Doubts Hound World Bank-Backed Dam as Its Turbines Start Up
Marwaan Macan-Markar
BANGKOK, Mar 25 (IPS) - It has been just over a week since the turbines came to life at Laos’ largest hydropower project, but questions are already dogging this World Bank showpiece that marks the financial institution's return to the business of big dams. *
A leading environmental group has accused the Bank of failing to meet its obligations to help affected communities in the landlocked South-east Asian nation before the Nam Theun Two (NT2) project started supplying electricity to neighbouring Thailand on Mar. 15.
"Laos’ largest and most controversial hydropower project, Nam Theun 2, began full operation last week in violation of legal obligations to provide compensation and livelihood restoration to affected communities," declared International Rivers, a global environmental organisation based in the U.S. city of Berkeley, in a statement this week. Read full article.
- Read International Rivers' press release Laos’ Nam Theun 2 Dam Operation Illegal
- View a 9-min video about Nam Theun 2: “Risky Business”
- Read Letter to WB and ADB on Nam Theun 2 Commercial operation (March 2010)
- Read International Rivers' September 2009 letter to the World Bank and the ADB specifying key issues to be addressed before commercial operation.
