Nam Ngum Dam

The Nam Ngum Dam is a hydroelectric dam on the Nam Ngum river, a major tributary of the Mekong in Laos.

Location

The dam is approx. 90 km north of Vientiane, a 250 square km artificial reservoir that has an intriguing secret beneath its surface. Travelers can enjoy sailing and fishing on this placid lake, and the reservoir ("Ang Nam Ngum" in Lao) is a popular day trip destination, with floating restaurants moored at the south-western shore (near the dam and the village of Ban Thalat); here there are also boats for hire to cruise on the lake and visit some of the islands.

History and Capacity

The dam was financed with foreign assistance and completed in 1971 (two turbines with a capacity of 30 megawatts); the capacity was extended in 1975 (two additional 40-megawatt turbines were installed) and 1983 (a fifth turbine). The capacity now is 960 million kWh (see reference below).

Economic Benefits

Since its completion the dam has been producing a significant amount of foreign exchange earnings, approx. 70 – 80% of the electricity it generates being exported to Thailand.^[1]

There is underwater logging of mainly teak wood going on from floating rigs - some 250 km² of forest were inundated when the dam was completed.

Fishing is an important means of livelihood for many people living along the lake, many of whom lost their original means of subsistence when the area was flooded, and had to be resettled.

Negative Aspects

As with many big hydropower projects, the overall benefits of the Nam Ngum dam and reservoir are not undisputed. See hydroelectricity and, specifically for the Nam Ngum Dam, an article by The International Development Research Centre ^[2]

References

1. ^ KPL Lao News Agency, 11 Dec 2001, as cited in http://my.reset.jp/~adachihayao/011213M.htm
2. ^ IDRC - “Nam Ngum, Lao PDR: Community-based natural resource management and conflicts over watershed resources”, http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-27967-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html

Coordinates: 18°32′N 102°33′E / 18.533°N 102.55°E / 18.533; 102.55