Vientiane Times, February 18, 2014

Investment in the development of hydropower plants in Luang Prabang province is increasing due to many local and foreign companies continuing to show interest in the power sector there.

The provincial Energy and Mines Department representative, Mr Saysamone Thidakone, said yesterday there are some hydropower plants under construction, while some projects are undergoing feasibility studies after the investors signed Memorandums of Unde rstanding (MOU) with the government recently.

“There are still some companies hoping to invest in power development projects because they have seen that the province still has a large potential in the sector,” Mr Saysamone said.

Currently there are four hydropower projects under construction in the province: Nam Ou 2 is now about 40 percent completed, Nam Khan 2 and 3 are
now over 50 percent complete and while the Xayaboury dam is also under construction.

The province also has many projects that are undergoing feasibility studies as part of their MOU. The studies include the hydropower dams: Nam Bak 15
megawatts (MW), Nam Nga 30MW, Nam Xeuang 1 and 2 that are 60MW and 120MW, Nam Ming with 15MW, along with Nam Khan 4 and Nam Xeng.

The province also has hydropower studies along the Nam Ou river for the projects Nam Ou 1 and 3.

“Along this river, it will be possible to build s even hydropower plants in the future, including four plants in Phongsaly province and three in Luang Prabang province,” Mr Saysamone said.

He said there still are some companies interested in hydropower dam development at other sites, mainly local companies, because the province
still has great potential along the Nam Khan, Nam Pa, Nam Chia, Nam Theu and other dams in Phonxay and Phoukhoun districts.