Nam Theun 2 still to resume operations

The Nam Theun 2 Power Company or NTPC remains unsure when its plant will resume electricity generation as the level of the Xebangfay River remains high.

The company announced that it would wait until the water level of the Xebangfay drops below the danger mark before resuming electricity generation for domestic consumption and export to Thailand.

“With water levels currently very high all along the Xebangfay, this may take several days. The exact timeframe will depend on the weather,” the company said in an email to Vientiane Times.

The 1,070 MW hydropower plant in the central province of Khammuan was shutdown as the water level of the Xebangfay River reached danger point at Mahaxay district. The plant releases water into the river downstream of its dam.

“NTPC is obliged by its concession agreement with the Lao government to stop releasing water into the plant’s downstream channel when the Xebangfay River approaches flood levels at Mahaxay,” the company said.

The company also said that it had halted electricity production for supply to Electricite du Laos for domestic consumption as the plant’s regulating pond has become full.

The company said that despite the temporary shutdown its electricity production target remains unchanged as it supplied more electricity to Thailand than anticipated over the first half of this year.