Buon Kuop is a 280 MW hydro power station in Dak Nong, Vietnam. It is operated by Vietnam Electricity (EVN). Based on reported annual generation of 1,105 GWh, it can supply roughly 316k homes. It ranks #98 of 298 Vietnam power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 2011, it is around 15 years old — relatively modern. As a non-combustion source, it has no direct CO₂ emissions from generation. In context, hydro supplies about 33.0% of Vietnam's electricity; the national grid averages 461 gCO₂/kWh (45.4% low-carbon) (2025).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id WRI1030811.
Data status
Known data
Calculated from dataset
Not available
Known, modelled and calculated values are kept separate. Missing fields are shown as unavailable.
Data provenance
Source of the capacity and fuel values:
capacity: GEM · 2026 · L100000604000; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
At 280 MW, Buon Kuop is well above the median hydro plant in Vietnam (20 MW). Technically it is described as conventional storage. Hydropower converts the energy of falling or flowing water into electricity; output depends on rainfall and reservoir level, and large dams also provide grid balancing and storage.
Capacity comparison computed from the WRI Global Power Plant Database; fuel-type context is general engineering background.
Key facts
- Load factor
- 45%, from 1,105 GWh of reported generation; the median for 152 hydro plants in Vietnam that report generation is 46%
- Share of Vietnam hydro capacity
- 1.6% of 17,313 MW across 174 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 77 of 162 dated hydro plants in Vietnam are older
Calculated from the capacity and generation records in this dataset (WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0)).
Capacity vs largest hydro plants in Vietnam
Installed capacity (MW), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).
Owner
Operated by Vietnam Electricity (EVN). All plants by this company →
Local climate & thermal context
This hydro plant converts the energy of falling or flowing water through hydro turbines. It sits in a tropical savanna climate (Köppen Aw) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 12.5°N — which shapes how much energy it can produce and how its output varies through the year.
Monthly mean temperature
This site has effectively no heating season (tropical/equatorial climate), so winter heat loss is not the driver here. The thermal concern shifts to year-round process heat and humidity/heat-driven corrosion of hot equipment.
Climate normals: WorldClim 2.1 (1970–2000 monthly normals, 10 arc-min, CC BY 4.0); zone: Köppen-Geiger world climate classification (Kottek et al. 2006, 0.5° grid). Degree-days & heat-demand index computed by PowerAtlas — a modelled heat-demand proxy, not a measured site figure.
Site climate & environmental severity
This site sits in a moderately corrosive environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C3 — Medium), with humidity / wetness the leading environmental stress.
Indicative estimate via the ISO 9223:2012 informative method (atmospheric corrosivity from temperature, time-of-wetness and airborne salinity), using WorldClim climate normals, the Köppen-Geiger class and coast distance. Indicative, not a measured corrosion rate.
How it compares & nearby plants
The #13 largest hydro power plant of 174 in Vietnam by capacity.
Vietnam has 174 hydro power plants in this dataset, together about 17,313 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Hoa Phu · Hydro · 29 MW · Dak Nong
- Dray H'Linh 1 · Hydro · 12 MW · Dak Nong
- Dray H'Linh 2 · Hydro · 16 MW · Dak Nong
- SrePok 3 · Hydro · 220 MW · Dak Nong
- Buon Tua Srah · Hydro · 86 MW · Dac Lak
- SrePok 4 · Hydro · 80 MW · Dak Nong
Location
Coordinates 12.5305, 107.9243 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is Buon Kuop?
Buon Kuop is a 280 MW hydro power plant in Dak Nong, Vietnam, commissioned in 2011.
How much electricity does Buon Kuop generate?
Buon Kuop generates about 1,105 GWh of electricity per year.
Who operates Buon Kuop?
Buon Kuop is operated by Vietnam Electricity (EVN).