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Home › Dodgy Deals ›
Dodgy Deal
Xayaburi damLaos

Project – On record

This profile is no longer actively maintained, with the information now possibly out of date
Profile by:
BankTrack
Contact:

Ame Trandem, International Rivers

Last update: 2016-10-12 17:46:12

Project – On record

This profile is no longer actively maintained, with the information now possibly out of date
Profile by:
BankTrack
Contact:

Ame Trandem, International Rivers

Last update: 2016-10-12 17:46:12
Why this profile?

What must happen

Given the Xayaburi Dam's scale of impact on the region and the fact that it could provoke further tension within the region, Thai banks should suspend their financing to the project. Any such financing is likely to carry significant and costly environmental, social and economic risks, subject the banks to intense public opposition for many years to come, while also jeopardizing the banks' reputation both at home and abroad. All construction on the Xayaburi Dam should immediately stop to respect the regional decision-making process at the MRC.

About
Sectors Hydroelectric Power Generation
Location

Located in Northern Laos, the proposed Xayaburi Dam is the most advanced of eleven large hydropower dams planned for the Lower Mekong River. The US$ 3.8 billion project is expected to generate 1,260 megawatts of electricity, around 95% of which will be exported to Thailand. According to the 1995 Mekong Agreement, a treaty on transboundary water cooperation, the governments of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam must jointly approve the project before it can proceed.

The Mekong River is home to the world's largest inland fishery and hosts a treasure trove of biodiversity. The Xayaburi Dam would cause significant and irreversible damage to the river's ecosystems and the millions of people in the region who depend upon the river's rich resources for their livelihoods and food security. The large environmental and social risks of the dam and the need for further study have been documented in an ever-growing number of scientific studies produced by the Mekong River Commission (MRC) and other experts. Because of significant gaps in baseline data about the Mekong River's ecosystems and people, scientists warn that the regional governments are not in a position to make an informed decision on the dams at this point in time. These concerns were outlined in the findings of the MRC's 2010 Strategic Environmental Assessment, which recommends deferring all decisions over the Xayaburi Dam and other Mekong dams for a period of ten years.

Despite the concerns raised over the dam's considerable transboundary impacts and the significant opposition expressed to the project by the region's people, construction activities began in late 2010. Laos called these activities “preliminary work” for several years and even claimed at times that construction was delayed. On 7 November, 2012, Laos and Thailand held an official groundbreaking ceremony after claiming that Cambodia and Vietnam now support the project. At the MRC's Council meeting in January 2013, Cambodia, Vietnam, and the MRC’s donor governments all continued to raise concerns about the project. According to the current construction schedule, the project's coffer dam will be completed by May 2013.

  • Xayaburi Dam: Timeline of events (last updated April 2014)
Impacts

Social and human rights impacts

Irreversible damage to the Mekong River's aquatic resources and fisheries is a direct threat to the livelihoods, culture and food security of millions of people who live along the river's banks. If built, the dam would forcibly resettle over 2,100 people, some of whom would be displaced for the fourth time in 15 years. In addition, the dam will directly affect the lives of more than 202,000 people living near the dam through adverse impacts to their livelihoods, income and food security due to the loss of fisheries, agricultural land and riverbank gardens, an end to gold panning in the river, and increased difficulty in accessing products from the forest, such as wild banana flower and rattan.

Given Laos' poor record of enforcing environmental laws and meeting bare minimum social safeguards commitments, the communities who will be impacted are likely to follow in the footsteps of other impoverished dam affected communities in the country. Furthermore, as the full social and environmental costs associated with the dam have yet to be adequately examined by the dam developer, the true costs of the project have yet to be known and the social and environmental programs that will be needed to mitigate and compensate for the dam's impacts have yet to be calculated.

