Sarimay Solar – subsidiary of Voltalia

Expected March 2024 – October 2025

PV plant + Substation will occupy 180 ha. See About section for project layout

It is estimated up to 200 workers at peak activity. The Contractors will make his best to employ local competences when available.

A number of options are considered for workers accommodation depending on where workers will be coming from (local workers or from other regions/countries).

It is likely that the project will use a mix of options to accommodate workers from other regions and countries. Two types of accommodations are currently considered:
– A closed workers camp within or outside the site boundaries with living facilities (canteen, leisure, etc…) where workers will be housed with restricted access.
– The use of existing accommodation services in closest villages for had hoc needs.

The choice will be made later in the planning process and stakeholders will be informed once more information is available. Workers will not be housed in individuals’ accommodations.

Voltalia will try to source as much product and services as possible locally in compliance with its procurement policies and will encourage their subcontractors to do the same. Voltalia cannot guarantee that local business will be awarded procurement contracts but is committed that equal price and services local business will be prioritized in the procurement process.

Impacts due to additional traffic caused by the project will occur mainly at specific and defined stages of the construction phase (e.g. when construction material will be delivered on site). Additional traffic can cause increased noise, increased emission of dust and potential safety risks. . It is expected that the A380 road will be used to deliver material on site, however the type of vehicles used and the number of trips necessary during construction is not known to date. The impacts on traffic will be further addressed in the ESIA report and if necessary specific mitigation measures will be identified and adopted.

Currently there is no empirical data demonstrating adverse health effects from exposure to typical electromagnetic fields from power transmissions lines and equipment that will be used for the operation of the solar plant. In any case suitable safety distances will be kept from receptors in line with national legislation and guidelines from IFC. This aspect will be further addressed in the ESIA report and if necessary specific mitigation measures will be identified and adopted.

It is expected around 20 people to work full or part time during operation (monitoring, electrical maintenance, guards, panel cleaning). The job offers will be advertised in nearest villages/town and on project website with clear recruitment process. Locals will be prioritized for these jobs as long as their skillsets match the job’s requirements.

The plant will be connected to the Sarimay substation, providing clean and cheap electricity to the local and national grid. It will help reduce blackout in the Khorezm region. Household connected to the grid in the Khorezm region will benefit from a more reliable supply of energy.

The project area will be fenced and won’t be accessible to public for security reasons.

Access roads and paths in the surrounding area of the plant will be kept/built

Voltalia is looking into what type of CSR activities could be beneficial for local communities. Should Voltalia perform CSR activities, local communities would be consulted on what their needs are. (that would be the right moment to ask what they consider would be necessary if the question is asked during public meeting)

30 years of operation

Voltalia will have dedicated staff to contact during development, construction and operation. The main contact is the community liaison officer reachable at this phone number:

123 MWp and 100 MWac

Voltalia administrative offices is based in Tashkent. The EPC of the Project will have an office on site during construction which will not be accessible to the public. Contact with Voltalia should be done by postal means or dedicated phone line, or face to face with the CLO once that person is onboard (beginning of construction). No recruitment will be performed at the project gate.

Based on ESIA investigations, limited if no breeding activities are performed in the project site area. During the construction phase potential impacts on these activities could derive from the closure of the site, which could affect availability of land and possibility of crossing the area with animals. However this will be further addressed in the ESIA report and if necessary specific mitigation measures will be identified and adopted.