This workshop will outline Australian and Asian Development Bank involvement in the Mekong region and potential impacts of proposed hydropower developments for Vietnam. The Mekong is the eleventh longest river in the world and is seen as one of the great undeveloped resources of South-East Asia.
Dams currently regulate less than five percent of the Mekong's catchment area and annual discharge.
The Asian Development Bank estimates the Mekong Basin has a theoretical hydropower generating potential of 58,000 MW and that about 37,000 MW of installed capacity is feasible. Laos alone has an estimated potential output of 18,000 MW and has proposed to build more than 50 dams in the next 25 years to feed the energy needs of Thailand. Whilst only 11 dams have so far been constructed on Mekong tributaries, there are countless projects in the feasibility and design stages. Australian companies, faced with a shrinking demand for hydro dams in Australia, are playing a key role in the development of this region. Others are vying to get their share of this lucrative market.