Don Sahong Dam

The Don Sahong is a hydroelectric dam commissioned in 2020 on the Mekong River in Siphandone area of Champasak Province, Laos, less than two kilometers upstream of the Laos–Cambodia border.[1]

Don Sahong Dam
Location of Don Sahong Dam in Laos
CountryLaos
LocationChampasak Province
Coordinates13°56′37.87″N 105°57′22.62″E
PurposePower
StatusOperational
Construction beganJanuary 2016 (2016-01)
Opening dateJanuary 2020
Construction cost$500 million
Owner(s)Mega First Corporation Berhad (80%)
Électricité du Laos (20%)
Dam and spillways
ImpoundsMekong
Height22.5 m
Elevation at crest77 m
Dam volume130,000 m3
Power Station
Commission dateJanuary 2020
TypeRun-of-the-river
Hydraulic head17 m
Turbines4 x 65 MW
Installed capacity260 MW
Annual generation2000 GW·h

Description

The Don Sahong Dam is a run-of-the-river hydroelectricity facility[2] at the downstream end of the Hou Sahong channel between Don Sahong and Don Sadam islands. The dam is 22.5 m high. It has an installed capacity of 260 MW, provided by four bulb turbines 65 MW each.[3] Most of the produced electricity will be exported to Thailand and Cambodia.[1] A dedicated 195 MW power line connecting the power station with Cambodia has been commissioned in early 2020.[4]

History

In March 2006, the Government of Laos signed a memorandum of understanding with the Malaysian engineering and construction company, Mega First Corporation Berhad, for a feasibility study of the project.[1][5] In February 2008, a project development agreement was signed.[1]

On 30 September 2013, the government of Laos notified the Mekong River Commission of its intention to construct the Don Sahong Dam.[6] This was controversial among other Mekong River Commission member states Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam, who argued that as a mainstream dam, Don Sahong is subject to Prior Consultation under the Mekong River Commission Procedures for Notification, Prior Consultation, and Agreement (PNPCA).[7] Under these procedures, the proponent nation of a mainstream dam is required to not only notify neighbouring countries of its intention, but also to undertake a consultation aimed at reaching consensus with neighbouring states.[8] The Government of Laos has maintained that as the dam site is only on a channel within the mainstream of the river, it is not subject to the process of Prior Consultation like dams that cover the entire mainstream such as the Xayaburi Dam.[9]

In June 2014, the government of Laos agreed to have the Don Sahong Hydropower Project undergo the MRC's prior consultation process. This process, part of the 1995 Mekong Agreement, aims to reach consensus among members, but is non-binding as was demonstrated in the case of Xayaburi Dam, which has proceeded despite no consensus from the prior consultation process.[10] Similarly for Don Sahong, the members of the MRC could not come to an agreement on how to proceed with the project, and it was referred to a governmental level.[11]

The dam proposal sparked controversy among civil society groups, especially in Cambodia, where groups are concerned about impacts on fisheries.[12] One group went so far as to call for a boycott of Angkor Beer, given the brewer's financial involvements with dam developers.[13]

The Don Sahong Power Company entered into a concession agreement with the government of Laos on 15 September 2015, on a build, operate and transfer basis, with a concession period of 25 years after the commercial operation date, expected to be in 2019. An EPC contract with Sinohydro was signed on 15 October 2015, marking the start of construction.[14]

The first of four generators of the dam started its teste inOctober 2019.[15] The whole hydropower plant started operating in January 2020.[4]

Developers, engineers and financiers

The developer backing the Don Sahong Dam is Mega First Corporation Berhad,[16] a Malaysian company which owns the British Virgin Islands-incorporated company Don Sahong Power Company.[17] Engineering feasibility studies were completed by AECOM.[18]

