Nam Ngum Dam is the first hydro dam in Lao
PDR. It was financed with assistance from ten countries,
under the auspices of the United Nations. It was
constructed by a Japanese firm and was completed in 1971.
The dam has a generating capacity of 150 megawatts.
Nam Ngum Dam mainly provides electricity in Lao,
including all the power used in the capital, Vientiane.
More importantly, 70 to 80 percent of the electricity
are exported to Thailand, accounting for one fourth of
Laos’ foreign exchange earnings