Xeset 3 hydropower project officially launched
Xeset 3 hydropower project officially launched
The Xeset 3 hydropower project was officially launched on Friday after taking about three years to build.
An opening ceremony took place in the presence of Minister of Energy and Mines Dr Khammany Inthirath, Managing Director of NORINCO International Co., Ltd. Mr Wang Yuetao, Managing Director of Electricite du Laos Mr Bounoum Sivanpheng, governors and deputy governors of Champassak, Saravan, Xekong and Attapeu provinces, and representatives from relevant departments from Vientiane and the provinces.
The Xeset 3 dam is situated at the junction of the Xeset river between Saravan and Champassak provinces, about 750 kilometres from Vientiane.
The total installed capacity is 23MW which can produce 80 million kWh per year. The project cost more than US$50 million and was financed by preferential buyer's credit from the Export-Import Bank of China.
The project was carried out by China's NORINCO International Co., Ltd. in the form of engineering, procurement and construction. This was the second hydropower project built after completing construction of Xeset 2 hydropower project in Laos by the company, Mr Wang Yuetao said at the opening ceremony.
The main components consisted of an inter basin water transfer system, dam water retaining system, water diversion, power generation and transmission system.
Construction officially began in January 2014 and was scheduled for completion and handover on January 17 this year.
However, the project was completed earlier than planned and the dam began generating electricity in July 2016, Mr Wang said.
He noted that Laos was the most important country for China's Belt and Road Initiative and said China had actively contributed to Laos' development and the improvement of Lao livelihoods.
The Xeset 3 dam is an important project in Laos' development strategy for the electricity industry in line with the strategy plan and direction for industrialisation and modernisation, Dr Khammany said.
The success of the project would significantly contribute to the continuous growth and development of the electricity industry in line with the direction on industrialisation and modernisation.
Besides this, it will contribute to national socio-economic development, improve ethnic people's livelihoods especially in the provinces of Champassak and Saravan, and create conditions for energy integration with neighbouring countries. Laos was well placed to become a leader in the supply of electricity to other Asean countries in the future, he added.
NORINCO International is the business sector of China North Industries Corporation in its international economic and technical cooperation, and became a public listed company on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in 2001.
Through years of successful management in the international market, NORINCO International has developed itself into an international engineering contractor with comprehensive capabilities in providing project financing, survey and design, procurement and supply, construction and operation as well as system integration.
NORINCO International is a member of the China Chamber of International Commerce, China International Contractors Association, China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Mechanical & Electronic Products, and the China-Russia Chamber of Commerce for Mechanical & Electronic Products.
