Sambor Dam
Encyclopedia
The Sambor Dam
is a proposed dam
and hydroelectric power station
on the Mekong River south of Sambor village in Prek Kampi District, Kratie Province
, Cambodia
. If built, it would be the lowest dam of the Mekong's mainstream dams, and largest in Cambodia.
The Cambodian Government sees the dam as an important source of income and expects to sell 70% of the power generated to Vietnam
and 10% to Thailand
. The balance will be directed to domestic energy markets. The dam's construction is opposed by several non-governmental organization
s and civil society
groups.
Expo in Nanning
, China
, to carry out a new feasibility study for the proposed dam with power generation capacity of 2,600 MW and for the alternative option of 465 MW. The company commenced also geological study of the site.
A report authorized by the Mekong River Commission and released in January 2010 recommended that the Sambor along with the Stung Treng Dam
be delayed for 10 years.
mainstream as well as the mouth of the inflowing Sre Pok
, Sesan and Se Kong rivers, blocking entire river flow. It would be a combination of the concrete gravity dam and the earth rockfill dam with a length of 18002 metres (59,061.7 ft) and height of 56 metres (183.7 ft). The dam will have an installed power capacity of 2,600 MW. Its reservoir would be 620 square kilometres (239.4 sq mi) with an active storage of 0.463 cubic kilometre. This version of the project would cost US$4,947 million. Associated transmission lines would cost a further US$312.9 million.
Alternative smaller version of the dam would have a capacity of 465 MW. It would block only part of the river. A 2 metres (6.6 ft) high weir across the Mekong would divert water into a 20 kilometres (12.4 mi) long, 350 metres (1,148.3 ft) wide, 30 metres (98.4 ft) high canal running along the river bank. It would create a reservoir with surface area of 6 square kilometres (2.3 sq mi). This version would cost US$700 million.
70% of the power it generates is destined for Vietnam, while the balance is intended for domestic Cambodian markets. Sambor is given third priority ranking. Reportedly, both the French government and the World Bank
are considering funding the pre-feasibility study for Sambor. The dam's earliest potential commissioning date is 2020.
According to the study of 1969, an estimated 5,120 people would be displaced by the project. Later studies give an estimate of 19,034 people.
An evaluation of potential impacts of mainstream hydropower dams on Mekong fisheries, published by the Mekong River Commission
in 1994, noted that the Sambor project would block upstream and downstream fish migration. Given that the Tonle Sap
fisheries are of vital importance to the Cambodian people and economy, contributing approximately 60% towards Cambodia
's annual fish landings, the Sambor and other planned mainstream dams on the Mekong
have important implications for the country. A recent policy brief by the WorldFish Center
and the Cambodian National Mekong Committee points to the serious impacts dams could have on Cambodia's fisheries and on the fisheries in Laos
, Thailand
, and Vietnam
as a result of reduced river flows, and the 'flattening out' of the river's flood pulse.
The dam also poses threats to the Irrawaddy dolphin
.
Sambor Dam
The Sambor Dam is a proposed dam and hydroelectric power station on the Mekong River south of Sambor village in Prek Kampi District, Kratie Province, Cambodia...
is a proposed dam
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
and hydroelectric power station
Power station
A power station is an industrial facility for the generation of electric energy....
on the Mekong River south of Sambor village in Prek Kampi District, Kratie Province
Kratié Province
Kratié or Kracheh is a province in northeastern Cambodia. It borders Stung Treng to the north, Mondulkiri to the east, Kampong Thom to the west, Kampong Cham and Vietnam to the south....
, Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
. If built, it would be the lowest dam of the Mekong's mainstream dams, and largest in Cambodia.
The Cambodian Government sees the dam as an important source of income and expects to sell 70% of the power generated to Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
and 10% to Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. The balance will be directed to domestic energy markets. The dam's construction is opposed by several non-governmental organization
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
s and civil society
Civil society
Civil society is composed of the totality of many voluntary social relationships, civic and social organizations, and institutions that form the basis of a functioning society, as distinct from the force-backed structures of a state , the commercial institutions of the market, and private criminal...
groups.
History
The Sambor Dam was first proposed in 1950s. In early 1960s, the Australian Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Authority conducted a survey works on the site. However, the work was suspended due security reasons. In 1994, the Mekong Secretariat proposed in its report construction of the 3,300 MW hydroelectric structure blocking the entire river. In October 2006, the China Southern Power Grid Company signed a memorandum of understanding with Cambodia's Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy at the Greater Mekong SubregionGreater Mekong Subregion
The Greater Mekong Subregion is not a geological region, but rather, a development project mooted by the Asian Development Bank in 1992 that brought together the riparian states of the Mekong River basin, namely Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Yunnan Province of China...
