Ubol Ratana Dam in Thailand
Pak Mun Dam
The estimated hydropower potential of the lower Mekong Basin (i.e., excluding China ) is 30,000 MW,[ 1] [ 2] while that of the upper Mekong Basin is 28,930 MW.[ 3] In the lower Mekong, more than 3,235 MW has been realized via facilities built largely over the past ten years, while projects under construction will represent an additional 3,209 MW. An additional 134 projects are planned for the lower Mekong, which will maximize the river's hydropower generating capacity.[ 4] The single most significant impact—both now and in the future—on the use of water and its management in the Mekong Region is hydropower.[ 5]
Given current development trends in the region, power demands are expected to rise seven percent per year between 2010 and 2030,[ 2] yielding a substantial and potentially lucrative energy market. Hydropower is the favoured energy option for the Mekong's riparian countries.[ 6] [ 7]
The development of the Mekong River Basin is highly controversial[ 8] [ 9] , and is one of the most prominent components in the discussion about the river and its management. This debate occurs in both the academic literature, as well as the media, and is a focus for many activist groups.[ 10] [ 11] [ 12]
Existing hydropower infrastructure
Table 1: Commissioned dams in the Mekong River Basin (15 MW installed capacity and above)[ 13]
Project
Country
River
Location
Commissioned
Installed capacity (MW)
Mean Annual Energy (GW)
Height (m)
Crest length (m)
Total storage (million m3 )
Max reservoir area (km2 )
Dachaoshan
Mekong
24°01′30″N 100°22′13″E / 24.024947°N 100.3703°E / 24.024947; 100.3703 (Dachaoshan Dam )
2003
1,350
5,500
115
481
890
26.25
Gongguoqiao
Mekong
25°35′09″N 99°20′08″E / 25.585917°N 99.335567°E / 25.585917; 99.335567 (Gongguoqiao Dam )
2012
900
4,041
105
356
316
343
Nuozhadu
Mekong
22°38′32″N 100°26′11″E / 22.642128°N 100.436336°E / 22.642128; 100.436336 (Nuozhadu Dam )
2014
5,850
23,912
262
608
23,703
320
Jinghong
Mekong
22°03′12″N 100°45′59″E / 22.053206°N 100.766478°E / 22.053206; 100.766478 (Jinghong Dam )
2009
1,750
5,570
108
705.5
1,140
510
Manwan
Mekong
24°37′20″N 100°26′55″E / 24.622086°N 100.448544°E / 24.622086; 100.448544 (Manwan Dam )
1995
1,570
6,710
132
418
920
415
Xiaowan
Mekong
24°42′15″N 100°05′29″E / 24.7042226°N 100.091255°E / 24.7042226; 100.091255 (Xiaowan Dam )
2010
4,200
18,990
295
893
14,560
194
Jinfeng
Nan La He
21°35′31″N 101°13′30″E / 21.592026°N 101.225135°E / 21.592026; 101.225135 (Jinfeng Dam )
1998
16
64.3
45
19.48
Jinhe
Jin He
30°48′22″N 97°19′59″E / 30.806181°N 97.332926°E / 30.806181; 97.332926 (Jinhe Dam )
2004
60
367
34
68.4
4.27
Guoduo
Mekong
31°31′45″N 97°11′29″E / 31.529089°N 97.191279°E / 31.529089; 97.191279 (Guoduo Dam )
2015
160
823
93
235.5
83
Laoyinyan
Gua Lan Zi He/Shun Dian He
24°28′09″N 99°49′03″E / 24.469128°N 99.81754°E / 24.469128; 99.81754 (Laoyinyan Dam )
1997
16
4.2
1,092
Nanhe 1
Luo Zha He
24°20′33″N 100°00′44″E / 24.342442°N 100.012183°E / 24.342442; 100.012183 (Nanhe 1 Dam )
2009
40
170
56.8
148
11.36
Nanhe 2
Luo Zha He
24°22′38″N 100°03′00″E / 24.377086°N 100.050098°E / 24.377086; 100.050098 (Nanhe 2 Dam )
?
