Norway. City of Oslo
| Date of agreement: | 09 Nov 2016 |
|---|---|
| Country: | Norway |
| Customer: | City of Oslo |
| Amount in NOK: | NOK 1,500 million |
| Amount in EUR: | EUR 166.1 million |
| Maturity: | 25 years |
| NACE sector / loan type: | Collection, purification and distribution of water |
Financing from NIB Environmental Bond proceeds
NEB-eligible share: 100%
NEB category: Water management and protection
Amount disbursed: EUR 164.7 million
Note: For loans in other currencies than EUR, the equivalent in EUR is based on the exchange rate effective for the disbursement. Read more about the NIB Environmental Bonds
Project
The loan has been provided for an expansion of the wastewater treatment plant and wastewater treatment network at Bekkelaget in the сity of Oslo, Norway.
The city will increase the capacity of the Bekkelaget wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) to handle sewage and wastewater from a population equivalent of 490,000 people, up from the current capacity of 270,000. The upgrade will almost double the hydraulic capacity of the plant to 85 million cubic metres per year.
The production of biogas from wastewater sludge will double, and the gas will be used for heating the WWTP and as fuel for buses. The remaining residue will be used as fertiliser on agricultural land.
The expanded Bekkelaget WWTP is scheduled to be commissioned in June 2020. The total budget for the sub-project is NOK 2.75 billion, of which NIB is financing 50%.
The сity of Oslo will also increase the capacity of the existing sewer system in order to prevent leakages and to separate rainwater from wastewater sewer lines, as set out in its investment programme for 2016–2020.
The total budget for the sub-project is NOK 1.1 billion, of which NIB is financing 18%.
Oslo is the capital of Norway and its largest city, with over 658,000 inhabitants. Oslo is one of the fastest-growing cities in Europe. The city has a fairly well diversified local economy based on five main business areas: energy—comprising oil, gas and hydropower—the maritime and bio-marine industry, telecom and ICT, life sciences and creative industries.
Fulfilment of NIB's mandate
Competitiveness
The investment in the wastewater treatment system will increase capacity by 45% to accommodate population growth and the connection of new residential areas. In addition, the production of biogas to fuel road vehicles will double.
Environment
The project is anticipated to reduce uncontrolled wastewater discharges into the Oslofjord and enable sustainable growth in the region.
Sustainability summary
This is a project with a potentially extensive environmental and/or social impact (category A, read more)
The main impacts will occur during the construction phase. However, there are restrictions on the timing of blasting work, the noise and vibration will be monitored, and local residents will be informed.
Water generated in the construction phase will be mechanically and chemically treated prior to discharge into the inner Oslofjord. No significant impacts on bedrock water are anticipated.
No sensitive nature or cultural heritage areas are in the immediate vicinity of the plant.
The main impact from the regular operation of the plant will be odours from the wastewater treatment and biogas production. However, the ventilation air from the WWTP cavern is emitted through a bio-filter in order to degrade odorous compounds.
The sludge digestion residue will be donated to nearby farmers and used as a fertiliser.
