Cambodia

The Cambodian government is on the threshold of committing to an extensive hydropower program mostly with the backing of Chinese financiers and construction companies. Cambodia's free flowing rivers and abundant natural resources are invaluable assets, the health of which are vital to the well-being of Cambodia’s rural population. Poorly conceived hydropower development could irreparably damage these resources and undermine Cambodia’s sustainable development.

Communities in Cambodia are no stranger to the impacts of hydropower dams. Over the past decade, 55,000 villagers once dependant upon the Sesan River in Northeast Cambodia have become impoverished following the construction of the Yali Falls Dam upstream in Vietnam. Despite impacts remaining largely unaddressed, four more major hydropower projects have been built or are under construction on the river in Vietnam, forcing thousands downstream to move elsewhere to survive. Since 2003, Vietnam has started construction on a series of dams on the neighboring Srepok River and in Laos on the Sekong River, endangering Cambodian villagers downstream.

Villagers collect forest products, a resource that will be lost when the Kamchay Dam is built (Carl Middleton / Internationl Rivers)

In 2005, the Cambodian Government approved its first major hydropower project - the 110 meter high Kamchay Dam. The contract to build and operate the project was given to Sinohydro Corporation, China's largest dam builder. This dam will flood 2,000 hectares of Bokor National Park, home to a number of endangered species and an important resource to local communities. High-level Cambodian and Chinese government officials pushed forward the Kamchay Dam’s development in closed-door negotiations.

In 2007, a second major dam was approved and a further seven are known to be under study by Chinese and Vietnamese companies. Of particular concern is the proposed Sambor hydropower project, located on the Mekong mainstream in Kratie province. If approved, it would have a massive impact on the Mekong River’s fisheries and those communities dependent upon them for income and subsistence, as well as on endangered species such as the Irrawaddy dolphin. Another proposed mainstream dam, the Don Sahong dam, located in Laos less than 2 kilometers upstream of of the Laos-Cambodia border, also threatens Cambodia's fisheries if built.

In Cambodia, many feasible options exist to meet energy needs that do not destroy the rivers upon which many communities depend. Unfortunately, at present Cambodia’s energy planning process remains closed to public participation and these alternatives remain unexplored.

International Rivers is working with partners in Cambodia to support their calls for reparation for dam-affected communities and sustainable energy development in Cambodia.

LATEST ADDITIONS:

Worries Over Environmental Impact of Dam

Workshop, regional coalition put Mekong dams on agenda

New Coalition Launched to Save the Mekong River

Mekong river hydroelectric dam threatens livelihoods and endangered species in landlocked Laos

CAMBODIA: Opting For The Big Dam

CONTACT US:

Carl Middleton
carl [at] internationalrivers [dot] org
+1 510 848 1155