The Lao Association on Dams (LAD) and the Nam Theun 2 Power Company are working to building greater understanding of hydropower safety.
The topic was the focus of a workshop held last week at the Nam Theun 2 Power Company in Khammuan province, titled ‘Nam Theun 2 Hydro Safety Management, Best Practices’.
The workshop was the second held by the Lao Association on Dams and was co-chaired by the association’s President, Mr Viraphonh Viravong, and the Nam Theun 2 Chief Operating Officer, Mr Stephane Lemasson.
It was attended by the management and members of the Lao Association on dams, Nam Theun 2’s Technical Branch Management, and other hydropower developers in Laos.
The workshop was also streamed online for LAD members who were not able to be present physically.
Hydro safety is part of the Nam Theun 2 Power Company’s quality, health, safety and environment policy.
Hydro safety comprises all the measures taken during the design, maintenance and operation of the company’s hydroelectric facilities to guarantee the protection of human lives, the environment and physical structures against dangers related to the presence of water or to the operation of facilities.
Also, it is a priority more important than the generation of electricity itself.
Nam Theun 2 Power Company, in line with its core value of cooperation, has presented ideas to independent power producers in Laos to ensure that the hydro safety of local communities and the reliability of hydropower generation will continue to create more opportunities for Laos.
To this effect, the company has appointed a Committee on Hydro Safety to continuously create hydro safety awareness among its staff, contractors, communities and government.
The committee will also define hydro safety indicators to follow up and control acceptable risks levels.
Hydro safety policy will be reviewed, along with operating instruction procedures, monitoring and action plans, and the committee will participate in root cause failure analysis for significant hydro safety events.
Annual hydro safety reviews will be carried out and an external review will take place every three years.
Hydro safety is a company goal that is envisaged to continuously improve with the commitment of all staff, the Lao government, and local agencies and communities, to ensure its success.
Lao Association on Dam members visited the Nam Theun 2 facilities including the downstream channel, regulating dam and powerhouse. These visits aimed to strengthen members’ understanding of Nam Theun 2’s commitment to hydro safety.
Nam Theun 2 Plant Director and Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Mr Dousith Phommachanh, is a member of the association and has been in charge of its Planning Committee on behalf of Nam Theun 2 Power Company Limited.
Source: Vientiane Times
