Laos: No Work On Xayaburi Dam Until Green Concerns Solved

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LAOS

Laos: no work on Xayaburi dam until green concerns solved

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation

Phuket

File Photo

BANGKOK: -- Laos said yesterday it would not make a final decision on construction of the Xayaburi dam in the main stream body of the Mekong River before approval by the international community and countries in the Lower Mekong basin over environment concerns.

Work on the site by the Thai construction company Ch Karnchang was just preparation, mostly in the primary and exploration stage, said Lao Vice Minister of Energy and Mines Viraphonh Viravong.

Laos has proposed building the Xayaburi Dam on the main stream Mekong, about 150 km downstream from Luang Prabang, to generate 1,260MW of power, mainly for export to Thailand.

Laos has followed guidance under the 1995 Mekong agreement following prior consultation with other members within six months - a period that ended in April of last year.

"Laos has complied with the regulations and taken all concerns made by member countries into account and found the project caused no serious damage to the river and environment," Viraphonh said.

However many members, notably Cambodia and Vietnam, which are downstream from the site, as well as civic groups in Thailand, remain concerned over fish migration and sediment. Consequently the Lao authority has conducted further studies on the environment, Viraphonh said.

A Swiss consultant recommended flushing as a way to release sediment downstream and more fish ladders to allow fish migration, he said.

A French dam operator was hired as a consultant to review environment impact and a report by this consultant was sent to other members of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) a week ago, he said.

The consultant suggested regularly opening of flushing ways to release sediment every month - but that would cause a halt in electricity generating.

"We will address and take into account all reasonable concerns in order to make this Xayaburi dam a transparent dam and a role model for other dams in the mainstream of the Mekong River," Viraphonh told reporters.

The design of the Xayaburi dam was modified to make it an environment-friendly hydropower project, he said. "Even the turbine to generate electricity was a fish friendly version," he said.

Modification and adjustment of the dam could slightly raise construction costs, he said and noted the Lao government was consulting with Ch Karnchang if the company could absorb the cost, he said.

The Lao minister was in Phuket yesterday for an international conference on transboundary river management in which executives from 14 international river systems around the world participated.

In the messages they would send to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro next month, the executives emphasised that 'nexus' would be a key consideration for regional stability on water, food and energy.

[Nexus: a connection, usually where multiple elements meet, as for example spokes to a wheel hub]

One of the nine points in the message said "in addressing the nexus it is recognised that water management needs to respect the basin and aquifer as the basic unit, from the smallest catchment to the major transboundary basins."

"Hence the opportunities and trade-off of the nexus need to be addressed at the basin level, and transboundary river basin and aquifer management entities should be empowered to play their role in influencing national decisions."

MRC chief executive officer Hans Guttman said an empowered river management body had been experienced in the Niger River [in Africa].

However, such an example might not fit the circumstances of the Mekong River when conflict among members over the transboundary impact of their respective development projects is considered.

-- The Nation 2012-05-04

[sparebox2]

No Dams mean more flood for Cambodia / Vietnam.

[4u2mad]

First, I was under the impression that the border between Thailand and Laos ran down the middle of the Mekong, so obviously both countries would have to agree, because it would be difficult to dam half the river, no? Second, why is Laos "selling" the electricity to Thailand if, as it seems, Thai Banks are underwriting the deal? Third, what guarantees do the countries of the lower Mekong have that their reliance on the rivers water for irrigation would take preference over the need to generate power from the dam? Fourth, since in the five years I have lived here, nothing I have seen gives me any faith in Thailand's conservation policies, why should this project prove the exception to the rule? Fifth, if, as I seem to remember reading somewhere, China is planning on building more dams far above this project, would there still be enough water to serve everyones needs?

[hgma]

I think it is just a question of oppose or agree with this sort of development.

It is 2012 and Laos has made huge steps forward in her effort to become part of the international community.

ILO ....ASEAN...AEC.....to name a few.

Still considered one of the poorest developed countries in the world.....landlocked and disregarded by the "outside world" for far to long.

In order to connect her people to the 2012 environment it has unfortunatly few other choices then tourism...hydro electric and mine concession.

I DO understand the objections since i personally object any dam for that matter, but my choice goes in favor of the Lao Pdr to have at least the change to improve livingstandards in Laos and upgrading the country to the standards so many of us enjoy.

[pacovl46]

No Dams mean more flood for Cambodia / Vietnam.

a dam means not enough water and not enough sediments and draughts for all the regions below the dam.

[pacovl46]

It's great that Laos considers environmental issues unlike China that doesn't give a f.ck!!!

[hopdafru]

First, I was under the impression that the border between Thailand and Laos ran down the middle of the Mekong, so obviously both countries would have to agree, because it would be difficult to dam half the river, no? Second, why is Laos "selling" the electricity to Thailand if, as it seems, Thai Banks are underwriting the deal? Third, what guarantees do the countries of the lower Mekong have that their reliance on the rivers water for irrigation would take preference over the need to generate power from the dam? Fourth, since in the five years I have lived here, nothing I have seen gives me any faith in Thailand's conservation policies, why should this project prove the exception to the rule? Fifth, if, as I seem to remember reading somewhere, China is planning on building more dams far above this project, would there still be enough water to serve everyones needs?

if you follow the mekong west from Vientiane for about 100km, the river makes a 90 degree right turn to the north and 'loses' its border status thus flowing within laos via PakLai, xagnabury, luang prabang etc. The dam is therefore inside laos and funded by thailand with 90 percent of the electricity generated exported to LOS.

