Joint Hydropower in the Salween Basin: insights from the Transboundary Freshwater Dispute Database

About this Article
Contributed by: Aaron T. Wolf, Joshua T. Newton, Matthew Pritchard

Contributor Perspective(s): Academic
Article last edited 12 Feb 2013 by Amanda
Article originally added by Mpritchard

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This article is linked to Efforts of Coordinating Joint Development of Hydropower Projects Within the Salween Basin

The points below are summarized or excerpted from the Oregon State University Transboundary Freshwater Dispute Database (TFDD). Matthew Pritchard provided this and other summarized analysis or insights from the TFFD on behalf and with permission of the original authors. Available on-line at: http://www.transboundarywaters.orst.edu/

In June 1989, following a visit of a Thai government delegation to Rangoon, a joint technical committee was established between Thailand and Myanmar, made up primarily of representatives from the power companies of the two countries. Since that time, the committee has continued to meet and to pursue feasibility studies, but no project or management body has been implemented nor a basin-wide plan created. China has not to date been included in discussions, nor has it included Thailand and Myanmar in its plans for projects on the Nu River.

While there have been meetings and negotiations at the state level, local populations have not been included in the decision-making process. Thus, while efforts are being made in terms of river planning to avoid inter-state conflicts, large-scale water projects may create or exacerbate intrastate conflicts.

As mentioned, the Salween is a basin in its earliest stages of development. What is noteworthy is that technical and management discussions have been proceeding in advance of major development projects, thus allowing for integrated management almost from the beginning.

Discussions have included issues outside of hydropower, and studies have suggested linkages between power, irrigation and drinking water diversions, barge transportation, and related surface infrastructure. Complicating management issues is the fact that sections of the watershed include regions of ethnic unrest and tensions brought about by the international drug trade. Nevertheless, the basin offers the opportunity for integrated management to be implemented in advance of any flashpoint brought about by unilateral development.

Lessons Learned

• Tensions are created when a country within a basin acts unilaterally without consulting other nations.

Thailand and Myanmar have been working together for some time on the development of the Salween River basin, but China has been acting unilaterally, potentially constructing up to 13 dams on the upper stem of the river. Without working with the two downstream nations, China risks creating conflict with Thailand and Myanmar.

• Upstream nations with superior strength can hinder joint management of river basins.

China, with far more military might and economic power than both Thailand and Myanmar combined, has little incentive to work jointly with them in the management of the Salween River. Thailand and Myanmar's water resources from the Salween may be at great risk depending on what China decides to do on the upper part of the river.

• The importance of water cooperation/economic development can supercede working with an oppressive regime.

Even though Myanmar is controlled by a junta that is blamed for human rights violations, Thailand is still willing to cooperate with their government in order to promote regional management of the Salween River. For Thailand, the development of the Salween River and the benefits received from such development takes precedence over working with an oppressive regime. National sovereignty to protect water resources goes beyond international pressure.

• Lack of inclusion of populations of a shared river basin in the decision-making processes may cause conflicts.

The local populations in both Thailand and Myanmar have not been included in decision-making processes with regards to major hydroelectric projects. Whereas Thailand and Myanmar may work cooperatively to avoid conflict, large-scale projects may create or exacerbate intrastate conflicts.