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Laos Defies Neighbors On Dam Project
June 30th, 2011
Via Reuters, a report that Laos is forging ahead with construction of a controversial $3.5 billion hydropower dam in breach of an agreement to suspend the project pending approval by ministers of neighboring countries. As the article notes: “…The Lao government has already given Thai developer Ch Karnchang the go-ahead to resume work on the […]
Read more »The Thirsty Dragon: Triggering A Revival In Downstream Hydropower Ambitions On The Mekong
February 8th, 2011
Via ChinaDialogue, a look at how China – by building dams on the upper Mekong – has triggered a revival in hydropower ambitions downstream. As the article notes: “…Much has been written on the downstream impact of China’s dams on the Mekong River, which flows through or along the borders of Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam […]
Read more »The (Power) Hungry Dragon: Myanmar, China, and Thailand Agree to Study $10 Billion Hydropower Project
November 16th, 2010
Via Reuters, a report that China, Myanmar and Thailand have agreed to study a $10 billion hydropower project that would be Southeast Asia’s largest by generation capacity. As the article notes: “…The 7-gigawatt project would be built on the Salween River in Myanmar over 15 years, China’s State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission said in […]
Read more »Mekong Progress? Study Calls For 10-Year Freeze on Dam Construction
November 8th, 2010
Via Circle of Blue, news of a new study approved by the Mekong River Commission (MRC) calling for a 10-year freeze on the construction of hydropower dams along Southeast Asia’s Mekong River.  As the article notes: “…When in September Laos submitted its plans for the construction of the 1,260-megawatt Sayaboury hydropower dam on the Mekong […]
Read more »Mekong Water Politics: Four + Two = Problems
April 4th, 2010
Courtesy of The San Francisco Chronicle, Dr. Peter Gleick weighs in on the coming crisis over the Mekong due to unconstrained development, natural droughts, and climate change. As he notes, much of the problem can be distilled down to the fact that while six nations share the watershed of the Mekong — China, Myanmar, Cambodia, […]
Read more »The Thirsty Dragon: Drought, Dams, and Border Tensions
March 17th, 2010
Via Science (subscription required), a report that – as drought grips the Lancang-Mekong basin in Asia – tensions are growing over Chinese dams. As the article notes: “…The drought’s effects have spilled across China’s borders, stoking tensions with neighbors and prompting scientific debate. Rice yields in Thailand are expected to take a big hit, and […]
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