Introduction

Intensive hydropower development in the Mekong River Basin has highlighted the substantial economic benefits for the riparian countries towards their economic development goals. However, there are trade-offs with other sectors across economic, environmental and social spheres as presented in the Mekong River Commission’s (MRC) cumulative impact assessment (The Council Study). It is therefore critical to optimise across the energy and water sectors for efficient and sustainable development.

In response to this dynamic situation, the MRC in 2008 established the Initiative on Sustainable Hydropower (ISH), a cross-cutting activity working together with the past MRC programmes implemented under the Strategic Plan 2011-2015. The ISH aimed at embedding sustainable hydropower considerations into the regulatory frameworks and planning systems of the MRC Member Countries and into project level planning, design, implementation and operational activities. It also explored and documented possible avoidance, mitigation and benefit and risk sharing options for sustainable management of the growing number of hydropower projects.  

The ISH developed the Preliminary Design Guidance for Proposed Mainstream Dams (PDG) to provide a transboundary and international best practice approach to designing mainstream Mekong hydropower schemes. It also supported the development of the Strategic Environmental Assessment of Mainstream Dams, providing the Member Countries with technical advice on potential regional impacts of mainstream hydropower schemes.

Completed in 2016, the ISH conducted a series of studies to assist the Member Countries in making decisions on hydropower management and development within the integrated water resources management (IWRM) perspectives. Many studies and guidelines integrated gender issues to help inform the development of policy actions by the Member Countries. The ISH studies include:

Identification of Ecologically Sensitive Sub-Basins for Sustainable Development of Hydropower on Tributaries (ISH01)

The Study on the Identification of Ecologically Sensitive Sub-Basins for Sustainable Development of Hydropower on Tributaries (ISH01) identified sub-basins with high ecologic value to be protected and those where hydropower can be developed with limited environmental impacts. Published in 2015, the Study also provided a framework for sustainable hydropower planning and management in Lower Mekong River Basin (LMB) tributaries, including evaluation options for identification of ecologically sensitive areas and practical tools for addressing the risks of mainstream hydropower and assessing alternative energy options.

ISH01 Resources
Flyer
Final report on pilot testing in the Sre Pok sub-basin
Development of Guidelines on the Multi-Purpose Evaluation of Hydropower Project (ISH02)

The Guidelines on the Multi-Purpose Evaluation of Hydropower Project (ISH02) assisted the MRC Member Countries in basin planning and energy/hydropower planning framework, including through the integration of all costs and benefits of the current ways of planning hydropower schemes into the national strategic planning approach. Published in 2015, the Guidelines proposed a portfolio planning process with associated tools for valuation and evaluation of hydropower and multipurpose dam project portfolios.  

ISH02 Resources
Flyer
Guidelines for the evaluation of hydropower and multi-purpose project portfolios
Annex 1: Economics practice guide
Annex 2: Guidance on non-monetised social and environmental indicators
Annex 3: Hydropower planning support tool - user manual
Guidelines for Hydropower Environmental Impact Mitigation and Risk Management in the Lower Mekong Mainstream and Tributaries (ISH0306)

The MRC Hydropower Mitigation Guidelines provided mitigation guidance for the design and operations of hydropower facilities, supporting basin planning and management for long-term sustainability in the Mekong River Basin. It provided the application of regional and global “good industry practice” for addressing risks and impacts in all phases of the hydropower project development cycle. 

The Guidelines supported the MRC’s Preliminary Design Guidance for Mainstream Dams (PDG), which may be used by developers during project preparation and then by the MRC to assess projects through its Procedure for Notification, Prior Consultation and Agreement (PNPCA). The Guidelines were developed from 2016 and completed in 2018, with funding from the MRC Basket.

