• 600 MW, utility-scale, onshore wind farm – largest in Southeast Asia
• First wind farm in Lao PDR and first cross-border renewable energy project in Asia
• Supplying clean electricity from Lao PDR to Vietnam’s national grid
• Equivalent to the electricity use of over one million households
• Completed construction and full grid connection in just 27 months, achieving Commercial Operation Date (COD) on 22 August 2025 — 4 months ahead of schedule
• Developed with zero resettlement and in line with international best-practice environmental and social safeguard standards
• Investing US$1.1 million annually in community development, with early initiatives such as scholarships, mobile health checkups, and coffee livelihood programs
• Triggering ASEAN grid aspirations and advancing regional energy connectivity

DAK CHEUNG, Lao PDR, Sept. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — What began as a bold idea in 2011 is now a milestone in Asia’s clean energy story. The Monsoon Wind Power Project has officially reached its COD on 22 August 2025, becoming the first cross-border renewable energy project in Asia. Today, 600 MW of clean, utility-scale power flows from the mountains of southern Lao PDR into Vietnam, strengthening regional energy security, boosting economic growth, and triggering ASEAN grid aspirations by showing what’s possible when nations work together.

Stretching across the Dak Cheung District of Sekong Province and the Sanxay District of Attapeu Province, 133 wind turbines rise from the ridgelines, turning steadily in the region’s strong, reliable winds. This is the product of more than a decade of detailed wind studies. Their energy travels through four 115 kV substations, is stepped up to 500 kV at the project substation, and carried along a 27-kilometre high-voltage transmission line to the Lao–Vietnam border, where it connects to Vietnam’s 500 kV transmission system. From there, the transmission line continues another 44 kilometres to EVN’s Thanh My substation.

The project was initiated by Impact Electrons Siam (IES) and is developed and operated by Monsoon Wind Power Company Limited, a Lao-incorporated company. It is backed by an international consortium of shareholders: Impact Electrons Siam, the project’s originator, ACEN from the Philippines, BCPG Public Company Limited and STP&I Public Company Limited from Thailand, Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan and its wholly owned subsidiary, Diamond Generating Asia, Limited (DGA), and SMP Consultation Sole Company Limited from Lao PDR.

Financing has come from a group of leading regional and global lenders whose support reflects deep confidence in its technical, environmental, and economic merits. These include the Asian Development Bank (ADB, as lead arranger), Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Export–Import Bank of Thailand (EXIM Thailand), Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation (HKMC), Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), Kasikornbank (KBANK), and Siam Commercial Bank (SCB). The construction was led by PowerChina, with wind turbines supplied by Envision Energy.

“This is a proud and historic moment for our company, our partners, and the region,” said Nat Hutanuwatr, Managing Director of the Monsoon Wind Power. “From the early days when many doubted the feasibility of a cross-border wind farm in this terrain, to overcoming technical, logistical, and financial challenges, this achievement stands as a testament to the determination, innovation, and collaboration of everyone involved, including our shareholders, lenders, advisors, contractors, technology providers, partners and the heroic Monsoon Wind team. The project not only delivers renewable energy at scale but also demonstrates how ASEAN countries can work together for a cleaner, more sustainable future. We are grateful for the trust and steady support of both the Lao and Vietnamese governments throughout this journey, and proud that the project also brings lasting benefits to local communities through our unique community development program, focusing on education, healthcare and wellbeing of the communities in which we operate.”

“Good things take time,” said Paradai Suebma, the Chairwoman of Monsoon Wind Power. “Monsoon Wind, 14 years in the making, is a tribute to vision, partnership and our commitment to sustainability. We recognize the foresight of IES, who originated this project, and extend our deepest appreciation to our management and team of the Monsoon Wind Power Project, whose unwavering dedication and perseverance turned vision into reality. We truly appreciate the opportunity to contribute to regional growth while shaping a model for clean energy connectivity. We also deeply value the collaboration of our partners, lenders, advisors, and contractors in making this milestone possible. And most importantly, the trust and uplifting quality of life of the communities we serve make our hearts grow and give this achievement its greater meaning.”

We truly appreciate the opportunity to contribute to regional growth while shaping a model for clean energy connectivity. We also deeply value the collaboration of our partners, lenders, advisors, and contractors in making this milestone possible. And most importantly, the trust and uplifting quality of life of the communities we serve make our hearts grow and give this achievement its greater meaning.”

