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

Similar Project Names - In 2023 a new hydropower project was announced with the name Nam Emeun 1 & 2 that is similer to the already-completed Nam Emoun hydropower project. Very confusing with similar names and both projects are 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 2025.

This rest of this web page below is for the finished Nam Emoun project owned by CS Energy.

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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 completed in late 2023 with Vietnam-based Songda 5 as the main contractor handing over the finished project. Export of output power to Vietnam was hoped to begin in late 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 impounding in March 2022. The First Spin turbine test was a success in Feb. 2023. In May 2024 the transmission line to Vietnam was completed.

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

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

Nam Emoun plant images below:

Original reports have NEM HPP Company Ltd. as the owner and developer of the project with Chaleun Sekong Energy Co., Ltd. (CS Energy) as the major shareholder. Later reports have CS Energy alone as owning and developing the project. Vietnam-based Songda 5 Company was a main contractor.

The project includes construction of a high-voltage power transmission line from the project to the Vietnam border.

Nam Emoun project generating capacity is 129 MW from two vertical Pelton turbines with 427 GWh annual output ability.

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 a 230 kV transformer station with 53 km of dual circuit high-voltage transmission power lines.

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

Electricity of Viet Nam (EVN) has agreed to purchase the plant's output pursuant to a Power Purchase Agreement signed on Jan. 4, 2020.

Nam Emoun facility images below:

wow - new CS Energy style blue roof colors below in 2025:

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

Sand removal tank images below:

Nam Emoun plant & penstock images below:

Nam Emoun stator installation image below:

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

Nam Emoun powerhouse images below:

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 Ooc 220kV switching substation and 220kV power lines connecting Nam Emoun Hydropower Plant (Laos) to the Vietnamese power grid 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 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:

  1. Signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of Lao PDR.
  2. Project Development Agreement (PDA) was signed in July 2015
  3. The Feasibility study of the project was approved in December 2017
  4. Completed the report of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment in November 2017
  5. Completed the Environmental and Social Management and Monitoring Plans in July 2017
  6. Completed the Environmental and Social Management and Monitoring Plans-construction Phase in December 2018
  7. Completed the preparation of biomass removal plans and approved the plans for November 2019
  8. Signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) on January 04, 2020
  9. Signed a concession agreement with the Government of Lao PDR on December 25, 2020
  10. In 2013, a preliminary survey was conducted by GXED & CGGC, the original owner of the project, TK Group.
  11. In 2015, the project proposal presentation was submitted by GXED.
  12. In July 2015, the project proposal presentation was inspected by Poyry Energy Ltd
  13. In 2016, the project owner was changed to Chaleun Sekong Co. Ltd.
  14. In April 2019, a project construction consulting contract was signed with ILF Consultant Engineering
  15. In December 2018, Song Da-5 Joint Stock Company signed a contract for civil and hydropower work.
  16. In April 2019, Voith Hydro Shanghai signed a contract for electrical and mechanical installation.
  17. In April 2019, the original design was redesigned by ILF Consultant
  18. Nam Emoun Main Dam reservoir impounding ceremony March 2022
  19. Nam Emoun spin test first Feb. 25, 2023
  20. Completion of work by Songda 5 EPC contractor in Sept. 2023 & handover
  21. On May 28, 2024, Power Project Management Board 2 energized the 220 kV Dak Ooc switching station for connection from Nam Emoun Hydropower Plant (Laos) to the Vietnamese power system.

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: