Feasibility study of two hydro plants kicks off in Xekong
Feasibility study of two hydro plants kicks off in Xekong
The government has given approval for a local energy developer to conduct a feasibility study on the construction of Xekong hydropower projec ts 4A and 4B in Xekong province.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was recently signed in Vientiane between Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Dr Bounthavy Sisouphanthong and Chairman of the Lao World Engineering and Road-Bridge Construction Company, Mr Steven Chan.
The signing ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad and other high ranking officials from ministries, Xekong province and the company.
The company, in consultation with the relevant sector and provincial authorities, will initially survey and collect information on the viability of building the two dams, and their potential environmental impacts.
The study will take about 12 months to complete after which the company will submit the results to the government for their consideration.
If approved, construction would begin in 2017 with an estimated cost of more than US$1 billion.
Xekong has considerable potential for the construction of both small and large-scale dams. Several companies have already signed MoUs concerning the construction of more than 20 hydropower plants across the province.
One of the largest schemes under construction in the province is the Houay Lamphan-yai hydro plant, which has an installed capacity of 88MW and is set to start generating power this week.
The 250MW Xekaman 3 hydropower plant in the province has yet to become operational.
The proposed hydropower plant 4A in the lower Xekong River and 4B in the upper reaches of the river will help to spur economic development and eradicate poverty in line with the government's goals, said a senior official with the provincial Energy and Mines Department.
