(July 15, 2003) This month Thailand is expected to sign a multi-billion-dollar deal to buy power from the decade-old Nam Theun 2 hydro project in central Laos. But the dam’s fate will ultimately be decided in Washington, D.C., not Bangkok.
Letter from 40 NGOs from 21 Countries to World Bank President
(June 24, 2003) Without public disclosure of the underlying financial agreements for the Nam Theun 2 dam project, there is no way for the people of Lao PDR or Thailand to know whether or not this project is, as proponents claim, in their best interest.
A light for Laos out of poverty: Nam Theun 2
(December 5, 2002) But the hydroelectric dam will only go ahead if Thailand buys its power and the World Bank guarantees international investors for their foray.
China to tap Tibet’s hydel potential to sell power to India
(September 17, 2002) China wants to harness the hydroelectric capacity of rivers in eastern Tibet and sell the bulk of the power to India, The Hindu reports.
Tens of thousands may lose livelihoods due to Nam Theun 2
(August 30, 2002) “Despite millions spent on a decade of planning the Nam Theun 2 dam, the [World] Bank has grossly underestimated the number of people whose livelihoods are at risk for this project.” – says Gráinne Ryder, Probe International.
Master plan envisions multi-billion-dollar expansion of Vietnam’s electricity monopoly
(December 12, 2001) Vietnam Power Sector Backgrounder: Vietnam’s 10-year electricity master plan calls for massive investment in the country’s electricity monopoly by Western aid and export credit agencies.
Tibet’s biggest hydropower project to go into operation
(December 6, 2000) The first generating unit in a 100,000-kw hydropower project in southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region is expected to go in operation and go on stream late this year.
PRESS RELEASE: World Commission on Dams set to release final report tomorrow
(November 15, 2000) Dam Builders Fear Tougher Guidelines, Fewer Subsidies, an End to Large Dams.
Power to the people could cost
(October 7, 1999) Even if the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) needed the power, the massive Nam Theun 2 hydro dam can’t compete with Thailand’s new private power producers, writes PI’s Grainne Ryder.
Marleau promises to launch probe of CIDA activity
(May 17, 1999) Canada’s federal minister responsible for the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) said she knows nothing about the agency’s role in promoting CANDU nuclear reactors in Thailand.
Aid agency pushes nuclear sales
(May 16, 1999) CIDA program targets Thai teens in Candu drive.
Mekong river body opens new headquarters
(May 4, 1999) The four-country Mekong River Commission (MRC) inaugurated its new headquarters on a bank of the Mekong river on Tuesday in the southern outskirts of the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh.
World Bank inaugurates office in Laos
(April 29, 1999) The World Bank inaugurated an office in impoverished Laos this week, saying it would help strengthen its efforts to ease the country’s economic troubles.
Controversial dam projects may lose Development Bank funding
(April 24, 1999) The Asian Development Bank is poised to stop funding controversial dam construction in Laos amid fears of poor viability and rampant illegal logging of some of the region’s last rainforests.
Changnoi: Not a picnic for Pak Mool refugees
(April 21, 1999) This project completed in 1994 has proved to be a social and environmental disaster. It is a monument to bad development thinking and bad government. It has enough moral potential to magnify the importance of this remote protest.
Patricia Adams
Dai Qing
Fan Xiao
Lawrence Solomon
Mu Lan
Probe International
Lisa Peryman
Probe Media
Other News Sources
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