recategorized from environmental category B to C in July 2023. Therefore, the status of environmental safeguards will be included in the quarterly project progress reports.

1.2 Headline Information

3. The contract for the meter data management, billing and customer information systems (G1 contractor) was signed with Hexing Electrical Co. Ltd., on 1 July 2022. The contract for the advanced metering infrastructure (AMI, G2 contractor) was signed with the Joint Venture of Pinggao-Kaifa on 28 July 2022. Also, a subcontract for 12 distribution transformers was signed between Pinggao Group Co, LTD and Joint Stock Company TGEM in Dushanbe on 14 March 2024. The contractors are currently preparing the detailed design of the works. No formal civil works have started yet but the works of the Proof of Concept (pilot) (PoC) started on 5 May 2023, and they are scheduled to be completed by 27 July 2023.

4. In February and May 2023, the public consultations where information on the project grievance redress mechanism (GRM) was disclosed happened in the four remaining cities under the scope of the project (Firdavsi District of Dushanbe city, Buston, Istaravshan, and Penjakent). Public consultations could not be performed in the previous reporting period due to severe weather conditions.

5. The environment, health and safety (EHS) personnel of the G1 contractor have been appointed. Both contractors have their key EHS personnel in place by now.

6. In June 2023, the project implementation consultant (PIC), Mercados-Aries International, delivered a training workshop on EHS requirements for the contractors. Special attention was given to the reporting and monitoring aspects.

7. Information on the next activities to be implemented by the project to bridge the compliance gaps is included in Table 8.

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