Energy
Electricity production
Don Sahong dam critical for development of southern Laos
The government regards the Don Sahong hydropower project as the key driver for socio-economic development and poverty reduction in southern Laos. Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines Mr Viraphonh Viravong told Vientiane Times on 2 November that the power generated by the US$500-million dam will be used ...
Mekong dams 'a grave threat to river'
Experts are warning that the Lower Mekong Basin may soon face depleting fish stocks, further erosion of the coastline and rising salinity that will make rice fields uncultivable. The facts are stronger than ever,” said Marc Goichot, an expert on sustainable hydropower and river basin management, ...
Korea signs US$80.8 million loan for hydropower project with Laos
The Korean Economic Development Cooperation Fund from the Republic of Korea has signed a loan agreement for US$80.8 million (about 658 billion kip) with the Lao government. The funds will be used for the development of the Xepian-Xenamnoy hydropower plant in Champassak province. The loan agreement was ...
Laos boosts hydropower, explores coal deposits for shale gas
Laos aims to sharply boost its hydropower generation to 10,000 megawatts by 2020 and is exploring for shale gas as part of plans to export electricity to its neighbours, its vice minister of energy and mines said on 26 October. Laos is among Asia’s poorest countries ...
'Renewable energy' plans steady growth
Renewable energy is one of the main sectors expected to engage in more merger and acquisition (M&A) activity offshore in the next three to five years, according to Kasikornbank. KBank, one of the major banks involved with corporate fund-raising, on 21 October shared its views on the upward ...
Mekong dams will wipe out fisheries, study says
Preliminary findings from a soon-to-be released report have reinforced dismal projections for the future of Cambodia’s fisheries if 11 planned mainstream hydropower dams are built on the Mekong River. Presented on 21 October at the Greater Mekong Forum on Water, Food and Energy in Phnom Penh, the ...
NGOs push for postponement of Don Sahong dam on Mekong
The lower three Mekong Countries, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam as well as environmental groups, have expressed concern about the Don Sahong dam’s impact on the environment, movement of fish and water quality and flow. The project has yet to be approved by the Mekong River Commission, ...
Lao officials to inform neighboring countries about dam construction schedule
A delegation of Lao officials will visit two neighboring countries to inform them about the commencement of construction work on a controversial 260-megawatt hydropower dam on the Mekong River, a Lao official with knowledge of the issue said on 14 October. Three lower Mekong countries – ...
Vietnam wakes up to disaster possibilities after China discharges water in river
The National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting has reported unusual flooding in the Red River in northern Vietnam since 11 October following heavy inflows from China, where massive volumes of water have allegedly been discharged from dams. Though there has been no human casualty, the flooding has ...
Villagers displaced by Xayaboury dam enjoy higher incomes
Villagers who had to leave their homes to make way for the Xayaboury hydropower plant project are now earning more money, thanks to income-generating activities and employment opportunities offered by the project. For instance, one indicator shows that the annual average income per family in Nator ...
