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Doubts over new hydroelectric dam
The Mekong Times, Friday July 4- Sunday July 6, 2008
By Chun Sophal
The Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy has revealed plans to construct a
2,600 megawatt (MW) hydroelectric dam in the upper reaches of the Mekong
River in Kratie province. Environmental groups have appealed for in-depth
studies and the consultation of local communities.
Environmental impact assessments are underway, the ministrys secretary of
state, Ith Praing, said. We hope that it should be workable. The dam,
known as Sambor Chhumreus, will be a historic achievement as the first big
dam in Cambodia.
Ith Praing said Sambor Chhumreus would help relieve Cambodias power
shortages, with surplus power to be sold to neighboring countries. We
think the project will attract investors and benefit the poor because they
can gain access to low price electricity.
The price of electricity in Cambodia is high, even compared to Thailand,
Vietnam and Laos, a major reason foreign investors are reluctant to invest
in the Kingdom.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Hor Namhong last year claimed Cambodia had the
potential to become the battery of Asia, which would not only able supply
its own country, but also foreign countries.
Hydroelectric dams are the favored solution, with many planned projects
attracting foreign investment. But environmental concerns are rising.
Ngy San, a member of Cambodian Mekong River Alliance, welcomed the
governments planned hydroelectric dam, but asked that plans be examined
carefully and project information shared with communities and NGOs before
any final decision is made.
[We want to] avoid negative effects on the environment and ecological
system, he said. We are concerned is that the dam will pollute the water,
inhibit fish migration, and block boat navigation. They government has to
take environmental sustainability and the life of communities into
consideration.
On June 13, 2008, the government approved a project for the construction of
two dams on Tatai and Russey Chrum rivers which could generate 246 MW and
338 MW, respectively. The Kingdom is also constructing Kamchay dam in
Kampot province and Steung Atai dam located between Pursat and Koh Kong
provinces. The two dams could produce 193 MW and 120 MW, respectively.
Kem Sangha, director of the Sesan, Srepok, Sekong Rivers Protection Network,
said that the hydroelectric dam projects economic benefits are outweighed
by the damage caused to the environment and ecology. We do not oppose the
government, he said, but we think that any development project that has
not been carefully studied could result in [negative] effects in future.
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