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The potential of the Nam Theun River on the Nakai Plateau for hydroelectric power was identified as early as 1927, but it was not until the mid-1970s that detailed studies of the feasibility of a project began. In the late 1980s the Lao government targeted Nam Theun 2 as a key vehicle for the economic and social development of the nation, and invited the World Bank to participate in the Project. The government and various private investors set up the Nam Theun 2 Electricity Consortium (NTEC) to research and develop the scheme. In 1994 Electricité de France and the Italian-Thai Development Company of Thailand joined the Project, and Nam Theun 2 moved from a conceptual to a development phase. The design and preparation of a complete set of economic, environmental and social safeguards took more than ten years, during which time NTEC became the Nam Theun 2 Power Company, or NTPC. Project financing was gradually put in place and full construction activities commenced in June 2005.
Milestones | 1927 | Nam Theun River’s hydropower potential described in L"Eveil Economique de l'Indochine
| | 1989-91 | World Bank feasibility study undertaken by Snowy Mountains Engineering Corp. | | 1993 | GoL and NTEC sign Project development agreement in accordance with World Bank guidelines | | 1997 | First series of environmental and social safeguards documents produced | | 1997-98 | Asian Financial Crisis: Governments of Lao PDR and Thailand agree to delay Project | | May 2000 | EGAT and NTEC agree on a proposed electricity tariff in May | | September 2001 | Shareholders Agreement signed | | September 2002 | NTEC and Lao Government create NTPC as a Lao company | | October 2002 | Concession Agreement signed | | November 2003 | Power Purchase Agreements signed with both EGAT and EDL | | 2004 | Completion of safeguard documents and Project financing activities | | May 2005 | Financial Closure (FC) and beginning of full construction activities | | November 2005 | Nam Theun 2 Cornerstone Ceremony | | 2005 | Construction activities commence and implementation of safeguards | | April 2006-April 2008 | Construction of resettlement villages and relocation of villagers to new homes | | March 2008 | Concreting of the diversion tunnel completed | | April 2008 | Diversion tunnel closed and impoundment begins | | June 2008 | Tunnel filling test | | August 2008 | Spillway gates closed on Nakai Dam | | October 2008 | First filling of hydraulic circuit; Third Stakeholder Forum in Thakhek | | January 2009 | Water releases from Nakai Dam for testing and commissioning | | March 2009 | Regulating Dam impoundment commences; energisation of 500 kV Transmission Lines & Substation | | June 2009 | Successful testing of first Francis Unit turbine and synchronisation with Thai national grid |
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- Upcoming Events
- July 2010
- Regional Environmental & Social Management training visits
- MRC 3rd Regional Stakeholder Forum
September 2010 - Hydro 2010 International Conference, Lisbon
November 2010 - 450th Anniversary of Vientiane as Lao capital
December 2010 - Nam Theun 2 Official Opening Ceremony
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