‘Tesla of Thailand’ Mulls Hydropower Plants to Balance EV Risks
Energy Absolute Pcl took a detour from developing solar and wind farms to lead Thailand’s biggest electric-vehicle venture. While it’s still betting that EVs have the biggest growth potential, the company is also returning to its roots in renewables. The Thai utility is assessing the viability of developing two dam-based hydropower projects in Laos, according to Deputy […]
25th meeting of Mekong Council reviews work on river
Quang Ninh (VNA) – The 25th meeting of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Council was convened in Ha Long city, the northern province of Quang Ninh, on November 28. It brought together 120 delegates from the council’s four member countries of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. The commission’s dialogue partners – China and Myanmar, and […]
A broken dam and broken promises: Laos doubles down on hydropower despite risks
Two years ago this week, a dam in southern Laos collapsed, releasing a flood that displaced over 7,000 people and killed at least 71. When a section of the Xe Pian-Xe Namnoy hydropower project broke on July 23, 2018, it sent 500 million cubic meters of water downstream. The flooding destroyed people’s homes and farms, inundating […]
ADB Signs Loan for First Cross-Border Wind Power Project in Asia, First Plant in Lao PDR and Largest in Southeast Asia
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Monsoon Wind Power Company Limited (Monsoon) signed a $ 692.55 million nonrecourse project financing package to build a 600-megawatt wind power plant in Sekong and Attapeu provinces in the southern region of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) to export and sell power to neighboring Viet Nam. Comprising 133 […]
After a Long Boom, an Uncertain Future for Big Dam Projects
The rise of wind and solar power, coupled with the increasing social, environmental and financial costs of hydropower projects, could spell the end of an era of big dams. But even anti-dam activists say it’s too early to declare the demise of large-scale hydro. The last few years have been turbulent for the global dam […]
Agencies told to find ways to mitigate Laos dam impact
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon urged authorities concerned to discuss and find ways to mitigate the possible environmental impact from the Sanakham Dam project in Laos in the upcoming scheduled public hearings. “[The committee] is concerned about the impact of the dam, as it is located just two kilometres away from the Thai border. As such, […]
As Lao dam plans progress, farmers worry about compensation for lost land
Chinese developers are preparing to begin work on two major hydropower dams to be built on the Mekong River in Laos, projects government officials hope will bring the impoverished country closer to its goal of become the battery of Southeast Asia.
As Tonle Sap Drys Up, River Commission Urges More Data Sharing to Address Low Mekong Levels
PHNOM PENH — The Mekong River Commission asked countries along the waterbody to share data of falling water levels in the river, especially in light of the record dry conditions witnessed in the Tonle Sap Lake. The river commission released a press release on Friday urging the six countries along the Mekong River to address record low […]
Asean moves one step closer to power integration
SINGAPORE is set to ink an agreement with Laos, Thailand and Malaysia at an Asean meeting next month to advance cooperation on cross-border power trading, Second Minister for Trade and Industry Tan See Leng said on Monday.
BCEL, EV Laos to Launch Payment System for Electric Vehicle Charging
Banque pour le Commerce Exterieur Lao Public (BCEL) and EV Lao Company have teamed up to launch a smart card system for the payment of charging costs for electric vehicles. The proposed smart card would link BCEL’s smart card system and EV Lao’s EVBox charging system, Vientiane Times reported. BCEL began offering fee and bill […]