Attending the Ceremony were Mr. Lieng KHAMPHOUN, Vice-Governor of Sekong Province, Mr. Duong Khanh Toan, Chairman of Member Council of Vietnam Construction Industry Group, along with more than 300 personnel from the investor, design consultants and construction contractors and many labourers working in the work site.

This is the first project within the energy cooperation program between the Governments of Vietnam and Laos which was signed in 1998. The Project was started its construction on April 05, 2006 under the form of B.O.T (Build - Operate - Transfer) with the term of 30 years. VLPC has contributed 100% of capital in the construction period, and then, the Government of Laos shall contribute its 15% of capital when the Project starts its commercial operation.

The Project has the total investment capital of 311 million USD, the total installed capacity of 250 MW, with 02 Units and its average output of 1000.3 million kWh. The Project is located on Nam Pagnou river - a main branch of Xekaman river - an effluent of Sekong river, in Dakcheung district, Sekong province, Lao PDR, which is about 10 kilometers away from Vietnam - Laos boder (through the border gate Nam Giang - Dak Ta Ook) as the crow flies.

The first time river closing of the Work was on December 20, 2007. As reported by the Investor, until the time of second river closing, the Project has completed the work of compensation and removal from reseivoir area, clearance of reservoir foundation and many other important work items to ensure the power generation schedule in early 2012. 

Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of  of Member Council of Vietnam Construction Industry Group commended the labouring spirit to overcome difficulties of the Investor, supervisory consultants, Project steering committee and constrcutin contractors at the work site during the work construction period. The Chairman also expressed a desire that all personnel at the work site would continue proving their solidarity, creative labour in order to put the Project into commercial operation at the soonest time.

On behalf of local authorities, Mr. Lieng KHAMPHOUN, Vice-Governor of Sekong Province, undertook to continue giving support and favourable conditions for the Project to be soon completed up to both Governments' expectations.

Just at 08:15, Mr. Lieng KHAMPHOUN and Mr. Duong Khanh Toan together pressed the command button for river closing, to lower the diversion tunnel gate valve, officially store water for Xekaman 3 hydropower reservoir. This was the important time of the Work, as it would determine the time for power generation of the Unit 1 - an important event which have been interested in by the Governments of both countries. This was the first success for Xekaman 3 Hydropower Project to be put into really effective operation, which would creat a basis for investment in next hydropower projects on Sekong river.

From this river, electric light will be soon brightening all over the villages of Sekong, Attapeu and many other villages throughout Laos. Thousands of local people will enjoy new livelihood. Together with the East-West, East-West 2 Economic Corridor, the electric flow here will contribute to social, economic development and will brighten up the Vietnam - Laos friendship. It is sure in the very near future.

Source: Tran Dieu Ha