Xekong 4 Dams Hydropower Info by Hobo Maps - Go to Hydropower Projects Page - - - Home

Xekong 4A & 4B also known as Sekong 4A & Sekong 4B

Xekong 4A and 4B Hydroelectric Power Projects are located on the Xe Kong (Sekong) River in Xekong (Sekong) Province of southern Lao PDR. Xekong 4A reservoir is located in Lamam district and Xekong 4B reservoir is located in Kaluem district of Sekong Province.

Site location coordinates for Xekong 4A are -15°30'50.4"N 106°47'16.8"E (15.514, 106.788) shown as red marker on satellite image below north of Sekong town.

Prior to 2008 Russian Region Oil Co. Ltd. had signed MOUs with the government of Lao PDR to develop Sekong 4 & 5 but nothing came to construction and the project was apparently cancelled. Any website info prior to 2008 for Sekong 4 & 5 is unreliable and confusing.

In year 2015 the Lao govt. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to allow a study of the technical-financial feasibility of the Xekong 4A & 4B hydropower project between the Lao government and Lao World Engineering and Construction Company Limited. The project gained momentum with RATCH Group Public Company Limited and B.Grimm Power Public Company Limited joining as co-developers.

On May 29, 2018, Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding PCL in co-operation with B. Grimm Power PCL and Lao World Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd. jointly entered into a Project Development Agreement for Xekong 4A & 4B Hydroelectric Power Projects.

On March 8, 2020 an Electricity Price Tariff MOU was signed with Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) at Levelized Tariff of 8.03 US Cents per kilowatt hour.

On April 11, 2023 contract negotiations for the Xekong 4A&4B Dam Project were held.

On December 7, 2023, a new company named Xekong 4 Power Co. Ltd. (XK4) was established to develop and operate the Xekong 4A and 4B Hydroelectric Power Projects - 60% of shares were held by RATCH Group Public Company Limited, 20% held by B.Grimm Power and 20% held by Lao World Engineering and Construction Co., Ltd.

On Dec. 25, 2023, Xekong 4 Power Co., Ltd. signed a power purchase agreement for Sekong 4A and 4B with EGAT for a period of 27 years under a 10,500 MW power cooperation framework MOU between Thailand and Lao PDR.

On Dec. 25, 2023 it was announced that the project’s construction phase is scheduled to begin in 2025. The project is scheduled to open for commercial operation (COD) in 2033.

Unconfirmed site location coordinates for Xekong 4B are - 15°47'43.7"N 106°45'26.1"E (15.795472, 106.757250) shown as red marker on satellite image below.

Xekong 4A is a gravity roller-compacted concrete dam 75 meters in height. The powerhouse intake is located on the right side while the diversion conduit is at the left base of the dam. Full supply level elevation of Xekong 4A reservoir is at 200 meters above sea level. Generating capacity is 165 MW.

Concept image below for XeKong 4A project.

Xekong 4B is a roller-compacted concrete dam about 117 meters in height. The powerhouse intake is located on the left side while the diversion conduit is at the right base of the dam. Full supply level elevation of Xekong 4B reservoir is at 291 meters above sea level. Generating capacity is 175 MW.

Concept image below for XeKong 4B project.

The Xekong 4A & 4B power dam project is to have a combined power output capacity of 340 to 355 MW with average annual power output of 1,500 GWh. At least 90% of the output is to be exported to Thailand and the remainder distributed to the Lao local grid.

Project construction is hoped to be completed by year 2033 and operate under a concession agreement for 27 years before handing over to the government in 2060.

The cost for both 4A & 4B projects (combined capacity of 340 or 355 MW) is estimated at US$ 1.094 billion.

Locations of Xekong 4A and 4B dams shown in upper right part of map below:

Although a Power Purchase Agreement was signed for export of most power output to Thailand starting in 2033, we aren't sure of the transmission line route or capacity.

Note: The words "Xe" and "Nam" both mean "river" and a term such as "Nam Xe Kong" is not normally used.

XeKong is pronounced like "Say Kong".