Energy
Electricity production
Laos’ Deputy Prime Minister Blames PNPC Dam Collapse on Poor Planning
Laos’ deputy prime minister has identified poor soil analysis for a fatal hydropower dam collapse, often described as the country’s worst flooding in decades.At a meeting last week on environmental policy, Deputy Prime Minister Bounthong Chitmany, who also heads the investigative committee tasked with finding ...
Phouvong
Three Lao Workers Killed in Landslide While Diverting Water to Dam
Three Lao workers trapped last week by a landslide while digging a passage to divert creek water to a nearby dam were found dead this week, with a fourth worker badly hurt, sources in the country say.The three men killed in the accident, which occurred ...
Max Avary
Risk reviews over Laos Pak Lay hydropower project
VIENTIANE, LAOS – As the proposed Pak Lay hydropwer project gathers steam, officials deliberated in Vientiane on Friday to discuss risk management measures.A summary of recommendations and suggestions of proposed impact mitigation and risk management measures and a final draft technical review report were among ...
Expat Media Team
Can Laos afford to be the ‘Battery of Asia’?
Critics warn of hidden costs in forging ahead with more damsTHE DEBATE over Laos’ strategy to become the “Battery of Asia” continues months after the deadly disaster at the Xe Pian-Xe Namnoy hydropower dam, even as the Lao government keeps building more dams. Despite the ...
Pratch Rujivanarom
Thailand pushes for Xayaboury dam power generation ahead of schedule
XAYABOURY, Laos (Vientiane Times/ANN) – Thailand is encouraging Laos to authorise operation of the under-construction Xayaboury hydropower plant ahead of schedule, to lower the overall power tariff, according to a Thai newspaper.Citing a reliable source, the Bangkok Post reported that Thailand’s Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) ...
Ekaphone Phouthonesy
Compensation talks begin for Lao dam disaster victims
LAO AUTHORITIES say negotiations have begun over compensation for the victims of last summer’s Xe Pian-Xe Nam Noy Dam collapse, but environmental activists and rights campaigners want the dam’s backers to do more than just pay out money – they should help restore their livelihoods, ...
PRATCH RUJIVANAROM
Laos seeks to become regional hub for electricity transmission by 2025
VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) – Laos is developing a strategic plan to become the network centre for a regional electricity transmission system by 2025.Director of the Energy Management Department under the Ministry of Energy and Mines, Mr Sichard Boudshakittilath, recently detailed the plan during a workshop ...
News Desk
Solar power farm to power Laos' Thakhaek SEZ
VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) – A foreign company will build a solar power farm on 54.2 hectares of land in the Thakhaek Specific Economic Zone (SEZ) in Khammuan province.A project development agreement was signed between the Executive Board of the Thakhaek Specific Economic Zone and Hainan ...
News Desk
Laos' Victims of dam collapse receive compensation
Some US$710,000 (more than 6 billion kip) has been paid to the families of 71 people who died or are still missing after an auxiliary dam collapsed in Sanamxay district, Attapeu province.The 71 victims of the July 2018 tragedy comprise 22 missing people and 49 ...
Souksakhone Vaenkeo
Laos' dam disaster victims stare at uncertain future
Fears linger for livelihoods as new villages being built for Lao victims may not be suitable for agricultureTHE VICTIMS of the Xi Pian-Xe Namnoi Dam collapse may not be able to return to their normal lives any time soon because the locations of their new ...
Pratch Rujivanarom