Plizio Visual Lab

Lower Sesan 2 Dam

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

energy

Weather…

The Lower Sesan 2 Dam is the largest hydroelectric power facility in Cambodia, located in Stung Treng Province. It is situated at the confluence of the Sesan and Srepok rivers, two major tributaries of the Mekong River. The project was officially commissioned in late 2018 and has an installed capacity of 400 megawatts. It was developed as a joint venture between Cambodia's Royal Group and Chinese state-owned enterprises, including Huaneng Hydropower. The dam structure spans approximately 6.5 kilometers in length, making it one of the longest embankment dams in Southeast Asia. Its reservoir covers an area of roughly 30,000 hectares, providing substantial power to the national grid. The facility plays a pivotal role in Cambodia's strategy to achieve energy self-sufficiency and lower domestic electricity costs. The project's implementation required the relocation of several local communities and remains a landmark of modern industrial infrastructure in the country.

Location: Cambodia
Nearby: Stung Treng (33 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	26	28	30	31	30	29	28	27	27	28	27	26
Rain mm	3	2	16	36	96	152	202	218	167	83	23	8

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?

The Lower Sesan 2 Dam is a massive and highly significant hydropower project that fundamentally supports Cambodia's national energy grid. It plays a pivotal role in the country's economic infrastructure by generating a substantial portion of the necessary electrical power.

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Visiting

As a critical piece of national energy infrastructure, the operational core and turbine areas of the dam are not open for casual public tourism. However, visitors can usually access the surrounding reservoir areas and view the massive concrete structure from designated external vantage points.

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Where to view it

The sheer scale of the dam can be best appreciated from the roads approaching the facility or by taking a boat trip on the newly formed reservoir. These public exterior areas offer striking perspectives on how the massive wall of concrete has dramatically altered the local river landscape.

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Local products

In the vicinity of the dam, small roadside stalls and relocated villages often sell fresh and dried fish caught from the reservoir. You might also find local Cambodian snacks, fresh fruits, and essential provisions catering to passing travelers and the dam's maintenance workers.

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Active season

The dam generates power and alters river flows throughout the year, but the visual impact of water release is most dramatic during the wet season. Visiting during the dry season generally provides easier road access, though the reservoir levels will be noticeably lower.

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Nearby

A visit to this engineering marvel pairs well with exploring the broader Stung Treng province, known for its eco-tourism and river dolphins. Travelers often continue their journey towards the Laotian border or explore the nearby flooded forests along the Mekong River tributaries.