In 1993 Vientiane gave the green light to build a dam on the upper Theun river that runs through the plateau. The trees began to fall faster. Now the area is nearly barren. Since the damage has been done, might as well reap the profits, say the dam s promoters. While the plateau may once 100 years ago have been important in terms of biodiversity, it is not now and never will be again, says David Iverach of Transfield, the Australian construction giant that heads the Nam Theun Electricity Consortium.
Most large dams are controversial.
If it s not the environmental and social costs that worry people then it s the economic viability. The Nam Theun II dam suffers from all three problems. But the impoverished Lao government is convinced of the project s worth. It sees the dam as its ticket to prosperity. Laos has developed few exports besides lumber, and selling hydropower to its neighbors is one of its few money- earning options.