Impoundment ceremony held at Nam Ngiep 2 Hydropower Project
Impoundment ceremony held at Nam Ngiep 2 Hydropower Project
The impoundment ceremony of the Nam Ngiep 2 Hydropower Project being constructed by the China International Water& Electric Corp (CWE) was held in Xieng Khuang province last week.
Minister of Energy and Mines, Mr Soulivong Daravong, Chief Engineer of China International Water and Electric Corporation, Mr Chen Xianming, Deputy Managing Director of EDL, Mr Thongphet Doangngeun, and the deputy governors of Xieng Khuang and Xaysomboun provinces simultaneously placed their hands on a ball to start the impoundment ceremony which took place on a platform at the entrance to the diversion tunnel.
The Nam Ngiep 2 Hydropower Project, with a total investment of US$345 million and located in Khoun district, Xieng Khuang province in northern Laos, is CWE's second Build Operate Transfer (BOT) project in Laos.
Through our unremitting efforts, CWE has won many sincere and excellent long-term strategic cooperation partners worldwide, especially our partner of 19 years, the Lao government, Mr Chen Xianming said.
“The success of the impounding is the signal victory of the construction. And we have great confidence that Nam Ngiep 2HPP will become operational on time and benefit the local community, for our mutual prosperity,” he said.
The NN2 is a key national project of Laos, which is of great significance to improving Laos' energy structure, promoting economic development, and increasing employment opportunities, Mr Soulivong said.
He spoke highly of what CWE has done for the Lao people in the past 19 years, saying he has great confidence that CWE will accomplish key goals in various aspects of power developments in Laos.
The project has installed capacity of 180MW (3 x 60MW) with an average annual energy output of 721GWh. Project construction is now about 87 percent complete. It will be put into operation and connected to the grid by the end of this year.
China International Water & Electric Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Three Gorges Corporation (CTG) and was the earliest state-owned enterprise in Chinese hydropower industry to participate in international economic cooperation.
The company has undertaken many projects in Laos since 1996 such as Nam Leuk Hydropower Project, Nam Mang 3 Hydropower Development Project, Nam Lik 1-2 Hydropower Project (the first BOT project by a Chinese company) and other transmission line projects and is also the first professional Chinese hydropower company to enter the Lao market.
“We will stick to our social responsibility and make sure that the notion of sustainable development is integrated into all links from decision making to company operations. We will include the influences of each interested party and the natural environment into our corporation management system to strive for better comprehensive benefits in the economy, society and the environment,” General Manager of CWE Lao Branch Office, Mr Li Kai.
