Nam Houng 1 Dam (Nam Hung 1 or Nam Houang 1) Hydropower project by Hobo Maps - Go to Hydropower Projects Page - - - HOME
Nam Houng 1 Hydropower Company Ltd. is developing the project on the Nam Houng (river) in Sayaboury (Xainabouri / Xayaboury) Province, Lao PDR. The project is about 12 km southeast of Sayaboury town and upriver from where the Nam Houng joins the Mekong River.
Nam Houng is the main river that passes through the provincial capital of Sayaboury (Xayaboury).
Nam Houng 1 Dam image below:
Location of Nam Houng 1 Dam project shown in satellite images below at coordinates 19°11'19.7"N 101°48'17.8"E (19.188811, 101.804944).
The plant has 15 MW installed capacity with ability to produce 57 GWh output per year. The project is selling all power generated to Electricite du Laos (EDL) for supply to the national grid.
Construction on the U.S. $34 million Nam Houng 1 Dam project began in 2017 but was delayed for a year. Construction resumed in 2018 and in July 2023 it was reported that construction was 100% complete. In 2026 it seems the project is in full commercial operation.
The concession agreement with the Government of the Lao PDR dated 20 July 2017 has a term of 30 years, from 1 September 2023, to 1 September 2053, and can be renewed upon its expiration.
Nam Houng 1 Dam location in relief map below:
In March 2015, Simeuang Group Company Limited (Simeuang Sole Power Company Limited), original project owner of the Nam Houng 1 hydropower plant, signed a construction agreement with three Korean contractors to build the plant. The three are Dowoo Engineering JV, Phunglin Industry Co. and Dowoo Construction and Engineering Co..
Maybank Lao Branch, Joint Development Bank (JDB) and Lao-based Simuong Group (SMG) each signed agreements in 2015 to provide construction funds to Nam Houng 1 Hydropower Company Limited.
In early 2024 Thai-based AKASAYSOK Power Sole Co., Ltd. apparently purchased the shares of Simeuang Sole Power Company Limited and became the sole owner of the project.
On 21 March 2024, Alpha Divisions Public Company Limited agreed to acquire Nam Houng1 Hydropower Company Limited from AKASAYSOK Power Sole Co., Ltd. and be owned by Alpha Power Development (Laos) Company Limited (APDL), a subsidiary of Alpha Power Development Company Limited.
In year 2026 the project is now fully owned and operated by APDL.
Nam Houng 1 Dam site shown below during construction.
Nam Houng 1 Dam site shown below after completion.
The project has a catchment basin of 2,915 square kilometers and a reservoir with a surface area of 1.52 square kilometers.
See video of Nam Houng 1 in 2025.
Nam Houng 1 Dam images below taken July 2023 - courtesy of Phetsamone Phaxay's Facebook page.
Images below show Nam Houng 1 Dam from both sides.
Apparatus images below:
Images below show Nam Houng 1 project during construction.
Nam Houng 1 project interior images below.
Control room image below:
Image below shows Nam Houng 1 project administration building at the plant site
Night-time image below.
Images below show Nam Houng 1 Dam catchment area and reservoir.
87 families living in Houeikeng and Pak Hung villages were negatively impacted by the Nam Houng 1 Dam project and received compensation for the loss of 132 hectares of land.
Nam Houang 1 catchment area is 2,915 square kilometers
Reservoir high water level is 272 meters above sea level when reservoir contains 16.7 million cubic meters of water.
Low water level is 264.67 meters above sea level when reservoir contains 12.1 million cubic meters of water.
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2016 info for related projects - According to the provincial Energy and Mines Department, in other developments on the Nam Houng (river), the Nam Houng II project in Khonepied village area is to be studied by the Phanthamith Road Bridge Construction Company and the Nam Houng III project in Nakouang village area is to be studied by the DM Company.