KPL, June 30th, 2016

(KPL) Fish in the Mekong River are having no problems moving through the Don Sahong hydropower dam.

???This shows that the ongoing construction of the dam project is not affecting the migration of fish because there are many tunnels for the fish to swim through,??? Mr Somphone Phommanivong, Head of the Fishery Monitoring Team said this week.

???The project also removed other obstacles and illegal large-scale fish traps out of the fish passing tunnels to ensure the migration of fish during the current breeding season. Mega First, the developer, has also taken several steps to ensure that the project is environmentally friendly based on international standards and that social impacts would be minimized,??? he explained.

The development of the 260MW Don Sahong hydropower dam will bring several socio-economic benefits to the province and country.?? The increase in the availability of electricity in the southern part of the country will be enough to meet the demand of households as well as contribute to the development of commercial agriculture production thereby reducing poverty.?? The export and sale of electricity will also create additional revenue for the government.

Mr Dong Phetbounma, a villager of Hangsadam, Khong district, Champassak Province told the Lao News Agency this week that the living conditions of local people living near the construction site have gradually improved since construction of dam began because there are more employment opportunities.?? Nearby communities have also enjoyed other benefits from the project including new roads and other public facilities.?? The construction of the dam has not had any negative impacts on the livelihoods of people living nearby as they have been able to catch fish as usual.

Lots of fish have been caught recently in the Mekong River around Khong Island and are available for purchase at the Daoheuang market.

This proves the construction of Don Sahong hydropower dam has not had any impact on the migration of fish during the current breeding season.

Mr Bounheuang, a fisherman living in Don Sahong village said that he can catch at least 7-8 kg of fish per day and sometimes as much as 20-30 kg.

The progress of the dam construction work is currently about 8%.?? Construction began in October 2015.??

The Don Sahong dam will be capable of generating about 2,000 GWh of electricity per year and is expected to start commercial operation in early 2020.

Construction of the run-of-river project will cost about US$500 million. ??Mega First holds 80% of shares and the state-owned utility Electricite du Laos (EDL) holds 20 percent.

By Lao News Agency (KPL)
(Latest Update June 30, 2016)