Hydropower and Energy Working Group - meeting energy needs fairly and sustainably
The working group is led by Tira Foran from USER. Email: Tira@sea-user.org
Purpose and Approach
The Mekong Region is in a period of large-scale hydropower development. Large dams and associated works can have profound impacts on people’s livelihood and ecosystems for decades. Power sector planning, Initial assessment and on-going evaluation processes are critical.
This work focuses on the quality of electricity services planning, which is one of the drivers behind hydropower expansion in China, Lao PDR, Burma/Myanmar and Vietnam. Working group members also work on the politics of planning specific projects, in terms of assessment, knowledge production, and investment decisions.
Through this work we aim to increase understanding of issues relate to the sustainability of hydropower and power system development. We also build capacity for people to participate in discussions about individual projects, and the overall direction of development strategies, especially in situations with transboundary impacts.
Selected Publications
Series Nos.
Title
WP-2009-15
Foran, T. (2009). Good principles in search of better developers? The Equator Principles and Mekong infrastructure development. USER Working Paper 2009-15-WP. Chiang Mai University, Unit for Social and Environmental Research (USER), Chiang Mai, Thailand. (465)
WP-2009-14
Foran, T. 2009. Making hydropower more sustainable? A sustainability measurement approach led by the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Forum. Policy Brief. Draft July 2009. USER Working Paper 2009-WP-14, Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai. (464)
MP-2007-05
Sheila Bijoor, Chris Greacen, Chuenchom Greacen, 2007. Citizen-Oriented Power Sector Reform in Thailand. M-POWER Working Paper MP-2007-05. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University: Chiang Mai. (367)
MP-2007-04
Chris Greacen and Sheila Bijoor, 2007. Decentralized Energy in Thailand: An Emerging Light. M-POWER Working Paper MP-2007-04. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University: Chiang Mai. (366)
MP-2006-07
Foran, T., Peter du Pont, Parinya, P. 2006. Securing energy efficiency as a top priority electricity resource: scenario analysis of Thailand's household electricity consumption. M-POWER Working Paper MP-2006-07. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University: Chiang Mai. (321)
MP-2006-05
Foran, T. 2006. Thailand's politics of power system planning and reform. M-POWER Working Paper MP-2006-05. Unit for Social and Environmental Research: Chiang Mai University. (320)
MP-2005-10
Greacen, C., Chuenchom Greacen. 2005. Power. M-POWER Working Paper MP-2005-10. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University: Chiang Mai. (46)
MP-2004-04
Dore J, Yu Xiaogang. Yunnan Hydropower Expansion: Update on Chinas energy industry reforms & the Nu, Lancang & Jinsha hydropower dams. M-POWER Working Paper MP-2004-04. Unit for Social and Environmental Research: Chiang Mai. (338)
Selected Websites
Palang Thai
is a Thailand-based non-profit organization that works to ensure the region's energy sector are economically rational, social and environmental just and sustainable. The web introduces to the organization's unique activities and offers a number of downloadable documents. (39)