25
100
Luozhahe 1
Luo Zha He
24°30′19″N 100°27′06″E / 24.505207°N 100.451749°E / 24.505207; 100.451749 (Luozhahe 1 Dam )
2016
30
135
59
14.33
Xi'er He 1
Xi'er He
25°34′44″N 100°12′09″E / 25.578801°N 100.202419°E / 25.578801; 100.202419 (Xi'er He 1 Dam )
1979
105
440
Xi'er He 2
Xi'er He
25°33′43″N 100°07′52″E / 25.561991°N 100.131191°E / 25.561991; 100.131191 (Xi'er He 2 Dam )
1987
50
37
122
0.2
Xi'er He 3
Xi'er He
25°33′31″N 100°06′28″E / 25.558584°N 100.107878°E / 25.558584; 100.107878 (Xi'er He 3 Dam )
1988
50
223
21
Xi'er He 4
Xi'er He
25°34′35″N 100°03′56″E / 25.576262°N 100.065574°E / 25.576262; 100.065574 (Xi'er He 4 Dam )
1971
14
XunCun
Hei Hui Jiang
25°25′19″N 99°59′36″E / 25.421835°N 99.993301°E / 25.421835; 99.993301 (XunCun Dam )
1999
78
345
67
165
74
Houay Ho
Houayho/Xekong
15°03′34″N 106°45′52″E / 15.059464°N 106.764377°E / 15.059464; 106.764377 (Houayho Dam )
1999
152
450
79
3,530
37
Houay Lamphan
Xekong
15°21′22″N 106°30′04″E / 15.356153°N 106.501106°E / 15.356153; 106.501106 (Houay Lamphan Dam )
2015
88
480
77
74.5
140
9
Nam Beng
Nam Beng
19°56′47″N 101°14′15″E / 19.946436°N 101.237563°E / 19.946436; 101.237563 (Nam Beng Dam )
2014
36
145
25.5
84.8
3,611
0.7
Nam Khan 2
Nam Khan
19°41′07″N 102°22′11″E / 19.685364°N 102.369791°E / 19.685364; 102.369791 (Nam Khan 2 Dam )
2015
130
225
160
405
30.5
Nam Khan 3
Nam Khan
19°44′49″N 102°13′22″E / 19.747016°N 102.222793°E / 19.747016; 102.222793 (Nam Khan 3 Dam )
2016
88
480
77
74.5
140
9
Nam Leuk
Nam Leuk/Nam Ngum
18°26′15″N 102°56′48″E / 18.437406°N 102.94675°E / 18.437406; 102.94675 (Nam Leuk Dam )
2000
60
215
51.5
800
185
17.2
Nam Lik 1-2
Nam Lik
18°47′38″N 102°07′00″E / 18.793782°N 102.116714°E / 18.793782; 102.116714 (Nam Lik 1-2 Dam )
2010
100
435
103
328
11
24.4
Nam Mang 1
Nam Mang
18°32′03″N 103°11′47″E / 18.53423°N 103.196286°E / 18.53423; 103.196286 (Nam Mang 1 Dam )
2016
64
225
70
280
16.5
0.148
Nam Mang 3
Nam Gnogn
18°20′58″N 102°45′55″E / 18.349383°N 102.765244°E / 18.349383; 102.765244 (Nam Mang 3 Dam )
2004
40
150
28
151
49
10
Nam Ngiep 2
Nam Ngiep
19°18′00″N 103°21′08″E / 19.299877°N 103.352263°E / 19.299877; 103.352263 (Nam Ngiep 2 Dam )
2015
180
732
Nam Ngiep 3A
Nam Ngiep
19°14′37″N 103°17′02″E / 19.243546°N 103.283913°E / 19.243546; 103.283913 (Nam Ngiep 3A Dam )
2014
44
152
1.8
Nam Ngum 1
Nam Ngum
18°31′52″N 102°32′51″E / 18.531068°N 102.547577°E / 18.531068; 102.547577 (Nam Ngum 1 Dam )
1971
148.7
1,006
75
468
4,700
370
Nam Ngum 2
Nam Ngum
18°45′19″N 102°46′35″E / 18.755374°N 102.776476°E / 18.755374; 102.776476 (Nam Ngum 2 Dam )
2011
615
2,300
182
421
3,590
122.2
Nam Ngum 5
Nam Ngum
19°21′22″N 102°37′16″E / 19.356095°N 102.621196°E / 19.356095; 102.621196 (Nam Ngum 5 Dam )
2012
120
507
99
235
314
15
Nam Theun 2
Nam Theun /Xe Bangfai
17°59′50″N 104°57′08″E / 17.997353°N 104.952306°E / 17.997353; 104.952306 (Nam Theun 2 Dam )
2010
1,075
5,936
48
325
3,500
450
