sustainability report 2016 -...

SUSTAINABILITYREPORT

2016

1EQUIS | 2016 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2

Equis Pte. Ltd. (“Equis”) intends that the information contained in this document is directed only at persons who are permitted to receive such information under the laws of their local jurisdiction (“Recipients”). Equis will therefore only provide this document to such Recipients. Recipients are required to keep the information contained in this document confidential and not to copy or disclose it or any part of it to any other person. Information contained in this document is believed by Equis to be accurate and correct, and statements of opinion in this document are considered by Equis to be reasonable. Equis accordingly accepts no responsibility for the consequences of any person relying on the content of this document for any purpose and Recipients should seek independent professional advice on the subject matter pertaining to legal, regulatory, tax and related investment matters as appropriate.

Commitment to Sustainability 2Equis by Numbers 4Sustainability Metrics 6Investment Overview 8 Sustainability at a Glance 10Policies & Standards 12Systems & Processes 14Equis Initiatives 16Contributing to Communities 18An Overview 20Supporting Communities 24

CONTENTS

COVER PAGESchoolgirls at joint Soleq Philippines and Equis shoe drive Villacin Elementary School, Cadiz City, Philippines

CURRENT PAGEEnergon's 100MW TGP-2 Wind Farm in Andhra Pradesh, India

EQUIS | 2016 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2 3

COMMITMENT TOSUSTAINABILITY

AS ASIA’S LEADING INDEPENDENT RENEWABLE ENERGY IPP,EQUIS IS STRONGLY FOCUSED ON SUSTAINABLE INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT ACROSS OUR PORTFOLIO. SINCE INCEPTION WE HAVE COMMITTED TO PLACE SUSTAINABILITY AND RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT AT THE CORE OF OUR STRATEGY AND HAVE DEVELOPED ROBUST STANDARDS AND SYSTEMS TO PRACTICALLY INCORPORATESUSTAINABILITY INTO ALL ASPECTS OF OURINVESTMENT DECISIONS.

Seedling planting, Soleq Philippines

Equis builds assets that are intended to benefit generations, and therefore sustainability is a guiding influence in how we develop, construct and operate our assets. At the centre of how we view sustainability is ensuring that the assets we build and operate not only offer superior risk-adjusted returns to our investors, but also benefit the people in neighbouring communities. By incorporating responsible investment principles into how we operate, Equis is able to meet financial, environmental, social and economic obligations to our investors and our host communities, both for present and future generations.

While sustainability is often considered only in terms of maintaining natural resources such as energy, water, clean air, plant and animal life, Equis believes that sustainability must also apply to social, human and economic resources. Through our focus on renewable energy, Equis is able to concretely demonstrate our strong commitment to conserving and protecting the earth’s finite supply of natural resources. In turn, Equis’ Corporate and Social Responsibility (“CSR”) policy and programs address the social, human and economic aspects of sustainability by working to improve quality of life and increase livelihood in the local communities where we operate. By engaging in CSR programs that are developed in consultation with the community and span the life-cycle of each project, Equis

is able to make a long-lasting and meaningful contribution to the communities adjacent to our assets.

In focusing on health, education and infrastructure programs, with a specific concentration on women and children, we are able to address the key concerns raised by our host communities, whilst also supporting initiatives we believe will offer the greatest impact.

Equis aims to reduce the barriers to access quality healthcare, whether due to poverty or location by sponsoring information campaigns, medical missions and camps. Additionally, Equis increases education and training opportunities while improving the quality of education provided to children to enhance future employment prospects. Finally, by developing basic infrastructure, communities receive better access to essential services. In addition to these initiatives, we also provide economic opportunities for our local communities through increased employment opportunities. Through these programs, Equis contributes to ensuring our local communities have positive and sustainable futures.

Our 2016 Sustainability Report (“Report”) provides an overview of how Equis has embedded Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) considerations into all aspects of our investments, as well as practices, initiatives and achievements across all assets.