Expo in Nanning
Nanning
Nanning is the capital of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China. It is known as the "Green City" because of its abundance of lush tropical foliage.-History:...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, to carry out a new feasibility study for the proposed dam with power generation capacity of 2,600 MW and for the alternative option of 465 MW. The company commenced also geological study of the site.
A report authorized by the Mekong River Commission and released in January 2010 recommended that the Sambor along with the Stung Treng Dam
Stung Treng Dam
The Stung Treng Dam is a proposed hydroelectric dam on the Mekong River in Stung Treng Province, Cambodia. It is located on the mainstream of the Lower Mekong River, which has not been developed...
be delayed for 10 years.
Description
There are two options for the dam. In the case of the first option, the dam will extend across the MekongMekong
The Mekong is a river that runs through China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. It is the world's 10th-longest river and the 7th-longest in Asia. Its estimated length is , and it drains an area of , discharging of water annually....
mainstream as well as the mouth of the inflowing Sre Pok
Srepok River
The Srepok River is a major tributary of the Mekong River. It runs from the Dak Lak Province in the Central Highlands of Vietnam through the Ratanakiri and Stung Treng Provinces in Cambodia to join the Mekong near Stung Treng town. Its length varies from 406 km to 450 km in which the last 281 km...
, Sesan and Se Kong rivers, blocking entire river flow. It would be a combination of the concrete gravity dam and the earth rockfill dam with a length of 18002 metres (59,061.7 ft) and height of 56 metres (183.7 ft). The dam will have an installed power capacity of 2,600 MW. Its reservoir would be 620 square kilometres (239.4 sq mi) with an active storage of 0.463 cubic kilometre. This version of the project would cost US$4,947 million. Associated transmission lines would cost a further US$312.9 million.
Alternative smaller version of the dam would have a capacity of 465 MW. It would block only part of the river. A 2 metres (6.6 ft) high weir across the Mekong would divert water into a 20 kilometres (12.4 mi) long, 350 metres (1,148.3 ft) wide, 30 metres (98.4 ft) high canal running along the river bank. It would create a reservoir with surface area of 6 square kilometres (2.3 sq mi). This version would cost US$700 million.
70% of the power it generates is destined for Vietnam, while the balance is intended for domestic Cambodian markets. Sambor is given third priority ranking. Reportedly, both the French government and the World Bank
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
are considering funding the pre-feasibility study for Sambor. The dam's earliest potential commissioning date is 2020.
Impact
Like other dams planned for the Mekong, the Sambor Dam has given rise to numerous social and environmental concerns from organizations including TERRA, International Rivers and Save the Mekong about the potential impacts of the Sambor Hydropower Plant. It is expected that the dam will have significant negative impacts on the Mekong's fisheries, its hydrology and regional and national economiesAccording to the study of 1969, an estimated 5,120 people would be displaced by the project. Later studies give an estimate of 19,034 people.
An evaluation of potential impacts of mainstream hydropower dams on Mekong fisheries, published by the Mekong River Commission
Mekong River Commission
The Mekong River Commission is an intergovernment body charged “to promote and co-ordinate sustainable management and development of water and related resources for the countries’ mutual benefit and the people’s well-being by implementing strategic programmes and activities and providing...
in 1994, noted that the Sambor project would block upstream and downstream fish migration. Given that the Tonle Sap
Tonlé Sap
The Tonlé Sap is a combined lake and river system of major importance to Cambodia.The Tonlé Sap is the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia and is an ecological hot spot that was designated as a UNESCO biosphere in 1997....
fisheries are of vital importance to the Cambodian people and economy, contributing approximately 60% towards Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
's annual fish landings, the Sambor and other planned mainstream dams on the Mekong
Mekong
The Mekong is a river that runs through China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. It is the world's 10th-longest river and the 7th-longest in Asia. Its estimated length is , and it drains an area of , discharging of water annually....
have important implications for the country. A recent policy brief by the WorldFish Center
WorldFish Center
The WorldFish Center an organization dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger by improving fisheries and aquaculture. It is an international, non-profit research organization that focuses on the opportunities provided by fisheries and aquaculture to reduce poverty, hunger and vulnerability in...
and the Cambodian National Mekong Committee points to the serious impacts dams could have on Cambodia's fisheries and on the fisheries in Laos
Laos
Laos Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, and Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
as a result of reduced river flows, and the 'flattening out' of the river's flood pulse.
The dam also poses threats to the Irrawaddy dolphin
Irrawaddy dolphin
The Irrawaddy dolphin is a euryhaline species of oceanic dolphin found in discontinuous subpopulations near sea coasts and in estuaries and rivers in parts of the Bay of Bengal and Southeast Asia.-Etymology and taxonomic history:...
.
External links
- http://sithi.org/landissue/db/0909_Table_Hydro%20Dams%20Approved.pdf