Integrated Hydroelectric power engineering on the Mekong River, Luang Prabang Power Company Limited, Lao PDR

Located on the Mekong mainstream, the project combines power generation, river navigation, fish migration, and sediment management in a single integrated development. The plant comprises seven 200 MW vertical Kaplan turbine units and three auxiliary generating units with 20 MW of installed capacity each, with electricity exported to Thailand via a dedicated 500 kV transmission line.

The Luang Prabang Hydroelectric Power Project demonstrates how modern power generation can combine production of clean, renewable energy with innovative solutions that address river navigation, fish migration, sediment management and other environmental considerations. Through our multidisciplinary expertise, AFRY has supported the project throughout its development and implementation phases.

- Robert Braunshofer, Director and Head of Hydro in South-East Asia, AFRY

Supporting one of the Mekong region's largest hydroelectric power projects

Developing hydroelectric power on the Mekong River requires balancing power generation with environmental, hydraulic and operational needs. To meet these requirements, the project incorporates a range of innovative engineering solutions covering hydraulic structures, river navigation, fish migration and sediment management.

One of the project's notable engineering features is the application of a single construction pit concept. This approach allows the main structures to be constructed during a single construction stage, reducing the overall project schedule by approximately one to two years while improving construction efficiency and substantially reducing environmental impacts.

The development includes a powerhouse, spillway, roller-compacted concrete (RCC) closing structure, navigation lock and integrated fish migration facilities. Together, these structures form a modern run-of-river hydroelectric power plant designed to generate renewable energy while maintaining key river functions.

Integrating fish migration into hydroelectric power plant design

Supporting aquatic biodiversity has been a key consideration throughout the project development. The fish migration systems have been developed in accordance with the Mekong River Commission’s(MRC) Design Guidance and include dedicated upstream and downstream migration facilities, fish locks, collection galleries and monitoring stations.

The upstream migration systems comprise multiple entrances along the powerhouse, attraction flow systems, collection galleries and two parallel fish locks designed to help fish move safely past the hydropower plant. An additional upstream migration facility supports fish attracted by the navigation lock and spillway operation, thus creating a comprehensive fish passage solution across the whole river width, adapted to local river conditions.

Building on experience from earlier Mekong River projects, AFRY contributed expertise in hydraulic design, fish migration studies and system optimization, helping to refine the overall performance of the migration facilities.

Fish-friendly turbine technology

The project also incorporates fish-friendly turbine design principles developed by the OEM, aimed at reducing risks associated with turbine passage. Potential hazards such as blade strike, pressure changes, turbulence, and shear stress have been addressed through a range of design measures, including larger turbine diameters, lower rotational speeds, fewer runner blades, improved hydraulic performance, and smoother flow conditions

These design features contribute to improving downstream fish passage while maintaining high levels of energy generation and operational performance.

Navigation and sediment management

The Luang Prabang Hydroelectric Power Project includes a two-step navigation lock designed in accordance with the MRC Design Guidance and applicable international standards for navigation locks. The facility can accommodate vessels of up to two 500 DWT (Deadweight Tonnage) barges and enables continued river navigation across the power plant.

Sediment management has also been a core design consideration. Rather than relying on periodic reservoir flushing, the project adopts a sediment routing approach that allows sediment-laden flows to be passed through specifically designed low-level outlets, helping minimize reservoir sedimentation while supporting natural sediment transport processes in the river system.

AFRY's role

AFRY has supported the Luang Prabang Hydroelectric Power Project throughout multiple phases of development, providing services including feasibility studies, environmental and social impact assessments, heritage impact assessment, tender design, owner's engineering, detailed design review, site supervision and commissioning support.

Through its multidisciplinary hydroelectric power expertise, AFRY has contributed to the development of one of the Lower Mekong region's most technically advanced renewable energy projects, supporting the delivery of clean, sustainable electricity generation alongside solutions for fish migration, river navigation and sediment management.

Project Facts

Client: Luang Prabang Power Company Limited
Location: Lower Mekong River, approximately 25 km upstream of Luang Prabang, Lao PDR
Project Type: Run-of-river hydropower plant
Installed Capacity: 1,460 MW
Average Annual Generation: 6,688 GWh
Execution Period: 2018–2030

AFRY Services:

• Feasibility Study
• Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
• Heritage Impact Assessment
• Tender Design and Tender Documents
• Owner's Engineering
• Detailed Design Review
• Site Supervision
• Commissioning Support