Nam Ngum dam in Ratanakiri (Photo: DR, Cambodge Soir Hebdo)06 Nov 2008
By Ung Chansophea
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Click here to read the article in French
Environmentalists have expressed their concerns over the environmental impact from the Kirirom 3 hydro-electric project awarded to a Chinese company.
During a press conference organized on Thursday 06 November, a report prepared by The Rivers Coalition in Cambodia (RCC) NGO and by the America Friends Service Committee (AFSC) raised issues about problems linked to this hydro-electric project. The 4-month-long NGO study involved environmental and human impacts from this project. The Kirirom 3 Dam, a dam with a capacity of 18 MW, will be built on the Prek Kampong Som River in the province of Koh Kong. The electricity generated by the dam would be used by Phnom Penh and the construction cost is estimated to be $40.3 million. It will be entirely financed by the Chinese government. The project which was announced in 2004, recently received the nod from the government to start. The Chinese company China Electric Power Technology Import and Export Corp. (CETIC) will be in charge of its construction.
Ngy Sorn, the deputy director of the NGO Forum, indicated that “almost 5,000 people will be affected by the construction of this dam. The environmental impact will be substantial: lower water quality in the river, flooding of agricultural lands and homes, disappearance of ponds and canals. The negative impact on wildlife, in particular aquatic life, will be serious.” Ngy Sorn proposed a more positive vision for the kingdom energy policy: “Kirirom 3 is a small project, if we build it with good principles, the environmental impact will be limited. Cambodia must set in place quality standards for hydro-electric dams. To do it now would set a good example for the development of other similar projects.” The NGO report provided several proposals touching upon damage compensations, land compensations, as well as water management.
Meas Moeun, a representative of affected villagers from the Daun Peang commune who was present at the press conference, wishes to see “the competent ministries and the construction company allowing villagers to participate in the project, and that the villagers’ wishes be taken into account.”
Ngy Sorn recognized that “the government is more interested in the economic development than the preservation of the environment.” According to Ngy Sorn, only 20% of homes in Cambodia have electricity and the government plans to boost this number to 70% in 2030. This is the reason why the government launches several hydro-electric projects, and 4 other dam projects are currently under study.
“We do not oppose the economic development, we only ask that proper compensations be provided,” Meas Moeun concluded.
During a press conference organized on Thursday 06 November, a report prepared by The Rivers Coalition in Cambodia (RCC) NGO and by the America Friends Service Committee (AFSC) raised issues about problems linked to this hydro-electric project. The 4-month-long NGO study involved environmental and human impacts from this project. The Kirirom 3 Dam, a dam with a capacity of 18 MW, will be built on the Prek Kampong Som River in the province of Koh Kong. The electricity generated by the dam would be used by Phnom Penh and the construction cost is estimated to be $40.3 million. It will be entirely financed by the Chinese government. The project which was announced in 2004, recently received the nod from the government to start. The Chinese company China Electric Power Technology Import and Export Corp. (CETIC) will be in charge of its construction.
Ngy Sorn, the deputy director of the NGO Forum, indicated that “almost 5,000 people will be affected by the construction of this dam. The environmental impact will be substantial: lower water quality in the river, flooding of agricultural lands and homes, disappearance of ponds and canals. The negative impact on wildlife, in particular aquatic life, will be serious.” Ngy Sorn proposed a more positive vision for the kingdom energy policy: “Kirirom 3 is a small project, if we build it with good principles, the environmental impact will be limited. Cambodia must set in place quality standards for hydro-electric dams. To do it now would set a good example for the development of other similar projects.” The NGO report provided several proposals touching upon damage compensations, land compensations, as well as water management.
Meas Moeun, a representative of affected villagers from the Daun Peang commune who was present at the press conference, wishes to see “the competent ministries and the construction company allowing villagers to participate in the project, and that the villagers’ wishes be taken into account.”
Ngy Sorn recognized that “the government is more interested in the economic development than the preservation of the environment.” According to Ngy Sorn, only 20% of homes in Cambodia have electricity and the government plans to boost this number to 70% in 2030. This is the reason why the government launches several hydro-electric projects, and 4 other dam projects are currently under study.
“We do not oppose the economic development, we only ask that proper compensations be provided,” Meas Moeun concluded.
