Studies set to commence on Nam Ma cascade in Huaphan
Studies set to commence on Nam Ma cascade in Huaphan
A major Chinese energy developer will begin conducting a feasibility study on the proposed Nam Ma 1, 2, 3 Hydropower Project in Huaphan province after receiving approval from the Lao government.
Guangdong No.3 Water Conservancy and Hydroelectric Engineering Board signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Planning and Investment on Tuesday in Vientiane.
The agreement authorises the investor to conduct a feasibility study of the proposed project, including assessments of the potential social and environmental impacts as well as other issues.
“The project will have an installed capacity of about 82 megawatts (MW), according to the initial study,” said the Director of the Guangdong No.3 Water Conservancy and Hydroelectric Engineering Board Director, Mr Zhou Zhigang.
“It may have an investment cost of around 1.76 trillion kip (US$220 million),” Mr Zhou said at the signing ceremony.
The ceremony was attended by honourary guests and officials from the Ministries of Planning and Investment and Energy and Mines, Huaphan province, Chinese Embassy to Laos, Electricite du Laos and Guangdong No.3 Water Conservancy and Hydroelectric Engineering Board.
“The Nam Ma 1, 2, 3 hydropower project development will strictly abide by the terms of the MOU, fulfill the responsibilities and obligations and maintain close contact with government departments to promote the construction and operation of the project as soon as possible,” Mr Zhou said.
He explained that his office has been involved in the Lao construction market since 1995, completing projects in hydropower, irrigation, public roads and bridges, municipal engineering, airports and other areas.
Its works in road construction include a 12.85 km road from the presidential palace for which it received a Lao National Labour Medal.
The company also undertook renovation works at Patouxay Monument, funded through Chinese government aid, for which it received a Lao Friendship Medal.
The Guangdong No.3 Water Conservancy and Hydroelectric Engineering Board is located in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, adjacent to Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
The board is among the country's most outstanding water enterprises, undertaking water conservancy and hydropower construction projects with Chinese Ministry of Construction approval.
Major works it has undertaken include the East Shenzhen Water Supply Improvement Project (Dongjiang water supply from Guangdong Province to Hong Kong, Shenzhen).
Guangdong No.3 Water Conservancy and Hydroelectric Engineering Board also oversaw the Guangdong Flying Gorges Water Control Project, for which it was awarded the “Luban”, “Zhan Tianyou” and “Yu” awards, among the most prestigious in the Chinese construction industry.
vientiane times
