08 03 2009 : :

Better Energy Solutions

The bulk of electricity generated by the Mekong mainstream dams is destined for distant energy-hungry cities in Thailand and Vietnam. Yet the region’s urban electricity needs could be better met by improving energy efficiency and deploying recent innovations in decentralized energy technologies. By adopting policies that encourage investment in new energy technologies, Mekong governments could leapfrog 1950s-era big hydro and start growing sustainable, modern economies. Securing electricity supply in this peaceful way would also avoid cross-border disputes arising from these dams’ cross-border impacts.

Reports, Briefings and Websites

• Visit Mekong Utility Watch’s webpage
• Visit International Rivers Mekong Power Grid webpage
• "Powering 21st Century Cambodia: Rethinking Cambodia's Energy Future" NGO Forum on Cambodia and Probe International, November 2009
• "Govt can purchase all "clean power", article in the Nation, Thailand, 10 June 2009
• Fact sheet on Energy Efficiency, International Rivers, February 2009
• Cambodia’s Hydropower Development and China’s Involvement, International Rivers and the Rivers Coalition of Cambodia, January 2008. English with Khmer Executive Summary
• Decentralized Energy in Thailand: An Emerging Light. By Chris Greacen and Sheila Bijoor, World Rivers Review. June 2007.   
• Assessment of Vietnam's Power Development Plan, Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations. April  2007. [English] [Vietnamese]
• An emerging light: Thailand gives the go-ahead to distributed energy. By Chris Greacen, Cogeneration & On-Site Power Production Magazine. March/April, 2007 
• Decentralizing Thai Power: Towards a Sustainable Energy System. By Chris Greacen and Jim Footner. Palang Thai / Greenpeace study on clean energy future for Thailand. November 2006 
• Big Hydro in the Red: The Drive for Decentralized Energy Reform in China, Grainne Ryder, Probe International, June 2006
• Electricity Governance in Thailand: Benchmarking Best Practice and Promoting Accountability in the Electricity Sector. Health Systems Research Institute, King Prajadhipok's Institute, Thailand Environmental Institute, Federation of Consumer Organizations, Palang Thai. 30 March, 2006
  
• An Alternative to Thailand’s Power Development Plan, Witoon Permpongsacharoen, Watershed, Vol. 10 No. 1. July-October 2004
• Thailand's electricity reforms: privatization of benefits and socialization of costs and risks. By Chom and Chris Greacen. Pacific Affairs 77(4) Winter 2004/5. 
• Electricity for All: Watershed Special Issue on Electricity. Vol. 9 No. 2 November 2003 - February 2004
• Power to Choose: Watershed Special Issue on Electricity. Vol. 7 No. 2 November 2001 – June 2002
  

Media

Visit Mekong Utility Watch's webpage.