VIENTIANE (Loatian Times): Oudomxay Province has officially inaugurated a 1,000-megawatt solar power project, marking one of Laos’ largest renewable energy developments to date. The facility was developed by CGN Energy Technology (Laos) Co., Ltd. in partnership with the Lao government.
The project was launched under a concession agreement signed in September 2024, with construction beginning the same month. Approximately 800 technical specialists and laborers worked across 2,090 hectares covering seven villages in Xay and Namor districts. Before commissioning, the project completed full land clearing and landmine removal, while making significant progress on internal roads and electrical infrastructure.
During a site inspection on 29 May, Oudomxay Governor Bounkhong Lachiemphon reviewed ongoing construction, confirming that clearing was fully completed, landmine clearance had reached 95.74 percent, internal roads were more than 81 percent finished, and electrical pole installation was nearing 60 percent.
Solar panel deployment had begun, with mounting structures at 3.56 percent and panel installation at 1.89 percent. Transmission infrastructure preparations, including surveys and site confirmation for 43 pole bases, were also underway.
Once fully operational, Phase I of the project is expected to generate approximately 1.7 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to supply power to roughly 10 million households. The electricity will be transmitted to China’s Yunnan Province via the China–Laos 500-kilovolt power grid interconnection, supporting regional energy transition efforts and enhancing cross-border power supply stability.
The solar farm is also expected to deliver socio-economic benefits to local communities, including job creation, vocational training, and improved infrastructure for surrounding villages.
The project forms a central part of the Northern Laos Interconnected Clean Energy Base, which integrates solar, wind, and biomass power projects across Oudomxay, Luang Namtha, and Phongsaly provinces. The initiative aims to establish northern Laos as a regional clean energy hub.
In a broader effort to national development, Laos is accelerating its renewable energy expansion with several new solar power projects across the country, involving partnerships with South Korean and U.S. companies.
On 10 November, the state-run utility Electricité du Laos (EDL) signed an agreement with South Korean firm CS Tech Co., Ltd. to develop floating solar installations on its hydropower reservoirs. The partnership will also explore carbon credit initiatives to support Laos’ climate goals.
Earlier in August, EDL reached agreements with another South Korean company, ASFC Co., Ltd., to build a 15-megawatt solar project near several of its hydropower plants, including Xeset 1-3, Xelabam, and Nam Mang 3.
In southern Laos, the provincial government of Attapeu approved a 5-megawatt solar power project on 28 October, to be developed by South Korean firm SBIN Corporation. The project will cover 10 hectares in Sanongmai-Piandong village, Sanamxay district.
Meanwhile, U.S.-based Convalt Energy is developing a large-scale 1,200-megawatt solar farm in Attapeu, representing an investment of USD 1.3 billion. The facility will span approximately 1,800 hectares, making it one of the largest solar projects in the country.
These initiatives, alongside ongoing developments in northern provinces aim to diversify the nation’s energy mix, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and strengthen cross-border energy cooperation in the region. -- Laotian Times
