Publications related to Hydropower

Preliminary Design Guidance for Proposed Mainstream Dams in the Lower Mekong River Basin (PDG)

The new Preliminary Design Guidance is an updated version of the original PDG introduced in 2009. It incorporates not only what the MRC Member Countries have learnt from their own experience with hydropower, but also from examples and best practices around the world. It also includes the most current knowledge regarding design criteria, science and technology. While the older PDG spanned this range of construction and operation elements (hydraulics; sediment transport; geomorphology; water quality; aquatic ecology; fish and fisheries; dam safety; and navigation), the new PDG now includes hydrology and socio-economic impact to reflect the greater attention paid today to riparian communities and riverine livelihoods.

Download | Published on:20 Feb 2023 | Language: English

Guidelines for Transboundary Environmental Impact Assessment in the Lower Mekong River Basin (TbEIA)

The Guidelines for Transboundary Environmental Impact Assessment in the Lower Mekong River Basin (TbEIA) is designed as a flexible document with perspective of its further elaboration based on gradually accumulated experience of Member Countries with a TbEIA application. It is also designed as a supporting tool applicable with respect to the different national EIA legislation systems in Member Countries. It builds on and supplements five MRC procedures, including the Procedures for Notification, Prior Consultation and Agreement; Procedures for Data and Information Exchange and Sharing; Procedures for Water Use Monitoring; Procedures for Maintenance of Flows on the Mainstream, and Procedures for Water Quality in addressing potential transboundary environmental impacts of development projects.

Download | DOI: 10.52107/mrc.aqrsbk | Published on:20 Feb 2023 | Language: English

Handbook on Mainstreaming Gender into the Mekong River Commission’s Core Functions and Activities: A Guidebook for a Gender-Responsive and Resilient Lower Mekong River Basin

The Handbook for Gender Mainstreaming into the MRC Core Functions and Activities offers a supporting tool – or a guiding note – to assist the MRC to effectively integrate a gender perspective into all aspects of its work, from the development, update and application of strategic tools, procedures, normative guidelines, studies, and organizational strengthening to designing and advocating for joint actions. It also provides a working aid to integrate gender perspectives during the course of the BDS 2021–2030 and SP 2021-2025 implementation, and beyond

Download | DOI: 10.52107/mrc.ajutqn | Published on:30 Dec 2022 | Language: English

Joint Environmental Monitoring Programme at Two Mekong Mainstream Dams: The Don Sahong and Xayaburi Hydropower Projects

The report provides an overview of activities conducted and resulting recommendations from monitoring two mainstream dams: Don Sahong and Xayaburi hydropower projects. It summarizes the pilot monitoring results from the first pilot site report for each hydropower project and the Combined Annual Report in a way that illustrates how findings in hydrology, sediment, water quality, aquatic ecology, and fisheries can be interpreted together. Based on the findings, it provides some initial suggestions for mitigation and adaptive management of construction and operation of hydropower projects. It also concludes with recommendations for revisions to the guidelines and monitoring protocols that can then be incorporated into the JEM Programme document.

Download | DOI: 10.52107/mrc.aqrs7o | Published on:19 Aug 2022 | Language: English

Sustainable Hydropower Development Strategy: A Basin-wide Strategy for a Changing Mekong River Basin

The Sustainable Hydropower Development Strategy 2021 presents the MRC’s approach toward mega infrastructure project development including hydropower projects in the Lower Mekong River Basin. It provide a framework for how to “avoid, minimize and mitigate” the transboundary impact of hydropower projects. It defines three strategic areas for the MRC to work on: Consideration of Integrated Water Use, Environmental and Socio-economic Factors; Efficient Hydropower Generation and Distribution Mechanisms; and finally, Information System and Capacity Building.

Download | DOI: 10.52107/mrc.ajutpe | Published on:20 Jun 2022 | Language: English

Completion Report for the MRC Strategic Plan 2016–2020: Achievements

The Completion Report 2016–2020 presents the MRC’s key
achievements in terms of the completion of outputs, the achievements of outcomes and financial performance during the five-year implementation of the MRC Strategic Plan 2016–2020 and its Annual Work Plans. It also includes the lessons learned from that period, and how they formed the basis of the next planning cycle – the Basin Development Strategy 2021–2030 and the MRC Strategic Plan 2021–2025.

Download | DOI: 10.52107/mrc.qx5ynu | Published on:23 Jul 2021 | Language: English

Project-based Action Plan for Implementing the Strategy for Basin-wide Environmental Management for Environmental Assets of Regional Importance 2021–2025

This report provides practical guidance to Member Countries and partners on implementing the strategic priorities and actions of the Strategy for Basin-wide Environmental Management through a coordinated approach. It describes a set of 13 projects forming a coherent work programme across the 12 priority environmental assets of regional importance. The report includes a sustainable funding strategy for Member Countries and the MRC to pursue, an outline of the governance, roles and responsibilities, risk management and monitoring, evaluation and reporting arrangements.

Download | DOI: 10.52107/mrc.qx5ynx | Published on:21 Jun 2021 | Language: English

Mekong Strategy for Basin-wide Environmental Management for Environmental Assets of Regional Importance 2021–2025

The Mekong Strategy for Basin-wide Environmental Management for Environmental Assets of Regional Importance (SBEM) is a cooperative regional strategy to protect environmental and ecological assets, including those providing ecosystem services in the basin. It provides an opportunity to implement a cooperative strategy where capacity can be built, and best management practices and information can be shared. Ultimately, the SBEM will establish a permanent regional network of environmental assets of regional importance within the LMB, which will be protected and managed for generations to come.

Download | DOI: 10.52107/mrc.ajutqu | Published on:21 Jun 2021 | Language: English

Technical Guidelines on the Implementation of the Procedures for Water Quality

The Technical Guidelines facilitates the implementation of the Procedures for Water Quality (PWQ) – one of the five Mekong Agreement’s Procedural Rules. The objective of the PWQ is to “establish a cooperative framework for the maintenance of acceptable/good water quality to promote the sustainable development of the Mekong River Basin.”

Download | DOI: 10.52107/mrc.ay2l12 | Published on:16 Jun 2021 | Language: English

© 2024 Mekong River Commission

Dr. An Pich Hatda

Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat 
Hatda

Mr. Pham Tuan Phan

First Riparian Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat

Mr. Hans Joakim GUTTMAN

Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat 

Mr. Jeremy Douglas BIRD

Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat 

Mr. Kristensen Joern

Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat 

Dr. Olivier Cogels

Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat 

Mr. Yasunobu Matoba

Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat