Showing 1 - 10 of 114
How green is the energy from our hydro dams?
Oped, Published on 29/05/2024
» Thailand’s National Energy Plan (NEP), a blueprint for the country’s energy strategy from 2023 to 2037, has earned praise for its noble goal of increasing the use of clean, renewable energy. The plan states that by 2050, half of the electricity consumed locally must be clean and renewable energy — solar cells, wind, biomass, small nuclear and hydro dams.
Cambodian canal tests Mekong unity
Oped, Published on 10/05/2024
» Cambodia has every right to develop infrastructure to promote economic development in its part of the Mekong Basin, but the way Cambodia's government is conducting diplomacy around the 180-km Funan Techo Canal threatens to undo three decades of Mekong collaboration.
Energy shift calls for open markets, more renewables
Oped, Published on 03/04/2024
» The awaited new Power Development Plan (PDP) will be finalised by the second quarter of this year. The PDP -- which is scheduled to be implemented between 2024 and 2037, will focus more on renewable energy.
The day dams silenced Luang Prabang
Life, Published on 19/02/2024
» While almost 10 hydropower mega-dams have been removed across the United States to revitalise rivers and people's lives, the governments of Laos and Thailand have reached an agreement to construct more such dams on the mainstream of the Lower Mekong River. Eleven dams are planned, despite the devastating consequences of two already operational dams on the river's ecosystem and the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on it.
Can river meet all needs at same time?
Oped, Published on 17/11/2023
» Population and economic growth -- including the switch to electric vehicles and the rapidly expanding use of digital technology, leads to higher global electricity demand, which is expected to double by 2050, according to In McKinsey's report "The Global Energy Perspective 2021".
All quiet on the Mekong front
News, Pratch Rujivanarom, Published on 14/05/2023
» Mekong civil society groups are urging the governments of Thailand and Cambodia to shift their Mekong River policy towards protecting ecosystems and promoting environmental justice.
An Egat shakeup is long overdue
Oped, Published on 30/03/2023
» News of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) signing a power purchase deal for the planned Pak Lay dam in Laos last week almost slipped under the radar, such is the media attention lavished on the government's preparations for the next poll.
BCG Economy and Apec: Just empty rhetoric?
Oped, Published on 19/11/2022
» The Apec Leaders' Summit in Bangkok this week includes an agreement to work toward the "Bangkok Goals" on Bio-economy, Circular Economy and Green (BCG) Economy beyond national borders. Many have raised the question of whether the Thai government, as host to the summit, genuinely aims to push forward this goal. Or is it just a greenwashing policy in support of business as usual?
Asean needs a Middle Path
Asia focus, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 17/01/2022
» Despite the economic downturn during the Covid-19 pandemic, China-sponsored infrastructure, trade and cooperation initiatives with Southeast Asian nations have been moving forward consistently -- amplifying the presence of Beijing in one of the world's fastest growing regions.
Lack of data stalls Mekong dam
News, Apinya Wipatayotin, Published on 18/12/2021
» Thailand has yet to start a stage of Procedures for Notification, Prior Consultation and Agreements (PNPCA) for Lao's newest run-of-river Sanakham Dam due to insufficient information from the Chinese project developer, the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) has revealed.