Laos: Other Projects

The Lao government has announced its intention to build close to 30 new dams by 2020. Learn more about some key Lao hydropower projects, such as Nam Theun 1 and the Nam Ngum hydropower cascade. Download a map or a table of some existing and proposed Lao hydro projects.

Nam Theun 1
The Nam Theun 1 dam would be built downstream from the Nam Theun 2 and Theun-Hinboun hydropower projects,about 30 kilometers from the Mekong confluence. This Thai-Malaysian dam sponsored by Gamuda and EGCO would be built in the middle of Laos' remote Nam Kading National Protected Area, an area classified by conservation organizations as one of 35 global biodiversity "hotspots". Its reservoir would effectively divide the protected area in two, destroying large swathes of riverine and terrestrial wildlife habitat. Hunting and poaching pressures are already on the rise; and even before an environmental impact assessment has been approved, project roads have been constructed into the park. Reports indicate that more than 3,500 people will be displaced to make way for Nam Theun 1, and that communities downstream can expect decreases in water flows, water quality, and fisheries. Nam Theun 1's economic viability has also been questioned, especially considering the development of the Theun-Hinboun Expansion Project upstream.

International Rivers has written to Gamuda and EGCO to request more information about Nam Theun 1. The companies have failed to respond, raising additional concerns about the lack of public disclosure and responsiveness of the project developers.

Read a briefing paper on Nam Theun 1.

Nam Ngum Hydropower Cascade
The Nam Ngum hydropower cascade includes one dam in operation (Nam Ngum 1), another under construction (Nam Ngum 2), and at least six more proposed projects: Nam Ngum 3, Nam Ngum 5, Nam Lik 1 and 2 and Nam Bak 1 and 2. The Nam Ngum river basin includes parts of the Xaysomboune special zone, Vientiane and Xiengkhuang provinces. These projects are primarily being developed by Chinese and Thai developers, with Asian Development Bank (ADB) and World Bank support (through its Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency) anticipated for at least two of the proposed dams.

An ADB-sponsored report on the cumulative impacts of hydropower development in the Nam Ngum river basin indicates that proposed dams would have serious impacts on the livelihoods of tens of thousands of Laotians. But the flawed planning process makes it unlikely that this cumulative impact assessment (CIA) will have any influence over decisions taken on whether or how to proceed with these hydropower schemes.

Read a letter to the ADB regarding its involvement in the Nam Ngum river basin.

Read a press release on the CIA's findings.

 

LATEST ADDITIONS:

Three power plants delay export

Nam Ngum 5 hydropower project begins

Video: Shannon Lawrence Discusses Lao Hydropower Projects

International Rivers' Letter to Gamuda and EGCO on Nam Theun 1

Nam Ngum dams in Laos could hurt thousands: report

CONTACT US:

Shannon Lawrence
shannon [at] internationalrivers [dot] org
+216 23 456 969