China are currently investing in more than 900 projects in Laos, more than US$13 billion

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China becomes Laos’ top investor

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2023

Chinese companies are currently investing in more than 900 development projects in Laos and have ploughed more than US$13 billion into these ventures, making China the top investor in Laos.

The figures were reported at a meeting of Lao government officials and Chinese business operators in Vientiane on Monday, chaired by Minister of Planning and Investment Mr Khamjane Vongphosy and Charge d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Laos, Mr Wang Chang.

The meeting heard reports on the advantages, difficulties and recommendations of Chinese businesses in Laos and provided a platform for the two sides to share opinions and discuss ways to improve the business environment.

Mr Khamjane said, “The government is working to improve the investment climate so that business operations can be carried out more easily, transparently and quickly, to create maximum benefits for Laos and investors, especially Chinese investors.”

“This meeting is an important milestone in efforts to improve the investment environment so that trade, investment and services provided by Chinese business operators in Laos are successful and meet the set objectives in terms of quality as well as providing more jobs for Lao people,” he added.

Chinese companies are engaged in railways, finance, electricity, agriculture and forestry, mining, improvement of policy and legislation, and other spheres. Proposals for improvements in these fields were made for the relevant bodies to consider and identify solutions to problems encountered so that all operations are carried out in line with the regulations.

“I would like to further emphasise that the government of Laos has done a great deal to improve the investment environment to make business start-up and operations easier, for the benefit of investors and the governments and peoples of both countries,” the Minister added.

China is now Laos’ top export market as well as having the highest investment value in Laos.

Despite the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the value of trade between Laos and China continues to increase, and last year swelled by 31 per cent.

In 2022, 30 Chinese companies owned or held concessions in operations worth US$ 339 million. These comprised 18 projects in the mining sector, one energy project, three consultancy projects, six projects in the industry and handicrafts sector, one public health project, and two projects in other sectors.

 

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First turbine up at 600-MW wind project in Laos​

Nov 16, 2023 6:54 CEST

The first turbine has been installed at the 600-MW Monsoon cross-border wind project in Laos that will transmit power to Vietnam, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina) announced.

A ceremony marking the turbine hosting completion was held at the project site in southern Laos and was attended by Sonexay Siphandone, the Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Being built by PowerChina, the wind project was developed by Monsoon Wind Power Co Ltd, a Lao-based company owned by Thailand-based Impact Energy Asia Development Ltd. The complex is located in the Sekong and Attapeu provinces and will be the first of its kind in the country. Once up and running, it will sell its electricity across the border to Vietnam Electricity (EVN) under the 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) signed in the summer of 2021.

Monsoon Wind’s construction was launched in May, with its commissioning planned for 2025. The project comes with plans for a dedicated 500-kV transmission line.

Southeast Asia’s largest onshore wind farm just broke ground​

May 1 2023 - 1:45 pm PT

Monsoon Wind, Southeast Asia’s largest onshore wind farm, is Laos’ first wind project, and it’s also the region’s first cross-border wind power plant.

The 600-megawatt (MW) Monsoon Wind, which is owned by Thailand-based Impact Energy Asia Development, has just kicked off construction. The site is in southeastern Laos, in the Sekong and Attapeu provinces, at an elevation of 1,200-1,600 meters (3,937-5,249 feet) above sea level.

The 133-wind turbine wind farm will sell its power to state-owned Vietnam Electricity for 25 years. It will deliver the generated clean energy to central Vietnam through a 500kV transmission line.

Southeast Asia’s largest onshore wind farm is scheduled to come online in 2025.

Hydroelectricity currently makes up 70% of total power generation in Laos, and it has at least 10 onshore wind projects – 3.6 gigawatts of projects – in planning stages.

Landlocked Laos, which has an export-oriented energy policy, is keen to establish its reputation as the “battery of Southeast Asia.” It’s one of Asia’s largest exporters of hydroelectricity.

Around 80% of the power generated in Laos is sold to neighboring Thailand and Vietnam, accounting for 30% of the country’s exports by value. Laos started power exports to Singapore in 2022 and began building transmission infrastructure in January for selling electricity to Cambodia.