The failure of the dam darkens the dream of Laos to become a regional power

BANGKOK – The collapse of the Laos Dam has cast a shadow over its goal of accelerating hydropower generation and could threaten Southeast Asia's industrial policy, which is relying on the electricity of the country.

at the Xepian-Xe Nam Noy hydroelectric dam in Attapeu province, killing 27 residents. It is still missing 131 others. The Ministry of Energy of Laos said Thursday that the cause was a poor quality construction while it is preparing to investigate SK Engineering and Construction based in Seoul, the Korea Western Power utility and d & # 39; others. involved in the $ 1 billion project, which was 90% complete. The companies accused Wednesday heavy rains for failure.

The ministry on Wednesday ordered all roadblocks, active or under construction, to submit regular safety reports with information such as water level maintenance. It will require the same of all future projects and will likely require tighter security controls.

The government should stay the course by building more hydro plants, but stricter security measures could slow construction.

to the abundance of mountains and rivers that make it ideal for hydropower. The country derives 86% of its energy from about 50 hydropower plants. Electricity is also an important source of currency for Laos, as it aims to get out of poverty by exporting its energy to other countries in Southeast Asia.

About 70% to 80% of locally produced electricity is exported to neighboring countries. % to Thailand. But Laos also supplies Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam, and also wants to serve Malaysia. Just under 10% of Thailand's electricity consumption comes from Laos. Laos only covers a few percent of Vietnam's electricity needs.

These South-East Asian countries are home to many factories of Japanese, South Korean and multinational companies. If Laos' electricity deliveries slow down due to these failures or slowed construction, this could hamper growth in the region.

The Ministry of Energy plans to rapidly increase capacity by adding 159 hydroelectric plants by 2030, multiplying by seven production. with 2015. It is also conducting feasibility studies for hydroelectric plants on 200 sites, which could together produce about 136 billion kilowatt hours, or 9.6 times more than in 2015.

But Laos suffered two dam collapses in a year. A small building under construction by a local company failed in the northeastern province of Xieng Khouang last September, flooding farmland and villages. However, Monday's breakup was a shock as the construction was managed by major foreign partners based in South Korea and elsewhere.

"It is clear that there are great risks, even for projects handled by foreign companies considered technologically trustworthy," said Norihiko Yamada, a researcher at the Institute of Technology. Developing Economies. biggest concern in Laos. "Many dam projects and power plants are underway," said a government official. "The public is increasingly concerned about the strength of these other projects."