Power Struggle: The Impacts of Hydro-Development in Laos

In February 1998, during a dialogue with Lao government officials, International Rivers Network was encouraged to visit the Lao countryside and some dam sites. As a result, International Rivers Network visited six project sites at various stages of implementation and talked to many observers within the country. The sites visited included Nam Theun-Hinboun, Nam Leuk, Nam Theun 2, Houay Ho, Xe Pian-Xe Namnoi, and Xe Kaman 1. These field studies form the basis of this report, which aims to provide an overview of hydropower development in Lao PDR, informing the debate at the local, national and international levels.