Ariel view, downstream from 96MW Jorethang Hydro Generation project – Sikkim, India


EQUIS BYNUMBERS

US$2.7 BILLION

2016

2015

2014

2013

ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT

RENEWABLE ENERGY GROWTH BY STAGE (MW) AND GENERATION (GWh) 2013 - 2016

2013 2014 2015 2016

3.0GWh

78.8GWh

792.6GWh

1,817.4GWh

556

1,130 1,207

400

16OFFICES

69PORTFOLIO ASSETS

640STAFF MEMBERS

504

148

460

615

966

OPERATIONAL

CONSTRUCTION

DEVELOPMENT

MWh

721

60

321

280

48 160

219 140

CAPACITY BY SECTOR 2014 - 2016 (MW)

2016 767MW1,107MW

286

253

693MW

193

500 6MW 430

138

303

241

104

2015

2014

2013

SOLARWINDHYDROBIO ENERGY

403

301

CAPACITY BY COUNTRY 2014 - 2016 (MW)

2013 2014 2015 2016

435MW

1,112MW

2,301MW

737

938

499

2,573MW

867

833

666

115 INDONESIA

JAPAN

PHILIPPINES

INDIA

92 THAILAND

316

119


SUSTAINABILITYMETRICS

GHG EMISSION REDUCTIONS(million tonnes annually1)

HOUSEHOLDSPOWERED(millions annually2)

WATER SAVINGSCOMPARED TO THE WATER USAGE REQUIRED BY A COAL-FIRED POWER PLANT(billions of litres annually3)

1.2

0.3

3.0

2.2

4.5

4.1

4.7

4.52013

2013

2013

2014

2014

2014

2015

2015

2015

2016

2016

2016

2.52.6

5.26.0

1 GHG Protocol May 2015 indicators by country2 Based on World Energy Council indicators by country3 Based on water withdrawal factors by sector compared to coal-fired power from the National Energy Laboratory

TREES PLANTEDAND GROWN FOR 10 YEARS TO ELIMINATE AN EQUIVALENT AMOUNT OF GHG(millions annually4)

JOBSCREATED5

PASSENGER VEHICLES TAKEN OFF THE ROAD4

TO ELIMINATE AN EQUIVALENT AMOUNT OF GHG

2013

2013

2013

2014

2014

2014

2015

2015

2015

2016

2016

2016

30.5

250,526

3,000

79.3

652,249

6,051

116.2

956,138

15,559

120.1

985,094

11,612

4 EPA GHG Calculator5 Direct and indirect employment opportunities, long and short-term. Decline in 2016 due to construction completing on 410MW of assets


INVESTMENTOVERVIEW

SINGAPOREAsia Networks develops, owns and operates telecommunications infrastructure assets, with a focus on South East Asia. The company formed a joint venture with Consistel Pte Ltd for the construction and operations of in-building distributed antenna systems. Asia Network's system is located in the Singapore Sports Hub.

PHILIPPINESBioeq Energy is focused on investing in, developing, constructing and operating biofuel refineries, bio-mass power plants and related logistics infrastructure. Bioeq Energy currently owns and is constructing a vertically integrated bio-refinery and is developing a 3,200ha corporate farm that will supply sugar cane to the refinery.

INDIAEnergon is focused on developing, owning and operating wind generation assets in Asia. In India, Energon currently owns a portfolio of seven operational assets, totalling 414MW.

PHILIPPINESEnergon is focused on developing, owning and operating wind generation assets in Asia. In the Philippines, Energon has invested in the 54MW Pililla project, which is operational, and the Sembrano project (up to 80MW), which is being developed.

INDIAEnergon Soleq invests in the development, construction and operation of solar projects in India. The company is currently constructing two solar assets in the state of Telangana aggregating to 130MW and is developing one 130MW solar asset in Karnataka.

10MW GLS Solar Farm - Sukhothai, Thailand

INDIAHydreq is a regional hydro power developer, owner and operator. In India, Hydreq holds an ownership interest in DANS Energy, which has developed two run-of-river hydroelectric power generation facilities in Sikkim, North East India. Jorethang, with a capacity of 96MW, has been operational since September 2015. Tashiding (97MW) is under construction, with commissioning expected in Q2 2017.

PHILIPPINESHydreq Power is Equis' Philippines hydro power platform with a mandate to develop, construct and operate hydro power projects. Hydreq Power is developing a portfolio of hydro power projects in the Philippines and is currently focusing on the 500MW Wawa pump storage project on Luzon island.