Nam Ou 2
Nam Ou
20°24′42″N 102°28′22″E / 20.411698°N 102.472817°E / 20.411698; 102.472817 (Nam Ou 2 Dam )
2016
120
546
49
352
121.7
15.7
Nam Ou 5
Nam Ou
21°24′41″N 102°20′39″E / 21.411349°N 102.344263°E / 21.411349; 102.344263 (Nam Ou 5 Dam )
2016
240
1,049
74
335
17.22
Nam Ou 6
Nam Ou
21°24′41″N 102°20′39″E / 21.411349°N 102.344263°E / 21.411349; 102.344263 (Nam Ou 6 Dam )
2016
180
739
88
409
17.01
Theun-Hinboun
Nam Theun
18°15′40″N 104°33′45″E / 18.261005°N 104.562525°E / 18.261005; 104.562525 (Theun-Hinboun Hydropower Plant )
1998
220
1,645
48
810
1,300
49
Theun-Hinboun Expansion Project
Nam Gnouang
18°17′50″N 104°38′10″E / 18.297248°N 104.636171°E / 18.297248; 104.636171 (Theun-Hinboun Expansion Project )
2013
222
1,395
65
480
2,450
49
Xe Kaman 3
Xe Kaman
15°25′31″N 107°21′45″E / 15.425194°N 107.362611°E / 15.425194; 107.362611 (Xe Kaman 3 Dam )
2014
250
1,000
102
543
141.5
5.2
Xeset 1
Xeset
15°29′31″N 106°16′43″E / 15.49200°N 106.27867°E / 15.49200; 106.27867 (Xeset 1 Dam )
1994
45
154
18
124
Xeset 2
Xeset
15°24′14″N 106°16′49″E / 15.403775°N 106.280332°E / 15.403775; 106.280332 (Xeset 1 Dam )
2009
76
309
26
144
A Luoi
A Sap
16°11′51″N 107°09′43″E / 16.197619°N 107.161897°E / 16.197619; 107.161897 (A Luoi Dam )
2012
170
686
49.5
208
Buon Kuop
Sre Pok
12°31′30″N 107°55′33″E / 12.52504°N 107.925762°E / 12.52504; 107.925762 (Buon Kop Dam )
2009
280
1,455
47
Buon Tua Sra
Se San/Krong Po Ko
12°16′56″N 108°02′29″E / 12.282116°N 108.041299°E / 12.282116; 108.041299 (Buon Tua Srah Dam )
2009
86
359
41
Dray Hlinh 2
Sre Pok
12°40′33″N 107°54′14″E / 12.6757°N 107.903978°E / 12.6757; 107.903978 (Dray Hinh 2 Dam )
2007
16
85
Plei Krong
Se San/Krong Po Ko
14°24′30″N 107°51′47″E / 14.408227°N 107.862991°E / 14.408227; 107.862991 (Plei Krong Dam )
2008
100
479
65
745
1,049
53
Sesan 3
Sesan
14°12′57″N 107°43′19″E / 14.215816°N 107.722061°E / 14.215816; 107.722061 (Sesan 3 Dam )
2006
260
1,224
79
6.4
Sesan 3A
Sesan
14°12′55.13″N 107°43′20.15″E / 14.2153139°N 107.7222639°E / 14.2153139; 107.7222639 (Sesan 3A Dam )
2007
96
Sesan 4
Sesan
14°6′23.02″N 107°39′28.08″E / 14.1063944°N 107.6578000°E / 14.1063944; 107.6578000 (Sesan 4 Dam )
2009
360
60
54
Sre Pok 3
Sre Pok
12°45′2.78″N 107°52′34.32″E / 12.7507722°N 107.8762000°E / 12.7507722; 107.8762000 (Sre Pok 3 Dam )
2009
220
52.5
Yali Falls
Sesan
14°13′38.93″N 107°49′46.55″E / 14.2274806°N 107.8295972°E / 14.2274806; 107.8295972 (Yali Falls Dam )
2001
720
65
1,460
1,037
64.5
Chulabhorn
Nam Phrom
16°32′11″N 101°39′00″E / 16.536267°N 101.650036°E / 16.536267; 101.650036 (Chulabhorn Dam )
1972
40
93
70
700
165
31
Pak Mun
Mun
15°16′55″N 105°28′05″E / 15.2818942°N 105.468058°E / 15.2818942; 105.468058 (Pak Mun Dam )
1994
136
280
17
300
Sirindhorn
Lam Dom Noi
15°12′23″N 105°25′45″E / 15.206339°N 105.429156°E / 15.206339; 105.429156 (Siridhorn Dam )
1971
36
86
42
940
1,967
288
Ubol Ratana
Nam Pong
