The River Basin Sustainability Assessment Tool (RSAT) has been applied in Mekong tributary subbasins since 2010 as part of the MRC-ISH program to help facilitate sustainable hydropower development. The RSAT evaluates hydropower projects within the broader basin context across 10 topics related to economic, technical, social, and environmental criteria. It has been tested in 9 subbasins in the Mekong region to obtain feedback and improve the tool.

1. Efforts to apply to RSAT
in Mekong tributary subbasins under the MRCISH program since 2010
Donna Brown, Entura
Consultant to the MRC-ISH
CPWF Forum, Hanoi, November 2013
Session 19: Advancing Sustainability in the Mekong Region:
The role of assessment tools and standards

2. 10 RSAT Topics
(economic, technical, social & environmental)
River basin
planning
Energy
planning
&regulation
4 RSAT
Criteria
(Multisector)
Regulatory &
Governance
Hydro
Projects
Sustainable hydropower development
requires a basin wide integrative approach

3. Many Mekong sub-basins have a
number of IPP hydropower projects
Private
investors
optimise
individual
projects –
current
situation
The RSAT is designed to consider hydropower in a
broader basin wide context
Governments
must optimise
basin wide
development
outcomes –
we are missing
this step

4. Nam Ou, Lao PDR
RSAT Trials
2010-14
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Nam Ngum – Lao PDR
Nam Ou - Lao PDR
Sre Pok Lower - Cambodia
Sre Pok Upper - Vietnam
Nam Kam – Thailand
3S Basin – transboundary
Pursat - Cambodia
Sesan Upper – Vietnam
NT-NK – Lao PDR
Feedback and improve
– RSAT version 4
Nam Theun-Nam Kading
Lao PDR
Nam Ngum,
Lao PDR
Nam Kam Thailand
3S
Basin, Transbou
ndary
Sre Pok Lower
Cambodia
Pursat, Cambodia
Sesan Upper
Vietnam

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