By diversifying Laos’ energy mix beyond hydropower and supplying Vietnam with clean electricity, Monsoon Wind directly supports the ASEAN Power Grid initiative, reduces reliance on fossil fuels, and advances the region’s energy transition. The project is expected to offset approximately 1.3 million tonnes of CO₂ annually.

About the Monsoon Wind Power Project

The Monsoon Wind Power Project began in 2011 as an ambitious vision to harness the strong, consistent winds of southern Lao PDR and deliver clean energy across borders. Spanning roughly 68,000 hectares of mountainous terrain in the Dak Cheung District of Sekong Province and the Sanxay District of Attapeu Province, it is now Southeast Asia’s largest onshore wind farm, with an installed capacity of 600 MW.

The project’s 133 turbines are supported by four 115 kV substations for power collection and a 500 kV substation for stepping up voltage before transmission. From there, electricity travels along a 27-kilometre high-voltage transmission line to the Lao–Vietnam border, and then continues another 44 kilometres through EVN’s 500 kV transmission system to reach the Thanh My substation. It operates under a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement with EVN and a 28-year Concession Agreement with the Government of Lao PDR.

Representing an investment of approximately US$950 million, Monsoon Wind is financed by a consortium of leading international and regional lenders, reflecting deep confidence in its technical, environmental, and economic merits. More than a decade of wind measurement data guided the optimal placement of each turbine, ensuring maximum performance and efficiency.

Beyond clean energy, the project has brought significant local benefits. Since construction began in March 2023, the Monsoon Wind Project has created at least 1,600 jobs, over 1,000 of which were filled by Lao nationals. These roles built valuable skills and livelihoods in the region.

An annual US$1.1 million Community Development Fund supports education, healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure improvements in surrounding villages. Early initiatives include scholarships for local students to study abroad, mobile health checkups bringing doctors and nurses into remote villages in the project area, and coffee livelihood programs — such as distributing seedlings, providing training, and sharing techniques to improve harvests and household income.

Key infrastructure includes a 500 kV substation at the project site, four 115 kV substations, 250 hectares of permanent land use, and cross-border grid interconnection facilities.

On 22 August 2025, the 600 MW Monsoon Wind Power Project successfully delivered electricity to EVN, marking a historic first for cross-border renewable energy in Asia. Over its 25-year operating life, it is expected to avoid more than 32.5 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions — equivalent to removing approximately 7 million cars from the road for a year, or planting about 59 million trees and allowing them to grow for 25 years.

Resources: Monsoon Wind Photos

About ACEN

ACEN (PSE:ACEN), the Ayala group’s listed energy platform, is one of the fastest-growing renewable energy platforms in Asia Pacific, with the Philippines as its core and largest market. It also has a significant presence in Australia, Vietnam, India, and Lao PDR, along with strategic investments in Indonesia and other markets. The company currently has ~7 GW of attributable renewable energy capacity spanning operational, under-construction, and committed projects.

As a developer, builder, and operator, ACEN leverages its agility and collaborative approach to accelerate the energy transition. Committed to unlocking access to clean, reliable, and affordable renewable energy, the company is on track to achieve 100% renewable energy generation by 2025 and reach Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050—turning bold ambitions into real impact for businesses, communities, and indigenous groups.

www.acenrenewables.com 

DISCLAIMER: This disclosure may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risk factors and opportunities that may affect ACEN’s plans to complete the transaction/s subject of this disclosure. Each forward-looking statement is made only as of the date of this disclosure. Outcomes of the subject transaction may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this disclosure.

DUBAI, UAE, Sept. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, joins major exchanges in the first wave of public trading of WLFI, the native token of World Liberty Financial’s DeFi protocol. Officially listed on Bybit Spot at 1PM UTC, September 1, 2025, WLFI is also celebrated with a Bybit-exclusive Token Splash with a total prize pool of 1,600,000 WLFI.

WLFI is the governance token for World Liberty Financial, a DeFi platform that serves to bridge traditional finance with the open economy through purpose-built blockchain solutions. The token allows holders to vote on key protocol decisions and ecosystem developments. Bybit stands among the select first exchanges to offer public trading of WLFI.