Impact

Developers suggest that the project would have "no significant impact" on the local environment,[19] however both the governments of Cambodia and Vietnam, and a variety of civil society groups have raised concerns over uncertain or likely impacts, especially on fisheries.[20] Independent fisheries experts contend that the dam would have a serious impact on fish migration as the channel is the only one within the Khone Falls complex that is passable to migratory fishes in the dry season, and the major migration channel year-round.[1][21][22][23]

The developers argue that given the declining local fish catches, the removal of fish traps from the much smaller channels surrounding the dam site, as well as other modifications to depth and channel bathymetry will enable these routes to replace the Don Sahong as a passageway for fish migration.[24][25] The viability of these alternative routes has been questioned by government representatives of Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam, with the latter suggesting "it is not possible to replace the modified channels for upstream fish migration with the existing Hou Sahong".[26] Scientists have raised concerns over the adequacy of the EIA, queried this approach to fishery mitigation as experimental and unproven, and labeled the belief that mitigation measures would be effective as "faith based".[27]

The Don Sahong Hydropower Project would pose a major threat to the Mekong River's critically endangered population of Irrawaddy dolphin.[28] The risk is considered very high for the small resident sub-population living in the Veun Nyang/Anlong Cheuteal pool that straddles the Lao/Cambodian border, and is the only remaining dolphin population in Laos.[28][29][30] The Don Sahong Dam is predicted to cause the extirpation of dolphins from Laos.[28] Threats to the dolphins include the blasting of large volumes of rock from the channel, the intensive heavy industrial activity at the site, and modifications to the river flows. The construction plan for the Don Sahong Project excludes underwater blasting downstream of the dam site.[30] Almost all excavation will be from drained sections of the upper Hou Sahong, though blasting would still occur very near the dolphins behind a coffer dam.[19][25] Despite this minor mitigation effort, damage to the dolphin's sensitive hearing structures is expected and could prove fatal.[28] Mechanical excavation would also continue below the dam to very near the animals. Other risks identified include the long-term effects of disturbance and stress on the animals, and the demographic consequences if the sub-population near the dam was extirpated.[28] The persistence of threats at the site means that only the lowest risk activities are compatible with dolphin persisting in the area,[28][30] though developers state that "construction impacts [on dolphins are] necessary".[31]

The project would reduce flow to the Khone Phapheng Falls and surrounding channels.[1] Environmental Impact Assessment documents indicate that the guaranteed flow would be the equivalent of an extreme dry-season low-flow (800 cubic meters per second).[32]

As the Siphandone area is considered as a potential Ramsar site, construction of the dam would threaten its eligibility for the Ramsar status.[1]

The Thako Project is another hydroelectric project proposed for the Phapheng channel, which is adjacent to the Sahong channel and also within the Siphandone.[33] The Thako and Don Sahong projects are economically incompatible due to competition for the same water resources.[33] Thako has been promoted as more sustainable than Don Sahong as it does not block a river channel. However, it would produce less electricity. Feasibility and EIA processes have been completed for both proposals, but the government of Laos has yet to agree to either proposal.

