The company has invested heavily in improving connectivity and the living standards of the local communities in the area, focusing on initiatives such as developing roads, irrigation systems, water supply and household sanitation systems, providing electricity and community buildings.
During construction of the project, in 2015 the company built a 340-m bridge across Phapheng Channel to connect the island of Don Sadam to the mainland, and then constructed and progressively upgraded more than 21 km of roads on Don Sadam and the adjacent island of Don Sahong. These two islands are now also connected via a roadway which forms a bridge across the powerhouse. The bridges are vital links which provide easy access to and between the islands, thereby leading to reduced traffic from passenger boats which were causing negative impacts on riverine ecology. The bridges and roads have improved local and regional travel and transport for the islands’ residents, as well as traders and tourists, with for example, more than 2,000 trips made across the Phapheng Bridge each month.
Before the construction of DSHP, the majority of farmers in the area grew rice only during the wet season. In 2019, to improve their incomes by more productive dry-season rice farming, DSPC constructed two irrigation systems on the islands of Don Sadam and Don Sahong. The systems are based on two electric pumps which impel water from the Mekong River into 7.5 km of irrigation channels. This new irrigation system has enabled 98 farmers to grow and harvest rice on up to 200 ha of land during the dry season.Â
The company is currently funding construction of a potable water supply system for over 290 households in three villages. In 2024 and 2025 we completed construction of 131 toilets in the six project-area villages that previously lacked access to proper sanitation. These initiatives are a major step forward in helping to enhance the living standards of the villages. By addressing challenges such as water quality and sanitation, DSPC encourages better community health and well-being and reduces the risk of diseases.
DSPC has helped 23 households in two villages to achieve electrification. The company also plans to move and upgrade the local transmission lines for Hang Sadam, Don Sahong and Hua Sadam villages to ensure they have access to reliable and stable electricity.
Since 2016, DSPC has helped to build or renovate 23 community buildings in the area. These include a new secondary school on and a new public health centre, both on Don Sadam Island. Both of these facilities serve the nearby villages and improve access for many people. Without this health centre, local villagers had to travel up to 37 km for medical treatment. Since being built, the centre has treated more than 3,580 patients and saved 21 lives.
