Strategic Success for Hydropower in Laos

Abstract

IN HIS NEWS FOCUS STORY "MAYHEM ON THE MEKONG" (12 AUGUST, P. 814), R. STONE REPORTS concerns about hydropower development projects on the lower Mekong River and its tributaries. The ecological transformations induced by water resource development are especially critical in tropical areas, where favorable conditions are created for the transmission of vector-borne diseases. With regard to large hydroelectric projects, there has been a misconception that public health prevention measures are too costly; thus, they have been neglected or enacted at a minimal level (1). Water projects have been shown to have direct and indirect effects on diseases such as malaria (2, 3), schistosomiasis (4, 5), and hepatitis C (6). However, there is a paucity of comprehensive, in-depth assessment of the global health and environmental burden attributable to the development and operation of large dams. One exception is the 1070-MW Nam Theun 2 hydropower station in Laos. The company that operates the dam, along with its partners and stakeholders, has developed policies that balance hydroelectric production with responsible and coherent social and environmental programs, including the strengthening of the provincial public health infrastructure. This strategy could serve as a model for others. As part of this approach, increased resources have been provided for local mother and child care, curative and preventative medicine, and psychosocial well-being. Adequate water supplies and sanitation have been provided, mosquito and gastropod vector populations responsible for disease transmission are monitored, and targeted vector control strategies have been implemented (7). To cope with the occurrence of potential infectious hazards, the company has developed a tailored outbreak response preparedness plan to be used in conjunction with the national plan. Surprisingly, the implementation of such measures has been proven feasible at an acceptable cost ratio (0.2% of the overall project development budget) (8).Twenty-fi ve years after Chernobyl, the Fukushima incident will undoubtedly make hydropower an increasingly attractive renewable energy resource for countries facing urgently rising needs for electricity to fuel their economies. A systematic, durable evaluation of the health status of dam-affected populations is vital to improve our understanding of the impact of dams and to develop appropriate mitigation strategies. Lending agencies and power companies constructing and operating these dams need to reevaluate their responsibilities concerning the public health impact on affected populations.

Observations on Neotricula aperta (Gastropoda: Pomatiopsidae) population densities in Thailand and central Laos: implications for the spread of Mekong schistosomiasis

“…The possible worsening of the impact of Mekong schistosomiasis on public health following HEP development in the lower Mekong has been discussed in the recent literature; however, the examples pertaining to schistosomiasis given in published reports on Mekong HEP development are often based on experiences in Africa (involving Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium ) [18] or on Schistosoma japonicum and schistosomiasis in China [15,19]. In other reports it has been assumed that water resource development in Laos has altered ecological conditions such that an expansion of the range of S. mekongi into new areas could occur [20].…”

Finite‐time control for a fractional‐order non‐linear HTGS

“…With the aggravation of the global environmental pollution, many countries give priority to the development of clean and renewable energy and hydropower occupies a very important position [1][2][3][4]. In recent years, with the development of hydroelectric power, hydropower stations with large single unit and high water head are increasing rapidly.…”

Design of a Nonlinear Predictive Controller for a Fractional-Order Hydraulic Turbine Governing System with Mechanical Time Delay

“…Efforts to develop clean energy and to improve the status of clean energy in international energy architecture are urgently needed because of the burning of large amounts of fossil fuels. Water energy as a clean source has been extensively developed in recent years [1][2][3]. There are ever increasing numbers of high-capacity and high-head hydropower stations.…”