INDIAInfraedge invests in the construction and long-term management of captive utility-like assets servicing large scale social PPP, township, commercial and industrial projects across South East Asia. Infraedge has entered into a partnership with Assetz Property Group to develop community townships in India. The platform's seed asset is a 2,609 unit township spread across 26 acres in Bangalore, India.

JAPANJapan Solar is a limited partnership with total commitments of US$721 million and a mandate to invest into solar generation projects in Japan. Capital is invested into 24 projects totalling 518MW that are developed by Nippon Renewable Energy ("NRE"), a Tokyo-based solar utility business focused on owning, developing, constructing and operating solar generation facilities throughout Japan.

JAPANJapan Wind is a limited partnership with a mandate to invest into wind generation projects in Japan. Capital is invested in projects developed by Nippon Wind Energy ("NWE"), a Tokyo-based wind utility business focused on owning, developing, constructing and operating onshore and offshore wind power generation facilities in Japan.

CHINAOriental Gas is a developer and operator of natural gas distribution assets in China. Oriental Gas currently owns 13 gas distribution projects across six provinces, supplying piped natural gas, compressed natural gas and liquid natural gas to residential, industrial, commercial and transportation customers.

INDONESIARedaya Energi invests in the development, construction and operation of renewable energy projects in Indonesia. Redaya is evaluating several wind and solar generation projects and will commence construction of its first renewable energy project, the 72MW Tolo 1 wind farm, during 2017.

PHILIPPINESSoleq is an Asian solar utility business focused on becoming Asia’s largest independent solar power producer. In the Philippines Soleq currently owns four operating projects (Ironman, Garcia, Pollo and Zorro) totalling 193MW.

THAILANDSoleq is an Asian solar utility business focused on becoming Asia’s largest independent solar power producer. Soleq currently owns 70% of 10 operating projects totalling 92MW across Thailand. The projects have all been operational since 2014.


INDIA

ENERGON414MW Operational931,040 tonnes GHG savings 952 megalitres H2O savings

ENERGON SOLEQ 130MW Construction 130MW Development 394,198 tonnes GHG savings 401 megalitres H2O savings

HYDREQ 96MW Operational97MW Construction772,284 tonnes GHG savings 789 megalitres H2O savings

INFRAEDGE 156,905 m2 Construction74,499 m2 Development211 tonnes GHG savings 243 megalitres H2O savings

THAILAND

SINGAPORE

INDONESIA

SOLEQ 92MW Operational69,040 tonnes GHG savings 130 megalitres H2O savings

ASIA NETWORKS 300,000 m2 Operational

REDAYAENERGI 115MW Development 248,961 tonnes GHG savings 291 megalitres H2O savings

SUSTAINABILITYAT A GLANCE

ORIENTAL GAS 9,955 Operational (mil cbm)523,697 tonnes GHG savings

BIOEQ ENERGY 6MW Construction42 Construction (mil litres)115,715 tonnes GHG savings 248 megalitres H2O savings

ENERGON 54MW Operational80MW Development61,341 tonnes GHG savings 116 megalitres H2O savings

HYDREQ 500MW Development903,600 tonnes GHG savings 1,703 megalitres H2O savings

SOLEQ 193MW Operational138,249 tonnes GHG savings 260 megalitres H2O savings

JAPAN SOLAR 117MW Operational167MW Construction235MW Development332,732 tonnes GHG savings 569 megalitres H2O savings

JAPAN WIND 147MW Development177,625 tonnes GHG savings 305 megalitres H2O savings

PHILIPPINES

CHINA

JAPAN


POLICIES &STANDARDS

Equis has put in place a solid framework surrounding investment decision processes to ensure that ESG considerations are embedded into all stages of the investment cycle, from early evaluation through to exit. ESG principles and international best practice standards are central to this framework.

Equis has created a robust structure for Equis' ESG and socially responsible investment management processes. We incorporate the IFC Performance Standards and Environmental, Health and Safety ("EHS") Standards, the World Bank Environmental and Social ("E&S") Standards and the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment ("UNPRI") into our policies, specifically through the Environmental & Social Responsibility Code, CSR policy and OH&S policy. We also require our platform companies to adopt and adhere to these policies.

