Blog

Greater Mekong Subregion Energy Sector Investments: Concerns and Recommendations

Through the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Program, the World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB) are financing regional energy infrastructure projects and technical studies in the region’s energy sector. Investments are guided by the GMS Energy Roadmap, which prioritizes the development of a regional electricity grid that is proposed to be powered predominantly by large hydropower dams along the tributaries and mainstream of the Lower Mekong River Basin. As a result, the ADB and World Bank funding is directly helping to develop the high voltage gridlines needed for this system of interconnections and to commission consultancies to analyze power sector development options. What are the problems?

281215_GMS_Investments

This briefing paper, “Re-Assessing Greater Mekong Subregion Energy Investments”, provides an overview and critical analysis of the large-scale energy investments prioritized by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and World Bank in the Mekong region. Case studies focus on hydropower-related projects in Lao PDR that are intended for exporting electricity to Thailand and Vietnam.

This resource can be used for advocacy at the ADB and World Bank, as well as for research purposes. 

Download the briefing: PDF file (10.7 Mb)

Vietnamese version is available and was edited by PanNature

Related Posts

Customary Tenure in Relation to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent and Existing Safeguards for Indigenous People and Local Communitie
This study, conducted by PanNature with financial and technical support from the NTFP-EP program, primarily aims to evaluate the impact of community consultation processes and mechanisms ensuring community participation in recognizing traditional rights in Vietnam, with a particular emphasis on Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). The study focuses on regions characterized by mountainous terrain and forest landscapes.
Agroforestry Helps to Secure Land Tenure in Dak Lak Province
With support from the Region Mekong Land Governance Project, since 2021, PanNature has piloted agroforestry livelihood models to improve the lives of local people. Accordingly, the agroforestry model has been piloted by 5 households in Tul Village and 6 households in Hang Nam Village to improve the local livelihood through effective farming. Cultivation land in both villages is significant on sloping land, which is being degraded with erosion of topsoil on rainy days. Agroforestry is seen as an important measure to help conserve the topsoil while improving local livelihood, reduce the risk of losing their allocated forests due to inefficient use, and contribute to securing the allocated rights.
ERPA Handbook: Q&A for individuals, households and communities
The North Central Region GHG Emission Reduction Payment Agreement (ERPA) is a carbon transfer agreement signed on October 20, 2020 between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Bank for Reconstruction and Development. International Development (IBRD), trustee of the Forest Carbon Partnership Fund (FCPF).
Back To Top