16°46′31″N 102°37′06″E / 16.775394°N 102.618325°E / 16.775394; 102.618325 (Ubol Ratana Dam )
1966
25.2
57
35.1
885
2,559
410
Lam Ta Khong
Lam Ta Khong
14°51′55″N 101°33′37″E / 14.865175°N 101.560303°E / 14.865175; 101.560303 (Lam Ta Khong Dam )
1974
500
400
40.3
251
310
37
Hydropower infrastructure under construction
This article needs to be updated . Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (August 2018 )
Table 2: Hydropower dams under construction in the Mekong River Basin (15 MW installed capacity and above)[ 13]
Project
Country
River
Location
Expected Commissioning Year
Installed capacity (MW)
Mean Annual Energy (GW)
Height (m)
Crest length (m)
Total storage (million m3 )
Max reservoir area (km2 )
Dahuaqiao
Mekong
26°18′29″N 99°08′21″E / 26.308096°N 99.139288°E / 26.308096; 99.139288 (Dahuaqiao Dam )
2018
920
4,070
106
231.5
293
Huangdeng
Mekong
26°32′54″N 99°06′46″E / 26.548199°N 99.112669°E / 26.548199; 99.112669 (Huangdeng Dam )
2018
1,900
8,578
203
457
1,613
Lidi
Mekong
27°50′53″N 99°01′50″E / 27.848016°N 99.030555°E / 27.848016; 99.030555 (Lidi Dam )
2019
420
1,753
75
346.4
75
3.7
Luozhahe 2
Luo Zha He
24°29′13″N 100°24′08″E / 24.486867°N 100.402128°E / 24.486867; 100.402128 (Luozhahe 2 Dam )
2017[needs update ]
50
225
71
3,391
Miaowei
Mekong
25°51′15″N 99°09′47″E / 25.854121°N 99.163155°E / 25.854121; 99.163155 (Miaowei Dam )
2017[needs update ] [ 14]
1,400
5,999
140
660
Wunonglong
Mekong
27°55′57″N 98°56′00″E / 27.932554°N 98.9333°E / 27.932554; 98.9333 (Wunonglong Dam )
2019
990
4,116
138
247
284
Ganlanba
Mekong
21°50′38″N 100°56′17″E / 21.843867°N 100.937917°E / 21.843867; 100.937917 (Ganlanba Dam )
2018[needs update ] [ 15]
155
1,177
60.5
458
577
58
Don Sahong
Mekong
13°57′22″N 105°57′51″E / 13.956223°N 105.964247°E / 13.956223; 105.964247 (Don Sahong Dam )
2019
256
2,000
25
6,800
25
2.2
Houay Por
Houay Pore
15°32′44″N 106°15′24″E / 15.545605°N 106.256763°E / 15.545605; 106.256763 (Houay Por Dam )
unknown[needs update ]
15
60
6
0.76
Nam Bi 1
Nam Bi
15°14′08″N 107°30′57″E / 15.23565°N 107.515959°E / 15.23565; 107.515959 (Nam Bi 1 Dam )
2021
50
210
25
84
3
0.0273
Nam Bi 2
Nam Bi
15°12′44″N 107°32′27″E / 15.212256°N 107.540761°E / 15.212256; 107.540761 (Nam Bi 2 Dam )
2021
68
288.5
47.5
182.5
10
0.64
Nam Chian 1
Nam Ngiep
19°08′43″N 103°33′26″E / 19.145395°N 103.557259°E / 19.145395; 103.557259 (Nam Chian 1 Dam )
2017[needs update ]
104
448
69
367
Nam Kong 2
Nam Kong
14°29′41″N 106°51′24″E / 14.494672°N 106.856669°E / 14.494672; 106.856669 (Nam Kong Dam 2 )
2021
66
264
50
210
71.4
4.2
Nam Kong 3
Nam Kong
14°33′59″N 106°54′45″E / 14.566338°N 106.912551°E / 14.566338; 106.912551 (Nam Kong 3 Dam )
2017[needs update ]
45
170
50.5
Nam Ngiep 1
Nam Ngiep
18°38′45″N 103°33′06″E / 18.6458578°N 103.5516582°E / 18.6458578; 103.5516582 (Nam Ngiep 1 Dam )
2019
272
1,546
167
530
1,192
67
Nam Ngiep 2C
Nam Ngiep
