Event: Country Safeguard Systems: Southeast Asia LAO: National Policy on Environmental and Social Sustainability of the Hydropower Sector (2005) 29 August 2005 View File By the end of the 1990s, the hydropower sector accounted for three percent of Lao GDP. and electricity sales to Thailand currently represent 30 percent of exports. Yet only an estimated 15-20 percent of Lao PDR's economically viable hydropower generating capacity has been realized to date. The National Growth and Poverty Eradication Strategy recognizes the importance of the hydropower sector in economic growth and poverty reduction. The Government of Lao PDR acknowledges that hydropower development must be sustainable, if its development potential to deliver lasting benefits to Lao PDR can be fully realized Disclaimer The views expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) or its Board of Governors or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this publication and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. By making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area, or by using the term “country” in this document, ADB does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area. Download Topics Regional Cooperation and Integration