Home Complaints database Proyecto Gato vs. Electricité de France
Complaint

Proyecto Gato vs. Electricité de France

Electricité de France involvement in Laos hydroelectric dam

Date filed
24 November 2004
Keywords
Countries of harm
Current status
No resolution
Sector
NCP

Allegations

Electricité de France is the main shareholder in the Nam Theun 2 (hydroelectric power) project in Laos. Construction began in May 2005 but there are concerns about the negative social and environmental impacts of the project including adverse impacts on biodiversity. In addition, the project will have major impacts on the livelihoods of villagers who have not been adequately consulted.

Relevant OECD Guidelines

Outcome

In December 2004, the French NCP met with NGOs to discuss the issues raised and the complaint procedure. According to the complainants, EDF was preparing a response, which was due in mid-January 2005. The NCP said it would invite the NGOs and EDF to meet by the end of January, at which time the parties will explain their positions.The complaint was accepted on February 14, 2005.

In April 2005, the French NCP issued a statement that no breaches of the OECD Guidelines could be attributed to EDF and that the company had even made commitments going beyond the Guidelines. The NGOs sent a letter of complaint about the French NCP’s conduct to the OECD’s Investment Committee as the NCP had never shared with the complainants the documentation it had obtained from other institutions, had issued its statement without adequately consulting the complainants, and had not facilitated any dialogue between the complainants and the company. They also asked the French NCP to reopen the case. This request was declined.

More details

Defendant
Company in violation
Other companies involved
Complainants
Affected people
Date rejected / concluded
1 March 2005

Documents