References
  1. "The Don Sahong Hydropower Project" (PDF). International Rivers. September 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
  2. Ben Shane Lim (22 May 2012). "Mega First gets nod for Laos dam". The Edge Financial Daily. Archived from the original on 13 June 2012. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  3. "Don Sahong Hydropower Project, Lao PDR - Environmental impact assessment - Final" (PDF). January 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  4. "Don Sahong hydropower dam in Laos connects to Cambodian grid". Reuters. 8 January 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  5. "Mega First to invest in Laos electricity project". Intellasia News Services. 30 March 2006. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
  6. MRC (3 October 2013). "Lao PDR submits notification on Don Sahong Hydropower Project". Mekong River Commission. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  7. MRC (16 January 2014). "MRC takes Don Sahong Project discussions to ministerial level". Mekong River Commission. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  8. MRC (1995). "AGREEMENT ON THE COOPERATION FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MEKONG RIVER BASIN" (PDF). Mekong River Commission. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  9. Lao Delegation (16 January 2014). "Statement of Lao Delegation, Special MRC JC Meeting on Don Sahong Hydropower Project, Vientiane, January 16, 2014". Government of Laos. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  10. "Damming the Mekong river: River elegy". The Economist. 3 November 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  11. "Lower Mekong countries take prior consultation on the Don Sahong project to the governmental level". Mekong River Commission. 19 June 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  12. Hruby, Denise (16 October 2013). "Don Sahong Dam in Laos to Worsen Nutrition in Cambodia". The Cambodia Daily. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  13. DENE-HERN CHEN; KUCH NAREN (22 October 2013). "Calls for Angkor Beer Boycott Over Laos Dam Investment". The Cambodia Daily. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  14. "Corporate Profile". MFCB. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  15. "1st of 4 electricity generators tested at Don Sahong hydropower plant in Southern Laos - Xinhua | English.news.cn". www.xinhuanet.com. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  16. "Our Businesses". Archived from the original on 14 December 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  17. "IJM Corp Bhd sells its stake in BVI-registered joint venture". 2 October 2010. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  18. "Don Sahong Hydropower Scheme, Lao PDR". AECOM. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  19. National Consulting Company (January 2013). DON SAHONG HYDROPOWER PROJECT, LAO PDR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FINAL (PDF). Mega First Corporation Berhad.
  20. RFA (16 January 2014). "Mekong Countries Call for Ministerial Talks on Don Sahong Dam". Radio Free Asia. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  21. .Nette, Andrew (28 March 2008). "Opting for the Big Dam". Inter Press Service. Archived from the original on 13 August 2010. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
  22. Baird, Ian G. (2011). "The Don Sahong dam: potential impacts on regional fish migrations, livelihoods, and human health". Critical Asian Studies. 43 (2): 211–235. doi:10.1080/14672715.2011.570567.
  23. Baran, Eric; Ratner, Blake (June 2007). "The Don Sahong dam and Mekong fisheries" (PDF). World Fish Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 July 2007. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  24. "Don Sahong Hydropower Development Final Feasibility Study - Engineering: Volume 1 - Report". Mega First Corporation Berhad. 27 November 2009. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  25. "The Don Sahong hydroelectricitc project, Lao PDR: Feasibility Study Report, Volume 1 - Report". Mega First Corporation Berhad. October 2007. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  26. MRC (16 January 2014). "MRC takes Don Sahong Project discussions to ministerial level". Mekong River Commission. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  27. "SUMMARY OF SCIENTIFIC REVIEWS FROM THREE INTERNATIONAL FISH PASSAGE EXPERTS ON THE DON SAHONG DAM EIA AND TECHNICAL REPORTS RELATED TO PROJECT DESIGN AND MITIGATION MEASURES" (PDF). February 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  28. Ryan, Gerard Edward (February 2014). The Don Sahong dam and the Mekong dolphin (PDF) (Report). WWF. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  29. Bezuijen, Mark R.; Zanre, Richard; Goichot, Marc (June 2007). The Don Sahong dam and the Irrawaddy dolphin (PDF) (Report). WWF. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  30. Ryan, Gerard E. (September 2012). Last chance for dolphins in Laos: A review of the history, threats, and status (PDF) (Report). WWF. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  31. National Consulting Company (January 2013). DON SAHONG HYDROPOWER PROJECT, LAO PDR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FINAL (PDF). Mega First Corporation Berhad. pp. 4–12.
  32. National Consulting Company (January 2013). DON SAHONG HYDROPOWER PROJECT, LAO PDR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FINAL (PDF). Mega First Corporation Berhad. pp. 3–5.
  33. Duchense, L. (29 August 2011). THAKHO Hydropower and Tourism Development Project Feasibility Study – Final Report (2nd phase) (PDF) (Report). Electricite du Laos and Compagnie Nationale du Rhone. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
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