Govt, Chinese developer sign PDA for 1,200 MW Floating Solar Power Project

To support its efforts to achieve green growth and alternative and clean energy development in Laos, the government is partnering with a Chinese company on a solar power project.
Following a successful feasibility study on a solar energy project with an installed capacity of 1,200MW on the surface of the Nam Ngum 1 dam reservoir, a China-based company, Hangzhou Safefound Technology Co., Ltd., and LAO-PPA Co., Ltd. have signed a Project Development Agreement (PDA) with the government and will proceed with the scheme.

The feasibility study was conducted with a focus on the nearby community of Phonsavath village in Longxan district, Xaysomboun province, after the project developer recognised the potential of this ideal geographical location with almost year-round sunlight.
The PDA was signed at the Ministry of Planning and Investment in Vientiane on Wednesday, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on the feasibility study in 2018.
The Project Development Agreement was signed by the Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment, Mrs Khamchan Vongsaenboun, Chairman of the Hangzhou Safefound Technology Co., Ltd., Mr Rui Zhao, Managing Director of Lao PPA Co., Ltd., Mr Sengthongphachan Syvongxay, and Vice Chairman of Hangzhou Safefound Technology Co., Ltd., Mr Xiangming Fang.
Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines Dr Sinava Souphanouvong and Director of Xaysomboun province’s Planning and Investment Department Mr Chanthanome Vongsomchith signed the witness documents.
Deputy Governor of Xaysomboun province Mr Phoykham Houngbounyuang and Managing Director of Electricte du Laos (EDL) Mr Boun-oum Syvanpheng were also present at the signing ceremony.
The solar power project is a joint venture between the Lao government and Hangzhou Safefound Technology Co., Ltd. The government will hold a 20 percent share, while the company will own 80 percent of shares over a period of 25 years.
Covering a total area of 1,500 hectares, the solar power project is divided into different stages of development, depending on market demand and socio-economic development needs.
According to the development plan, a 300MW capacity solar power plant will be operational from late 2020 until 2023 with an annual power generation capacity of 37,852.86 GWh.
From 2023 to 2026, the plant’s capacity will be increased to 900MW and a transmission grid will be built from the project site to the Sengsavang Substation in Sengsavang Village, Thoulakhom district, Vientiane province.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Hangzhou Safefound Technology Co., Ltd. Chairman Mr Rui Zhao said his company has 15 years of experience in production chains for solar power supplies.
“For our project in Laos, we have successfully conducted a feasibility study on the project alongside completion of the Environment and Social Impact Assessment. We also expect to get all the work done in order to reach a Concession Agreement before construction of the project can begin within this year,” he said.   
After signing the PDA, the project developer will continue to implement other signed agreements within 24 months, including making a detailed plan of the project.
The company will proceed with development as planned to ensure it can enter into a Concession Agreement with the government, plan for the second and third phases of development, and seek foreign markets.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update February 21, 2020)

Champassak to stop using Thai electricity next year

Champassak province will stop buying electricity from Thailand in 2009, according to Champassak Provincial Electricity Department Deputy Manager, Mr Khoune Bouaphengphanh.

“We will produce enough electricity for domestic use once the new Xexet 2 hydroelectric power station is complete,” he said.

When the plant begins operating it will supply all of Champassak's power demands, as well as generating electricity for the southern provinces of Attapeu, Saravan, Xekong, and Savannakhet.

“At present the province buys electricity from Thailand during the dry season from November to March, because we cannot generate enough for our use at this time of the year,” Mr Khoune said.

“The Xexet 2 plant began construction in 2005 and when it is finished in 2009 we will have electricity all year round and can sell it to the four provinces nearby.”

There are 10 districts in Champassak province, and more than half of the 926 villages receive electricity from the provincial branch of Electricite du Laos.

The branch plans to expand the grid system in rural areas to reach another 119 villages over the next six years, with funds allocated from the World Bank, according to Mr Khoune.

By 2010, the provincial electricity department expects the grid will reach 70 percent of villages in Champassak province.

Mr Khoune said an ambitious goal for Laos would be to provide electricity to 75 percent of rural families by 2020. Currently 80 percent of the Lao population lives in rural areas, but only 43 percent of these people have access to electricity.

Solar panels are becoming important assets for poor families who cannot yet access the national electricity grid, he said. Champassak province is located in southern Laos and shares borders with Thailand and Cambodia.

By Khonesavanh Latsaphao
(Latest Update July 15, 2008)
http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/FreeContent/FreeContent_champassak.htm

Lao company to market Chinese LED lights

New energy-efficient lights, powered by renewable energy sources, are now available in Laos after a business partnership was formed between a local company and a Chinese company.

On Friday, Phongsavanh Telecommunication Spare Parts Supply and Feng Huo Ji Tuan Co (from the Chinese Shaanxi province) signed a 10-year agreement to exclusively market and distribute the Chinese-made goods in the local market.

