Private company eyes hydropower investments
Private company eyes hydropower investments
The Khamphay Sana Group Company Limited initially estimates that it will invest over US$200 million of hydropower projects in the Nam Ngum Lower Basin of Vientiane province over the next few years.
Last week, the company signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government to conduct a feasibility study on the hydropower projects.
It hopes that its plants will become commercially operational within 4 years. Prior to the construction, the company will now take some time to conduct a feasibility study and survey the proposed project sites.
According to the MoU signed by the company’s Chief Executive Officer Mr Khamphay Somsana and Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Dr Khamlien Pholsena, the company will conduct a feasibility study at two locations in Vientiane province.
The first location has been proposed at Choum village in Thoulakhom district while the second proposed site is at Nanin village in Viengkham district, Vientiane province.
It is estimated that these two separate plants will be able to generate over 128 MW.
“If these two projects are successfully built, they will also be models for irrigation systems, ecotourism and agricultural purposes,” Mr Khamphay Somsana told the media, noting that his company expressed a willingness to develop this part of Vientiane province as an outstanding tourism attraction.
The Khamphay Group is also operating various different businesses such as construction firms, furniture trading and in tourism.
Investment in the hydropower projects adds additional business strength to the already strong company that will also team up with experienced foreign experts and developers.
“My goal is to help the government with job creation as well as diversifying the sources of income generation to lift up the livelihoods of people in this province,” he said.
The Nam Ngum River is one of the country’s major rivers and offers a hydropower potential of 1,600MW from various possible sites.
The Nam Ngum hydropower plants that are currently operating include the Nam Ngum 1, 2, 4 and 5.
These projects and plants have helped to improve the living and working conditions of area residents by contributing to the processing, agriculture and communication industries and educational development.
