High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The Xayaburi Dam is a hydroelectric dam under construction on the Lower Mekong River approximately 30 kilometres (19 mi) east of Xayaburi (Sainyabuli) town in Northern Laos. The main purpose of the dam is to produce hydroelectric power. The project is surrounded in controversy due to complaints from downstream riparians and environmentalists. Preliminary construction began in early 2012, but work on the dam itself was suspended shortly thereafter due to complaints from Cambodia and Vietnam downstream. After making modifications to the dam`s design, Lao plans to start full construction with a ceremony on 7 November 2012.