The project will forcibly displace 2,100 people and negatively affect an additional 202,000 people who have had no say in decisions about the project. As the project failed to adequately consult the people living near the dam site and the limited consultations that did occur were meaningless as key project information was not provided to participants, the dam has failed to meet minimum standards for consultation with directly-affected communities. Furthermore, consultation within the region has also failed to meet minimal standards as the project's Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report was only released to the public in mid-March 2011, weeks after public consultations on the dam were held in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.


Environmental and climate impacts

The Xayaburi Dam brings with it many envrionmental issues. In short, the dam will cause irreversible and permanent damage to the river's habitat and ecosystem, which in turn will impact the local communities. The Mekong River Commission's 2010 Strategic Environmental Assessment on Mekong mainstream dams warns of a future of grave ecological destruction should the cascade of dams be built.

Some key findings of the strategic environmental assessment include:

  • The cascade of lower Mekong mainstream dams would turn 55% of the Mekong River into a series of reservoirs.

  • The dams would block important fish migration routes, resulting in significant fishery losses of between 700,000 to 1.4 million tonnes, estimated to be worth between US$476 million and US$956 million.

  • Fisheries are the main source of protein in the region, but Cambodia and Laos would be the hardest hit, as little to no alternatives exist. Livestock production would be unable to compensate for the loss.

  • By inundating agricultural land and blocking vital sediment and nutrient flows, the dams would reduce agricultural productivity by more than $25 million/year.

  • As a biodiversity hotspot, the dams would lead to permanent losses of species of global importance. Some areas of the Mekong would see losses of up to half the recorded species, along with the extinction of flagship species such as the Giant Mekong Catfish and Irrawaddy dolphin.

  • The dams would contribute to growing inequality in the region, as region's poor would suffer the greatest impacts.

  • Many of the risks associated with the dams cannot be mitigated and would represent losses of economic, social and environmental assets

  • Recommendations include a 10-year deferment of all plans for dams on the Mekong mainstream, the full translation and systematic distribution of the SEA report, further studies to be undertaken, and that the mainstream never be used as a test case.

  • As the EIA's scope only considered a ten kilometre radius below the dam site, the report failed to provide adequate consideration of the transboundary impacts of the project. Furthermore, as the report's baseline information and data was found to be insufficient, many of the dam's environmental and social impacts have yet to be fully identified and many of the dam developer's proposed mitigation measures remain unproven and inadequate.

Financiers
Institution type
Finance type
Year

Despite their commitment to funding the project, the Thai media has reported some reservation amongst the four banks due to the public opposition the dam faces and concerns over the quality of its Environmental Impact Assessment report. Vasin Vanichvoranun, executive vice-president for corporate business at Kasikornbank, said that the bank was awaiting a clearer EIA report for the project because it had strict social and environmental guidelines for financial support. Krung Thai was also reported by the media to be waiting for the EIA report (read more) .

Siam Commercial Bank's Deputy Managing Director Artit Nanwittaya said the Bank could not sign the loan agreement as scheduled with the other banks in April 2011 due to the strong opposition to the dam inside Thailand and regionally. He said "there are several groups opposing the project including Lao, Cambodian, Vietnamese, and Thai, mainly because of its environmental impacts. This makes a halt for the project. For the Bank to support this project financially, we need to consider laws and regulations. If it doesn't comply with the law, we would not sign the loan agreemen."(read more). 

Despite the reservations expressed amongst the Thai banks, Ch Karnchang was reported on May 2nd 2011 saying that the four banks remain committed to financing the dam and that they expected the loan agreements to be signed shortly (read more).

Companies

Andritz

Austria
supplier of electromechanical equipment, seven kaplan turbines. http://www.andritz.com/hydro/hy-news/hy-news-detail.htm?id=23737

Ch. Karnchang Public Company Limited (CK)

Thailand
Website

Colenco Power Engineering Ltd

Switzerland
Website

KGAL

United Kingdom
Website
KGAL has been awarded a contract to provide design services for the Xayaburi hydro power project in Lao PDR. The company will provide designs for all the Hydraulic Steel Structures on the state of the art, run-of-river plant which will have an installed capacity of 1285MW.

