(September 26, 2006) The proposal to build 13 hydropower plants on the Nu (Salween) River in southwestern China’s Yunnan Province constitutes a form of “predatory development”, said Wang Shucheng, China’s Minister of Water Resources.
NGOs in China: Helping those devoured by the dragon
(September 5, 2006) ‘We are not fundamentally against the [Nu River dams] project,’ Yu Xiaogang insists. ‘But we want the consequences for the environment, for the people and for the economy to be assessed first, just as the law requires.’
Hydropower accident kills seven in SW China province
(August 24, 2006) An accident at Shuanglong hydropower station near the city of Yibin in Sichuan swept seven workers to their death, left one person missing and injured six others.
China warns aging dams risk flood disaster
(August 8, 2006) The head of China’s State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters has said he is worried about the country’s aging dams, many of which were built in the 1950s and 1960s. ‘Now many dams are already operating beyond their expiry date,’ he said.
Damming Asia’s watershed: China’s hydropower plans in Tibet
(August 4, 2006) After covering most of the rivers of southwestern China in dams and turbines, the big players in the industry – encouraged by the central government in Beijing – are now coveting Tibet, which is thought to have the biggest potential capacity of all.
Asian hopes for hydropower may add to oil reliance
(August 4, 2006) ‘Asian plans for a multitude of hydroelectric projects will lead some nations to a greater reliance on dams to meet power demand, potentially triggering costly bouts of extra oil imports in times of drought.’
Report from the Nu River: “Nobody has told us anything.”
(August 2, 2006) In the Nu River valley in southwest China, exploration work is under way for a string of hydroelectric dams. Wang Yongchen visited the region to hear what local people have to say about the controversial project.
Water source to be built
(July 19, 2006) Shanghai will begin construction of a new 16 billion yuan hydro project in September.
China to build hydropower stations
(July 19, 2006) A series of hydroelectric power plants are planned for the Tarim River region, where the longest inland river in China runs.
Environmentalists say China misusing cross-border rivers
(July 18, 2006) China’s plans for cross-border hydro expansion create tension with Central Asia and Russia.
China says it’s building hydro-electric station over Sutlej
(July 7, 2006) China’s plan to build a barrage across the Sutlej River in Tibet has raised concerns that Beijing ‘may finally be controlling the flow of water into India.’
Nu River: environmentalists may not sue SEPA
(July 3, 2006) Greens may cancel plan to sue dams watchdog.
Help wanted to protect China’s Nu River
(June 15, 2006) The International Rivers Network (IRN) is appealing for help to keep the Nu (Salween) River in China flowing freely. The river is one of only two undammed rivers in China.
China’s new dam builders and electricity regulator
(July 6, 2006) China’s new electricity industry regulator (SERC) should initiate an open and impartial review of proposed large-scale hydro investments in Yunnan province, in cooperation with its environmental counterpart, SEPA.
Drought paralyses big hydro scheme
(May 30, 2006) The severe northern drought has shut down the Xiaolangdi Dam, the largest and most expensive hydro-electric scheme on the Yellow River.
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