Xe Katam 1 Dam Hydropower Info by Hobo Maps - Go to Hydropower Projects Page - - - Home

Xe Katam 1 Hydropower project is also know as "Xe Namnoy 2-Xe Katam 1 Hydropower" project.

Warning: There is much info on the internet that is now not relevant and not accurate since it relates to prior Xe Katam projects that have been cancelled or revised. At least 4 major changes have been made since the project was first planned around 2004 and most info on the web prior to 2015 is outdated. Initial projects were designed to have a large reservoir and generate 61 to 81 MW of power capacity while the final project described below has a small river-like reservoir and only 20 MW capacity.

Xe Katam 1 Hydropower project is located on the main stream of the Xe Katam (river), in Champasak  Province, southern Lao PDR.

The project was developed by Xe Namnoy and Xe Katam Hydropower Co., a joint venture between Thai-based B.Grimm Power Ltd. and Lao-based SV Group Ltd.

See our satellite image area map that is too large to display on this web page - XeKatam and XeNamnoy Rivers Map

Xekatam 1 location is approximately at coordinates 15°07'18.1"N 106°36'24.1"E (15.121700, 106.606700) .

Xe Katam 1 Hydropower project location shown below on Bolaven Plateau:

Xe Katam 1 Hydropower Project layout image below:

Xe Katam 1 powerhouse and switch yard images below:

The installed capacity of the project is 20.1 MW with annual capacity of 83 GWh power able to be supplied to the power grid in optimal operation. The power generated is to be delivered to EDL through 22kV transmission lines pursuant to a 25 year purchase agreement.

The hydropower project cost US $49 million and has been operational since 2016.

Nice aerial 3D view video of project during construction on the web HERE .

The project has a weir dam structure on the Xekatam River with an overflow edge. Intake water from the pond flows along an open channel and then into a turbine penstock and down to the powerhouse which has 3 horizontal Francis spiral turbine-generator sets rated at 6.7 MW output each for 20.1 MW total capacity.

Xe Katam 1 weir image below:

Global Hydro Energy supplied and installed all electromechanical and process equipment for the project.

The project envisages channeling additional water from the adjacent Xenamnoy river via a discharge channel into the hydropower plant.

Since operations began there has been insufficient water supply to keep the facility producing optimal power output and efforts are being made to bring new sources of water flow through the system.

Xekatam 1 powerhouse images below:

Xekatam 1 control room image below:

Xekatam 1 project turbine & generator parameters below:

Xe Katam 1 Dam hydropower project location is shown in middle area of map below:

CDM Project

Xe Katam 1 Hydropower project may have qualified as a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project under the Kyoto Protocol and may be entitled to receive carbon reduction credits. Average CO2 emission reductions over the crediting period from this project are estimated at 46,438 tons per year.

According to the CDM filing, the Xe Katam 1 Hydropower project construction did not result in displacement of residents or inundation of houses.

View or download the CDM application document HERE

Note: The Lao words "Xe" and "Nam" both mean "river" and a term such as "Nam Xe Katam" is normally not used.