Xekong 1A (Sekong A) Downstream Dam Hydropower Info by Hobo Maps - Go to Hydropower Projects Page - - - Home

This project is also known as - Lower Xekong, Xekong 1A, Xekong A, Xekong 1, Sekong 1, Sekong A, Sekong 1A, South Sekong A, Xekong Downstream and Sekong Downstream.

Xekong 1A dam is located on the Xekong (Sekong) river in Attapeu Province of southern Lao PDR. The project is southwest of Attapeau town not far above the Cambodian border.

Project site general location coordinates are - 14°35'57.0"N 106°33'15.0"E (14.599171, 106.554175) shown as red marker on satellite image below south of Sanamxai and very close to the Cambodia border.

The project is designed as a Run-of-River type that would not have a large reservoir. This will be the first hydroelectric project located directly on the Xekong (Sekong) river which in 2022 was the last major free-flowing tributary of the Mekong in Laos without dams.

The project will benefit from additional flows in the XeKong River from diverted transbasin water at the Houay Ho power plant, upstream from the XeKong 1A HPP.

Original reports stated that the project was being developed by V&H Corp. (Laos) but later reports say it is a joint project of the Lao government and InnoGreen Engineering Company, a Vietnamese firm. Even later reports state that Song Da-6, another Vietnamese company, is developing the project and will be investing U.S. $49 million to build the project. In year 2024 Songda 6 does seem to be the main contractor and we have their web page info and images further below on this web page.

The original project developers signed a Project Development Agreement with the Lao government on 20 March 2015.

In November 2021 the project was under construction and continues into 2024. With the technical support of the Mekong River Commission, Lao PDR has agreed to voluntarily apply the TbEIA (Trans-Boundary Environmental Impact Assessment) process for Xekong 1A .

Xekong 1A project construction site and offices are shown in satellite images below. Looks like the powerhouse will be located at the dam site near coordinates - 14°36'26.6"N 106°32'58.8"E (14.607389, 106.549667).

Project offices seem to be just north of the dam structure at coordinates - 14°37'09.1"N 106°33'06.5"E (14.619190, 106.551807).

A feasibility study and environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the project was reportedly completed in 2020.

The project’s electricity output is planned to be sold to Electricite du Laos (EDL).

In 2023 we are not sure if a formal concession contract with the Lao government has been signed.

The project is designed for 86 MW electrical output capacity. We don't yet know how many turbines are planned or their type.

The project was originally scheduled for completion in 2025 but that seems very optimistic.

The project will directly affect five villages - Maknao, Hadxaysung, Namkong, Hadxayyao and Mitsumphanh by flooding about 3,342 hectares of land. The five villages contain about 300 families who will lose some of their land to the project. At this time it is uncertain if local people themselves and their households will need to be relocated. In 2021 negotiations for compensation with affected villagers had reportedly started.

Xekong 1A

Capacity 86 MW
Investor: Vietnam-based Ha Se Kong A Hydropower Company Limited
Contract value with Song Da 6: 1140 billion Vietnam Dong
Total volume of excavation and backfill: 3,900,000 cubic meters
Total volume of concrete: 241,000 cubic meters
Dam structure type: CVC - Conventional Mass Concrete

Ongoing construction image below from March 2023.

Construction photos below taken by Vietnamese worker in 2022.

Since Songda 6 is the main contractor for the Xekong 1A project it is likely that many of the workers at the site will be Vietnamese and may be users of Facebook where they post in Vietnamese language.

Our Southern Laos map below shows Xekong A (Xekong 1 or Xekong Downstream) project in lower area just above the Cambodian border.

Note: The words "Xe" and "Nam" both mean "river" and a term such as "Nam Xe Kong" is not normally used.

XeKong is pronounced like "Say Kong".