Bybit Exclusive: WLFI Token Splash

From September 1, 2025, 1:00 PM UTC to September 16, 2025, 11:00 AM UTC, eligible Bybit users stand to win rewards in two ways on Bybit Token Splash:

1. New User Exclusive – 1,000,000 WLFI Prize Pool: 500 WIFL in rewards per qualifying user for the first 5,000 new users to complete registration, identity verification, and deposit tasks.
2. Trading Incentive – 600,000 Prize Pool: Up to 500 WLFI per qualifying user who trades at least 500 USDT worth of the token on Bybit Spot.

Rewards are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until all rewards are unlocked. Once WIFL is listed on the platform, it will work seamlessly with Bybit’s trading platform, allowing users to set up automated trading through Spot Grid Bot, make deposits and withdrawals using the BSC Network, and access market data and analysis through Bybit Lens to track the latest trends and insights.

Terms and conditions Apply. For details on eligibility and restrictions, users may visit: Bybit to List World Liberty Financial (WLFI) on Spot

#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk / #BybitTradFi

About Bybit

Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 70 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press
For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com
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TAIPEI, Sept. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — When Nvidia framed the next wave of AI as “physical AI,” it helped ignite a surge of interest in humanoid robots, accelerating development efforts worldwide. Yet, according to DIGITIMES’ latest report, these machines will account for just 0.2% of the global robotics market this year – still concentrated in niche logistics, warehousing, and manufacturing applications, far from broad, multi-sector deployment.

AI accelerates development, but manufacturing costs remain prohibitive

In the Humanoid robotics, 2025 – Market trends, critical components & strategic shifts report, advances in AI are shortening the design cycle for humanoid robots by allowing developers to simulate and refine complex capabilities, such as bipedal balance or delicate object handling, before building physical prototypes. This virtual-first approach reduces the time and expense of trial-and-error engineering, while enhancing robots’ perception and decision-making.

Humanoid robots: Short-, mid-, and long-term applications

But success in simulation does not guarantee commercial viability. Real-world deployment remains constrained by high manufacturing costs. Enhanced sensing and processing demands translate into more chips and sensors, while precise motion control requires specialized actuators and mechanical components – often in small production runs that drive up costs. Today’s humanoid robots typically sell for US$50,000-400,000, compared with under US$30,000 for industrial robots of similar size and function. Without economies of scale, prices are unlikely to drop enough to make them competitive in service or home markets.

Three forces, three phases

DIGITIMES identifies three key factors shaping humanoid robots’ evolution – AI maturity, hardware component costs, and safety regulations – each driving a distinct stage of growth:

Phase one (3-5 years): AI advances will enhance performance and expand industrial use, but high costs will keep adoption focused on logistics, warehousing, and manufacturing.

Phase two (5-10 years): As hardware becomes cheaper through scale, service industries will become the primary market, provided safety standards begin to take hold.

Phase three (10+ years): Once AI, hardware economics, and robust safety frameworks converge, humanoid robots could enter homes in large numbers, triggering a true market inflection point.

The road ahead

Humanoid robots are almost certain to become part of the physical AI era. What remains uncertain is not the “if” but the “when,” “where,” and “how.” In the near term, the pace of hardware innovation and cost reduction – not AI breakthroughs – will decide how fast the humanoid revolution moves from factory floors to everyday life.

Global robot and humanoid robot market forecast, 2025-2030 (US$b)

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About DIGITIMES
DIGITIMES is a Taiwan-based technology news and industry think tank specializing in real-time coverage, in-depth analysis, and proprietary data on the global semiconductor and technology supply chains. With over two decades of experience and a team of more than 100 dedicated semiconductor journalists and analysts, DIGITIMES delivers first-hand intelligence, decodes supply chain complexities, and provides trusted insights for decision-makers worldwide.

“Quantum AI up to 73x Faster on NVIDIA CUDA-Q”

• Norma, a quantum computing company, has validated the performance of quantum AI algorithms using NVIDIA CUDA-Q.
• By running these algorithms for drug development on CUDA-Q, Norma observed computational speeds up to 73 times faster.
• The company has secured use cases for quantum AI in drug development and plans to expand validation efforts into various fields.

SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Quantum computing company Norma (CEO Hyunchul Jung, www.norma.co.kr) has achieved over 73× faster performance in drug development by running its quantum AI algorithm on NVIDIA GH200 Grace Hopper Superchips.

Norma recently tested and validated the performance of its self-developed quantum AI algorithms on the NVIDIA CUDA-Q platform. CUDA-Q simplifies the integration of GPUs and QPUs and supports quantum-classical hybrid operations, including serving as a core technology to accelerate the development and execution of quantum algorithms. Norma is independently developing quantum AI algorithms applicable across sectors such as biotechnology, defense, and finance. The company is currently running projects to execute these algorithms in the CUDA-Q environment and validate their performance.

