(April 5, 2005) A new dam funded by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and hailed as a windfall for Laos may end up doing more harm than good to one of the world’s poorest nations and its vulnerable farmers, several independent development groups say.
Nam Theun 2 figures don’t add up
(April 5, 2005) The World Bank’s final report on Nam Theun 2 relies on key assumptions that contradict both official Thai government plans for the power sector and the findings of other World Bank- commissioned reports on NamTheun 2.
Le Banque Mondiale soutient Nam Theun 2
(April 4, 2005) Le conseil d’administration de la Banque mondiale a décidé d’apporter son soutien au financement du très controversé projet de méga-barrage hydroélectrique de Nam Theun 2 au Laos.
PRESS RELEASE: World Bank dam will generate debt burden for Laotians
(April 1, 2005) The World Bank’s decision to finance the US$1.2 billion Nam Theun 2 hydro project will become an intractable debt burden for Laotians in years to come, warns Probe International, a Canadian-based foreign aid watchdog. "It is projects like Nam Theun 2 that eventually need debt forgiveness because they are not economically viable and they don’t generate the wealth needed to repay the loans," said Patricia Adams, Probe’s executive director and an expert on odious Third World debt.
Huge Laotian dam gets World Bank financing
(April 1, 2005) Environmental groups say the Laotian government isn’t equipped to manage revenue from the Nam Theun 2 dam or look after the rights of its people.
The World Bank’s watershed decision: Nam Theun 2
(March 28, 2005) In April, the countries on the governing board of the World Bank will consider a proposed high dam on the Nam Theun River – a decision that will set a pattern for decisions regarding hydroelectric dams around the world for years to come.
A Nam Theun 2 proponent responds to critics
(March 26, 2005) “Based on in-depth and detailed [World Bank] analyses . . . we are confident that Nam Theun 2 will be a benefit and not a burden to Thai consumers.”
Rehab may stretch beyond 2006, setting back project by 2 yrs
(March 25, 2005) Besides the recent Supreme Court order on Narmada oustees, another thing that could delay the completion of the Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) in Gujarat is the shoddy rehabilitation of
project-affected families (PAFs) by neighbouring Madhya Pradesh.
SC order, MP may hold up Gujarat’s work on Narmada project
(March 24, 2005) States told to extend benefits to PAFs irrespective of status.
All affected families entitled to rehabilitation
(March 16, 2005) The Supreme Court Tuesday came to the rescue of thousands of people displaced by the Sardar Sarovar dam, saying even temporarily affected families were eligible for rehabilitation.
Villagers protest Nam Theun 2 dam project
(March 15, 2005) An independent energy analyst claims electricity from Nam Theun 2 would be 14% more expensive than that produced from alternative, renewable energy sources.
Protesters urge World Bank to stop Nam Theun 2 project
(March 15, 2005) By supporting Nam Theun 2, the World Bank might repeat the same mistake it made at Pak Mool, which generated neither benefits to the local people nor sufficient electricity to Thailand’s power system, say protesters.
Lao power may not be the best buy
(March 15, 2005) Thailand has a number of energy options which negate the need for importing hydroelectricity from Laos.
Thai citizens urge World Bank to stop supporting Nam Theun 2 dam
(March 14, 2005) “The World Bank has never shown us any real commitment to take project impacts seriously and get involved in problem solving afterwards, at the very least, to provide all parties with important lessons to avoid the same mistakes elsewhere.”
Letter to the World Bank from citizens groups and NGOs
(March 14, 2005) “We believe that not only does this project fail to meet the World Bank’s environmental and social standards, the World Bank’s decision framework for the Nam Theun 2 Dam has not yet been fulfilled.”
Patricia Adams
Dai Qing
Fan Xiao
Lawrence Solomon
Mu Lan
Probe International
Lisa Peryman
Probe Media
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Probe International 