The Small Hydro Power projects, applying for financing under the BEERECL, are subject to the Hydro Environmental Procedure. The procedure includes the following five stages:

Stage 1.  If the project is a mini-hydro project then the REUP Consultant sends

              the Project Sponsor the Eligibility Criteria for Small Hydro Power Project

              with the request to return a signed Waiver Letter, a

                             filled-in Application Form in English, including supporting information

                             (e.g. Environmental Impact Assessment report).  

Stage 2.  After receiving the signed waiver letter the REUP Consultant will ask the 

              Environmental Impact Expert (“EIE”) (being part of the REUP consultancy

              team) to review the project documentation as sent by the Project

               Sponsor. If some information is missing then the EIE informs the Project

              Sponsor about it. Two situations may occur: (i) the project has an

               environmental permit based on an Environmental Impact Assessment

              (“EIA”) approved by the Bulgarian Authorities, or (ii) the project has

              received an environmental permit with an exemption from the Bulgarian

              Authorities for the EIA requirement. In the first situation a site visit is

              expected not to be necessary, in the second situation case the project

               site(s) must be visited by the EIE. The EIE findings must be described in

              line with the criteria. Following this review the EIE will declare that the

              project is in line with EBRD’s eligibility criteria and with Bulgarian

              national legislation and highlight outstanding issues in relation to the

              eligibility criteria. The statement including supporting documentation will

              be send to the Technical Co-operation (“TC”) Operation Leader for the

              BEERECL in the EBRD.  

Stage 3.  The EBRD TC Operation Leader will send the documentation to the

              Bank’s Environmental Department, which will confirm acceptance of the

              EIE opinion or not accepted within 5 working days and will inform the

              EBRD TC Operation Leader on the decision. If the project is not accepted

              then the reasons why must be stated by the ED. The TC Operation

              leader will inform the REUP Consultant on the decision.  

Stage 4.  The REUP Consultant informs the Participating Bank(s) and Project

              Sponsor on the  decision. All accepted projects will be further developed

              as per current procedure. 

Stage 5.  In case of non-acceptance the Project Sponsor will be informed in

              writing and will be referred to the appeal procedure if needed.