Independent Technical Review: NT2 Resettlement Plan and Proposed Livelihood Options

IRN and Environmental Defense commissioned two experts to review the resettlement plan and the viability of the various livelihood options proposed for the Nakai Plateau communities, as outlined in the project’s Social Development Plan (SDP). The reviewers found that many of the plans are unrealistic and that the Nam Theun 2 Power Company (NTPC) is overly optimistic about the potential productivity of the proposed livelihood options. Despite NTPC’s acknowledgement of many of these risks, the reviewers point to a high likelihood of failure that has not been addressed by the project’s developers.