INDEPENDENT EXPERT STUDIES

The development of the environmental and social mitigation measures have been the result of comprehensive studies and dialogue amongst various national and international institutions in order to ensure that the views of all stakeholders are considered, that all appropriate remedial measures have been undertaken and that the Project will be undertaken in compliance of World Bank Guidelines, and consistent with the approach to the Equator Principles.

Accordingly, a series of documents have been undertaken to compile all information available and issue conclusions and recommendations regarding the environmental, social and economical impacts of the Project at the various local, regional, national and international levels.

The suite of safeguards document for the Nam Theun 2 project comprises:

The Environmental Assessment and Management Plan (EAMP), prepared by NTPC on the basis of a series of highly detailed supporting studies in the field of geology and hydrology. The EAMP concludes on the various biophysical effects of the Project
The Social Development Plan (SDP), prepared by NTPC, and cumulating the original Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) and the Ethnic Minorities Development Plan for the Project Area (EMDP) prepared by Acres International and Norplan respectively. The SDP considers all biophysical effects that are described in the EAMP, anticipates how these effects will impact people livelihoods, and provides a detailed compensation plan.
The Social and Environmental Management Framework and Operational Plan (SEMFOP), prepared by independent experts for the Government of the Lao PDR. The SEMFOP contains information from the preliminary biodiversity area management plan prepared by the New York based NGO Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), as well as from the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) - the original study prepared by International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for the watershed and Nakai-Nam Theun NBCA. The SEMFOP is specifically aimed at drawing a conservation plan for the Project watershed.

NTPC and the Government have amended the Concession Agreement, in particular its sections related to environmental and social obligations of the parties, pursuant to the with the recommendations of the Safeguards released during the second semester of 2004.