Asian Development Bank / Letters

International Rivers comments to the ADB noting that its draft Energy Strategy and ADB's project pipeline ultimately convey a "business-as-usual" approach with continued support for large hydropower and fossil fuel projects.

Letter from IRN to Theun-Hinboun Power Company (THPC) General Manager, Alex Sanford, raising concerns about flooding impacts from the Theun-Hinboun dam, and the company's failure to provide adequate compensation and mitigation measures for fisheries losses and to affected villagers along the Nam Kading. Questions about the planned Theun-Hinboun Extension Project, which is likely to exacerbate these impacts, are also posed.

The ADB is conducting a study designed to develop a regional energy sector strategy for the Mekong Region. IRN’s analysis identifies several limitations in the design of the study including fundamental shortcomings with the proposed participatory processes, and calls on the ADB to support civil societies call for a Comprehensive Energy Options Assessment for the Mekong Region.

Letter raises questions and concerns regarding information disclosure, project monitors, resettlement, and environmental management during construction.

Thirty NGOs – mostly from the Mekong region – have written to the Asian Development Bank urging the Bank to work with regional governments, donors and civil society to undertake a participatory assessment of the region’s energy needs – and the best options for meeting these needs – in line with World Commission on Dams’ recommendations.

Read IRN's letter to ADB. Read ADB's response.

Letter detailing environmental and social problems with Nam Theun 2, the lack of power demand in Thailand, violations of World Commission on Dams guidelines, and the track record of ADB dams in Laos.

International Rivers submitted the following answers to the questionnaire circulated by ADB to solicit comments on the Draft Environment Policy Working Paper.