Chinese-built dam in Cambodia starts testing operation

The Lower Russei Chrum River hydroelectric dam, which is the Cambodia’s largest hydropower plant, has begun testing operation after it has been constructed for three and a half years, a company’s official said on Saturday.

The 338-megawatt hydropower dam, situated in the jungle in Mondol Sima district of southwestern Koh Kong province, was developed by the giant power company China Huadian Corp for a cost of US$500 million under a 35-year build-operate-transfer contract.

Under terms of the agreement, the plant sells power to the state-owned Electricity of Cambodia. …

China is the largest investor in building hydroelectric dams in the Southeast Asian nation. According to the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Chinese companies have invested over US$1.6 billion to construct six hydroelectric dams with the total capacity of 928 megawatts in Cambodia.

To date, four dams have come into operations, and the remaining two dams are expected to be completed by next year.

Want China Times News Staff
http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?id=20140209000067&cid=1102