Lao Association on Dams holds annual conference alongside technical meeting         

The Lao Association on Dams (LAD), with the support of Helvetas Laos through the Dam Safety Technical and Institutional Assistance Project (DSTIA), successfully hosted the LAD Annual Meeting 2024 and the 7th LAD Technical Meeting on December 19-20, 2024, in Vientiane.

Head of Office of the Ministry of Energy and Mines, Mr Khamso Kouphokham (right), delivers the opening remarks while co-chairing the meeting with the President of the Lao Association on Dams (LAD), Assoc. Prof. Dr Khampaseuth Thepvongsa, on December 19.

These activities were aimed at reviewing the safety and sustainability of hydropower dams and boosting external cooperation to support the government’s efforts to achieve sustainable socio-economic development.
The event, which took the theme of “Safety First: Protecting Our Dams to Secure Our Future”, underscored the critical importance of dam safety as a cornerstone for sustainable development and risk management in the hydropower sector.
The meeting was co-chaired by the President of the LAD, Assoc. Prof. Dr Khampaseuth Thepvongsa, and Head of Office of the Ministry of Energy and Mines, Mr Khamso Kouphokham.
The event was attended by representatives of key ministries, including the Ministry of Energy and Mines, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
Delegates from the National University of Laos (NUOL), Électricité du Laos (EDL), EDL-Generation Public Company (EDL-Gen), and various hydropower dam operators were also present.
In his welcome remarks at the meeting, the LAD President, Assoc. Prof. Dr Khampaseuth Thepvongsa, said this gathering is held once a year to summarise past achievements and other activities of the association.
“Over the past year, the association achieved several impressive results through practical implementation, in terms of promoting the safety and sustainability of dams, as well as extending external cooperation with domestic and international partners,” he said.

Speakers from various companies are invited to participate in a panel discussion on dam safety, risk management, and other relevant issues at the 7th LAD Technical Meeting.

Assoc. Prof. Dr Khampaseuth Thepvongsa said the year-end review of the association’s performance was successfully wrapped up and a technical meeting was especially organised, during which several presentations on interesting topics were made by Lao and foreign experts.

“Our invited speakers and panellists from various leading companies in Laos will present their experiences and share with us the advanced technologies used in risk management, monitoring and inspections,” they said.
At the same meeting, the Head of Office of the Ministry of Energy and Mines, Mr Khamso Kouphokham, emphasised that unprecedented changes in climate are a signal to pay closer attention to the safety of dams because they are one of the key sources of income for the nation and the people of Laos.
“Since we acknowledge the importance of this income-earning source, we will continue to prioritise the safety of dams, environmental management, and responsibility for communities in the areas of our operational projects through the application of innovations and standards and by focusing on supporting local residents,” he said.
During the meeting, the Project Manager of the Hydropower and Dam Safety Consultancy Sole Co., Ltd. (HDSC), Mr Kaolor Leecheu, delivered a presentation titled “Dam Safety Inspections and Monitoring: Advanced Dam Safety Inspection and Monitoring”.
The Director of the Power Management Department of the China International Water & Electric Corp (CWE in Laos), Mr. Deng Wenjun, also gave a presentation on “Dam Safety Risk Assessment and Management: Hydrological Forecast System, The Guarantee for Dam Safety Operations”.

Representatives of the public and private sectors took part in the annual meeting of the Lao Association on Dams (LAD) and the 7th Technical Meeting.

In addition, the Plant Director of the Nam Theun 2 Power Company Limited (NTPC), Dr Dousith Phommachanh, concluded with a topic on “Dam Operation and Maintenance: Hydrology Re-assessment and Dam Structure Improvement - a Case Study of Nam Theun 2 Power Plant”.

Participants took part in a study tour of the Nam Ngum 1 Hydropower Plant.

Lastly, the Hydro Safety Manager of Nam Theun 2 Power Company Limited (NTPC), Mr Phoutthakone Luangyotha, gave a presentation on “Emergency Preparedness and Response: Nam Theun 2 Wet Season Preparedness”.

The participants of the meeting gather for a group photo.

Participants engaged in productive discussions and shared insights on strengthening institutions, technical advancements, and cross-sector collaboration aimed at enhancing dam safety and resilience.
The event was an invaluable platform for knowledge sharing, capacity building, and reinforcement of partnerships among stakeholders.
After the meeting, participants shared in a study tour of the Nam Ngum 1 Hydropower Plant, which provided an opportunity to exchange technical knowledge, learn valuable lessons, and foster collaboration on safety measures and future enhancements.

By Advertorial Desk
 (Latest Update December 26, 2024)