CODE OF CONDUCT

BUSINESS CONTINUITY

RISK MANAGEMENT

PERSONAL TRADING

ANTI-BRIBERY & ANTI-CORRUPTION

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING

DATA PROTECTION & ELETRONIC INFORMATION

SECURITY

HUMAN RESOURCES

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY

ENVIRONMENTAL & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

CODE

CSR POLICY

IFC EHS Guidelines

IFC Performance Standards

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act 1977 (USA)

UN Declaration of Human Rights

World Bank E&SStandards

Bribery Act 2010 (UK))

ILO Basic Terms & Conditions

of Work

EQUIS POLICIES

& PROCEDURES

ESG & INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK INVESTMENT CODE

IFC PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

ENVIRONMENTAL & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

EXCLUSIONS LIST

Equis' Investment Code requires all employees commit to the following key principles, which platforms are also required to adopt:

All of Equis’ investments are screened and reviewed prior to their development or acquisition based on the eight IFC Performance Standards outlined below:

After becoming a UNPRI signatory in 2014, Equis incorporated the Principles into the Equis Environmental and Social Responsibility Code which outlines actions required pre- and post-investment, including:

Equis has committed to exclude a number of sectors and activities from its investment mandate as these would conflict with the Investment Code and IFC Performance Standards, including:

• Minimise adverse impacts and enhance positive effects on the environment, stakeholders and staff• Apply the relevant international best practice standards to investments• Commit to continuous improvements in managing ESG topics and issues• Make efficient use of natural resources and protect the environment• Support the reduction of GHG emissions, contributors to climate change• Comply with all applicable laws and regulations• Promote social aspects of the development impact from investments• Apply management systems that address ESG risks • Realise ESG opportunities as an essential aspect of investment value

• Assessment and management of E&S risks and impacts• Labour and working conditions• Resource efficiency and pollution prevention• Community health, safety and security• Land acquisition and involuntary resettlement• Biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of living natural resources• Indigenous peoples• Cultural heritage

• Incorporating ESG considerations into investment analysis and decision making processes• Being active owners and incorporating ESG considerations into our ownership policies and practices• Seeking appropriate disclosure on the ESG practices of target investments• Promoting the acceptance and implementation of the Principles within the investment industry• Working to enhance our effectiveness in implementing the Principles• Promoting ESG within the investment industry• Monitoring and reporting platform investment ESG activities and progress on a quarterly and annual basis

• Activities involving the conversion or degradation of critical natural habitats• Gambling or casinos• Tobacco product production or trade• Commercial logging• Weapons/ammunition production or trade • Production, storage, trade in, or disposal of, radioactive products• Activities involving exploitative forms of labour or child labour

10MW BSS Solar Farm - Kampaenghet, Thailand


SYSTEMS &PROCESSES

ESG considerations are a fundamental component of Equis’ investment decisions, portfolio development and asset management. By evaluating environmental and social impacts during each stage of the investment approval process, Equis ensures ESG is a central focus throughout the project life-cycle and we position ourselves to pro-actively manage and mitigate environmental and social risks during the development, construction and operation of investments.

Exclusion List Screening &Risk Categorisation

Environmental & Social Impact Assessment (“ESIA”)

INVESTMENT SCREENING DUE DILIGENCE & EVALUATION

Objective – Initial internal screening to confirm the project meets preliminary Environmental, Social and

Governance criteria

Category A and B projects require an Environmental & Social Impact Assessment (“ESIA”) which is

performed by an external advisor to assess potential investment impacts and provide measures to minimise

and mitigate these

Following the ESIA, a Corrective Action Plan (“CAP”) and Environmental and Social Action Plan ("ESAP") is

developed, identifying actions and considerations to be incorporated into each stage of the project to mitigate

risks and negative impacts

CATEGORY A Probable significant adverse social and/

or environmental impacts, which are

irreversible

CATEGORY C Probable minimal

or no adverse social and/or environmental

impacts

Identification and assessment of

additional risks, per the FCPA and Bribery Act, such as business

integrity and corporate governance

Identify baseline environmental

conditions

Identify alternatives to avoid and/or minimise

impacts Identify residual impacts

Identify environmental and social impacts

CATEGORY BProbable adverse

social and/or environmental

impacts, which can be reversed or mitigated

Objective – The identification and assessment of impacts on the physical, biophysical and social environment

that may result from the project

Environmental & Social Management Plan (“ESMP”),

Corrective Action Plan (“CAP”)

