A foundation-laying ceremony takes place on the bank of Nam Ngum River in Xieng Khouang province, Laos, on Jan 25, to mark the start of work on the Nam Ngum 4 hydropower project. [Photo/sinomach.com.cn]

A foundation-laying ceremony took place on the bank of Nam Ngum River in Xieng Khouang province, Laos, on Jan 25, to mark the start of work on the Nam Ngum 4 hydropower project.

The project will be constructed by China National Heavy Machinery Co (CHMC), an affiliate of Sinomach, and will have an installed capacity of 240MW. Construction of the plant is set for completion within five and a half years.

At the ceremony, Khammany Inthirath, Laotian Minister of Energy and Mines, and Boun Oum Syvanpheng, general manager of Laotian State-run energy giant EDL-Gen, expressed their approval and gratitude for CHMC’s contribution to the project, and stressed that the local government will provide full support to ensure steady progress at the site.

“The project plays an important role in strengthening the China-Laos energy partnership,” said Wang Wentian, China’s ambassador to Laos, speaking at the ceremony.

“It will also help upgrade local electricity infrastructure and promote the development of Laos’ electricity industry,” he added.