The Nam Lik 1-2 hydropower plant, located in the central province of Vientiane, has commenced commercial operation as the demand for electricity in Laos continues to rise. China International Water Electric Corporation (CWE) and Electricite du Laos (EDL) held an official opening ceremony for the US$ 150 million facility in Naxeng village of Feuang district, Vientiane province, some 150km from the capital. CWE holds a 90 percent share in the joint venture while the rest of the investment shares belong to EDL. CWE is subsidized by China Three Gorges Corporation, one of the largest hydropower companies in China. The 100 megawatt power plant will deliver all of its generated power to EDL, a state-owned enterprise which hold a monopoly for providing all electricity to consumers in Laos. The Nam Lik 1-2 hydropower project was started in 2004. The project developer signed a MOU with the Lao government in 2004 in order to conduct project feasibility study and an investment concession was granted in 2006. The company will build, own and operate the power plant for 25 years before handing it over to the Lao government. Construction of the power plant began in 2007 and took about 39 months to complete. The government also plans to expand the national electricity grid to all districts by 2015 and 90 percent of Lao households by 2020. The event was attended by Prime Minister of Laos, Mr Bouasone Bouphavanh, Minster of Energy and Mines, Mr Soulivong Daravong, Chinese Ambassador to Laos, Ms Bujinguo, and a number of senior government officials and representative from the project.
Source: Vientiane Times
