CONSTRUCTION sites for two large hydroelectric dams are set to begin work in Koh Kong province in the next two months, according to a Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy report seen by the Post Tuesday.

The document states that construction site for a hydroelectric dam on the Tatai River, which will be able to generate 246 megawatts of electricity, will commence in March. Work on a Russei Chrum Kraom River dam able to generate 338 megawatts of electricity will begin in April.

Minister of Mines and Energy Suy Sem said Tuesday, after a meeting to outline industrial work planned for 2010: “We hope that the two hydroelectricity dams will help complement local demand for electricity in the future.”

The report adds that China National Heavy Machinery Corporation was given permission to plan and construct the Tatai Dam at a total estimated cost of US$540 million. China Huadian Hong Kong Limited was permitted to design and build the $496 million Russei Chrum Kraom Dam.

According to Suy Sem, construction of each dam will take three or four years depending on local infrastructure conditions.

However, Sam Rainsy Party parliamentarian Son Chhay said Tuesday documents relating to the dams should be submitted for National Assembly approval before construction.

Since 2002, companies from China, Russia, South Korea, Vietnam, the Czech Republic and Singapore have been licenced to assess the feasibility of constructing up to 21 hydroelectric dams in Cambodia.