Located in Houaphan province, northeast Laos, 30km from the Laos-Vietnam border, the project includes a main dam built using RCC (roller compacted concrete) technology. The dam stands at a height of 121.7m, with a 9.1km main tunnel and a surge tank 225 m tall. The plant is also connected to a 230 kV substation.
The project began in October 2019 and faced challenges including difficult terrain, harsh weather, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these obstacles, SCI Group’s team of experts, engineers, and workers completed the plant on schedule and to the required standards.
Following a 72-hour reliability test of the three generator units, the plant was officially put into commercial operation at 1:00 AM on February 5, 2025. SCI Group will continue to monitor the plant’s operation to ensure its safe and stable performance.
The plant is expected to generate an average of 626 million kWh per year, providing a reliable and clean energy source. It will contribute to energy security in northern Vietnam and support the socio-economic development of the region. Additionally, the project strengthens the cooperation between the governments of Laos and Vietnam.
The successful completion of Nam Sam 3 sets a strong foundation for SCI Group to proceed with other ongoing projects in Laos, including the Nam Sam 3A (45MW), Nam Mo 1 (60MW), and Nam Mo 2 (120MW) plants.
