Construction monitoring
Environmental and social construction monitoring for hydropower
Independent monitoring on behalf of lenders after financial close. We track delivery of the Environmental and Social Action Plan, contractor performance and emerging risks through construction, commissioning and into operation.
We work with the sponsor on cost-effective fixes rather than simply recording non-compliance.
What it includes
Monitoring that keeps projects on track
Construction is when most environmental and social commitments are either delivered or lost. Regular, informed monitoring gives lenders early warning and gives sponsors a clear view of what needs to happen next.
Site visits
Quarterly or semi-annual visits covering the works, camps and worker accommodation, affected communities and environmental controls.
Monitoring reports
Clear reports to the lender group, separating material issues from minor findings, with agreed corrective actions.
Action plan tracking
Progress against the ESAP and environmental and social covenants, with evidence for each completed action.
Contractor performance
Review of the EPC contractor’s environmental, social, labour and health and safety management, including prequalification and tender evaluation.
Problem solving
Working with the sponsor and contractor to resolve issues early, before they become delays or defaults.
Into operation
Monitoring through reservoir impoundment and commissioning, and of long-term commitments during operation.
When you need it
When monitoring is needed
- As a condition of financing, agreed at financial close
- When construction starts, to confirm the EPC contractor’s management systems are working
- During reservoir impoundment and commissioning, when risks to rivers and communities peak
- In operation, for long-term commitments such as biodiversity and livelihood restoration
Site visit, Pakistan
Our approach
Continuity and judgement
Where possible, the same specialist follows a project from due diligence to operation, so lenders do not pay for issues to be rediscovered.
We judge findings against the realities of a construction site and the project schedule.
Standards
What we assess against
- The Environmental and Social Action Plan and covenants in the finance documents
- IFC Performance Standards and the World Bank Group EHS Guidelines
- The project’s own ESMS and contractor management plans
- National permit conditions
Relevant experience
Construction and operational monitoring
Gulpur HPP, Pakistan
100 MW run-of-river · lenders incl. ADB and IFC
Led E&S construction monitoring over several years, then operational monitoring.
Alpaslan 2 HPP, Türkiye
280 MW · MUFG for a lender consortium
Construction and commissioning monitoring after financial close, then operational monitoring.
Siti 1 & 2 and Lubilia, Uganda
5–15 MW · Elgon Hydro
Quarterly construction monitoring, with advice on project risks and sources of delay.
We also carried out quarterly construction monitoring on the Tarbela 5th Extension in Pakistan.
Related services
Next step
Need a monitoring consultant?
Tell us about the project, its construction programme and the lender group. We’ll propose a monitoring scope and visit frequency.
