Laos inaugurates 1,070-MW Nam Theun 2 hydro project

Laos has officially inaugurated the 1,070-MW Nam Theun 2 hydroelectric power project, the largest hydro project in Laos.

The $1.45 billion project is co-owned by Electricite de France, the Lao government, the Electricity Generating Public Co. of Thailand and Italian-Thai Development.

After five years of construction and development costs of more than 1.4 billion dollars, the plant began supplying neighboring Thailand with power in March. Initially, the plant was expected to begin commercial operations by the end of 2009. Engineering problems delayed the project’s opening.

The project on the Nam Theun River, a tributary of the Mekong, will contribute two billion dollars to the Lao treasury over its first 25 years of operation, reports indicate.

Source:

http://www.hydroworld.com/index/display/article-display/4524275232/articles/hrhrw/hydroindustrynews/newdevelopment/2010/07/laos-inaugurates_1.html