PB role: lender’s engineer, social and environmental due diligence, monitoring and evaluation over 17 years
PB is the lender’s technical adviser for the Nam Theun 2 Hydroelectric Project in Laos. PB prepared the due diligence on the social and environmental aspects of the project, which incorporates a roller-compacted concrete dam, a 450 km2 reservoir, saddle dams, an intake channel from the reservoir, a powerhouse, substation, transmission lines, and a 26 km tailrace channel that ultimately connects to the Mekong River.
The completed project will supply generating capacity and electrical energy to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, and to Electricité du Laos. It will be the largest single source of foreign exchange income for Laos. The project is also bringing new housing, drinkable water, electricity and sanitation to the 6,200 residents of the Nakai Plateau, and an opportunity for irrigation and agricultural diversification for over 100,000 residents in the downstream area.
PB’s role also includes monitoring and evaluating the environmental, social and engineering aspects of the project during its construction and initial operating phase. Monitoring and evaluation have now begun, and are likely to continue over a 17-year period.