Hun Sen Visits Laos Dam Site, Again Promises Cheap Power

Hun Sen Visits Laos Dam Site, Again Promises Cheap Power

Prime Minister Hun Sen joined his Laotian counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith
for a visit to the site of the controversial Don Sahong Dam just across the
border on Tuesday, remarking that the trip was a reminder of Laos'
commitment to improving the livelihoods of Cambodians.

"I would like to thank Laos' government for selling cheap electricity to
Cambodia, especially to Stung Treng and Preah Vihear provinces," Mr. Hun Sen
said during a ceremony inaugurating the Trapaing Kriel border checkpoint
near the dam site.

Activists and communities living downstream from the Don Sahong and other
dams being built on the Mekong River in Laos have said they are already
feeling the impact: fish dying off, dolphin populations dwindling, and water
turning cloudy and causing diarrhea and rashes.

However, Mr. Hun Sen has expressed his approval of the projects, undertaken
by Laos despite concerns among other countries reliant on the Mekong,
adopting the Laotian government line that they are necessary to meet energy
demands.

With much of Stung Treng already buying cheap electricity from Laos,
however, environmental consultant Thaim Oudom said Cambodians should be
informed about what exactly they should be thankful for, and how the Don
Sahong will change electricity access and costs.

"They say that as they build more and more dams, the electricity will be
cheaper," he said. "But it is not clear how cheap."

Mr. Oudom doubted that the current arrangement-Cambodia buying power from
Laos' main station-would change, as new transmission lines were
prohibitively expensive, meaning access would not be significantly expanded.

"They will probably still use the old machines," he said.

Meanwhile, communities along the Mekong that have for years been protesting
against the dam say they are feeling its negative effects.

"Locals are feeling bad because of the dam's impacts," said Chum Huot, an
environmental activist who plans to visit the dam today, adding that some
may move to seek employment elsewhere.

Mr. Oudom said Cambodia should do its own study on the transboundary impacts
of the site instead of relying on Laos for its research.

"The government has sufficient human resources and experts," he said. "They
should be allowed to study the dam and present reports so that everyone is
appeased."

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Link to Original Article:
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/hun-sen-visits-laos-dam-site-again-promis
es-cheap-power-123248/

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com