Vientiane Times, 17 August 2013

A major foreign energy developer, China International Water & Electric Corporation (CWE), is conducting a feasibility study into the Nam Kong 1 hydropower project in Xekong province.

The company signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the project with Electricite du Laos (EDL) on Thursday, after receiving approval from the government on August 9. The MOU allows the investor to conduct studies including assessments of the potential social and environmental impacts of the plant as well as other issues, according to an EDL report at the signing ceremony.

The study is expected to be completed within 18 months, a handout noted.

All the expenditure for the study will be CWE’s responsibility.

The signing was attended by Energy and Mines Deputy Minister Dr Khammany Inthirath and EDL-Generation Public Company Managing Director and CEO, Mr Bounoum Syvanpheng.