19°12′48″N 103°21′28″E / 19.21347°N 103.357806°E / 19.21347; 103.357806 (Nam Ngiep 2C Dam )
2020
45
230
Nam Ngiep (Downstream)
Nam Ngiep
18°38′51″N 103°31′00″E / 18.64747°N 103.516607°E / 18.64747; 103.516607 (Nam Ngiep (Downstream) Dam )
2019
18
105
20
90
4.6
1.27
Nam Ngum 1 Extension
Nam Ngum
18°31′40″N 102°31′51″E / 18.527772°N 102.530765°E / 18.527772; 102.530765 (Nam Ngum Extension Dam )
2017[needs update ]
120
Nam Ou 1
Nam Ou
20°05′18″N 102°15′55″E / 20.0883°N 102.265379°E / 20.0883; 102.265379 (Nam Ou 1 Dam )
2020
160
710
65
442
89.1
9.56
Nam Ou 3
Nam Ou
20°41′43″N 102°39′55″E / 20.695251°N 102.665404°E / 20.695251; 102.665404 (Nam Ou 2 Dam )
2020
150
685
72
340
168.6
13.26
Nam Ou 4
Nam Ou
21°07′13″N 102°29′39″E / 21.120153°N 102.494173°E / 21.120153; 102.494173 (Nam Ou 4 Dam )
2020
116
524
47
300
124
9.37
Nam Ou 7
Nam Ou
22°04′40″N 102°15′52″E / 22.07779°N 102.264436°E / 22.07779; 102.264436 (Nam Ou 7 Dam )
2020
190
811
147
825
1,494
38.16
Nam Pha Gnai
Nam Pha Gnai
19°00′48″N 102°15′52″E / 19.013318°N 102.264436°E / 19.013318; 102.264436 (Nam Pha Gnai Dam )
2016[needs update ]
19.2
130
1.5
Nam San 3A
Nam San
19°07′45″N 103°39′47″E / 19.129054°N 103.663052°E / 19.129054; 103.663052 (Nam San 3A Dam )
unknown[needs update ]
69
278.4
75
350
123
8.5
Nam Tha 1
Nam Tha
20°14′58″N 100°53′33″E / 20.249467°N 100.892433°E / 20.249467; 100.892433 (Nam Tha 1 Dam )
2018
168
759.4
93.7
349.2
1,755
Xayaburi
Mekong
19°15′14″N 101°48′49″E / 19.254006°N 101.813699°E / 19.254006; 101.813699 (Xayaburi Dam )
2019
1,285
6,035
48
810
1,300
49
Xekaman-Sanxay
Xe Kaman
14°53′27″N 107°07′10″E / 14.890823°N 107.119451°E / 14.890823; 107.119451 (Xekaman-Sanxay Dam )
2017[needs update ]
32
123
28
180
Xepian-Xenamnoy
Xepian/Xenamnoy
14°56′47″N 106°37′39″E / 14.946382°N 106.627369°E / 14.946382; 106.627369 (Xepian-Xenamnoy Dam )
2018
410
1,880
75.5
1,778
1,092
50
Xeset 3
Xe Don
15°20′32″N 106°18′40″E / 15.342113°N 106.31115°E / 15.342113; 106.31115 (Xeset 3 Dam )
2020
20
74
Battambang 1
Sangker
12°48′17″N 102°54′44″E / 12.804805°N 102.912094°E / 12.804805; 102.912094 (Battambang 1 Dam )
2017[needs update ]
24
123
49.5
4,200
Lower Sesan 2
Sesan
13°33′05″N 106°15′50″E / 13.551408°N 106.263841°E / 13.551408; 106.263841 (Lower Sesan 2 Dam )
2018
400
2,312
45
7,729
1,790
335
Planned hydropower infrastructure
This article needs to be updated . Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (August 2018 )
The CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems, which monitors dams development in the Mekong Region, distinguishes between 'planned' dams - those for which bureaucratic processes to license, or enable the dam to be constructed (for example, feasibility studies, concession agreements, environmental impact assessments , power purchase agreements and other government authorisations); and those dams that have been suggested, but for which these processes have not commenced.