Natee Synergy Company Limited

Thailand
Website

P.T. Construction & Irrigation Company Limited

Laos
Website

Pöyry Energy AG

Finland
Website

Southeast Asia Energy Ltd (SEAN)

Thailand
Website

TEAM Consulting Engineering and Management Co. Ltd

Thailand
Website

Xayaburi Power Company Limited

Laos
Website
No companies
Governance
Norms & standards
Other regulations

Applicable norms and standards

1995 Mekong Agreement
International Hydropower Association
World Bank Safeguard Policies
World Commission on Dams

Applicable Bank Policies:

Each Thai commercial bank involved in the Xayaburi Dam has a Corporate Governance Policy, which is guided by the Stock Exchange of Thailand. This policy requires their compliance with host country laws, while also recognizing the legal rights of other stakeholders, including the community the company operates in, the government, and society (read more). In addition, these banks have also made commitments to Corporate Social Responsibility, which requires them to comply with and report on their CSR activities. Some of these commitments include:

  • Kasikorn Bank: "The Bank shall pursue activities for public interests, society and the environment, with fair treatments to all stakeholders" and that "The Bank should promote environmental preservation activities." Corporate Social Responsibility Policy
  • Siam Commercial Bank: "To conduct the bank's business with responsibility towards the society and with sensitivity when dealing with issues which are related to public interest; and to regularly support and participate in activities that are beneficial to community and the society" and "To abide by environmental laws and regulations, implement effective safety and environmental management measures to prevent negative impacts on local communities." Corporate Code of Conduct and Value Statement
  • Bangkok Bank: "The Bank supports measures and good practices for protecting and conserving the environment." Code of Conduct and Business Ethics Principles
  • Krung Thai Bank: "The Bank must have its Social and Environmental Awareness, which is a part resulting from fair treatment to stakeholders in order to reduce or eliminate any negative impacts on the society and the environment as a result of the Bank's business operation." Seven Principles of Good Corporate Governance

Other:

  • National laws of Lao PDR and Thailand should apply.
  • Furthermore, as Thailand and Laos are both signatories of the 1995 Mekong Agreement, they are required to undergo a regional-decision making process for all proposed Mekong mainstream development projects called the "Procedures for Notification, Prior Consultation and Agreement" (PNPCA), facilitated by the Mekong River Commission. This process requires the signatories to undergo a consultation process in which the impacts of the proposed project are discussed and evaluated before reaching a joint decision, in order to ensure the sustainable development, management and conservation of the Mekong River.
News
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External
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Asian banks falling behind in implementation of UN Human Rights Principles, new BankTrack benchmark shows

New benchmark of 18 Asian banks shows human rights performance below the global average
2022-04-05 | Nijmegen | BankTrack
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Disappointing and lengthy mediation leaves impacts of Xayaburi Dam unaddressed

Last week, the Austrian National Contact Point (NCP) concluded a lengthy and ultimately disappointing OECD Guidelines mediation process between Andritz, the turbine supplier for the Xayaburi Dam, and a coalition of Mekong-based and international civil society organizations.
2017-07-20 | Bangkok, Thailand
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Save the Mekong Coalition Calls on Prime Ministers to Cancel Mekong Mainstream Dams

2014-06-25
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

International coalition of civil society groups file complaint against Andritz for involvement in Xayaburi dam

2014-04-09
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Activists dismayed at Mekong summit outcome - construction Xayaburi and Don Sahon dam continues

2014-04-06
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Xayaburi dam 30% finished, says Laos

2014-03-25 | The Phnom Penh Post
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Opponents seek halt to Mekong dams

2014-02-20 | Bangkok Post
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Xayaburi and Pöyry: What Lies Behind

2014-02-18 | Laos
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Ch Karnchang: Surviving thanks to Xayaburi until 2019 BUY

2014-02-12
Blog
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Mekong Floods: The Dampening of the Wintery Suffering

2013-12-27 | Laos | International Rivers
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Science Takes a Backseat as Xayaburi Dam Continues

