The official launch ceremony of the Lao National Transmission Network Company was held in Vientiane, the capital of Laos.

As the operator of Laos’ national backbone power grid, the Laos National Transmission Network Company is responsible for

investing, constructing, and operating the country’s 230 kV and above power grid and cross-border interconnection projects

with neighboring countries, aiming to provide Laos with safe, stable and sustainable power transmission services. . The

company is jointly funded by China Southern Power Grid Corporation and Laos State Electricity Company.

Laos is rich in water energy resources and light resources. As of the end of 2022, Laos has 93 power stations across the country,

with a total installed capacity of more than 10,000 megawatts and an annual power generation of 58.7 billion kilowatt hours.

Electricity exports account for the largest proportion of Laos’ total export trade. However, due to the lagging power grid construction,

water abandonment in the rainy season and power shortages in the dry season often occur in Laos. In some areas, nearly 40% of

the electric energy cannot be connected to the grid in time for transmission and converted into effective production capacity.

In order to change this situation and promote the sustainable development of the power industry, the Lao government decided to

establish the Lao National Transmission Grid Company. In September 2020, China Southern Power Grid Corporation and the Lao

National Electricity Corporation formally signed a shareholders’ agreement, planning to jointly invest in the establishment of the

Lao National Transmission Grid Company.

In the early trial operation stage, the inspection of Laos’ power transmission and transformation equipment has been fully launched.

“We have completed drone inspections of 2,800 kilometers, inspected 13 substations, established a ledger and a list of hidden defects,

and found out the status of owned equipment.” Liu Jinxiao, a staff member of the Laos National Transmission Network Company,

told reporters that his production The Operations and Safety Supervision Department has established a technical database, completed

the comparison and selection of operation and maintenance models, and formulated an operation plan to lay the foundation for

ensuring the long-term stable operation of the main power grid.

At the 230 kV Nasetong substation on the outskirts of Vientiane, Chinese and Lao electric power technicians are carefully inspecting

the configuration of the internal equipment in the substation. “The original spare parts configured in the substation were not complete

and standardized, and regular inspections of tools and tools were not in place. These are potential safety risks. While we are equipping

relevant equipment and equipment, we are also strengthening training for operation and maintenance personnel.” said Wei Hongsheng,

a Chinese technician. , he has been in Laos to participate in project cooperation for nearly a year and a half. In order to facilitate

communication, he deliberately taught himself Lao language.

“The Chinese team is willing to help us improve our work and has given us a lot of guidance in management, technology,

operation and maintenance.” Kempe, an employee of the Lao National Electricity Company, said that it is crucial for Laos

and China to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in power grid technology, which will Further promote the enhancement

of Laos’ power technology and grid management to ensure a more stable power supply.

An important goal of the Lao National Transmission Network Company is to promote Laos’ optimal allocation of power

resources and clean energy output. Liang Xinheng, director of the Planning and Development Department of the Laos

National Transmission Network Company, told reporters that in order to achieve this goal, the company has formulated

phased tasks. In the initial stage, the investment will be focused on the transmission network to meet the power demand

of key loads and enhance the mutual support capacity of electricity across the country; in the mid-term, investment will be

made in the construction of Laos’ domestic backbone power grid to ensure the power demand of Laos’ special economic

zones and industrial parks, and achieve more The country’s high-voltage level network serves the development of clean

energy in Laos and significantly improves the security and stability of the Laos power grid. In the long term, investment will

be made to build a unified national power grid in Laos to vigorously support the development of Laos’ industrial economy

and ensure electricity demand.

Posai Sayasong, Minister of Energy and Mines of Laos, told reporters that the Laos National Transmission Network Company

is a key cooperation project in the power field between Laos and China. With the company officially put into operation, it will

further promote the stable and reliable operation of the Laos power grid and enhance the Laos power region. competitiveness,

and drive the development of other industries to better leverage the supporting role of electricity in the development

of Laos’ national economy.

As a basic industry, the electric power industry is one of the important areas in building a community with a shared future between

China and Laos. In December 2009, China Southern Power Grid Corporation realized 115 kV power transmission to Laos through

the Mengla Port in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan. As of the end of August 2023, China and Laos have achieved a total of 156 million

kilowatt-hours of two-way power mutual assistance. In recent years, Laos has actively explored the expansion of electricity

categories and leveraged its advantages in clean energy. Hydropower stations invested and constructed by Chinese companies,

including the Nam Ou River Cascade Hydropower Station, have become representatives of Laos’ large-scale clean energy projects.

In 2024, Laos will serve as the rotating chair of ASEAN. One of the themes of ASEAN cooperation this year is to promote connectivity.

Lao media commented that the formal operation of the Lao National Transmission Grid Company is an important step in the reform of

the Lao power industry. The continued deepening of China-Laos power cooperation will help Laos achieve full coverage and modernization

of its domestic power grid, help Laos transform its resource advantages into economic advantages, and promote sustainable economic

and social development.