Luang Namtha hydro plant to test power generation
Luang Namtha hydro plant to test power generation
The construction of a small-scale hydropower plant on the Long River in Long district, Luang Namtha province is almost complete and is expected to start trial energy generation by the end of the month.
“We expect to start the trial period by July 20 if possible,” Nam Long Power Co Ltd President Mr Bounleuth Luangpaseuth said yesterday. “Currently we are checking the plant technique or system,” Mr Bounleuth said.
He said this final work is a cooperation project between the company and Electricite du Laos (EDL).
Specialist teams from EDL are now monitoring and replacing transmission lines because some are old and of low voltage capacity. Higher quality, more reliable lines are being installed in their place.
The transmission will link to the grid and supply power locally in Luang Namtha. The Nam Long Power Co Ltd is continuing to store water for the beginning of electricity generation trials.
The company plans to run the trial to see if every system within the powerplant is working well. Officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mines will come to observe and monitor the generation process for approval to begin full-scale operations.
After the company receives approval, it will set the date for commercial operations and supply the generated electricity to EDL.
The construction of Nam Long hydropower plant began in December 2011. Until now, the project has cost about 109 billion kip (US$13.7 million) and is a joint investment between Luangpaseuth Construction Sole Co Ltd, which holds an 80 percent share, and EDL, who own the remaining 20 percent.
The plant will have an installed capacity of 5 megawatts and is forecast to achieve annual electricity generation of about 37 million kWh.
The Nam Long Power Co Ltd was established in 2009 and will own the project for 30 years. The Nam Long dam is a run-of-river scheme, meaning power generation will depend on the immediate river water flows. The dam wall is 7 metres high.
The project is free of some environmental impacts associated with large-scale constructions due to its run-of-river design, which does not require a large dam or storage reservoir.
Instead, run-of-river projects generate electricity by diverting only part of the stream. This produces relatively little change in the stream channel and flow, and minimises the impact on fish migration, water quality, and wildlife habitat.
The government is promoting the rapid development of small- and medium-d power plants for local supply to reduce the need for imported electricity.
vientiane times
