Energy
IFC to lead sustainable hydro in Myanmar
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has signed to advise the government on environmental and social risk management for hydropower projects nationwide. This is the first time anything like this will be done in Myanmar. Commentators say they hope it will serve as the basis for transparent ...
Electricity of Vietnam to sell all shares in ABBank: report
State-owned Electricity of Vietnam has announced that it will sell all of its 16.2 percent stake in An Binh Commercial Joint Stock Bank next month, news website VnEconomy reported on 22 September. Nearly 81.6 million shares will be put up for auction on 14 October, with ...
Don Sahong project to begin construction in November
The 260-MW Don Sahong hydroelectric project is anticipated to begin construction before the end of this year after a number of agreements related to the project have been signed to guide the project’s go ahead. The Lao Ministry of Energy and Mine’s Policy and Planning Department ...
Groups slam dam go-ahead
Advocacy groups on 21 September voiced their “strong disappointment” over the approval of the concession agreement for the controversial Don Sahong hydropower dam in Laos. Keep reading ...
Lightning triggers another blackout in Yangon
Electrical engineers blamed lightning for the nearly citywide blackouts in Yangon on 17 September, and dismissed social media rumours suggesting election-related manipulation. One of the main power lines connecting Yangon with Meiktila township in Mandalay was damaged by a monsoon storm rolling through southern Myanmar, according ...
Vietnamese environment group voices concerns over Mekong dam
An environmental watchdog based in Vietnam is asking the Laos government to reconsider the construction of a controversial hydropower plant along the Mekong River. The non-governmental organisation Vietnam River Network issued a press release on 18 September stating that the Don Sahong project, the second largest ...
World Bank approves $400m electrification loan
The World Bank approved a US$400 million interest-free loan to provide financing and technical assistance to help bring electricity to more than 6.2 million people in Myanmar, the bank announced on 17 September. The loan will support Myanmar’s National Electrification Plan and was granted by the ...
Floods wreak havoc in Kampot
Residents of Kampot province continued to feel the devastating effects of widespread flooding in the area caused by the opening of the Kamchay Hydropower Dam, which has left thousands temporarily homeless and crippled local businesses. Keo Vy, spokesman of the National Committee for Disaster Management, said ...
Hundreds flee homes after dam gates opened
More than 500 homes were flooded in Kampot province’s Toek Chhou district on 16 September morning after the gates of the Kamchay Hydropower Dam were opened, according to officials, with the chiefs of two of three affected communes saying they were given little or no advance ...
World Bank offers funds for Myanmar's national power plan
The World Bank approved an interest-free loan to Myanmar of US$400 million on 16 September to aid the country’s ambitious National Electrification Plan and its goal of ensuring nationwide access to electricity by 2030. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Bank said the loan would assist expansion ...