2013-12-15 | Laos | Kate Ross, International Rivers
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Moratorium Needed on Mekong River Dams

2013-11-07 | National Geographic
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Villagers Awaiting Xayaburi Relocation Hit by Floods

2013-08-13 | RFA
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Trouble on the Mekong

2013-07-02 | The Diplomat
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Dark Days For Villagers Relocated to Make Way For Xayaburi Dam

2013-07-01 | RFA
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Assistance for Villagers Resettled by Xayaburi Dam to Last One Year

2013-06-18 | RFA
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

River be damned - Can the mighty Mekong river, and the people who depend on it, survive?

2013-06-13 | Sydney | The Age
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

KGAL makes changes to get work moving again on Laos power barrage

2013-04-09 | Laos
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Xayaburi dam is 8% built

2013-03-25 | Vientiane, Laos
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

The NGO Forum’s Campaign Against Xayaburi

2013-03-22 | Stimson
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Documentary Looks at Impact of Mekong Dams

2013-03-22 | Phnom Penh | VOA Khmer
Blog
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Fish Passages A Poor Match for Mekong Dams’ Impacts

2013-03-19 | Laos | Ame Trandem, International Rivers
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Mekong Countries at Odds Over Mega-Dams

2013-02-04 | Laos | Kirk Herbertson, International Rivers
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Cambodia, Vietnam, and Donors Challenge Laos on Mekong Dams

2013-01-18 | Luang Prabang, Laos
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Xayaburi Dam Left Off MRC Council Agenda

Decision Does Not Bode Well for Future Mekong Cooperation
2013-01-15 | Bangkok, Thailand | Ame Trandem, International Rivers
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Should We Worry About Xayaburi Dam Safety?

2012-12-04 | Vientiane, Laos | Kirk Herbertson, International Rivers
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Days After Xayaburi Gets Green Light, Pöyry Flaunts Project's Corruption

2012-11-11 | Vientiane, Laos | Kirk Herbertson, International Rivers
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Laos Evades Responsibility and Plows Ahead with Xayaburi Dam

Groundbreaking Ceremony to be held this Week
2012-11-05 | Vientiane, Laos | Ame Trandem, International Rivers
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Thai Communities Protest Xayaburi Dam at the Asia-Europe Summit

2012-11-04 | Nong Khai, Thailand | Kirk Herbertson, International Rivers
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Thai Villagers File Lawsuit on Xayaburi Dam

2012-08-08 | Bangkok, Thailand | Pianporn Deetes, International Rivers
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Laos' work on the Mekong river draws criticism

2012-07-04 | BBC News
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Ch. Karnchang Plows Forward with Xayaburi Dam Construction

2012-06-26 | Bangkok, Thailand | International Rivers
Blog
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Protestors Condemn Ch. Karnchang Over Xayaburi Dam Construction

2012-04-24 | Bangkok, Thailand | Ame Trandem, International Rivers
Blog
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Thailand Defies Neighbors on Contentious Xayaburi Dam

Government moves forward with project despite regional opposition
2012-02-29 | International Rivers
Blog
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Xayaburi Dam: What Next?

2012-01-19 | Vientiane, Laos | Kirk Herbertson, International Rivers
Blog
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Mekong governments delay the Xayaburi dam pending further study

Civil society demands clear commitment from Laos to stop all construction activities
2011-12-08 | Cambodia | International Rivers
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Mekong Governments Delay Xayaburi Dam Pending Further Study

Civil society demands clear commitment from Laos to stop all construction activities
2011-12-08 | International Rivers
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Conservationists: Work underway on controversial Mekong River dam

2011-08-04 | Msnbc.com
Blog
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Illegal Construction on the Xayaburi Dam Forges Ahead

Lao PDR Unilaterally Moves Forward In Spite of Commitments to Temporarily Suspend the Project
2011-08-04 | Laos | International Rivers
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Cambodia should steer clear of Laos’ dammed path