Environmental, Social, Management System

(“ESMS”)

INVESTMENT EVALUATION & DECISION PROJECT DEVELOPMENT, CONSTRUCTION & OPERATIONS

Objective – The identification, planning and management of actions to mitigate impacts in

accordance with a hierarchical corrective action plan (avoid, minimise, mitigate)

The ESMP is developed with an external consultant and incorporates issues identified in the CAP. The ESMP is used to manage environmental and social issues and

risks during the investment lifecycle

The ESMS is developed based on the ESMP to ensure that each platform implements actions identified, has a clear plan to improve ESG performance over the investment lifecycle and executes community based CSR projects

Establish organisational

capacityDevelop policies

& procedures

Identify mitigation and management

measures / actions

Implement mitigation and management

measuresMonitor,

report & train

Adaptation & improvement

Assessment analysis & review

Identify CSR projects following discussions

with the local community

Identify possible emergency incidents

Objective – Establish the framework for effective implementation, management and enhancement of environmental, social, health & safety performance

Bioeq Energy Seedlings – Cavite, Philippines


EQUISINITIATIVES

Equis actively encourages staff across all offices and platforms to become personally involved in CSR activities, whether by volunteering their time, making donations or providing monetary support. During 2016, Equis Singapore staff participated in several CSR initiatives including:

• Organising and joining an educational outing to the Singapore Aquarium for children and families from Touch Young Arrows (“TYA”), an organisation which provides educational and social support to children from low-income families

• Twelve Equis staff increased their fitness levels and raised money for TYA by competing in 5km and 10 km races at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

• Donating Christmas presents and spending an afternoon playing with children from the Pertapis Children’s Home, which provides a safe and nurturing environment for the development and care of children between the ages of 4-16 years who are in need of care and protection

• Raising funds to provide new shoes for 800 elementary students at two schools in Cadiz City, near a Soleq Philippines site

• Collecting used toys, clothes, shoes and household items to be sent to 108 families who lost their homes in a fire in Cadiz City


CONTRIBUTING TOCOMMUNITIES


ANOVERVIEW

Lambadi women waiting for health checks sponsored by Energon India – Karnataka, India


ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH THE COMMUNITIES SURROUNDING PROJECT SITES IS INTEGRAL TO EQUIS’ INVESTMENT STRATEGY. OUR PLATFORM COMPANIES CONSULT WITH THESE COMMUNITIES AND THEIR LEADERS IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY THE CSR INITIATIVES WHICH WILL MOST BENEFIT PEOPLE LIVING IN THE AREAS NEIGHBOURING PROJECT SITES. THROUGH CONTINUOUS DIALOGUE, FROM THE INITIAL STAGES OF PROJECT DEVELOPMENT THROUGH TO THE OPERATIONAL STAGE, AND BY TAILORING CSR ACTIVITIES TO COMMUNITY REQUIREMENTS, WE ARE ABLE TO BUILD STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR KEY PROJECT STAKEHOLDERS. THE CORE AREAS THAT WE TARGET, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR LOCAL CONTRACTORS, ARE EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE AND INFRASTRUCTURE, WITH A FOCUS ON PROGRAMS BENEFITTING WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

Pertapis Children’s Home - Singapore

20MW Garcia Solar Farm - Ilocos Norte, Philippines

EDUCATIONTo promote education, learning and increase livelihoods in the local communities, our platform companies provide scholarships, internships and vocational training, support schools by donating educational materials and improving facilities, raise road safety awareness and highlight the benefits of renewable energy. Our initiatives include:

• Energon India, in partnership with Gamesa and an NGO called "Slum Soccer", started a soccer league in 2015 and sponsored a team of local boys from villages surrounding two sites. During 2016 a new team of boys was sponsored and a separate team for girls was created after the girls in the villages expressed a desire to participate. During the six months of training, the students were required to participate in a program promoting teamwork and which taught life skills, with a focus on adopting a healthy and balanced lifestyle. The teams travelled to Chennai for the competition finals. The girl’s team won the "Fair Play" award and the boys team won 4th place in the tournament, which is commendable considering none of the children had ever played before, whilst other teams had prior experience.

