On May 2, 2011, the construction of 32 biogas digesters (8 m³ each) – funded and implemented by SINOHYDRO and GEI (Global Environmental Institute) – was completed. This biogas development project is helping enhance the quality of life in Ban Chim, a dam-affected village near Nam Ngum 5 (NN5) Hydropower Station, Luang Prabang Province, Laos. Now, villagers can have clean energy for cooking and lighting, and the sludge from the digesters can be used for agriculture, fishery and community forestry. In addition, with this innovative technology, local health and hygiene will be improved and the resources of fuel wood can be saved.
 
NN5 is the first hydropower project joint invested by SINOHYDRO (85%) and Electricite Du Laos in Luang Prabang province under the model of BOT. With an installed capacity of 120 MW, NN5 can greatly boost the local economy after completion.
 
Soon after the land compensation to Ban Chim villagers, the directly impacted village from NN5 Hydropower Project – as concluded by Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) – was finalized by 2010, SINOHYDRO conducted a full on-site study and decided to introduce biogas technology as another part of the NN5’s Livelihood Restoration Plan. However, as biogas technology is still in the early stages in Laos, on Dec. 8, 2008, SINOHYDRO – as the leading shareholder of NN5 Power Company – signed a cooperation agreement with GEI to construct the biogas facilities and train the villagers to become familiar with this technology. Many international experts have been involved to coordinate and implement the project. Meanwhile, directed by the village leader, the villagers themselves joined the construction of the digesters.