Table 3: Planned and Proposed Hydropower dams in the Mekong River Basin (15 MW installed capacity and above)[ 13]
Proposed mainstream dams
This article needs to be updated . Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (August 2018 )
Table 4: Dams on the Mekong Mainstream[ 13]
Project
Country
Location
Expected Commissioning Year
Installed capacity (MW)
Mean Annual Energy (GW)
Height (m)
Crest length (m)
Total storage (million m3 )
Max reservoir area (km2 )
Ban Kum
15°25′04″N 105°35′15″E / 15.417881°N 105.587364°E / 15.417881; 105.587364 (Ban Kum Dam )
2030
1,872
8,434
53
780
132.5
Dongzhong
31°52′22″N 96°59′24″E / 31.872777°N 96.99°E / 31.872777; 96.99 (Dongzhong Dam )
Proposed. COD Unknown.
108
41.2
Gushui
28°36′31″N 98°44′46″E / 28.608683°N 98.746133°E / 28.608683; 98.746133 (Gushui Dam )
COD Unknown.
2,600
8,337
310
540
3,912
Guxue
29°10′59″N 98°36′24″E / 29.18295°N 98.6067°E / 29.18295; 98.6067 (Guxue Dam )
Planned. COD Unknown.
1,700
7,816
229
599
7,752
Kagong
30°37′21″N 97°26′40″E / 30.622567°N 97.444417°E / 30.622567; 97.444417 (Kagong Dam )
Planned. COD Unknown.
240
1,264
97
237
81.4
Latsua
15°19′53″N 105°34′58″E / 15.33146°N 105.582803°E / 15.33146; 105.582803 (Latsua Dam )
2023
800
3,504
22
1,300
13
Lin Chang
31°10′49″N 97°11′07″E / 31.1804°N 97.1852°E / 31.1804; 97.1852 (Lin Chang Dam )
Planned. COD Unknown.
72
362
38
9
Luangprabang
20°04′00″N 102°11′32″E / 20.06663°N 102.192339°E / 20.06663; 102.192339 (Luangprabang )
2030
1,200
6,500
57.5
318
1,589.5
72.4
Pak Beng
19°50′38″N 101°00′59″E / 19.843927°N 101.016502°E / 19.843927; 101.016502 (Pak Beng Dam )
2022
912
4,846
85
943
87
Pak Lay
18°19′39″N 101°31′50″E / 18.327581°N 101.530575°E / 18.327581; 101.530575 (Pak Lay Dam )
2030
1,320
4,252
35
630
108
Ru Mei
29°39′00″N 98°20′52″E / 29.649933°N 98.3477°E / 29.649933; 98.3477 (Ru Mei Dam )
Planned. COD Unknown.
2,100
10,582
315
724
3,602
Sambor
12°47′13″N 105°56′19″E / 12.786849°N 105.938582°E / 12.786849; 105.938582 (Sambor Dam )
after 2020[needs update ]
2,600
11,749
56
18,002
3,794
620
Sanakham
17°49′45″N 101°33′25″E / 17.829183°N 101.556969°E / 17.829183; 101.556969 (Sanakham Dam )
2024
700
5,015
25
1,144
81
Santhong-Pakchom
18°12′04″N 102°03′02″E / 18.201038°N 102.050588°E / 18.201038; 102.050588 (Santhong-Pakchom Dam )
Planned. COD Unknown.
1,079
5,052
55
1,200
80.3
Stung Treng
13°18′09″N 105°14′44″E / 13.302404°N 105.245516°E / 13.302404; 105.245516 (Stung Treng Dam )
Planned. COD unknown.