• Energon Philippines partnered with the World Wildlife Fund to establish an educational visitors centre at the Pililla site. The wind farm has become a prime tourist destination and since opening approximately 320,000 people have visited the centre, which hosts an educational exhibit on renewable energy and wind farms, a tourist information desk and a handicrafts display corner.

The tourist boom has generated livelihood opportunities as the local residents have taken advantage of the day-trippers by becoming entrepreneurs and offering souvenir items, food and beverages at the site. Energon Philippines supported these enterprising efforts by organising a three-day bamboo handicraft training workshop for 30 residents from households in the adjacent community. The participants were also provided with guidance to develop the quality of their products, create a market base and establish a viable and sustainable business.

The site's popularity has also required the implementation of a waste management plan to educate the public on the importance of protecting the environment by not littering and through waste reduction, recycling and reuse. Segregated collection receptacles are located on site and vendors and residents were provided with practical tips on conservation, recycling and composting.

In continuation of the theme of education, Energon Philippines has supported the development of youth talent and skills through the provision of three welding machines for a community learning centre in the area.

• Japan Solar, through NRE, installed a solar system in a junior high school in Aomori to promote the advantages of renewable energy and educate students about solar technology. NRE engineers also gave presentations to the children on renewable energy. NRE continued to support the recipient of the inaugural NRE Solar Scholarship during her second year of college. The scholarship winner completed an internship at NRE during the year that


provided her with practical experience and in-depth exposure to the solar energy industry.

• Oriental Gas is supporting underprivileged students at a primary school in a remote area of Duchang, Jiangxi province. After providing donations in 2015 to build a library for the school, Oriental Gas donated books and additional funds to promote literacy and furnish the students with tools to improve their education.

HEALTHCAREAs our projects tend to be located in rural areas, where access to basic and preventative healthcare is limited, increasing health through medical care is a fundamental concern for communities near our platform sites. Our initiatives include:

• Since 2015, Bioeq Energy has provided group term life and medical health insurance to all 235 members of the cane farmer cooperative contributing to the farm. In 2016 the programme was expanded to provide personal accident cards and medicash assistance cards for dengue to 126 farm landowners who have leased their properties to Bioeq Energy for cane planting.

• The health van sponsored by Energon India and Gamesa at two sites in Madhya Pradesh has been a huge success. The service offered primary healthcare including free treatment, medicine and counselling to 10 remote villages near the project sites. Energon India also sponsored a health camp in Karnataka, providing preliminary health check-ups to three villages in the vicinity of the project site. The check-ups included an ocular examination, ECG,

blood pressure and diabetes check. Several people were diagnosed with cataracts during the check-up and were directed to a governmental scheme that offers free cataract surgery. Approximately 8,500 people benefitted from these initiatives.

• Due to the remote nature of the Hydreq Power site, access to primary healthcare services remains a priority for the 2,300 members of tribes living in the area. Hydreq Power is arranging for the provision of medical missions to provide health care services in partnership with a local medical organisation. Health data will be collected during the initial phase of the program in order to design a holistic program tailored to the tribes' needs

• Infraedge organised seven health camps providing health and cancer screening for migrant women labourers and their children, general health checks and cancer and cataract screening for a local community, which has limited access to regular healthcare. Infraedge also sponsored a series of bi-monthly yoga classes for HIV infected children in a nearby care home run by a local NGO to increase the children's health and well-being

INFRASTRUCTUREOur infrastructure related initiatives focus on improving access to basic sanitation facilities and potable water, increasing road infrastructure near project sites and enhancing community resources. Examples include:

• Bioeq Energy is providing erosion and sediment control on-site and on roads surrounding the bio-refinery by installing coconut logos and planting vetiver grasses along slopes. In

2016, Bioeq Energy staff and local residents participated in a road improvement and slope protection initiative near one of the farm clusters. The enhancements, made over several months, have provided improved access for over 1,500 residents in the area.

• Following requests from the local community around the Telangana project, Energon Soleq plans to build a Hindu temple. The temple is expected to provide a place for worship and community meetings for approximately 200 families in the area.

• Hydreq India provided galvanized corrugated iron sheets to repair the roof of the Bhalluthang Monastery, located in a local village near the Tashiding site. To improve hygiene and reduce the risk of disease in the community, Hydreq India constructed 10 sanitation facilities in Labing, another local village near the site.

