Developer studies potential of hydro plant in Vientiane province
Developer studies potential of hydro plant in Vientiane province
Preliminary studies reveal that there is potential for a small hydropower plant on the Nam Feuang in Vientiane province, the province's Business and Energy Division reports.
“Based on the first study report by a local company, the power plant could have an installed capacity of about 10MW,” division representative Mr Houngthong Khamlasy said yesterday.
A feasibility study is currently taking place in Kasy district, undertaken by Thongkhoun Sab Mining Service Sole Co Ltd after a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the provincial Planning and Investment Department was signed last December.
The study will be finished within 18 months. The company is coordinating with provincial authorities, notably the Energy and Mines Department and Kasy district administration, to conduct a detailed study of the project site.
The study results will reveal whether or not it is possible to build the power plant and if it is economically viable.
If the project goes ahead, the energy generated will be sold to Electricite du Laos (EDL).
Mr Houngthong said a prior feasibility study had been carried out on the Nam Feuang by another local company, AMZ Group Co Ltd, beginning in 2013. But the company wanted to build a larger power plant with an installed capacity in excess of 30MW.
“This particular site on the Nam Feuang only has the capacity for a small power plant with installed capacity of no more than 15MW,” he said.
“The AMZ Group Co Ltd called a halt to the study in June last year and returned the project to the province, which subsequently offered it to Thongkhoun Sab Mining Service Sole Co Ltd.”
Mr Houngthong said there are about five potential sites for hydropower development on the Nam Feuang, including one large plant that could have an installed capacity of up to 68MW while the other four would be much smaller.
So far Vientiane province has six power plants that are operating commercially, namely the Nam Lik 1-2 with installed capacity of 100MW, Nam Ngum 1 with 155MW, Nam Mang 3 with 40MW, Nam Xong with 6MW, and Nam Sana with 14MW.
The Nam Samoy, Nam Phay and Nam Lik 1 plants are under construction, while feasibility studies are ongoing on 13 more.
Four other sites are under consideration by various business operators.
The government is promoting the rapid development of power plants for local supply in a bid to cut electricity imports.
Twenty-seven power plants are currently operational in Laos with a combined installed capacity of 3,304MW.
Laos is aiming for a total installed capacity of about 12,000MW by 2025, a report from the Ministry of Energy and Mines states.
The abundant resources of the Mekong River and its tributaries give Laos the potential to produce more than 25,000MW of electricity.
