My opinion on this article
In this article, the author focused that the linkage between hydropower development, power trade, energy security and, environmental implication.
For power generation system, there is a very strong dependence on natural gas. Diversification of energy types and supply sources is needed to enhance the country’s energy security. On the other hand, Laos is endowed with a large hydropower potential, which it could exploit not only to meet its domestic power demand but also to earn significant export revenue.
In the environment impacts, the authors considered four gases and local
pollutant emissions: CO2, NOx, CH4 and SO2.
CO2 emission in Laos would grow that is higher than the rate of energy consumption. Transportation sector that is currently emits most of the CO2 emission.
Burning of lignite in the power plants would significantly increase the emissions and local pollutants in the country.
Total CO2 emission held by the power generation sector is expected to have the largest share, followed by the industrial, service and transportation sectors.
CH4 emission in Laos is estimated to maintain its level over the planning horizon. This is because of the reducing burning of charcoal and fuel woods.
TheSO2 and NOx emission would averagely grow corresponding to the increasing lignite and coal consumptions in the power generation and industrial sectors.
TotalCO2 emission in Thailand is estimated to increase that which is higher than the projected growth of energy consumption the power generation sector is expected to have the largest share followed by the industrial (18%), transportation (16%), and residential (2%) sectors The transportation sector that currently is a major source of CO2 emission is expected to reduce its share because of the increasing consumptions of electricity in electric rail, natural gas for vehicles, and bio-fuels. CH4 emission in Thailand would reduce at a negative growth of 1% as a result of the reduction in
Charcoal production, lignite mining, and biomass consumption The transportation sector would have the largest share of total CH4 emission in the residential sector is expected to decline because of changes of fuels used for cooking from biomass to electricity.