Potential Development of Hydropower Dams in the Southern Region of Laos that Affects the Quality of Life of People in the Area Sustainably

Abstract

This article aims to study latent potentials of hydroelectric power dam in southern region of Laos PDR influencing on sustainable development goals of the people (SDGs). Document investigation and field observation including interviews of the people in four study areas in the south were utilized in data collection. United Nations concept of sustainable development goals (SDGs) were the analysis framework.

Latent potentials means all kinds of power including natural and social powers that were hidden and waited for being investigated and utilized in dam building according to the ASEAN Battery policy of Laos government. Conclusion resulted from the study showed that hydroelectric power dam building was the right way in latent potential utilization and kept with the policy to liberate the country from the underdevelopment. Good and systemized management and instruments and commitment were the key success condition. This article proposes two concepts that is, people’s quality of life and water governance were integrated and utilized. This means good quality of life involved good water governance. Either water governance none by government only or done by the people through traditions only or both parties cooperatively done was the alternative. The later was likely to be the most appropriate choice.