RESDP Progress Report

Social Development & Safeguards

Building Condition Survey near Road Construction a n d Drilling Sites Being Undertaken

Conscious of the possible occurrence of vibrations at or near the three drilling locations during geothermal exploration works and the potential impacts on the houses and other structures within close proximity, the Renewable Energy Sector Development Project (RESDP) is collecting baseline data to verify any potential claims of damage to buildings in the communities.

To validate any claims of building damage during the planned civil and drilling works, a consultant is undertaking a pre-construction Building Condition Survey (BCS) of residential, commercial and institutional buildings within a 30m and 10m radius of where planned drilling and civil works activities will take place, respectively. The main purpose of conducting the BCS is to document the existing condition of the buildings (this will serve as a baseline assessment) before the civil and drilling works begin and to allow for subsequent monitoring of any changes in the condition of the buildings during and after the works. Recording this information will assist in understanding whether vibrations from drilling, earth-moving activities and vehicle movements have caused building damage that would need to be rectified by the project.

A key component of the survey involves meeting with the building owners. One consultation was held with building owners in each drilling community commencing in February. During these consultations, the consultant described the purpose of the survey, its methodology and the data to be collected. Additionally, the process by which affected residents should raise a claim or concern in the event that their buildings are affected was also explained.

In late February, the consultant together with staff from the project's Project Implementation Unit (PIU) visited the houses to be surveyed and discussed the survey with the house owners. Thereafter, the survey commenced in March at agreed times with individual building owners. The findings, including photos, are being documented for each building surveyed. Thus far, the survey has been completed in Fond St. Jacques. The survey will be undertaken in Belle Plaine and Satlibus in May. On completion, every building owner will be required to verify and sign the findings of the survey of their buildings. Based on the survey fndings, the Consultant shall consider whether any existing structural defects or damage may pose a health and safety risk once work commences.

Building owners are encouraged to participate in the surveys and make yourselves available to the consultant at the dates and times to be agreed with the Community Liaison Officer.

In the event of a complaint of structural damage during the civil or frilling works, the matter will be investigated and appropriate remedial action taken.

Safeguards Officers and Project Managers Undertake World Bank Training Workshop in Trinidad and Tobago

Between March 11 and 12, over 70 project specialists from across the Caribbean gathered in Trinidad and Tobago for a World Bank-organized training workshop focused on Enhancing Client Capacity for Effective Implementation of World Bank Projects in the Caribbean. The event saw participation from as far north as St. Maarten and as south as Suriname, with staff from the PlUs of the St. Lucia Health Systems Strengthening Project, Caribbean Regional Air Transport Connectivity Project, Unleashing the Blue Economy, and the Saint Lucia Renewable Energy Sector Development Project from St. Lucia in attendance.

The workshop, which was the first of its kind, aimed to strengthen the capacity of PIU specialists to effectively implement World Bank projects in the region, allowing them to share experiences, network, and improve their skills. The training covered various essential topics relevant to project implementation, with all trainers being World Bank staff members.

A key highlight of the workshop was the presentation delivered by RESDP's Project Manager, Dr. Ken Aldonza, who shared the management tools and techniques used by the RESDP. The workshop also coincided with the launch of the Collaboration for Development Professionals platform, an online space for project professionals to exchange information and ideas. The platform currently boasts approximately 70 members.

"Though intense, the workshop provided our team members, including myself, with a deeper understanding of the World Bank's procedures and best practices. We look forward to applying what we've learned and measuring the impact of our training throughout our project implementation," said Dr. Aldonza.

This workshop was part of a broader initiative by the World Bank to enhance project implementation skills across the Caribbean, with a similar training exercise set to take place in South America, next month, for professionals in that region.

Environmental Safeguards

Public Disclosure of the ESIA and ESMP Ongoing

To ensure that all relevant stakeholders were properly informed on the contents of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) and the Abbreviated Resettlement Action Plan (ARAP) and to provide informed feedback, the PIU developed a Public Disclosure Action Plan (PDAP) for implementation from the month of February to May 2025. Under the World Bank Guidelines, the Public Disclosure activity will run for at least 30 days.

The disclosure period provides time for all stakeholders to access the following documents:

• ESIA, and
• ESMP

to provide their feedback to the PIU using various channels of communication including email, website Google form, mail and WhatsApp. A QR code was also provided to allow for feedback.

The documents were m a d e available at the following micro-centres islandwide:

• Central Library in Castries
• Gros Islet Library
• Laborie Library
• Vieux Fort ICDC
• Micoud ICDC
• Saltibus Post Office
• Piton Management Area Office
• The RESDP Website (www.sluresdp.com)
• The Government of St. Lucia Website (www.gov.lc)
• Sir Arthur Lewis Community College Library
• The Energy Division Office on the Ground Floor of the Ministry of Agriculture, Sir Stanislas James Building, Waterfront, Castries.
• Fond St. Jacques Resource and Interpretative Centre.

The primary objective of the public disclosure is to enable all stakeholders to  access the documents, review and discuss them with peers, and provide comments and feedback to the PlU and the ESIA Consultant.