ISH0306 Resources 
Flyer
Key findings and recommendations
Volume 1: Hydropower risk and impact mitigation guidelines and recommendations
Volume 2: Hydropower risk and impact mitigation manual
Volume 3: Case study report
Improved Environmental and Socio-Economic Baseline Information for Hydropower Planning (ISH11)

The Study on Improved Environmental and Socio-Economic Baseline Information for Hydropower Planning reviewed the MRC’s monitoring and information management systems to assess how well they provided information to the Member Countries for hydropower planning and management information needs. Published in 2013, the Study also provided recommendations for improvement of a guiding framework for long-term and basin-wide planning.

ISH11 Resources
Flyer
Guiding considerations on transboundary monitoring for LMB hydropower planning and management
Improved environmental and socio-economic baseline information for hydropower planning
Annex – Socio-economics
Annex – Fisheries
Annex – Aquatic ecology
Annex – Sediment and geomorphology
Annex – Water quality
Annex – Hydrology
Benefit Sharing Options for Hydropower on the Mekong Tributaries (ISH13)

The Study on Benefit Sharing Options for Hydropower on the Mekong Tributaries (ISH13) explored options for benefit sharing and fostering dialogue on mechanisms for hydropower development and management. The ISH13 helped increase the level of awareness and understanding of the benefit sharing concepts among the National Mekong Committee Secretariats (NMCS) and multiple stakeholders in the Member Countries. Published in 2015, the Study also presented effective benefit sharing mechanisms used in other parts of the world that may be adapted to the Mekong region. The Study was built on the four national discussion papers led by the four NMCS in 2012-2013.

ISH13 Resources
Flyer
Brochure
Regional synthesis paper (full report)
Regional synthesis paper (summary)
Regional synthesis paper (annex)
CNMC national discussion paper
LNMC national discussion paper
TNMC national discussion paper
VNMC national discussion paper
Rapid Basin-Wide Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Tool (RSAT)

The Rapid Basin-Wide Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Tool (RSAT) is a multi-stakeholder dialogue and assessment tool designed to consider hydropower sustainability issues in a river basin context. Placing hydropower in a basin-wide context requires looking beyond individual projects to a broader integrated approach to planning and management. The application of tools such as the RSAT can assist the Member Countries to identify development strategies, institutional responses and management measures deployed to optimise the benefits of hydropower development and reduce the risks. 

RSAT Resources
Flyer
Summary 2013 edition
Full report 2016 edition
Guidelines for transboundary dialogues

 

RSAT Toolbox
Institutional mapping for RSAT assessment
Interview schedule
Data collection template
Topic and performance statement checklists
GAP analysis report and presentation
Template for a topic SWOT analysis and recommendations
Group assessment result – worksheet
Template for the 5 WHYS
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of Mainstream Dams

The Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) assessed 12 hydropower schemes constructed on the Mekong mainstream. Published in 2010, the SEA presented transboundary impacts and opportunities associated with the proposed projects while calling for the assurance of equitable development benefits at the national and local levels. It examined four strategic options ranging from a 10-year deferral for mainstream hydropower development to pursuing a market-driven development. In addition, it provided recommendations on how the proposed projects should be best pursued by the Member Countries in relation to regional distribution of costs and benefits with respect to economic development, social equity and environmental protection among affected stakeholders.

SEA Resources
FAQ
Summary report
Full report

Click here for documents from other SEA phases

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

The Preliminary Design Guidance for Proposed Mainstream Dams (PDG), developed in 2009, provided a transboundary and international best practice approach to designing mainstream hydropower schemes on the Mekong mainstream, and proposed risk mitigation measures that developers and the proposed countries could adopt. The PDG 2009 formed the basis for the Procedures for Notification, Prior Consultation and Agreement (PNPCA) submissions made by MRC Member Countries and assessments made by the MRC experts of five mainstream dams: Xayaburi, Don Sahong, Pak Beng, Pak Lay, Luang Prabang and the ongoing Sanakham.

Upon the request of the Member Countries, the MRC Secretariat is updating the PDG to provide clarity for ambiguous areas of the current guidance. The updated version will also provide performance targets and principles for the design and operations of mainstream dams that can help minimise and mitigate harmful effects.

PDG Resources
Preliminary Design Guidance for Proposed Mainstream Dams (PDG)
Draft concept note on the review and update of the PDG