BKK Post / 20 November 1998

ENERGY
Mekong dam project takes shape

Suthida Pimthet 
Chiang Mai
   A Thai-Chinese project to build a hydro-electric dam 
straddling the Mekong river has moved a step nearer reality 
with the signing of a memorandum of understanding.
   The 72-billion-baht Jing Hong dam will have a capacity 
to generate 1,500 megawatts, 20 percent for local consumers 
and the rest to be sold to Thailand via Laos.
   Subin Pinkhayan, chairman of Southeast Asia Technology 
Co and MDX Co, the joint developer, said the dam would be 
build in Xihuangbanna (Sibsongpanna) in Yunnan province, 
300km from Chiang Rai.
   All that remained to be settled was an interest-sharing 
agreement with Vientiane for the laying of transmission 
lines from China to the North.
   Laos, said the former commerce minister, would be asked 
to shoulder the cost of laying the lines in exchange for a 
royalty.
   Thailand and China are to develop other hydro-electric 
dams to generate 3,000 megawatts by 2017. Under a master 
plan to harness the energy potential of the river, nine 
dams will be built with a total capacity of 15,000 
megawatts.
   Domestic power demand would rise to 40,000 megawatts in 
the next 20 years from the present 15,000 megawatts, he 
said, stressing the need to secure a supply from 
neighbouring countries to preclude shortages.
   Dr Subin said his companies were considering building a 
3,100-megawatt dam across the Salween river in Tasan 
township, Burma, opposite Fang district, Chiang Mai.