It is a “run off the river scheme”, meaning that :
There is no dam but a “weir”, in order to raise the water level at the intake
A substantial percentage of the river flow will be left in the river main streamall year long in order to protect the river life
There is no flooded area nor reservoir
The Bokeo province Forestry Department as well as the Science Technology and Environment Agency have aproved the project and its low impact based on the project's EIA. As well, the project has been selected as elligible within the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and shuld be awarded with Carbon credits.
Socio-Economical Impact
Nam Nhone HPP's Socio-economical impacts are believed to be positive. On the social aspect, despite the nuisance related to the construction period, Nam Nhone HPP would:
• not imply any population resettlement
• create jobs and stimulate the local economy
• create a fishing basin, and an all season access to the river left bank through a bridge
• transfer clean high-tech technologies in a remote area
• generate provincial revenues (royalties)
Environmental impacts on faun and flora are also believed to be very reasonable during the operation period, with a low noice emmission.
Almost no forest clearance is expected, none for the reservoir purpose and very few for the access road construction. Overall, less than 10 trees (primary forest) should be cut for the project construction purpose. Indeed, most of the roads are already existing, and the surrounding forest is principally composed of already degraded forest.
The fish migration impact should remain minor, the Nam Nhone waterfalls (5m high), located between the water intake and the tailrace, are already a natural barrier to fish migration.
After study of the Nam Nhone HPP's EIA, Nam Nhone HPP has been awarded the Science, Technology and Environment Agency (STEA) certificate.
