Micro-Hydro Power Dam in Koh Sampeay village commune, Stung Treng Province

In July 2010 CRDT received a funding from UNDP/GEF SGP to build a micro-hydro power dam in Koh Sampey vil­lage in Stung Treng province. This would allow 72 families to use the electricity that would be produced by the dam.

Currently, 86% of those households are glad to use the electricity in their houses. For the households, the electricity fee is a regular monthly expense to Mr. Seang Vuth who takes care of the dam and the electricity service. Part of the electricity fee will go towards the maintenance of the Micro-hydro dam and also as a share to other communities. This electricity service fee allows the households to get better quality of electricity, watch TV, have speaker bass and safer lighting compared with using battery charging. This money is managed by local private sector and they then in return contribute back to the community.  During the last three months, the total income from the electricity service fee has been USD 550 for the micro-hydro dam.

This micro-hydro power dam allowed CRDT beneficiaries to save money and to reduce their purchases in petrol lamps, generator lightning and battery charging from outside. The people who have a lower income can also use the electricity, as it is cheaper compared with the battery charging and generator there were using before. This electricity has high potential and has been identified as the solution for lighting in remote villages. Moreover, it contributes to climate change resilience.

By Hun Sarith, Pro­ject Officer in Stung Treng