• Infraedge, along with other developers in the vicinity, developed a 1.5km bitumen road. The road enhances ease of access for approximately 1,000 villagers and will also lower pollution and reduce congestion.

• To increase safety in the community and showcase the benefits of solar energy, Japan Solar, through NRE, donated the materials and components for a solar street light program in Kunimi Town. Following consultation with the town council regarding the design, the street lights were installed in January 2017.

• Redaya Energi has completed detailed hydrological surveys in villages near the Tolo 1 site and planned Lombok solar sites to evaluate water quality and sources. The second

phase of the initiative will be to drill several wells in order to provide the villages with sources of potable water.

• In conjunction with the commissioning of Pollo, Soleq Philippines donated a fire truck to increase firefighting capabilities and disaster risk management in the area. Soleq Philippines also arranged for basic first aid and disaster preparedness training for members of the community to assist them in responding to emergencies. Super Typhoon Haima, the second most intense tropical storm of 2016 hit the area near the Garcia site in October 2016, causing extensive damage. Soleq Philippines established a US$600k CSR fund and steering committee with the provincial government to fund disaster relief initiatives in the province.

• In consultation with the local government of Wangman, Soleq Thailand developed plans to construct a small weir in the community near two sites in order to manage and maintain water resources during the dry season.

In addition to programs targeting education, healthcare and infrastructure, all platforms are encouraged to protect and enhance the environment near project sites through erosion prevention, sediment control and tree planting. The platforms in the Philippines have established seedling nurseries that not only ensure a healthy supply of indigenous fruit bearing and forest seedlings for tree-planting activities, but also provide livelihood assistance to members of local communities who are employed by the nurseries. Additionally, the program serves as an educational tool to increase environmental and bio-diversity awareness as well as highlight the importance of the watershed conservation and management. In 2016 approximately 260,000 trees were planted by Equis platforms.

18MW Sannan Solar Farm – Hyogo Japan


SUPPORTINGCOMMUNITIES

The PREPARE stage was completed in 2016 and comprised:

• Recruitment and training of required staff, including one optometrist, one optician, two community workers and a project manager. Additional project team members were allocated from existing staff of the partner hospital • Procurement of the required infrastructure and screening equipment • Development of the outreach plan and scheduling a series of visits to the identified schools • Deployment of bespoke software across all project sites to manage school screening scheduling and to ensure efficient data management

Following a successful pilot screening in November 2016, used to train the outreach team on the new software, the project moved to the DELIVERY stage.

Primary eye-health screenings started in December and are being conducted in the targeted schools. By the end of 2016 over 350 children underwent primary

screenings and 18 children were referred for further treatment. All children who require correction will receive secondary evaluations and be provided with spectacles (free, subsidised or paid, depending on the arrangement with the school).

Meetings are being held on a regular basis to enhance participation in the program and information is being disseminated to increase awareness.

Finally, in the CONSOLIDATE stage, the outreach coordinator will visit all children prescribed with spectacles or referred for further evaluation to ensure they are wearing their spectacles and provide any follow-up care as required.

During the project a master database of the children will also be collected, after obtaining the necessary approvals and permissions, through the custom-made software. Information generated from the database and interesting case studies from the project will be shared with relevant stakeholders.

REFRACTIVE ERRORS ARE THE SINGLE LARGEST CAUSE OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENT IN INDIA. BLINDNESS AFFECTS CHILDREN’S HEALTH AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT, WHILE THE LOSS OF SIGHT IS LINKED TO ILLITERACY AND SYSTEMATIC POVERTY.

As a part of Equis’ ongoing commitment to enhance healthcare in the communities surrounding our projects, Equis has partnered with Orbis to increase access to children’s eye health. This is being achieved by providing comprehensive refractive error screening and correction services to school children in Karnataka, India.

The initiative aims to screen and treat approximately 150,000 school children (age 18 and below) over a period of four years. Children found to have other eye conditions besides refractive errors will be referred to a partner hospital for further treatment. In total, the project will cover around 1,680 schools located in two districts within the state of Karnataka.

The implementation of this project will be completed in three stages: PREPARE, DELIVER and CONSOLIDATE


Local children at Bioeq Energy Pedestrian and Road Safety Seminar – Cavite, Philippines

EQUIS | 2016 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 30

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