The PDAP will facilitate communication between primary and institutional stakeholders and the PIU and ESIA Consultant. The comments received during PDAP activity will be incorporated into the preparation of the final ESIA, ESMP and A-RAP documents.

Addressing the Potential Impacts of Air Quality and Noise and Vibration under the RESDP

The ESMP is one of the most important documents that will drive the RESDP Exploration Activity during the project implementation. The project's ESMP was developed after the conduct of an environmental and social impact assessment of the three drilling sites. The ESMP documents all the relevant mitigation measures to address all the predicted potential adverse social and environmental risks and impacts.

The project's ESIA identified the following potential environmental risks and impacts:

• Air Quality (Pollution)
• Noise and Vibration
• Soil Erosion and Water Quality
• Water Supply
• Geology and Soils
• Natural Habitats and Biodiversity
• Archaeology and Cultural Resources
• Landscape and Visual Quality
• Traffic and Road Safety
• Utilities
• Fires
• Hazards and Hazardous Materials
• Waste

This news story will focus on two concerns expressed by community members, which include:

1. Air Quality
2. Noise and Vibration

Air Quality

Geothermal testing could temporarily increase carbon dioxide (COz) and hydrogen sulphide (HS) levels near the well. Air quality must be monitored, and emergency evacuation procedures will be implemented if CO, or H,S levels exceed standards at the receptors.

The risk of exceeding air quality standards is low and would most likely be attributed to an upset condition, such as a well blowout (which is rare).

Mitigation Measures:

• During well drilling and testing, the drilling contractor shall manage risks to workers and local communities from potentially harmful geothermal gas emissions (e.g., hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, boron, arsenic, mercury, and bicarbonate).
• Install gas detection and monitoring devices during well drilling and testing activities, which are equipped with alarms that would be triggered if gas concentrations reached unsafe levels.
• Autonomous respiratory equipment shall be provided in enclosed areas of the drill rig and shall be unlocked. Workers shall receive training in the use of respiratory equipment.

Noise and Vibration

Operating construction and drilling equipment would temporarily increase noise and vibration in proximity to the well pads and along the access roads. Well drilling and testing would occur 24 hours a day, resulting in elevated noise levels at residences near both well pads.

Mitigation Measures:

• Install noise barriers between stationary equipment and nearby residences, locate noise sources as far from residences as feasible, coordinate with receptors that would experience increased nighttime noise during testing, and provide noise-cancelling devices and a mechanism to receive and respond to noise complaints.
• Notify and coordinate with residents adjacent to project areas before construction to inform them of the possibility of temporary noise disruption, and how to report noise complaints.
• Implement a Noise Complaint Program to and respond to noise complaints during construction.
• Construct a sound barrier appropriately along the Fond St. Jacques well pad limits.
• Install a sound barrier along portions of the Saltibus S-5 well pad between the noise-producing devices and the nearest receptors to intercept the line of sight. If a hill slope intercepts the line of sight, the hill slope will provide noise attenuation.
• Install continuous noise meters at the edge of the well pad, approximately 100 meters from it. Monitor noise levels throughout drilling and testing activities.

Readers can look forward to additional impacts and their mitigation measures in the upcoming newsletters.

Technical Coordination

RESDP Welcomes New Project Technical Assistant

On March 04, 2025, the RESDP welcomed Dr. Arthur Antoine as its new Project Technical Assistant. With an extensive background in civil engineering and project management, Dr. Antoine brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the RESDP team.

As a professionally registered civil engineer and accomplished project manager with over 20 years of international experience spanning the Caribbean, the U.S., and other regions, Dr. Antoine brings a unique blend of deep technical expertise, global project delivery experience, and a passion for sustainable infrastructure development.

He holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, an MSc in Ocean Engineering, and a BSc in Civil Engineering. His professional journey includes leadership roles with multinational engineering consultants, national and multilateral agencies, and major infrastructure projects, including environmental and climate resilience initiatives, and complex transport an utility infrastructure.

In his new role with the RESDP, Dr. Antoine provides technical support across both:

Component 1 - Exploration Drilling Programme comprising all activities related to geothermal exploration drilling to assess and estimate whether the resource is sufficient for development of a geothermal power plant.

Component 2 - A Technical Assistance (TA) program aimed at: i) increasing the GOSL's capacity to implement the Project, (i) strengthening Saint Lucia's regulatory framework for renewable energy integration, and ii) supporting a reduction in the employment gender gap in the energy sector.

His responsibilities include supervising field activities, reviewing technical reports, supporting regulatory development, and strengthening project documentation and stakeholder coordination while promoting best practices in project delivery, transparency, and value-for-money.

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Dr. Antoine is also a published researcher and certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Design-Build Professional (DBIA), and US Professional Engineer (P.E.), with appointments to various national research panels in the US. His work continues to promote equitable STEM access, technical capacity-building, and innovation in infrastructure delivery across developing nations.

Outside of project work, he is passionate about mentoring and education, actively supporting students, young professionals, and underserved communities in advancing careers in STEM and the built environment.

The RESDP team is excited to collaborate with Dr. Antoine as it continues its efforts to facilitate the development of clean energy.