Vice President calls for environment preservation in Nam Theun II

(KPL) Vice President Bounnhang Vorachit called for the executive board of Nam Theun II Hydropower Project to pay attention on environmental preservation and develop Nam Theun area as a new tourist site.
He also advised on creating an effective socio-economic development plan so as to help local people who were removed to resettlement area having permanent jobs and assuring local people living in this area to live above poverty line.
The construction of roads to facilitate in this area is also important thing that it should also be paid attention, he said.
Vice President Bounnhang gave an advice when he visited the Nam Theun II Hydropower Project in Nakai district, Khammouane province last week.
Vice Premier wand Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Thongloun Sisoulith and high-ranking officials also joined the visit.
During the visit, Nam Theun II Hydropower Project advisor, Mr Loy Chansavath briefed the VIPs on this project's contribution to the economic development of Laos once it is fully operational and he confirmed that the construction of Nam Theun II Hydropower project would complete on schedule.

Russia to help Laos build three hydropower plants

(KPL) Russia will help Laos build three hydropower plants in the south of the country to supply domestic demand and exports.

Currently, the Region Oil Company of Russia is working on documents to sign with the Lao government and developers, Xinhua news agency quoted the Laos' English-language daily as saying.The documents include a shareholder agreement, a project financing scheme, power purchase agreements (PPA), an operation and maintenance agreement, and concession agreement for the projects of three hydropower plants, namely Nam Kong 1 in Attapeu province, Xekong 4 and 5 in Xekong province.

The company has carried out all necessary surveys and prepared drawings with approval from the Lao Ministry of Public Works and Transport.The selection of contractors to carry out construction of the projects is also in process, said the Russian company Deputy General Director Vasily Morgun.The three hydropower plants are estimated to cost more than 17. 1 trillion kip (about two billion USD) and have an installation capacity of 1,200 megawatts. They are expected to start operation in 2014, 2015, and 2016, respectively.

Laos, Thailand to boost power and energy cooperation

(KPL) Laos and Thailand have agreed to continued cooperation in power and energy affairs, although some projects need revision, according to acting Thai Government Spokesman Panithan Wattanayakorn.
Thailand News Agency quoted the spokesman as saying that the policy regarding power and energy affairs was discussed between Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Lao Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad, with both parties sharing the view that cooperation should continue, and expand.
Currently five projects are covered by agreements, he said, including the purchase and sale of electrical power from hydroelectric power stations at dams in Laos will be revised as some contracts are due to expire, and others will be unchanged.
The spokesman added that construction and labour costs, as well as the demand for power, had changed along with changing global economic conditions, making it necessary for the governments of both countries to review the terms and conditions of contracts thoroughly before the contracts are renewed.It is expected the terms of the project revisions would be completed before the Lao prime minister officially visits Thailand in May, he said./.

Savannakhet gives green light to Vietnamese company in dam construction

(KPL) Savannakhet province gave green light to Vietnamese Song Da United Company, to conduct a feasibility study of Sebang Hieng 1 and 2 hydropower dams construction in Savannakhet province with total investment of US$151 million.
According to a signing ceremony of MoU last Wednesday, between Savannakhet Deputy Governor, Dr Souphan Keomisay and Deputy General Manager of Vietnamese Song Da Company Mr Le Van Ton.
Sebang Hieng 1 hydropower dam is located in Sonnaboury and Thapangthong districts and Sebang Hieng 2 is situated in Phin district.
Mr Le Van Ton said that the Sebang Hieng 1 hydropower construction dam worth US$75 million and Sebang Hieng 2 hydropower construction dam was US$75 million.
He added that the Sebang Hieng 1 hydropower plant would have the generation capacity of 50 megawatts and Sebang Hieng 2 would have generation capacity of 52 megawatts
per year