2011-06-27 | Phnom Penh Post
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NGO slams Laotian govt on Xayaburi

2011-06-24 | The Nation
Blog
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Laos Steamrolls Neighbors in Xayaburi Dam Process

Government Unilaterally Claims Regional Consultation Process Complete
2011-06-23 | Bangkok, Thailand | International Rivers
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Laos defies neighbours on dam project-environmentalists

2011-06-23 | Bangkok | Reuters
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

East Sea disputes: Vietnam can’t expect kindness of others

2011-06-21 | Vietnamnet
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Laos to build 10 hydro-power dams over next five years

2011-06-09 | Laos | The Nation
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Three Gorges lessons for Vietnam

2011-06-03 | thanhniennews.com
Blog
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Statement on Lao Government Decision to Delay Xayaburi Dam

2011-05-13 | United States | International Rivers
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Lower Mekong countries take prior consultation on Xayaburi project to ministerial level

2011-04-19 | Vientiane, LAO PDR | MRC
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Decision looms for Laos dam, but impact is unclear

2011-04-17 | Laos | The New York Times
Blog
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Official Review of the Xayaburi Dam Reveals Project Flaws

2011-03-31 | United States | Ame Trandem, International Rivers
Blog
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The Pandora's Box of Mekong Dams

2011-01-25 | United States | Ame Trandem, International Rivers
Resources
Documents
Images
Videos
Links
2013-03-28 00:00:00

The Lower Mekong Dams: A Transboundary Water Crisis

NGO document
2013-03-28 00:00:00 | International Rivers
2013-02-25 00:00:00

Pöyry's Role in the Xayaburi Dam Controversy

NGO document
2013-02-25 00:00:00 | Kirk Herbertson, International Rivers
2013-01-28 00:00:00

Xayaburi Dam: How Laos Violated the 1995 Mekong Agreement

NGO document
2013-01-28 00:00:00 | Kirk Herbertson, International Rivers
2012-09-11 00:00:00

The Xayaburi Dam: Threatening Food Security in the Mekong

NGO document
2012-09-11 00:00:00 | Kirk Herbertson, International Rivers
2011-12-06 00:00:00

Request MRC Council to Pass a Resolution Calling for the Cancellation of the Xayaburi Dam

Correspondence
2011-12-06 00:00:00 | AID/WATCH, Australia et al.
2011-07-07 00:00:00

Prior Consultation project review report

Other document
2011-07-07 00:00:00 | Mekong River Commission Secretariat
2011-06-28 00:00:00

Strategic Environmental Assessment of Hydro-power on the Mekong Mainstream

Other document
2011-06-28 00:00:00 | ICEM – International Centre for Environmental Management
2011-06-28 00:00:00

Strategic Environmental Assessment of Hydro-power on the Mekong Mainstream

Other document
2011-06-28 00:00:00 | ICEM – International Centre for Environmental Management
2011-06-28 00:00:00

Foretelling the Mekong River’s Fate:Key Findings of the MRC’s Strategic Environmental Assessment on Mekong Mainstream Dams

NGO document
2011-06-28 00:00:00 | International Rivers
2011-06-24 00:00:00

Mekong River Commission

Informal Donor Meeting
Other document
2011-06-24 00:00:00 | Mekong River Commission
2011-04-19 00:00:00

Mekong River Commission Procedures for Notification, Prior Consultation and Agreement: Thailand

Other document
2011-04-19 00:00:00 | Ministry of Natural Resources Thailand
2011-04-19 00:00:00

1 Mekong River Commission Procedures for Notification, Prior Consultation and Agreement: Vietnam

Other document
2011-04-19 00:00:00 | The Viet nam National Mekong Committee
2011-04-18 00:00:00

Comments concerning the Environmental Impact Assessment and Social Impact Assessment documents provided for the Xayaburi Hydroelectric Power Project, Lao PDR

Other document
2011-04-18 00:00:00 | TEAM Consulting Engineering
2011-04-15 00:00:00

