Deal #6602 Version #76307

"The project risks releasing heavy metals into local water supplies and damaging the wilderness that local communities rely on for their food and livelihoods. The project also poses significant transboundary impacts. A set of transmission lines from Hongsa into Nan province, Thailand have already been built through sensitive forest areas. Two more sets of power lines are set to be built in coming years. Additionally, the operation risks contaminating lakes that extend into Thailand with mercury. As with any coal-fired power project, it also contributes significantly to climate change and represents a threat to human rights and climate justice. The environmental impact assessment for the project involved no meaningful consultation with the affected communities and failed to assess any transboundary impacts." -- EarthRights

Houses replaced, 2 ha agric land per household, employment opportunities

Hongsa Power signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Polytechnic College in Vientiane for education development through technical training and practical courses.

In 2018, the company gave 40 scholarships worth 120 million kip for secondary school students in Ngeun, Hongsa, and Xienghon districts.