Construction of Nam Ngiep 1 Project is to be completed in 2018

The construction of the Nam Ngiep 1 Hydropower Project in Borikhan District, Borikhamxay Pronvince, Lao PDR is expected to be substantially completed in 2018, with commissioning tests scheduled for the end of 2018.  Commercial operation date will be in early February 2019.

 

The NNP1 Project, consisting of the construction of a main dam and a re-regulation dam has achieved many milestones since it began in late 2014.  At the end of 2017, the overall construction progress had reached 90 per cent.  The construction of the re-regulation dam was completed in 2017 and impounding of water in the re-regulation reservoir took place in May 2017.

 

The re-regulation powerhouse structure has also been completed, and the commissioning test of the generator in the powerhouse is expected to be conducted in the third quarter of 2018.

 

The construction of the main dam of roller-compacted concrete, the highest concrete dam built to-date in Lao PDR, reached 93 per cent by volume at the end of 2017 and is expected to be completed in April 2018.  Impounding of the main reservoir is expected to be carried out in early May 2018.

 

The main powerhouse structure is scheduled to be completed in June 2018.  Installation of the two generators is in progress and is expected to be finished in the second quarter of 2018 with all electro-mechanical works expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2018.

 

The construction of the 230 kV Transmission Line from the NNP1 Project to the Nabong Substation in Pakngum District, Vientiane Capital, where the 230 kV electricity is upgraded to 500 kV for transfer across the Mekong River to Thailand, is expected to be completed in May 2018.  The construction of the 115 kV transmission line that feeds into the Laos national grid through Pakxan Substation from the re-regulation powerhouse has already been commenced by Electricite du Laos and is expected to be completed as scheduled in 2018.

 

The resettlement of approximately 520 households in Bolikhamxay and Xaysomboun Provinces that is a critical part to impounding of water in the main reservoir in May 2018 is expected to be completed in April 2018.   Out of total 479 households who needed to be relocated from Hom District in Xaysomboun Province, approximately 402 households have already relocated.

 

 

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