VietNamNet Bridge – The US Department of State, on April 26, stated that it welcome a delay in construction of Laos’s Xayaburi Dam Project, and hoped that ASEAN countries could work out an environmentally sound solution.

 

“The United States recognizes the important role that dams can play in managing water resources, to advance economic growth and protect against floods and droughts. At the same time, our own experience has made us acutely aware of the economic, social and environmental impacts that large infrastructure can have over the long-term. In coming years, Mekong basin countries anticipate widening development, with 11 proposed main stream dams and over 70 tributary dams. These decisions should be taken deliberatively, informed by the best science and consultation with all stakeholders,” the statement says.

 

“The United States welcomes the recognition by riparian states of the need to consider fully the potential economic, environmental and social impacts of hydropower development and their efforts through the Mekong River Council’s (MRC) prior consultation process. The United States values its long-standing partnership with the MRC and its member nations. We encourage the countries to continue to work together to realize their shared vision of an economically prosperous, socially just and environmentally sound Mekong River basin.”

 

US Senator Jim Webb, who heads the Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee on East Asia, has pressed for an active US role against construction of the dam which he argued would have “devastating” consequences for the region.

 

On April 19, the MRC met to discuss the Xayaburi hydroelectric project – the first dam proposed on the main stem of the Lower Mekong River. Members of the MRC did not reach consensus on whether the project should proceed and agreed that a decision be tabled for consideration at the ministerial level at a later date.

 

The Xayaboury hydropower project would be the first such project on the Mekong mainstream downstream of China, and would be capable of generating 1260 megawatts of electricity, mainly for export to Thailand.

 

The Xayaboury dam is located approximately 150 km downstream of Luang Prabang in northern Laos. The dam has an installed capacity of 1,260 MW with a dam 810 m long and 32 m high, and has a reservoir area of 49 km2 and live storage of 225 Mm3. The primary objective of the Xayaboury dam project is to generate foreign exchange earnings for financing socio-economic development in Laos. The developer is Ch. Karnchang Public Co. Ltd. of Thailand, who negotiated a tariff agreement with EGAT in July 2010.

 

Experts say that if the dam is built, it will make alluvial in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta to reduce from 26 million tons a year to 7 tons a years. It will also make reduction of fish species and affect biodiversity of the Mekong River.

 

PV