Vientiane Times, May 28, 2014

Sahamit Phatthana Company Limited has concluded an agreement with the government to commence a feasibility study regarding the construction of the Nam Phak hydropower project in Oudomxay province.

A memorandum of understanding for the feasibility study of the hydropower project was signed on Monday by Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Dr Bounthavy Sisouphanthong and a member of the company’s management board, Mr Somphet Maopaseuth.

Co-signing the agreement were Director General of the Ministry of Energy and Mines’ Business Energy Department Mr Xaypaseuth Phomsoupha and Director of the Oudomxay provincial Planning and Investment Department Mr Houmpheng Soutthivong.

The proposed Nam Phak hydropower project is located in La district, Oudomxay province. The water head is measured at 300m, while the water catchment will extend over an area of 500 square kilometres and the
reservoir itself will cover an area of five square kilometres.

Speaking on behalf of the company, Mr Somphet said the plant will have an installed capacity of 80-100 MW if the company receives permission to build.

After the signing ceremony, the concerned officials then took part in a site visit to the proposed hydropower project to evaluate the water level of the proposed reservoir, see the site of the transmission lines and assess samples of the soil.

Another senior company official also said that the feasibility study for the project will take at least 18 months before the results are known and its viability can be assessed.

Witnessing the signing ceremony were Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines Mr Khammany Inthirath, Electricite du Laos’ Managing Director Mr Sisavath Thiravong and various other senior ministry officials and company staff.

Sahamit Phatthana Company Limited is a joint-venture company between four different companies: Ari Construction, Lao Consulting Group, Xaysana Construction and Asia Investment and Services Company Limited.