Home » Region » Laos » Page 149

Category: Laos

Thai power producer RATCH to invest $1b in overseas plants in Indonesia, Laos, China

By Nantiya Tangwisutijit

Thailand’s listed power producer Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding PCL (RATCH) plans to invest around $1 billion in power plants in Indonesia, Laos and China, a top official with the company said.

The company expects its aggressive investment to double its electricity production capacity to 8,000 megawatts, increasing its enterprise value from the current level of 124 billion baht to 188 billion baht by 2018.

Rum Herabat, the newly-appointed chief executive officer, said the company is looking at three main approaches to increase business. These include – exploring new investments, managing efficiency of main power plants and completing construction of new power plants as planned.

The potential projects, for which the company is conducting feasibility studies and negotiation include, 2,000-MW JAWA7 in Indonesia, 400-MW Sekong 4 hydropower project in Lao PDR, seven solar farms projects for the public sector in Thailand (with a combined capacity of 35 MW) and 2,000-MW power plant project in China.

Letters From The Mekong: Time For A New Narrative On Mekong Hydropower

By Paritta Wangkiat

This issue brief – the second in Stimson’s “Letters from the Mekong” series – examines the current status of mitigation efforts at Laos’ Xayaburi and Don Sahong dam projects and the relevance of the existing narrative surrounding hydropower development on the river’s mainstream. Based on extensive research on the status and expected impacts of these projects, the authors of this brief have concluded that the current narrative of inevitability surrounding the future of the Mekong is increasingly at odds with what is in fact a very fluid situation. Instead of being the first two of up to nine or eleven mainstream “dominos” to fall, these commercial-opportunity projects are likely to face significantly increasing political and financial risks and uncertainties.

Environment group voices concerns over Mekong dam

By

An environmental watchdog based in Viet Nam is asking the Laos government to reconsider the construction of a controversial hydropower plant along the Mekong River. The non-governmental organisation Viet Nam River Network issued a press release last Friday stating that the Don Sahong project, the second largest dam approved by the Laos government, would adversely affect the area.

Asean should ensure sustainable mineral development: Lao Deputy Prime Minister

By

The Lao government is focusing on the promotion of sustainable agricultural systems for food security in Asean when the country integrates with the Asean Economic Community (AEC) at the end of this year.

The Agriculture Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, in cooperation with Deutsche Gesellschaftfür Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is hosting the 6th project partner meeting of the German Regional Cooperation project’s Asean sustainable agrifood systems (Asean SAS) initiative, which is being implemented by GIZ.