A Thai developer expects to begin construction of a barrage hydropower project on the mainstream Mekong River next year in Xayboury district, Xayaboury province. For the tariff Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Xayaboury Hydroelectric Power Project between the company and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) on Monday in Vientiane, witnessed by Standing Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad. Construction of the hydropower barrage will take eight years to complete. It will be an investment of about 24.6 trillion kip (US$ 3billion). EGAT representative Mr Sutat Patmasiriwat said the project is expected to begin commercial operation no later than 2019. The plant will have an installed capacity of 1.280 megawatts (MW), and is a shared investment in which the Lao government holds about 20 percent and the remainder will be held by Ch. Karchang and other investors. The project concession period will be set once the developer has conducted further studies. After the studies the period can be set and then a concession agreement will be sign with the Lao government. The project will be under the management of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) by virtue of a cooperation agreement for sustainable development in the Mekong River basin countries of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.
Source: Vientiane Times
