GE helping spark Lao electricty production and exports
GE helping spark Lao electricty production and exports
GE Asean has agreed to help Laos advance its ambition of becoming an important power producer and exporter in Asean after reaching the agreement on energy cooperation with Electricite du Laos (EDL).
The signing MoU on energy cooperation took place yesterday at the EDL Headquarters in Vientiane.
The agreement comes at the same time that President Barack Obama travels to Laos for the Asean Summits - an historic occasion as it is the first visit by a sitting US president to the country.
It was signed by GE Asean's President and Chief Executive Officer Mr Wouter Van Wersch and EDL's Managing Director Mr Boun Oum Sivanpheng in Vientiane yesterday.
Under the agreement, GE Asean will help upgrade EDL's training facilities and conduct a detailed study on the national power grid to improve its efficiency and regional connectivity.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr Wouter Van Wersch said Laos plans to increase its power generation and boost electricity exports to neighbouring countries.
To help support this growth drive, the initiatives in this MoU-the joint research and training programmes, aim to strengthen the industry by developing a qualified Lao hydro workforce through a hydro skills training and education programme of study.
We will also contribute to infrastructure development with a national grid to be conducted by GE Energy Consulting to analyse the security and reliability of EDL's transmission network. These are good examples of GE creating value in the countries where we do business and contributing to their economic and social development, said Mr Wouter Van Wersch.
Indeed, we hope this is the start of more opportunities to bring our energy experience, expertise and technologies to Laos.
To underscore our commitment to this, as well as our confidence in the country, Mr Wouter Van Wersch noted that GE is in the process of setting up an office in Vientiane to which will be a springboard to its participation in the development of new projects in energy and other emerging sectors.
We are proud to be offered assistance from GE to help EDL be the most important source of clean energy in the Asean region, Mr Boun Oum said.
Mr Boun Oum emphasised that GE will carefully conduct a transmission line analysis throughout the system to maintain a safe, secure, and stable system.
Not only that, GE has interest in training the workforce to meet the demands for skilled technicians in the energy sector. They are prepared to bring their expertise and knowledge to build a curriculum for the academic sector to prepare the next generation.
This project is important to the economic growth of Laos to prepare our transmission line system in line with current technology thereby improving the sustainability and reliability of the system, he said.
Furthermore, Mr Boun Oum noted that the training and curriculum will help professionalise EDL's workforce with high standard credentials.
I give my support to this cooperation between GE and EDL and hope to further strengthen our partnership for the future, he said.
Yesterday's signing ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines Mr Viraphonh Viravong, US Ambassador to Laos Mr Daniel Clune and other important invited guests.