The project was launched as part of a joint research effort with Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, aimed at discovering novel drug candidates. Due to the vastness of the chemical search space, traditional AI approaches encounter computational limitations in drug discovery. To overcome this, Norma’s Quantum AI team has been developing algorithms such as QLSTM, QGAN, and QCBM. These algorithms are typically trained and evaluated using various quantum simulators. In this latest test, NVIDIA CUDA-Q demonstrated significantly superior computational performance compared to other simulators.

Norma used CUDA-Q environment using NVIDIA H200 GPUs and NVIDIA GH200 to test its quantum AI algorithms for drug development. The results showed that NVIDIA CUDA-Q significantly outperformed traditional CPU-based methods. Specifically, the execution and measurement (forward propagation) of an 18-qubit quantum circuit were approximately 60.14 to 73.32 times faster, while the loss function-based correction process (backward propagation) was about 33.69 to 41.56 times faster.

Comparisons between the H200 and GH200 yielded similar performance with the GH200 demonstrating with forward propagation times 22% shorter and backward propagation times 24% shorter than those of the H200.

By enabling fast and realistic verification of algorithms prior to deployment on actual quantum hardware, the project significantly reduced development costs and time while enhancing optimization potential. It is particularly meaningful in that it demonstrated the practical applicability of quantum AI technology in drug discovery, providing valuable data to support the future adoption of quantum hardware across diverse fields.

Hyunchul Jung, CEO of Norma, stated, “This project is a meaningful example of collaboration between domestic and international quantum technology companies and hospitals, showcasing the practical potential of quantum technologies.” He added, “Through active technological cooperation with NVIDIA, we plan to continuously expand performance testing of quantum AI algorithms across a wide range of sectors, like healthcare.”

• AMI Pharm’s ‘AYP-101’ Sets to Become a New Leader in Nonsurgical Fat Reduction with Phase 2 Trial Success
• ‘AYP-101,’ a Promising Nonsurgical Solution, Has Its Clinical Results Published in Clinical Therapeutics
• ‘AYP-101’ Demonstrates Superior Safety and Efficacy, Poised to Change the Paradigm of Submental Fat Reduction

SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — AMI Pharm‘s novel injectable drug, AYP-101, has shown promising results in a Phase 2 clinical trial for the reduction of submental fat (SMF), commonly known as a double chin. The clinical data from the trial was recently published in Clinical Therapeutics, a leading journal for drug and therapy development. This publication marks a significant milestone for AYP-101 and highlights its potential as a safe and effective nonsurgical treatment option. The study evaluated the efficacy and safety of AYP-101 at two different concentrations. The results showed that the 25 mg/mL concentration, administered every two weeks for six sessions, led to statistically significant and clinically meaningful reductions in moderate to severe SMF.

Demonstrated Efficacy and Safety

The Phase 2 study enrolled 96 participants and demonstrated strong results. At four weeks after the final treatment, 69.70% of participants in the 25 mg/mL treatment group achieved at least a one-grade improvement in both the Evaluator-Reported and Subject-Reported Submental Fat Rating Scales (ER-SMFRS and SR-SMFRS). This was a statistically significant improvement compared to the 22.58% response rate in the placebo group. The trial data also highlighted AYP-101’s favorable safety and tolerability profile. The drug is uniquely designed to eliminate fat through a process called apoptosis while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues. The study found that AYP-101 required fewer injection points and produced a lower incidence of post-injection swelling and paresthesia compared to what is typically reported for Deoxycholic Acid (DCA).

A Leader in the Growing Aesthetics Market

With the global demand for nonsurgical fat reduction solutions on the rise, AMI Pharm is actively pursuing the next phase of development. According to Ki-Taek Lee, CEO of AMI Pharm, the publication of the Phase 2 data “reaffirms our research capabilities and demonstrates AYP-101’s significant potential in the localized fat reduction market”. AMI Pharm is currently accelerating its Phase 3 study for AYP-101 with the goal of completion by the end of 2025. The company is also actively expanding international collaborations to further develop next-generation injectable drugs for localized fat reduction. This latest publication follows the positive results from AYP-101’s Phase 1 study in 2024, continuing its international recognition.