Lao soldiers search for missing people following a devastating flood caused by a fracture in a saddle dam at the Sepian Senamnoi hydropower plant in July (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) Vientiane (VNA) – The Laogovernment will begin inspecting the safety standards applied to theconstruction of all hydropower dams in the country next year in a bid toprevent further accidents, reported the Vientiane Times on November 30.
Lao Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines SinnavaSouphanouvong said that competent agencies will carry out inspections toexamine the safety standards applied to the construction of all dams in Laosfrom 2019 to 2020.
The inspections will cover design andconstruction along with the administration of sustainable production and safetyat all hydropower dams.
The checks have been instituted following adevastating flood caused by a fracture in a saddle dam at the Sepian Senamnoihydropower plant in Attapeu province in July 23, as well as the rupturing ofthe Nam Ao dam in Xieng Khuang province in September.
The inspections comply with Electricity Law No.23 47/2018, Article 23, which covers the determination of standards forelectrical equipment to ensure that electrical tools, equipment, transmissionlines and appliances meet the relevant standards, are safe and energy saving,and form a uniform system throughout the country.
Dams that are inspected by authorities cancontinue construction or operations as long as they are shown to meet safetystandards.
The Lao government recently suspended theconsideration of new hydropower projects until it has reviewed safetystandards, as well as its dam development strategy and plans for the future.
According to the ministry, Laos’ plans forhydropower development project a total installed capacity of 5,500MW by 2020and a further 20,000MW is planned after 2020. -VNA
Lao Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines SinnavaSouphanouvong said that competent agencies will carry out inspections toexamine the safety standards applied to the construction of all dams in Laosfrom 2019 to 2020.
The inspections will cover design andconstruction along with the administration of sustainable production and safetyat all hydropower dams.
The checks have been instituted following adevastating flood caused by a fracture in a saddle dam at the Sepian Senamnoihydropower plant in Attapeu province in July 23, as well as the rupturing ofthe Nam Ao dam in Xieng Khuang province in September.
The inspections comply with Electricity Law No.23 47/2018, Article 23, which covers the determination of standards forelectrical equipment to ensure that electrical tools, equipment, transmissionlines and appliances meet the relevant standards, are safe and energy saving,and form a uniform system throughout the country.
Dams that are inspected by authorities cancontinue construction or operations as long as they are shown to meet safetystandards.
The Lao government recently suspended theconsideration of new hydropower projects until it has reviewed safetystandards, as well as its dam development strategy and plans for the future.
According to the ministry, Laos’ plans forhydropower development project a total installed capacity of 5,500MW by 2020and a further 20,000MW is planned after 2020. -VNA
VNA
