Hydropower Generation near Thakhek Loop in Laos - by Hobo Maps- Go to Hydropower Projects Web Page - - - Home

The 5 hydropower dam projects around the Thakhek Loop are displayed below:

Five dams in and around Thakhek Loop area summarized below. Total output of this group is 2,200 MW (Megawatts).

(1) The first dam near the Thakhek Loop was the Theun-Hinboun Dam finished in 1998. This dam is a Run-Of-River type without a large reservoir that diverts water from one watershed into another by a long underground channel. Total cost was about US $260 million and the operation has been a commercial success with significant profits. 220 MW generating capacity

(2) The Nam Gnouang 8 Dam was added in 2012 as a supplement and expansion of the Theun-Hinboun Dam system. Basically is a storage reservoir holding pond of 105 sq. km to regulate water flows into the Nam Theun river and the Theun-Hinboun Dam. Total cost was estimated US $665 million. 60 MW + 220 MW = 280 MW capacity

(3) Nam Theun 2 Dam was finished in 2014. This dam diverts water from one watershed into another by a long underground channel and has a conventional dam design with a large reservoir of 450 sq. km. Estimated total cost is US $1.4 billion. 1,080 MW capacity

(4) Nam Hinboun Dam 1 is 15 MW capacity and completed.

(5) Nam Hinboun Dam 2 (Thong Long Dam) is partially constructed in 2020 but all activity has been halted with uncertain future. 30 MW design capacity

Thakhek Loop area has great terrain for hydroelectric dams. The Nakai Plateau is about 400 meters higher than the lower area with a steep dropoff to the south along the narrow Nakai Escarpment. This dropoff is used to increase water pressure coming into turbines below which makes generating electricity more efficient.

see nice video of Nam Theun 2 Reservoir and Nakai area HERE .

Thakhek Loop Area Drainage Map below

Click HERE to see our Thakhek Loop Map

Click HERE to see our Thakhek Loop Terrain Map

Click HERE to see our Thakhek Loop Geographic Map