The Monsoon Wind Power Project in Laos has begun installing wind power turbines after the turbines and blades were delivered from Thailand on Saturday.
Sekong News reports that authorities in Sekong province welcomed the arrival of the turbines and blades, and hoped for the successful completion of the power plant’s construction.
Around 110 wind turbines will be installed in Dak Cheung District, Sekong Province, while Sanxay District, Attapeu Province, will see the setting up of 23 wind turbines.
The construction of this ambitious project started in early April 2023 and is expected to be completed in 2025. The produced electricity will be exported to Vietnam for a contracted period of 25 years.
Largest Wind Power in Laos: some turbines and blades were delivered from Thailand to Laos on Saturday for the construction of wind power in southern #Laos. ⚡️
The electricity generated from the Monsoon Wind Power project will be sold to #Vietnam. 🇻🇳 pic.twitter.com/pnh3vBbBi3
— Manyphone (@ManyphoneV) August 14, 2023
According to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the construction will have a short-term effect on forest areas, temporarily deplete the habitat of wild animals, and the building of a new road near the forest might also increase hunting of wild animals among locals.
Some 360 households in Sekong Province and 36 homes in Attapeu Province will be affected by the construction of the wind power project.
Although the project is likely to displace some people from their land, it will generate employment for locals, and provide them access to electricity, while also supporting education, training, and healthcare initiatives.
As the largest wind power project in Southeast Asia, it will have a total capacity of 600 MW, consisting of 133 wind turbines, and will be spread over 1,000 hectares of concession land.
