Nam Emoun Dam Hydropower Project

Nam Emoun Dam Hydropower Project by Hobo Maps - Go to Hydropower Projects Page - - - HOME

Similar Projects - In 2023 a new hydropower project feasibility study was announced with the name Nam Emeun 1 & 2 that is different than the just-completed Nam Emoun hydropower project. Very confusing with similar names and both projects in Sekong Province.

Click HERE to see our other web page for this new Nam Emeun 1 & 2 project that is still in the planning stage in 2024.

This web page below is for the finished Nam Emoun project.

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Nam Emoun (Emoon or E-Moun) Hydropower Plant was also formerly known as Dak E Meule, Dac E Meule, Dakemeule, Houay Emun, Emoon or E-Moun.

The project was basically completed in late 2023 with the main contractor Songda 5 handing over the finished project. Power export to Vietnam was hoped to begin in 2024.

The project site is located in Southern Laos on the Nam Emoun and Houay Het Rivers, 30 kilometers north-east of Sekong town in Sekong province, Lao PDR. The site is near Dok Cham Village in Dak Cheun District about 30 km from the Vietnam border by direct line.

The powerhouse location shown in satellite images below is at coordinates 15°34'27.8"N 106°58'09.8"E (15.574400, 106.969400):

The Nam Emoun Hydropower Project started construction in 2019 and was finished in 2024. The reservoirs started impoundment in March 2022. The turbine First Spin test was in Feb. 2023. The transmission line for export of output to Vietnam was completed in May 2024.

The Houay Het (river) is the main tributary of the Nam Emoun (river) which is a main tributary of the Sekong (river).

Nam Emoun plant images below:

The Houay Het River has a catchment area of 254 square km at the diversion dam site and the Nam Emoun River has a catchment area of 208 square km at the main dam site.

Original reports stated that NEM HPP Company Ltd. was the owner and developer of the hydropower project with Chaleun Sekong Energy Co., Ltd. (CS Energy) as the major shareholder. Later reports in 2021 state that CS Energy is developing the project together with Vietnam’s Song Da-5 Company. There is also construction of a high-voltage power transmission line from the project to the Vietnam border.

Nam Emoun project generating capacity is 129 MW with 427 GWh expected annual output capacity.

The project was expected to cost about US $235 million.

Nam Emoun Main Dam images below:

The project includes a Diversion Dam, Main Dam, Waterway Channels, Conveyance Tunnel, Headrace Tunnel, Surge Tank, Vertical Well, Penstock, Powerhouse, Switchyard, Tailrace Channel and high-voltage transmission power line.

The project has at least 20 km of tunnels and two main diversions.

Electricity of Viet Nam (EVN) has agreed to purchase the power output pursuant to a Power Purchase Agreement signed in early 2020.

The project included a 230kV transformer station and 53 km of transmission lines of Dual Circuit type.

Nam Emoun facility images below:

Nam Emoun Hydropower site images below: See powerhouse down below with red roof.

Nam Emoun Diversion Dam images below:

Sand removal tank image below:

Nam Emoun plant & penstock images below:

Nam Emoun construction site image below:

Nam Emoun hydropower project layout below shows how much the project is spread out over a big area:

Nam Emoun stator installation image below:

The hydropower project includes 20.5 km of tunnels dug with tunnel-boring machines (TBM) with breakthrough ceremony in August 2021.

Nam Emoun Facebook images below April 2023:

Nam Emoun Project statistics below: note very small reservoir storage capacities and only two meters between Full Supply Level and Minimum Operating Level.

Power Transmission To Vietnam: On 31 March 2022 in Hanoi, Power Project Management Board 2 (EVNPMB 2) organized the signing of Contract "Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC)" project of Dak Ta Oc 220kV switching substation and 220kV power lines connecting Nam Emoun Hydropower Plant (Laos) to the Vietnamese power system".

On May 28, 2024, Power Project Management Board 2 coordinated with relevant units to energize the 220 kV Dak Ooc switching station for connection from Nam Emoun Hydropower Plant (Laos) to the Vietnamese power system.

The project of Dak Ta Oc 220kV switching substation and 220kV power lines connecting Nam Emoun Hydropower Plant (Laos) to the Vietnamese power system, is invested and constructed in Nam Giang district, Quang Nam province, Vietnam.

The project operates according to a bilateral agreement between the Governments of Vietnam and Lao PDR. The project is invested by Vietnam Electricity and managed by EVNPMB 2.

Maps below show route of 220 kV transmission line to Vietnam.

Project history below from CS Energy website Nov. 2021 plus additions by us in 2023:

Signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of Lao PDR.
Project Development Agreement (PDA) was signed in July 2015
The Feasibility study of the project was approved in December 2017
Completed the report of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment in November 2017
Completed the Environmental and Social Management and Monitoring Plans in July 2017
Completed the Environmental and Social Management and Monitoring Plans-construction Phase in December 2018
Completed the preparation of biomass removal plans and approved the plans for November 2019
Signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) on January 04, 2020
Signed a concession agreement with the Government of Lao PDR on December 25, 2020
In 2013, a preliminary survey was conducted by GXED & CGGC, the original owner of the project, TK Group.
In 2015, the project proposal presentation was submitted by GXED.
In July 2015, the project proposal presentation was inspected by Poyry Energy Ltd
In 2016, the project owner was changed to Chaleun Sekong Co. Ltd.
In April 2019, a project construction consulting contract was signed with ILF Consultant Engineering
In December 2018, Song Da-5 Joint Stock Company signed a contract for civil and hydropower work.
In April 2019, Voith Hydro Shanghai signed a contract for electrical and mechanical installation.
In April 2019, the original design was redesigned by ILF Consultant
Nam Emoun Main Dam reservoir impounding ceremony March 2022
Nam Emoun spin test first Feb. 25, 2023
Completion of work by Songda 5 EPC contractor in Sept. 2023 & handover

Much of the construction at Nam Emoun HPP was done by Vietnamese workers employed by Songda 5 company.

Nam Emoun location on map below at upper-right side: