Cambodia’s Largest Dam Powers Up

• 26 September 2017
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The Lower Se San 2 hydroelectric dam closed its gates on 25 September in preparation for generating electricity with its first turbine in November. Officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen, the dam, located in Cambodia’s north-east province of Stung Treng, is expected to come fully online in 2018.

After breaking ground in 2014, construction on the dam was undertaken by a joint venture between China’s Huaneng Hydrolancang International Energy (holding 51 percent), local conglomerate Royal Group, chaired by tycoon Kith Meng (with 39 percent) and Vietnamese EVN International Joint Stock Company (holding 10 percent) and cost an estimated USD700 million.

Once fully operational, the Lower Se San 2 will have a capacity of 400 megawatts to produce 1.9 billion kilowatt-hours per year.

In his inaugural address, Prime Minister Hun Sen said that the dam will connect Stung Treng, Kratie, and Kompong Cham provinces with the capital Phnom Penh and will eventually reduce electricity prices.