(December 1, 1997) After years of delay, construction could soon begin on the proposed Xekaman 1 hydroelectric dam in the southern Lao province of Attapeu.
Other News Sources
Privatization of Thailand’s Power Sector Squashes Competition, Protects Private Sector Cronies
(November 20, 1997) A study released this week by Probe International, a division of Canada’s Energy Probe Research Foundation, says that privatization of Thailand’s electric utility (EGAT) is plagued by half-measures that protect EGAT’s monopoly and its private sector cronies at the expense of Thai consumers. Without effective reform, the study warns, consumers will have to pay more for electricity.
Shattered Rwanda vows to repay billion dollar debt
(November 17, 1997) Rwanda’s economy has been shattered by years of ethnic conflict, but it has vowed to repay all foreign debts incurred by previous regimes even if the money was used to repress Rwandans.
Nam Theun future still cloudy
(November 17, 1997) Seldom has an Asian electricity project been so dogged before it has been given the formal go-ahead as the 681 MW Nam Theun 2 dam project in Laos. But that is the case with this project in Laos’ central highlands, endorsed by the operations committee of the World Bank on October 31.
China dams third major river in a month
(November 12, 1997) China has dammed its third major river in a month in an effort to boost hydro-electric power capacity, the China Daily reported Wednesday.
PRESS RELEASE Crisis loom as engineers prepare to dam Three Gorges
(November 7, 1997) As engineers prepare to divert the Yangtze River and build a temporary coffer dam, longtime concerns raised by international experts are becoming technical problems at China’s Three Gorges dam site.
Crisis loom as engineers prepare to dam Three Gorges
PRESS RELEASE The River Dragon has come!
(November 3, 1997) As officials prepare to divert China’s mighty Yangtze River to build the world’s largest dam, Chinese journalist Dai Qing is releasing a new book of critical essays about the controversial Three Gorges project. The River Dragon Has Come! is a stern warning to China’s leaders from prominent Chinese intellectuals, engineers, and journalists about the dam’s potentially disastrous effects on China’s economy, people, and venerable Yangtze River.
The River Dragon has come!
(November 3, 1997) As officials prepare to divert China’s mighty Yangtze River to build the world’s largest dam, Chinese journalist Dai Qing is releasing a new book of critical essays about the controversial Three Gorges project.
The River Dragon has come!
(November 3, 1997) As officials prepare to divert China’s mighty Yangtze River to build the world’s largest dam, Chinese journalist Dai Qing is releasing a new book of critical essays about the controversial Three Gorges project.
The advantages of combined cycle plants: A ‘New Generation’ technology
(November 1, 1997) Electricity industries worldwide are undergoing a period of profound upheaval.
Reforming Thailand’s power sector: towards a sustainable electricity future
(November 1, 1997) As part of its financial rescue package for Thailand’s economy, the International Monetary Fund recently advised the Thai government to end subsidization and accelerate privatization of its ailing financial institutions and state enterprises.
PRESS RELEASE: GE alerted to economic risks, environmental destruction and human rights abuses linked to TG dam
General Electric shareholders are getting involved in the riskiest and most destructive dam project ever, according to seven environmental groups, representing nearly 900,000 supporters across North America.
Military Logging Company Expects World Bank Funds to Police Forests and Forcibly Resettle Ethnic Communities
(October 2, 1997) The World Bank is expected to vote this month whether or not to support resettlement and conservation in the Nam Theun 2 watershed in Lao PDR.
Probe Alert October 1997
For more than a quarter of a century, Canadian mining giant Placer Dome has mined copper on Marinduque Island in the Philippines through its 40%-owned subsidaiary, the Marcopper Mining Corporation. Marcopper’s operations have brought environmental harm and hardship to many Marinduque communities, a legacy that culminated last year in a major environmental disaster.
Probe International 