Mapping environmental impacts of hydropower in Laos

The Nam Theun 2 Hydropower Project, or simply NT2, is the largest hydroelectric project so far in Laos, supplying the local area as well as neighbouring Thailand with power. GRAS, a DHI subsidiary company, together with Earth Systems Lao, will produce, deliver and assess the usability and benefits of Earth Observation (EO) information products and services in support of the NT2 project. This is in support of the European Space Agency (ESA) strategy to mainstream the use of EO-based services within European Investment Bank (EIB) financing and project operations.

The service will deliver EO-based forest cover and land use information for the project with a particular focus on documenting illegal activities such as logging, settlements and agriculture in designated areas for forest protection and resettlement. In addition, an EO-based reservoir monitoring system will be developed based on high-frequency medium resolution optical and radar (ASAR) data. All information will be made available for the watershed management program which is embedded in the NT2 project.