|
Vientiane province harnesses hydropower for development
A small-scale hydropower project in the Longcheng area of Xaysomboun district, Vientiane province, will be instrumental in improving local people's quality of life and contributing to development.
The DSK Company Group is currently conducting a feasibility study for the project.
Once the plant is built it will play an important role in developing Xaysomboun district and improving the living standards of local people, DSK Company Group Consultant Mr Houmphone Bouliyaphon said on Wednesday.
Construction of the plant will provide much needed jobs, as well as put in a new road to the project site which villagers can use to transport their produce to nearby markets.
“We are currently conducting a survey to identify a suitable location for the hydropower plant, so we don't know yet exactly when construction work will start,” Mr Houmphone said.
When it is up and running the project will supply electricity to people in remote areas of the district and fundamentally change their living standards for the better.
A construction agreement was signed last year by Director of the provincial Energy and Mines Department, Mr Khambong Khonsavanh, Deputy Director of the provincial Planning and Investment Department, Mr Oudong Phongphaypadith, company President Mr Sayasing Sanakeo, and company Consultant, Mr Houmphone Bouliyaphon.
DSK Company Group submitted an investment proposal to the provincial Domestic and Foreign Promotion Committee in January last year, for the study, design and development of the Namphanhai River Hydropower Project.
This power plant will be built near Namphanhai village, between the lower Nam Ngum 3 dam and above the reservoir of the Nam Ngum 2 dam.
When installed, the 5 megawatt (MW) plant will have the potential to generate 44.5 million kilowatt hours (kWh) per year. Construction costs are expected to total about US$20 million.
The provincial authority expects the project to play an important role in the development and socio-economic improvement of Xaysomboun district. Hydropower will supply local people with the electricity they need and will also help to reduce the amount of electricity imported.
In the future, the dam is also expected to provide an improved source of food through the anticipated rise in fish stocks.
The government is encouraging domestic and foreign companies to invest in the energy sector to ensure sufficient supplies of electricity for domestic consumption.
Less than two percent of the country's hydropower potential has been developed over the past 30 years, according to the Department of Energy Promotion and Development, Ministry of Energy and Mines.
Vientiane Times
|
