Laos and its Dams: Southeast Asia’s Battery, Built by China
Landlocked Laos aims to become the “battery of Southeast Asia” and escape poverty by exporting electricity to its richer neighbors. China is a major player in Laos’ ambitious hydropower plans. As of 2016, Laos has completed 40 dams on Mekong tributaries. An additional 50 dams are due for completion by 2020. Two of them, the Xayaburi and Don Sahong, are on the Mekong River. China is involved in about half of Laos’ hydropower projects. Beijing has poured at least $11 billion in development financing into the country, much of it for dam building
Landlocked Laos aims to become the “battery of Southeast Asia” and escape poverty by exporting electricity to its richer neighbors. China is a major player in Laos’ ambitious hydropower plans. As of 2016, Laos has completed 40 dams on Mekong tributaries. An additional 50 dams are due for completion by 2020. Two of them, the Xayaburi and Don Sahong, are on the Mekong River. China is involved in about half of Laos’ hydropower projects. Beijing has poured at least $11 billion in development financing into the country, much of it for dam building
