(September 15, 1998) Not even the economic crisis sweeping Asia can shake the World Bank’s commitment to the Nam Theun 2 hydro dam in Lao PDR. The dam’s developers have no customers for the power and no commercial lenders willing to risk their capital on the US$1.3-billion venture.
Laos eager to build $1.2B dam
(September 10, 1998) Laos is determined to become the battery of Southeast Asia through its $1.2 billion Nam Theun II hydroelectric dam, the country’s largest development project.
The gas-fired threat to South East Asian hydro power
(August 31, 1998) Hydro power is in danger of being overtaken by gas-fired generation, because perceptions of its economic and social costs and benefits are skewed, argues Tim Sharp.
Special analysis: Three Gorges dam no solution to floods
(August 24, 1998) As the Yangtze River Valley is engulfed by China’s worst flooding in more than four decades, debate over whether the Three Gorges dam would have stopped this year’s flood has been revived.
Background report: Resettlement problems of the Three Gorges dam (part II)
(August 24, 1998) Earlier this year, sociologist Wu Ming travelled to the counties around the Three Gorges Dam. Here is the second excerpt from his study, published by the International Rivers Network in March, 1998.
Special analysis: Three Gorges dam no solution to floods
As the Yangtze River Valley is engulfed by China’s worst flooding in more than four decades, debate over whether the Three Gorges dam would have stopped this year’s flood has been revived.
As Yangtze Rises, China Must Choose
(August 7, 1998) As China’s worst Yangtze flood in half a century hits, the government must decide whether to submerge poor rural districts in order to save large cities like Wuhan. Environmentalist Dai Qing says the Three Gorges Dam would not help.
Debt creating aspects of export credits
(August 1, 1998) Export Credit Guarantees should, as a rule, only be extended for development purposes. However, increases in export credit guarantees seem to reflect an exporter-driven drive for business, rather than a borrower-driven need for funding.
Power Company Off the Hook for Damaging Fisheries in Lao PDR Government or Foreign Aid Should Pay for Restoration, ADB Says
(July 28, 1998) The Lao government or foreign aid agencies should pay for restoring fisheries damaged by the Theun-Hinboun hydro dam, not the power company that owns and operates it, according to the project’s lead financier, the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Caught up in enthusiasm
(July 14, 1998) Critics say that the World Bank tolerated and in some ways may have inadvertently stoked the corruption and economically corrosive practices of the Suharto regime.
PRESS RELEASE: Internet news service on controversial Three Gorges dam launched
Three Gorges Probe July 8, 1998
(i) Zhu Rongji Heads Three Gorges Project
(ii) Dam Construction Spurs Archaeological Looting
(iii) Vegetation Species in Yangtze Dam Site to Disappear
(iv) Meteorological Stations to Forecast Floods for Dam
(v) New Book by Dai Qing Investigates Dam Disasters in China
News briefs
Egat delays power purchase: Commissioning date for controversial Nam Thuen 2 postponed
(June 25, 1998) Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand will defer purchases of electricity from several multi-billion-dollar projects in Laos, citing the slowdown in Thailand’s power demand.
World Bank promises dam resettlement reform
(June 23, 1998) The World Bank said on Tuesday some of its dam resettlement programmes were inadequately monitored, and promised to do more to protect the people these projects displace.
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