During the State Visit of the President to Laos, a joint agreement on a feasibility study was signed yesterday to explore the implementation of a hydropower project along the Mekong River on the Myanmar-Laos border, in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the electricity sector between the two countries.
The signing ceremony was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Vientiane, Laos.
At the event, Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Lao PDR Dr Manothong Vongsay said the project is a sign of Myanmar-Laos friendship, and it brings benefits not only to the border areas of the two countries but also to the Greater Mekong Subregion. The government will support completing the feasibility study as quickly as possible and implement the project.
Deputy Minister for Electricity and Energy U Aye Kyaw said the project is of special significance for strengthening friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Once completed, it would help meet regional electricity demand and contribute to ASEAN’s renewable energy targets. Since the Mekong is a border river shared by both countries, the project must comply with the customs, traditions, laws and procedures of both Myanmar and Laos. He added that the Myanmar government would provide maximum supervision and guidance to ensure the project’s success.
Then, Primus Sapphire Power Co Ltd assigned by Myanmar, and Phongsupthavy Group Sole Co Ltd assigned by Laos, signed the agreement and exchanged it in the presence of the two deputy ministers.
The hydropower project is expected to have an installed capacity of up to 2,790 megawatts. The Myanmar and Lao companies will jointly carry out the feasibility study, which is scheduled to be completed within 34 months. — MNA/KTZH
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