Background

The objective of the construction of Pak Mun Dam was to develop the water resources to increase the amount of water upstream of the dam and to facilitate water elevation during the dry season in the Northeast so that farmers can use water from the river to increase their agricultural produce. EGAT can use the rest of the water to generate electricity for the security of the power system and to cope with the social and economic growth which has a tendency to augment continuously.

Mun River is the most important river in the Northeast having a catchment area of 23% of the total areas of the country. It is second to the Chao Phraya River in terms of the amount of water volume which can be used for the maximum benefit of the country.

Prior to the construction of Pak Mun Dam, the Northeast had power sources totaling 138.50 MW which was insufficient to meet the demand for electricity in the region causing instability of the power system and a risk of blackout. It was necessary to receive additional power supply from the Central part and the Northern part including power purchase from Lao PDR.

To solve the problem, EGAT made an urgent plan to construct a power plant in the Northeast. The cabinet approved the construction of Pak Mun Dam across Mun River at Ban Hua Haew, Khong Chiam District, Ubon Ratchathani Province in June 1990. The construction was completed in November 1994.