MoU kicks off hydropower study on Xepon River
MoU kicks off hydropower study on Xepon River
Savanna khet provincial authorities have authorised a local company to conduct a feasibility study on the construction of a small scale hydropower plant on the Xepon River in Xepon district.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the project was signed recently between provincial Planning and Investment Department Deputy Director Mr Kongkham Xaypanya, provincial Energy and Mines Department Director Mr B ounlouan Lisayalath, and Khamviengngam Co., Ltd. Director Mr Pachit Khamviengngam.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by the provincial Administration Office Deputy Head Mr Phousamay Kittalath.
The provincial authorities as well as the government have attempted to promote development in untapped natural resources within the province.
Therefore, the authorities gave their approval for the provincial Planning and Investment Department, provincial Energy and Mines Department and Khamviengngam Co., Ltd. to sign an MoU on the development of a small hydropower plant on the Xepon River.
Under the MoU, the company will take 18 months to survey and study the possibility of the project, for which the company needs to pay insurance worth US$15,000 for the MoU implementation and US$5,000 for monitoring the project.
The project is located in Kengluang village, Xepon district and will have an installed capacity of less than 15MW.
Speaking at the event, Mr Pachith said in the next few months the company, in consultation with the relevant sectors and authorities, will begin a survey and collect information on the viability of the hydropower plant's construction and its potential social and environmental impacts.
The company will then submit the results of the feasibility study to the authorities for their consideration, he said.
The province currently has six potential hydropower projects with an installed capacity of less than 15 MW in Xepon, Nong and Vilabouly districts.
Three projects are in the process of signing MoUs on construction with the provincial administration, while the other three projects are still undergoing feasibility studies.
Savannakhet province also has seven potential hydropower projects with an installed capacity of more than 15MW in Nong and Phin districts.
Six projects are undergoing feasibility studies, while one is preparing to start construction.