Imperiled Giant Fish and Mainstream Dams in the Lower Mekong Basin: Assessment of Current Status, Threats, and Mitigation

Other document
2011-04-15 00:00:00 | Zeb Hogan
2011-04-13 00:00:00

Mekong River Commission Procedures for Notification, Prior Consultation and Agreement Form/Format for Reply to Prior Consultation

Other document
2011-04-13 00:00:00 | Cambodia National Mekong Committee (CNMC)
2011-03-31 00:00:00

Review of the Fish and Fisheries Aspects in the Feasibility Study and the Environmental Impact Assessment of the Proposed Xayaburi Dam on the Mekong Mainstream

NGO document
2011-03-31 00:00:00 | WWF Greater Mekong
2011-03-24 00:00:00

Prior Consultation Project Review Report Volume 2: Stakeholder Consultations related to the proposed Xayaburi dam project

Other document
2011-03-24 00:00:00 | Mekong River Commission Secretariat
2011-03-14 00:00:00

Fatally Flawed Xayaburi EIA Fails to Uphold International Standards

A Preliminary Review of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report for the Xayaburi Hydropower Dam on the Mekong River mainstream in Northern Lao PDR
NGO document
2011-03-14 00:00:00 | International Rivers
2011-01-21 00:00:00

Foretelling the Mekong River's Fate

NGO document
2011-01-21 00:00:00 | International Rivers
2010-12-07 00:00:00

The Xayaburi Dam: A Looming Threat to the Mekong River

NGO document
2010-12-07 00:00:00 | International Rivers
2009-12-07 00:00:00

Thailand’s Commercial Banks’ Role in Financing Dams in Laos and the Case for Sustainable Banking

NGO document
2009-12-07 00:00:00 | International Rivers

BankTrack visit to construction site

2011-08-01
Despite talk of the project being put on hold, after a visit from BankTrack it has been revealed that the project is going forward with the first stages of clearing already taking place.

Pictures from International Rivers

2011-07-06

Wrong Climate for Damming Rivers

2012-01-02 14:55:44

Where have all the fish gone? Killing the Mekong Dam by Dam

2011-06-28 17:24:29

Construction site of Xayaburi Dam

Short video showing the site where Xayaburi dam is to be built
2011-06-28 16:34:50

International Rivers photo stream of Xayaburi Dam

Oxfam: Profile on Xayaburi dam

The Mekong River

Website dedicated to issues Mekong is currently faced with

Save the Mekong Coalition

The coalition brings together NGOs, local people, academics, journalists, and others from within the Mekong countries and internationally. Its objective is to urge the Mekong governments to keep the Mekong flowing freely.

The Mekong River Commission

The MRC was formed on 5 April 1995 by an agreement between the governments of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam. The countries agreed on joint management of their shared water resources.

International Rivers: Xayaburi Dam

International rivers focus page

International Rivers- flickr photos

Updates

2014

2014-04-09 00:00:00 | Latest update

The Government of Laos reported that construction on the Xayaburi Dam is 30% complete. A formal OECD Guidelines complaint was filed against Austrian company Andritz AG for their involvement in the Xayaburi Dam, which violates international standards on ethical corporate conduct.

2013

2013-12-27 00:00:00 | Mekong Floods: The Dampening of the Wintery Suffering

It is the middle of winter in the Mekong region, throughout December, floods have brought havoc to communities along the Mekong River. From the Chiang Saen District, Chiang Rai province in Northern Thailand downward, the water level in the Mekong has risen rapidly. The flooding was most intense along the Thailand-Lao border from the Golden Triangle toward Khong Chiam, Ubonratchathani. It is unprecedented to experience such flooding in the Mekong during wintertime. [Read More]

