Latest News - Energy - Lao PDR

The Nam Theun 2 Hydropower Project in Laos, close to completion, has put back commercial operations to early 2010. Project revenues and royalties to the Lao government have started to accrue. Environmental and social programs are progressing well.

The Nam Theun 2 Hydroelectric Project made its first delivery of electricity for domestic use in Laos on 6 August, 2009, when the first of two Pelton Unit turbines was successfully synchronised with the local substations of Electricité du Laos.

Fish stocks in the Nakai Reservoir in Khammouane province, Laos, received a boost on July 22 2009, when district authorities and the Nam Theun 2 Power Company (NTPC) released more than 30,000 native fingerlings.

The Lao government has given official recognition of the contribution made by the Nam Theun 2 hydroelectric project to national development, awarding state honours to two departing Nam Theun Power Company (NTPC) staff.

Around 400 stakeholders of the Nam Theun 2 Hydroelectricity Project met in Khammouane for the project's third stakeholder forum, discussing progress on environmental, social and construction aspects of this integrated development programme.

This article on the new MRC Hydropower Programme, by MRC Secretariat CEO Jeremy Bird, was first published by the Nation in Thailand (22/9/08) and Viet Nam News (24/9/08).

A Regional Multi-Stakeholder Consultation on the MRC Hydropower Programme is discussing how the planning process for hydropower development in the Mekong region can include expertise and views from a wide range of interested parties.

Mekong River Commission appoints Jeremy Bird as Chief Executive Officer of its Secretariat.

The Mekong River Commission held its12th Dialogue Meeting in Siem Reap today. Representatives from China and Myanmar as well as representatives from the MRC Joint Committee and from MRC partner organisations attended the meeting.