Lao gov’t gives nod to solar project in Champasak
Lao gov’t gives nod to solar project in Champasak
The Lao government has signed an agreement with the Muang Khong Clean Energy Co Ltd to develop solar power in Champasak province.
The Project Development Agreement (PDA) for the Muang Khong Solar Power Energy project was signed in Vientiane last week by Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Khamchan Vongseneboun and the company’s managing director Pattarapong Kongwijit.
Witnesses to the signing were Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines Dr Sinava Souphanouvong, Champasak provincial Planning and Investment Department director Dr Souksavanh Vilaysack, the company’s vice-president Nalinny Siphandone and the company’s consultant Hatsady Sisoulath.
The ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Bounkham Vorachit.
The Muang Khong Clean Energy Co, which is part of the Nathalin Group of Thailand, cooperated with the Nalinny Road and Bridge Construction Company to carry out a feasibility study for the solar power development project in Khong district of Champasak, Pattarapong said.
The Nathalin Group has been involved in the business of fuel and gas transportation and sea transportation for a long time, he said. The Nathalin Group has two companies in the securities exchange market of Thailand and it has received approval from the Thai government for the second phase of the Laem Chabang port construction project.
The group also has experience in the development of renewable energy through different models, he added. The projects that the group has invested in include solar power plants in different areas of Thailand and a 45MW wind energy project in Mukdahan province.
He said the installed capacity of the solar power project in Khong district will be 760MW, according to the study done by the company’s expert team. The project will be completed in five phases, and the capacity of the first phase covering 236ha will be 135MW.
This site is near the Ban Had electricity station, which is an important facility for exporting electricity to Cambodia, he added. Solar power is a renewable and clean source of energy that doesn’t impact the environment and is in line with the green and sustainable development policies of the government.
Pattarapong said he is hopeful that the Muang Khong Solar Power Energy project will successfully contribute to the government’s revenues and create jobs for the local people.