2013-12-15 00:00:00 | Science Takes a Backseat as Xayaburi Dam Continues

On Saturday leaders from Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Burma and Japan gathered in Tokyo for the Fifth Mekong-Japan Summit. The summit is part of a larger meeting between ASEAN countries to commemorate 40 years of friendly and cooperative ties between the nations. The summit also marks two years since an agreement between the Mekong governments to conduct further study on the sustainable development and management of the Mekong River, including the impacts of dams on the Lower Mekong River's mainstream. The Mekong River is a vital life source for the region; however plans to build a series of 11 dams on the lower mainstream continue to put the future of the Mekong in jeopardy, as the significant risks of these projects have yet to be fully understood. [Read More]        

2013-03-25 00:00:00 | Xayaburi developers say that dam is already 8% built, further indicating that construction began long before the November 2012 groundbreaking ceremony

The construction of Mekong Xayaburi dam has been achieved by 8% since its groundbreaking took place late last year, an engineer of Xayaburi dam, Mr Prat Nantasen, said Tuesday. Presently, the navigation lock and spillway are being constructed and they are expected to be fully built by 2015. Other construction works, including the construction of power house and fish passage, have been set to be completed by 2019. [Read More]

2013-01-18 00:00:00 | Cambodia, Vietnam, and Donors Challenge Laos on Mekong Dams

At yesterday’s 19th Mekong River Commission (MRC) Council Meeting, heated debate occurred over Laos’ construction of the Xayaburi Dam and plans to build a cascade of dams on the Lower Mekong River. According to participants at the meeting, MRC governments disagreed about the prior consultation procedures and how they had been applied in the case of the Xayaburi Dam. The Cambodian delegation asserted that Laos had misinterpreted the Mekong Agreement and that the prior consultation process had never been completed. Meanwhile, Vietnam requested that no further developments on the Mekong mainstream occur until the Mekong mainstream dams study agreed upon at least year’s Council Meeting is completed. The official opening statements from Council members reveal that Cambodia and Vietnam have not changed their opposition to the Xayaburi Dam and other mainstream dams. [Read More]

2012

2012-11-09 00:00:00 | Days After Xayaburi Gets Green Light, Pöyry Flaunts Project's Corruption

On November 9, only four days after Laos announced the official start of construction on the Xayaburi Dam, Finnish company Pöyry announced that it has taken on a central role in the project. According to the company’s press release, “Pöyry will support the Government of Lao and the project owner Xayaburi Power Company Limited during the 8-year implementation period by reviewing the design and supervising the construction of the project.” [Read More]

2012-11-05 00:00:00 | Laos holds groundbreaking ceremony for the Xayaburi Dam

In clear defiance of its neighbors and a regional agreement, the Lao government held a groundbreaking ceremony at the Xayaburi Dam site on the Mekong River on November 7th. Mr. Viraphonh Viravong, Laos’ Deputy Minister of Energy and Mining, told a group of journalists yesterday, “It has been assessed, it has been discussed the last two years. We have addressed most of the concerns.” After the ceremony, the project developers began construction on the coffer dam, which diverts the river while the permanent dam wall is built. The coffer dam is expected to be completed by May 2013. [Read More]

2012-08-07 00:00:00 | Thai villages file lawsuit to stop Xayaburi dam

On August 7, Thai villages filed a lawsuit to stop the construction of the Xayaburi dam.  While the dam is located in Laos, the majority of the electricity will be purchased by a Thai utility.  The building of the dam will negatively affect the Thai population and their traditional way of living. [Read More]   

2012-02-29 00:00:00 | Thailand Defies Neighbors on Contentious Xayaburi Dam

On December 8, 2011, the governments of the Mekong River Commission-Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam-met to decide whether to approve the Xayaburi Dam. At this meeting, they agreed to conduct further studies on the impacts of the Mekong Dams. Laos did not publicly agree to delay construction on the Xayaburi Dam while the studies are underway, although many observers believe that a delay has been agreed. The four governments are still designing the impact study. Meanwhile, preliminary construction on the Xayaburi Dam continues, EGAT's power purchase agreement remains in effect, and the Thai banks have not withdrawn financing. [Read More]

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