Tunnel work on more Lao hydro projects 19 Jul 2018

Poyry and ILF have won the consultancy contracts on two separate hydropower projects involving underground works being developed in Lao PDR by local power company Chaleun Sekong Energy.

CGGC signs build contract for Nam Kong 3 HEP, Lao PDR

Chaleun Sekong Energy awarded an engineering services contract to Poyry for its 54MW Nam Kong 3 project, which is being built by China Gezhouba Group Co (CGGC). The developer and Chinese contractor signed the construction contract in November 2017.

While the project is at an early stage of work on site, it has achieved initial river diversion for surface works. The underground works on Nam Kong 3 include a diversion tunnel and a headrace tunnel. Completion is scheduled for mid-2020 and the developer aims to produce 480 GWh/year of electricity.

Earlier this year Chaleun Sekong Energy awarded a contract to ILF and partners for site supervision and commissioning services on its 129MW Nam E-Moun project. The hydropower project includes more than 15km of tunnels.

Both hydropower projects are located in south Lao PDR, close to the border with Cambodia and near Vietnam.

A major push in hydropower development is underway in the country with many involving underground infrastructure. Just over a year ago, excavation of the headrace on the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy (XPXN) project was completed early by Seli Overseas, using a Terratec TBM, on behalf of turnkey contractor SK Engineering & Construction, of South Korea. The project is being developed by Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy Power Company Limited (PNPC).