Power Trade

Trading Away the Future: The Mekong Power Grid

Monday, September 25, 2006
International River’s briefing paper outlines threats arising from the Mekong Power Grid scheme, proposed by the ADB, that would facilitate the construction of numerous hydropower schemes in Laos, Burma, and China’s Yunnan province to feed the power–hungry cities of Thailand and Vietnam. The briefing paper identifies alternative sustainable solutions that would satisfy the region’s energy needs, including the promotion of renewable energy technologies and the adoption of energy efficiency measures.

IRN's Recommendations towards ADB's Mekong Region Energy Sector Strategy

Friday, September 22, 2006
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. Read IRN's analysis and recommendations towards the ADB's regional energy sector strategy. Read IRN's letter to the ADB and the ADB's reply. Mr. Rajat Nag, Director General,Southeast Asia Department,Asian Development B

Energy Options Assessment Needed for the Mekong Region

Tuesday, January 10, 2006
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. Mr. Rajat NagDirector General, Mekong DepartmentMekong DepartmentAsian Development Bank By email and US mail Dear Mr. Nag, We are writing regarding the ADB’s proposed Regional Technical Assistance for

Making Smart Choices for the Mekong

Saturday, October 1, 2005
The Asian Development Bank has spent millions of dollars over the past 12 years on studies investigating energy options in the Greater Mekong Subregion. All of these studies were heavily biased toward promoting a regional grid fueled by hydropower, and none have included a comprehensive options assessment in line with World Commission on Dams recommendations. In this edition of World Reviews Review, Aviva Imhof looks at the mountains of paper from past ADB studies and examines what a true options assessment might look like.

NGOs Ask ADB President to Suspend Power Interconnection Project Approval

Wednesday, November 12, 2003
NGO's write to the ADB to call for the suspension of the proposed Greater Mekong Subregion Power Interconnection Project Phase 1 regional technical assistance grant. The grant would design a transmission line from Nam Theun 2 to Vietnam during peak load periods and from the proposed Nam Theun 1 Hydropower Project in Laos to Vietnam and Thailand. Mr. Tadao Chino President Asian Development Bank PO Box 789 0980 Metro Manila Philippines Dear Mr. Chino, We are writing with regards to the ADB’s proposed Greater Mekong Subregion Power Interconnection Project Phase 1 regional technical as

Asian Development Bank Considers Supporting Burmese Dam Despite Unrest

Friday, August 1, 2003
At a time when the Burmese military regime has come under increasing international pressure following a violent attack on pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her supporters, the Asian Development Bank is promoting a massive power grid fueled by hydropower dams in Burma, China and Laos - all places where public opposition is stifled. The power grid plan was unveiled just weeks after at least 70 people, mostly youth activists, were killed in the May 30 attack on Suu Kyi''s motorcade, according to eyewitness accounts. Read the full article.

Letter Urges ADB to Suspend Mekong Power Grid

Wednesday, January 28, 2004
International Rivers calls on the ADB to suspend its Mekong Power Grid plan, on the basis that it violates a number of the bank's own policies. Mr. Tadao Chino President Asian Development Bank PO Box 789 0980 Manila Philippines Dear Mr. Chino, Enclosed please find a copy of “Sizing Up the Grid: How the Mekong Power Grid Compares Against the Policies of the Asian Development Bank,” released this month by International Rivers. This analysis examines the Bank’s development of the Greater Mekong Subregion Power Interconnection and Trade Initiative (“Mekong power grid

Sizing up the Grid

Saturday, October 30, 2004
Comparing the Mekong Power Grid to ADB Policies The Asian Development Bank is promoting the development of a regional power grid and electricity trading system in mainland Southeast Asia fueled primary by hydropower. This initiative threatens to undermine the fragile Mekong River ecosystem that millions depend on for their livelihoods and survival. This paper examines the ADB's development of the initiative and its compliance with Bank policies and strategies. The ADB envisions that China's Yunnan province, Burma and Laos – where hydropower potential is huge and community opposit

A Gamble That Leaves Us Holding the Bill

Thursday, June 30, 2005
Opinion piece by Dr. Chris Greacen published in the Bangkok Post that outlines why the Mekong Power Grid is risky for electricity consumers in the region. Electricity rate payers in the entire Mekong region are being signed up for a risky scheme involving a US$1.2 billion (THB 48 billion) transmission system that will link Thailand with its Mekong region neighbors. The benefits from this gamble, if there are any, are likely to flow to investors, but if you are an electricity customer in Thailand, Vietnam, Yunnan, Laos, Cambodia or Burma the bill is guaranteed to be sent to you. On the 4th and

ADB “Water For The Poor” Week Reveals Hypocrisy of Institution

Friday, January 30, 2004
Plans for Mekong Power Grid Would Undermine People’s Rights to Water As the Asian Development Bank’s “Water Week 2004” winds to a close in Manila, communities are at risk of losing their livelihoods and natural resources to the ADB-supported Mekong power grid. The ADB is leading the development of a Mekong region power grid fueled primarily by hydropower. Twelve hydropower projects are proposed to connect to the grid, including the controversial Nam Theun 2 Dam in Laos, two dams on the Upper Mekong in China and Tasang Dam in Burma. The Bank claims that the Mekong power

Pages

Subscribe to RSS - Power Trade