VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) -The government has authorised Impact Energy Asia Limited (IEA) to conduct a feasibility study on wind power plants in Laman and Dakcheuang districts in Xekong province.
A Memorandum of Understanding on the project was signed in Vientiane last week by Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Ms Khamchan Vongsenboun and the Director of IEA, Ms Paradai Suebma. The signing was witnessed by Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines Dr Sinava Souphanouvong; Director of Xekong province’s Planning and Investment Department, Mr Sakon Phonpaseut; and the CEO of IEA, Mr Woramol Khamkanist, along with government officials and company representatives. The proposed wind power project covers an area of 81,700 hectares and would be able to generate about 1,000MW of electricity. If approved, the project will be carried out by Impact Electrons Siam Limited (IES), an affiliate of IEA, which is at an advanced stage in setting up the 600MW Monsoon Wind Farm in the same area and for which it recently signed a Power Purchase Agreement with Vietnam Electricity, Ms Paradai said.
Impact Energy Asia Limited appreciates the support of the Lao government in entrusting the company to conduct a study on this additional important project, she added. Given the project’s strategic location, wind resources and the strong support of the Lao government, Impact Electrons Siam Limited is confident that the Xekong Wind Farm, if developed, would be swiftly implemented to supply clean energy to Asean. “The Xekong wind farm together with the Monsoon project will have a total capacity of 1,600MW. This will provide a meaningful contribution to our global fight against climate change as well as being a complementary contribution to Laos’ Battery of Asia policy,” Ms Paradai said. “We have always known that Lao possessed strong natural resources and this project would demonstrate Laos’ carbon credentials,” she added. “We are part of the global fight against climate change and the journey to improve the well-being and happiness of the local communities in which we operate,” Ms Paradai said.