Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment of Sabalan Geothermal Power Plant, NW Iran

Abstract

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of Sabalan geothermal power plant project in the northwestern part of Iran using Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RIMA) method is presented.
The field is located between 38° 12 52 and 38° 20 00 North, and 47° 40 30 and 47° 49 10 East, in the Sabalan area. Elevation ranges between 2200 m at the village of Moeil in the north, and 3700 m in the south, close to the peak of Mt. Sabalan.
The Sabalan geothermal power plant is planned to produce 50 MW electricity in 2011 in cooperation of the Ministry of Energy (MOE) and Renewable Energy Organization of Iran (SUNA).
In this study, an attempt was made to identify and assess the likely key impacts of geothermal exploration, drilling and operation. Then on the basis of current evaluation suggest monitoring program and mitigation plans. Present state information on the regions environment including physical, biological and social environment was collected during 2000-2003, before starting the proposed project activities.
In the evaluation process, positive and negative environmental impacts of Sabalan geothermal power plant were assessed based on the results of multi-disciplinary team approach and the field survey data using RIMA method.
The results of assessment reveal that around 57% of the impacts are positive and 43% are negative, therefore the implementation of the project with some mitigation plans and monitoring program is accepted.