Phongsavanh Telecommunication Spare Parts Supply General Manager Lee Tian said the LED lights were designed to use solar and wind based power and were environmentally friendly.

These products would be popular with Lao customers because they can save up to 80 percent more energy than lights currently available, he said.

Lights fuelled by solar energy can be used to light roads, homes, gardens, schools and public places where there is strong sunshine. When the sun shines, it charges the battery and at night the light will turn on automatically.

Lights fuelled by wind can be installed in areas where there are strong winds, such as areas in northern Laos .

Mr Tian said LED lights would replace conventional lights in the near future because they saved energy and were cheaper to run.

He said the lights were produced in China with modern technology and met international standards.

The company plans to invest in the establishment of an LED light manufacturing factory in Laos to sell the good domestically and abroad, but Mr Tian could not confirm when this might happen.

Feng Huo Ji Tuan Co General Manager Li Yuan Jun said Laos was an attractive market for the products because the country had strong sunshine, and also strong winds in areas of northern Laos such as Xieng Khuang province.

The company will target customers in rural areas where electricity from the national power grid is not accessible.

President of Phongsavanh Group, Mr Oth Phongsavanh, attended the signing ceremony.

By Vientiane Times

(Latest Update May 19, 2008)

Japanese research helps power remote villages

Dr Bosaikham Vongdara ( right ) and Mr Kazuki Koizawa exchange documents at the Lao Plaza Hotel in Vientiane on Wednesday.

A Japanese research organisation will build an integrated electricity generation system in remote May district, Phongsaly province, to demonstrate the possibility of renewable energy in Laos .
Minister of Energy and Mines Dr Bosaikham Vongdara and the Executive Director of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO), Mr Kazuki Koizawa, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Wednesday allowing the organisation to conduct a feasibility study and construct a hybrid solar/hydropower plant as part of its research, until 2010.
Director General of the Energy Department Mr Vilaphone Chaleunsouk said yesterday that cooperation between the ministry and the Japanese organisation would be beneficial to both sides.
NEDO hopes this research project will show the government that there are other options for producing renewable energy in Laos . The integrated system will be harmless to the environment, but will still be able to produce sufficient electricity for a small community, he said.
The overall electricity generation capacity of the integrated system will be 190 megawatts with 40 megawatts coming from solar energy.
NEDO plans to complete the integrated system by 2009, to provide power to 700 households in 10 villages in May district; government offices, hospitals and schools in the district will benefit from the electricity supply, according to a press release from the ministry.
Mr Vilaphone said NEDO would spend US$3 to 4 million overall to establish and run the project from 2008 to 2010. The organisation will hand over the project to the Lao government when its research is completed in 2010.
This power system is efficient and suitable for remote areas, and the installation will be cheap and environmentally friendly, according to an official from the electricity department.
He explained that the integrated system runs in harmony, with each generator supporting the other. For example, when there is stronger sunlight during the dry season, the solar system will produce more power, while the hydropower plant will have a lower water supply at this time.
He went on to say that when it was raining, the hydropower system would run at full capacity and in case of emergency, the turbines can supply electricity.
This is the second research project that NEDO will run in Laos ; the first trial of an integrated power project was in Nga district, Oudomxay province, between 2003 and 2006. It was an 80 MW hydropower plant, with a 100 MW solar power system, and provided sufficient power to 780 households in 10 villages.
NEDO was established by the Japanese government in 1980 to develop new oil-alternative energy technologies. Eight years later, their activities were expanded to include environmental and industrial technology research and development.

By Ekaphone Phouthonesy (Latest Update February 08, 2008)

Solar energy empowers schoolchildren

Children using the Youth Development Centre at Phonsinuane Primary School in Vientiane are singing and dancing under bright lights, thanks to the generosity of a local company.
More than 100 pupils at the school can now read Lao storybooks, do art projects and perform concerts at the centre in their free time.
The Youth Development Centre was built last year to provide children at the school as well as those living nearby with a place to go in their spare time. But when it was built, it had no electricity.
The school sent letters to companies hoping for donations, explaining how many of the school's activities were based around the centre, but were limited without a proper power supply, said the school's Director, Ms Phanomvieng Noypiewphan.
One recipient of the letter, Sunlabob Energy Company, which specialises in solar power, responded by donating several solar-electric panels.
Since the panels have been installed, a new enthusiasm has grown throughout the community, with teachers and students seeing the centre as the start of a new life for the school.
“The centre is not only a valuable resource for schoolchildren here, but for children in nearby villages,” said Ms Phanomvieng.
Activities at the centre take place between 3 and 4 pm from Monday to Friday and during free time in school, and also from 9 am to 4 pm on weekends.
By Khonesavanh Saymoungkhoune (Latest Update November 22, 200