Samoa: Alaoa Multi-Purpose Dam Project

Sovereign Project | 52111-001

The proposed Alaoa Multi-Purpose Dam Project (AMDP) (the Project) will develop a multi-purpose dam coupled with a run-of-river type of small hydropower plant (SHP), with an indicative capacity of 0.26 megawatts (MW) in the upstream areas of the eastern branch of the Vaisigano river in Apia, Samoa. The Project will help Samoa (i) attenuate Vaisigano River floods; (ii) increase the resiliency of the Apia water supply; and (iii) increase Samoa's renewable energy production capacity. The Project also includes capacity building and project management supports. The project feasibility assessment is currently being undertaken under the regional transaction technical assistance.

Project Details

Project Name Alaoa Multi-Purpose Dam Project
Project Number 52111-001
Country / Economy Samoa
Project Status Proposed
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Grant
Source of Funding / Amount
Grant: Alaoa Multi-Purpose Dam Project
concessional ordinary capital resources lending / Asian Development Fund US$ 20.00 million
Strategic Agendas Environmentally sustainable growth
Inclusive economic growth
Drivers of Change Gender Equity and Mainstreaming
Governance and capacity development
Partnerships
Private sector development
Sector / Subsector

Water and other urban infrastructure and services / Urban flood protection - Urban water supply
Gender Equity and Mainstreaming Some gender elements
Description The proposed Alaoa Multi-Purpose Dam Project (AMDP) (the Project) will develop a multi-purpose dam coupled with a run-of-river type of small hydropower plant (SHP), with an indicative capacity of 0.26 megawatts (MW) in the upstream areas of the eastern branch of the Vaisigano river in Apia, Samoa. The Project will help Samoa (i) attenuate Vaisigano River floods; (ii) increase the resiliency of the Apia water supply; and (iii) increase Samoa's renewable energy production capacity. The Project also includes capacity building and project management supports. The project feasibility assessment is currently being undertaken under the regional transaction technical assistance.
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy The primary objective of this proposed AMDP is to prevent flooding from the upstream areas of the eastern branch of the Vaisigano river. The secondary benefit of the dam will be seasonal water supply during dry periods and reduction in the noted turbidity issue during flood periods. The tertiary objective of the dam will be additional hydropower generation of about 0.26 MW, which will support government's target of 100% renewable energy for electricity generation by 2025.
Impact Reduced the impact of climate change adaptation and dependency on imported fossil fuels for power generation.
Outcome Resiliency on climate change-related flooding and water security, and renewable energy penetration increased.
Outputs

Construction of the multipurpose dam for (i) flood retention; and (ii) seasonal water supply

Construction of the run-of-river SHP

Strengthening of capacity for project management
Geographical Location Nation-wide
Safeguard Categories
Environment A
Involuntary Resettlement B
Indigenous Peoples C
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects The project is categorized as 'A' for Environment. A full environment impact assessment report is currently being prepared and is expected to be publicly disclosed in June 2019.
Involuntary Resettlement The project is categorized as 'B' for Involuntary Resettlement. A Resettlement Plan report is currently being prepared and is expected to be publicly disclosed in June 2019.
Indigenous Peoples The project is categorized as 'C' for Indigenous Peoples.
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation
During Project Design The ADB safeguards policy puts a strong emphasis on ensuring inclusive and meaningful consultations with all affected persons and other key stakeholders. Hence, as part of the ongoing project preparation for the Alaoa Multi-purpose Dam Project, the government with support from a Communication Specialist engaged by ADB, is implementing a Stakeholder Consultation and Communication Plan which requires consultations and engagement with affected persons such as those who could experience physical eviction and/or economic loss or livelihood impacts due to the project. The key areas for consultation include: project information and its likely involuntary resettlement impacts to gather affected persons' feedback/concerns and how this should be taken into account in the safeguards planning; (ii) solicit recommendations on how to effectively develop grievance redress mechanism appropriate to the Samoan culture and values; and (iii) disclosure of the draft safeguards plans to solicit feedback from the affected persons before finalizing the version for posting on ADB/government websites. To date, several public consultations among the affected persons, relevant communities and key stakeholders have already been undertaken and will continually be undertaken.
During Project Implementation Project consultation will be an ongoing process not only while we are completing the project preparation but especially during project implementation. ADB also requires consultations to be done in an atmosphere free of intimidation or coercion so affected persons are able to share their concerns and feedback without fear of retaliation. All the issues being raised from consultations are being assessed through the ongoing safeguards due diligence.
Responsible ADB Officer Lee, Woo Yul
Responsible ADB Department Pacific Department
Responsible ADB Division PAEN
Executing Agencies
Ministry of Finance
Ministry of Finance
Government of Samoa
Private Bag, Apia, Samoa
Timetable
Concept Clearance -
Fact Finding 19 Aug 2019 to 23 Aug 2019
MRM 23 Sep 2019
Approval -
Last Review Mission -
Last PDS Update 17 Jan 2019

Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.

The Access to Information Policy (AIP) recognizes that transparency and accountability are essential to development effectiveness. It establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced.

The Accountability Mechanism provides a forum where people adversely affected by ADB-assisted projects can voice and seek solutions to their problems and report alleged noncompliance of ADB's operational policies and procedures.

In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of, or reference to, a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.

Title Document Type Document Date
Alaoa Multi-Purpose Dam Project: Initial Poverty and Social Analysis Initial Poverty and Social Analysis Jan 2019
Alaoa Multi-Purpose Dam Project: Concept Paper Concept Papers Oct 2018

Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.

Title Document Type Document Date
Alaoa Multi-Purpose Dam Project: Resettlement Plan Resettlement Plans Feb 2020
Alaoa Multi-purpose Dam Project: Environmental Impact Assessment (Draft) Environmental Impact Assessments Feb 2020

Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation

None currently available.

Related Publications

None currently available.

The Access to Information Policy (AIP) establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced in its operations to facilitate stakeholder participation in ADB's decision-making. For more information, refer to the Safeguard Policy Statement, Operations Manual F1, and Operations Manual L3.

Requests for information may also be directed to the InfoUnit.

Tenders

No tenders for this project were found.

Contracts Awarded

No contracts awarded for this project were found

Procurement Plan

None currently available.