980
4,870
22
10,884
70 (active)
211
Yue Long
30°52′05″N 97°20′50″E / 30.868008°N 97.347124°E / 30.868008; 97.347124 (Yue Long Dam )
Planned. COD Unknown.
129
644
60.7
377
COD = Commercial Operating Date.
Environmental impacts
A study by the Mekong River Commission (MRC) presented at the Third MRC International Conference in March 2018, concluded that hydropower development on the Mekong River will aggravate food insecurity and poverty in the region. The report forecasts that Thailand is expected to suffer the most economically and ecologically. According to the report, full scale dam development will decrease GDP growth for lower Mekong basin countries by US$29 billion. Thailand would have the greatest economic loss, as much as US$11 billion. Laos and Cambodia would each face losses of US$9 billion in GDP growth. Native fish stocks would be particularly hard hit: more than 900,000 tonnes of fish biomass, worth US$4.3 billion, would disappear by 2040 from the Mekong as a result of dams. Thailand would have the highest rate of fish loss, 55 percent, followed by Laos, 50 percent; Cambodia, 35 percent; and Vietnam, 30 percent. The creation of reservoirs would result in many parts of the Mekong becoming a lake ecosystem, unsuitable for many native aquatic species of the river environment and will eventually drive them to extinction. A Lao government executive dismissed the research findings as "just an estimation". He insisted that hydropower dams were crucial to solving poverty and that they would provide large economic benefits to the entire region.[ 16] [ 17]
See also
References
^ "Mekong Mainstream Dams" . International Rivers . Retrieved 2017-09-09 .
^ a b Mekong River Commission (2010). "State of the Basin Report, 2010" (PDF ) . MRC, Vientiane, Laos.
^ J. Dore; Y. Xiaogang; K. Yuk-shing (2007). "China's energy reforms and hydropower expansion in Yunnan". In L. Lebel; J. Dore; R. Daniel; Y.S. Koma (eds.). Democratizing Water Governance in the Mekong Region . Chiang Mai: Silkworm Books. pp. 55–92. ISBN 9749511255 .
^ Mekong River Commission (2005). "Overview of the Hydrology of the Mekong Basin" (PDF ) . MRC, Vientiane, Laos.
^ CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food. "CPWF Mekong" . Retrieved May 19, 2012 .
^ "Cambodian Villagers Petition Chinese Embassy to Scrap Dam Projects" . Radio Free Asia . Retrieved 2017-09-09 .
^ Nijhuis, Michelle. "Harnessing the Mekong or Killing It?" . National Geographic . Retrieved 2017-09-09 .
^ "Thousands Call for Regional Governments to Save the Mekong" . International Rivers . Retrieved 2017-09-09 .
^ "Neighbors on Alert as China Releases Deluge of Water from Mekong Dam" . Radio Free Asia . Retrieved 2017-09-09 .
^ " 'I Will Lose My Identity': Cambodian Villagers Face Displacement By Mekong Dam" . NPR.org . Retrieved 2017-09-09 .
^ "A Dangerous Trajectory for the Mekong River" . International Rivers . Retrieved 2017-09-09 .
^ Yeophantong, Pichamon. "China's Lancang Dam Cascade and Transnational Activism in the Mekong Region: Who's Got the Power?". Asian Survey . 54 (4): 700–24. doi :10.1525/as.2014.54.4.700 .
^ a b c d "WLE, 2016. Dataset on the Dams of the Irrawaddy, Mekong, Red and Salween River Basins. Vientiane, Lao PDR: CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems - Greater Mekong" . CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (Greater Mekong). Retrieved 2018-04-04 .
^ https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2016-11-01/a-waterfight-like-no-other-may-be-brewing-over-asia-s-rivers
^ https://www.internationalrivers.org/sites/default/files/attached-files/mekong_mainstream_damsupdate_2017_english.pdf
^ Rujivanarom, Pratch (4 April 2018). "Mekong River dams 'will harm food security' " . The Nation . Retrieved 10 April 2018 .
^ Boyle, David; Narin, Sun (5 April 2018). "Mekong Leaders Mostly Mum on Risks Tied to Intense Damming" . VOA . Retrieved 10 April 2018 .
External links
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