Laos targets electricity export to Vietnam

The Xe kaman 3 hydropower project in Xe kong province plans to export electricity to Vietnam by 2009.

the governments of Laos and Vietnam have signed a MOU for the export of 2,000 MW of electricity to Vietnam by the year 2010.

The Xe kaman 3 hydropower project will be the first to be implemented under the MOU and developed by Viet-Lao Power and development Joint Stock Company (Vietnamese company).

The project is located in Dakcheung district of Xe kong province in the southern part of Laos .

The project will have an installed capacity of 250 MW and it will generate about 1,000 GWh of energy annually, with the project's total cost pegged at around US$ 273 million.

The construction is expected to begin next year and to complete by 2009.

“About 90 percent of energy will be exported to Vietnam , and 10 percent of energy will be used locally

The project started its feasibility study in 2003, and completed the report to both governments in 2004.

The Xe kaman 3 hydropower project will be the first project that will begin the construction of a dam to produce electricity in Xe kong province.

Vietnamese investors are interested to invest in five hydropower projects in Laos for export of electricity to their country.

On March 17 th , 2006 the government of Lao PDR has signed the MOU to give the mandate to Viet-Lao Power and development Joint Stock Company (the Developer of Xe kaman 3 Hydropower Project) for carrying out the feasibility study of Xe kaman 1 Hydropower Project located at the upstream of Xe kaman 3.