KTMphil
Senior member
Beautiful Borikhamxay dam has untapped tourism potential
Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad has urged the Theun-Hinboun Power Company (THPC) to open up the recently built Nam Gnouang hydropower dam to tourism.
The spectacular backdrop to the Nam Gnuang reservoir in Borikhamxay province.
“I am so happy to see such a beautiful reservoir,” Mr Somsavat said last week at a ceremony to mark the first release of water from the dam, which is situated in Khamkeuth district, Borikhamxay province.
The Nam Gnouang dam is part of an expansion project by the THPC, a major hydroelectricity producer in the region. While power generation may be the main purpose of the reservoir, the natural beauty of the newly formed lake means it also offers plenty of potential in terms of tourism.
Situated in the rugged and mountainous Khamkeuth district, it offers spectacular views of the Annamite chain of limestone mountains and provides numerous bays and inlets to explore.
Mr Somsavat observed that it was a magnificent site, and it would be good if holiday makers could come and visit the newly created freshwater lake, and have somewhere to stay for a couple of nights.
“It is good to visit this beautiful reservoir. There should be some boats trips along the river upstream so people can stay and rest on the boats,” he said.
Mr Somsavat advised the company to liaise with tourism authorities in Borikhamxay and Khammuan provinces, and to develop some tourist facilities and organise activities. There is potential to run tours to forested areas, as well as to nearby villages where people could experience the local lifestyle, and see how traditional handicrafts are made.
“Another issue is fishery activities. There should be a study on the quantity of fish and the different species here,” Mr Somsavat said, with a view to developing some form of commercial operations that would prove viable for local people.
Establishing cooperative tourism and fishing ventures will generate income for villagers if the area is opened up to tourism or industry.
“The main issue is to help the people who were relocated, who lost their homes when the dam was built. We want them to have sustainable livelihoods through production, employment and a steady income,” Mr Somsavat said.
THPC's hydropower expansion project, of which the dam is a component, is expected to cost more than 6.2 trillion kip (US$720 million).
Sixty percent of the power company is owned by government shareholders through Electricite du Laos (EDL), while Nordic Hydro (Statkraft) and GMS Lao each hold a 20 percent stake.
EDL Managing Director Mr SisavathThiravong said “I think it is possible to manage tour activities on the reservoir, but we will have to conduct a further study on the issue.”
Mr Sisavath said the THPC could either operate such a tour business on its own or cooperate with other tour companies and allow them to es tablish business operations there. “However, we have to ensure that tourist ventures do not impact on the dam. We must have a reservation area.”
Once complete, Theun-Hinboun's total expansion project will have an installed capacity of 220MW and is expected to start operating commercially in July. The Nam Gnouang dam itself has an installed capacity of 60MW and is set to become fully operational in November.
First established in 1995, the THPC was the first independent hydropower company in Laos and has operated successfully since 1998.
By Phonsavanh Vongsay
(Latest Update February 15, 2012)
Source: Vientiane Times