More power plants to begin commercial operation
More power plants to begin commercial operation
The Ministry of Energy and Mines reports that about eight power plants that are currently under construction will be complete by the end of this year, with total installed capacity of more than 2,000 megawatts (MW).
The eight plants include six that are operated by independent power producers (IPPs) while the other two are financed by Electricite du Laos (EDL).
The plants include Houay Lamphanh Nyai in Xekong province, Nam Khan 2 in Luang Prabang province, Nam Ngiep 2 in Xieng Khuang province, Nam Beng in Oudomxay province, Hongsa in Xayaboury province, and Nam Kong 2 in Attapeu province.
The ministry reported that as of December last year, Houay Lamphanh Nyai was 96 percent complete, Nam Khan 2 was 61 percent, Nam Ngiep 2 was 70 percent, Nam Beng was 60 percent, Hongsa was 93 percent, and Nam Kong 2 was 82 percent complete.
Houay Lamphanh Nyai will have installed capacity of 88MW, Nam Khan 2 will be 130MW, Nam Ngiep 2 will have 180MW, Nam Beng is 36MW, Hongsa is 1,878MW, and Nam Kong 2 is 66MW.
The report noted that there are 26 power projects under construction with an expected completion date by 2020 and these will have a total installed capacity of about 6,112MW.
The plants include seven projects with investment from EDL while the rest are owned by IPPs.
Five of the projects are scheduled for completion next year, seven will come on line in 2017, one will be finished in 2018 and three plants will begin operation in 2019.
The five power plants that scheduled for completion next year are Nam Khan 3 in Luang Prabang province, Xeset 3 in Champassak province, Nam Chieng in Xieng Khuang province, Nam Lik 1 in Vientiane province and Nam Mang 1 in Borikhamxay province.
The seven plants that will be complete in 2017 are Xekaman 1 in Attapeu province, Nam Ou 2 and Nam Ou 5 in Luang Prabang province, Nam Ou 6 in Phongsaly province, Nam Xan 3A and Nam Xan 3B in Xieng Khuang province, and Nam Phay in Xaysomboun province.
One power plant is scheduled for completion in 2018: Nam Tha 1which is under construction in Bokeo and Luang Namtha provinces.
The remaining three plants will begin energy generation in 2019, namely the Mekong dam in Xayaboury province, Xepien-Xenamnoy in Attapeu and Champassak provinces, and Nam Ngiep 1 in Borikhamxay and Xaysomboun provinces.
Twenty-seven power plants are currently operational with installed capacity of about 3,304MW, including 11 plants that have installed capacity of 405MW which are operated by Electricite du Laos.
The other 16 plants with a combined installed capacity of 2,899MW are operated by independent power producers.
Laos is aiming for total installed capacity of about 12,000MW by 2025, the ministry's report noted.
Speaking at a meeting in April 2014, Energy and Mines Deputy Minister Mr Viraphonh Viravong said the abundant resources of the Mekong River and its tributaries give Laos the potential to produce more than 25,000MW.
