The continent’s installed hydropower capacity is now 538 GW or 49 per cent of the world total , according to a report from the Sixth International Conference and Exhibition on Water Resources and Hydropower Development in Asia, held in Vientiane from March 1-3.

Annual production in Asia is about 1,800 TWh, or 46 per cent of the world total, Aqua-Media International reported.

In addition, about 62 per cent of global hydro capacity under construction is in Asia, amounting to just under 100GW.

Asia is the most active region of the world for the development of water infrastructure and most of the world’s highest dams of all types are in Asia.

Laos is a part of this growth and is focusing on the development of hydroelectric power facilities as an appropriate method of achieving sustainable social and economic development through its electrification programme, as well as boosting revenue.

Hydropower potential in Laos is about 26,000MW. The target at present is for 10,000MW to be generated by 2020 and 20,000MW by 2030.

To ensure that hydro projects are safe and sustainable, and that environmental impacts are reduced, cooperation and technical assistance from a large number of private and government organisations is required.

The conference that has just ended in Laos is important because it enabled participants to share their experiences in water resource and hydropower development in Asia.

The event was considered beneficial to all those involved in the hydro, dams and water resources industries, including engineers, consultants, academics and government organisations.

The first conference was organised in Bangkok, Thailand in 2006, while the second was held in Danang, Vietnam in 2008, the third in Sarawak, Malaysia in 2010, the fourth in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and the fifth in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

This week’s conference presented balanced information about the role of hydropower in world energy supply and socio-economic development, as well as the multiple roles of dams.

The annual meetings also aim to keep professionals informed about technical, economic, financial, environment and social aspects of development through various publications, and to promote best practice.

It was noted that Asia is still facing challenges and climate issues. In 2014, more than half the world’s natural disasters occurred in Asia, where river basin floods caused economic losses of US$16 billion.

Water stress, which is intensifying in large areas of Asia including China, the Indian sub-continent and Central Asia, underlines the need for more storage of water.