[folium]

It's great that Laos considers environmental issues unlike China that doesn't give a f.ck!!!

Laos' concern for environmental issues is about as genuine as China's whether it be a series of dams on the mainstream Mekong or lignite mines/power plants at Hongsa (see below)

http://laoinvestorshouse.com/2011/05/20/edl-signs-on-for-hongsa-electricity/

[folium]

I think it is just a question of oppose or agree with this sort of development.

It is 2012 and Laos has made huge steps forward in her effort to become part of the international community.

ILO ....ASEAN...AEC.....to name a few.

Still considered one of the poorest developed countries in the world.....landlocked and disregarded by the "outside world" for far to long.

In order to connect her people to the 2012 environment it has unfortunatly few other choices then tourism...hydro electric and mine concession.

I DO understand the objections since i personally object any dam for that matter, but my choice goes in favor of the Lao Pdr to have at least the change to improve livingstandards in Laos and upgrading the country to the standards so many of us enjoy.

Many people will suffer within Laos as these dams are built and are either flooded out of their homes or lose their livelihoods as levels drop. Also at least 20 million subsistence farmers in the Tonle Sap region of Cambodia, or the Mekong delta in Vietnam will be materially impacted. A lot of eggs broken for this particular omlette.

[OzMick]

No Dams mean more flood for Cambodia / Vietnam.

a dam means not enough water and not enough sediments and draughts for all the regions below the dam.

A hydro-electric dam does not alter the total flow of the river, it reduces the peak flows and increases the normally low levels as it releases to generate.

[folium]

No Dams mean more flood for Cambodia / Vietnam.

a dam means not enough water and not enough sediments and draughts for all the regions below the dam.

A hydro-electric dam does not alter the total flow of the river, it reduces the peak flows and increases the normally low levels as it releases to generate.

The other issue to bear in mind is that Xayaburi is likely to be the first in a cascade of 11 dams planned for the main course of the Mekong which will in concert have a profound impact on flows, peaks and sediment levels.

The first 4 dams built on the upper Mekong by China have already had a material impact in all 3 of these respects in Thailand, Laos & Myanmar.

Edited May 5, 2012 by folium

[OzMick]

No Dams mean more flood for Cambodia / Vietnam.

a dam means not enough water and not enough sediments and draughts for all the regions below the dam.

A hydro-electric dam does not alter the total flow of the river, it reduces the peak flows and increases the normally low levels as it releases to generate.

The other issue to bear in mind is that Xayaburi is likely to be the first in a cascade of 11 dams planned for the main course of the Mekong which will in concert have a profound impact on flows, peaks and sediment levels.

The first 4 dams built on the upper Mekong by China have already had a material impact in all 3 of these respects in Thailand, Laos & Myanmar.

That is 11 planned SO FAR. Expect more because it is the way of the future.

[lovelaos]

I think it is just a question of oppose or agree with this sort of development.

It is 2012 and Laos has made huge steps forward in her effort to become part of the international community.

ILO ....ASEAN...AEC.....to name a few.

Still considered one of the poorest developed countries in the world.....landlocked and disregarded by the "outside world" for far to long.

In order to connect her people to the 2012 environment it has unfortunatly few other choices then tourism...hydro electric and mine concession.

I DO understand the objections since i personally object any dam for that matter, but my choice goes in favor of the Lao Pdr to have at least the change to improve livingstandards in Laos and upgrading the country to the standards so many of us enjoy.

Many people will suffer within Laos as these dams are built and are either flooded out of their homes or lose their livelihoods as levels drop. Also at least 20 million subsistence farmers in the Tonle Sap region of Cambodia, or the Mekong delta in Vietnam will be materially impacted. A lot of eggs broken for this particular omlette.

I see your point but some people will also benefit from better homes due to relocation plans such as this http://www.namtheun2.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=59&Itemid=69 and huge employment opportunities in engineering, logistics, construction etc

[folium]

I think it is just a question of oppose or agree with this sort of development.

It is 2012 and Laos has made huge steps forward in her effort to become part of the international community.

ILO ....ASEAN...AEC.....to name a few.

Still considered one of the poorest developed countries in the world.....landlocked and disregarded by the "outside world" for far to long.

In order to connect her people to the 2012 environment it has unfortunatly few other choices then tourism...hydro electric and mine concession.

I DO understand the objections since i personally object any dam for that matter, but my choice goes in favor of the Lao Pdr to have at least the change to improve livingstandards in Laos and upgrading the country to the standards so many of us enjoy.

Many people will suffer within Laos as these dams are built and are either flooded out of their homes or lose their livelihoods as levels drop. Also at least 20 million subsistence farmers in the Tonle Sap region of Cambodia, or the Mekong delta in Vietnam will be materially impacted. A lot of eggs broken for this particular omlette.

I see your point but some people will also benefit from better homes due to relocation plans such as this http://www.namtheun2...id=59&Itemid=69 and huge employment opportunities in engineering, logistics, construction etc

And sadly don't forget the private bankers in Singapore! Interesting to see who does the construction, my money is sub contracting to the Chinese as with Hongsa lignite plant/power station.

Edited May 5, 2012 by folium