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Beyond Damnation: Nam Theun 2 and The Future of Hydropower in the Mekong. Prashanth Parameswaran Presentation to Hitachi Center for Technology Colloquium 10/19/2011. Agenda. Overview Method Key Findings & Recommendations. Overview. The Mekong In Peril?.
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Beyond Damnation: Nam Theun 2 and The Future of Hydropower in the Mekong Prashanth Parameswaran Presentation to Hitachi Center for Technology Colloquium 10/19/2011
Agenda • Overview • Method • Key Findings & Recommendations
The Mekong In Peril? • Rapidly growing energy demand and regional connectivity in the Mekong region (GMS, ASEAN) • Hydropower projects affect Mekong River, which sustains over 60 million people • How to reconcile economic development with social and environmental imperatives? • Is Nam Theun 2 (NT2) in Laos a “model project” in this regard as touted by WB and ADB?
Nam Theun 2 in Laos • First conceived 1980s, delayed until construction in 2005-2010 • Largest private sector cross-border power project ($, 2005) • Over US$2 bn revenues to GOL in 25 yrs(7-9% budget) • Part of GOL plan to become “battery of Southeast Asia” despite poor dam record (90s) • One party, authoritarian, corrupt government
Project Structure • Combination of secondary research and 19 interviews covering most Mekong countries • April – May 2011: Trip preparation • May – Mid-July 2011: Internship at Singapore’s Energy Market Authority (EMA) • Mid July – Sept 2011: Interviews and research in Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia • Sept – Dec 2011: Produce articles/present findings • Dec 2011 – January 2012: Second phase of research focusing on GMS and ASEAN Connectivity
Selected Interviewees • Energy Studies Institute, Singapore • Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam • Mekong River Commission • Cambodian Trade Ministry • Nam Theun 2 Power Company, Laos • Chulalongkorn University, Thailand • International Rivers • Mae Fah Luang University, Thailand • Former WB & ADB consultants • EarthRights International