The event, the second of its kind so far, was chaired by Le Cong Thanh, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment and Vice Chairman of the Vietnam National Mekong Commission. Participants were updated on the progress of the Mekong River Commission (MRC)’s technical assessment report on documents related to the project. Experts also gave […]

This was the Xayaburi Dam a year ago as it started to get ready for testing. Tests are running well ahead of schedule. (Photo provided) The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is planning to accelerate power distribution from the Xayaburi hydroelectric power project in Laos ahead of schedule as the regulator wants to curb the overall […]

Residents along the Mekong River and local NGOs are increasingly concerned about migrant fish swimways in transboundary waters after learning of the Lao government’s plan to begin construction of the Pak Lay hydropower dam in 2022. Ngach Samin, the president of the Cambodia Indigenous Youth Association based in Stung Treng province, said the Xe Pian […]

VIENTIANE, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) — Lao government officials are learning the numerous benefits of biogas during a course in capital Vientiane supported by China’s Ministry of Commerce. The opening ceremony of a biogas pit was held on Wednesday in Xaythany district, Lao capital Vientiane and chaired by Vice-chairman of the Laos-China Cooperation Commission under Lao […]

Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam have urged fellow Mekong River Commission member Laos to address cross-border and environmental impact issues following consultations on its Pak Lay hydropower dam project. On Thursday, the MRC member countries agreed on a statement on the proposed project, after they concluded a six-month prior consultation process. The statement called on Laos […]

VIENTIANE, April 19 (Xinhua) — For most of the villagers living along the River of Nam Tha in Bokeo province in northern Laos, they have never expected that their life would been changed so much with the Chinese-built Nam Tha 1 Hydropower Plant. The project is the first overseas BOT (build-operation-transfer) hydropower project carried out […]

The Thai government must suspend plans to buy electricity from a dam in Lao, conservationists said Friday, as water levels along the kingdom’s section of Mekong river plummet to near-record lows. The Thai-built Xayaburi dam, a few hours from the northern Lao town of Luang Prabang, is set to be completed in October, the latest […]

NONG KHAI: The first hydropower dam on the lower Mekong River began commercial operations in Laos on Tuesday amid protests from Thai villagers who say the Xayaburi Dam and several others in the works will destroy their livelihoods. The 1,285-megawatt Xayaburi Dam’s debut coincides with parts of the Mekong drying to a trickle even at the end […]

BANGKOK – A multi-billion dollar hydro-electric power plant on the Mekong river in Laos was officially switched on Tuesday, as drone images of dried-up downstream areas stirred fresh outcry on one of the world’s great rivers. READ: World biggest hydroelectric dam planned for Africa The Thai-owned Xayaburi dam has been a lightning rod for criticism even before construction began […]

The government is encouraging the building of environmentally-friendly hydropower plants to ensure green growth and sustainable poverty reduction, according to a senior government official. “The government is highly encouraged to promote environmentally-friendly and sustainable hydropower projects,” Deputy Minister of Natural Resource and Environment, Ms Bounkham Vorachit, said on November 5. “Therefore, all development projects need […]