EVN begins $45M line construction to import electricity from Laos

By Dat Nguyen October 2, 2023 | 03:34 am PT

Government officials and EVN leaders are seen at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Monsoon - Thanh My project, Sept. 30, 2023. Photo by EVN

National utility Vietnam Electricity (EVN) will spend VND1.1 trillion ($45.26 million) to connect a power plant in Laos with Vietnam’s grid to import electricity.

Construction of the 45-kilometer line, which connects Monsoon wind power plant with Thanh My substation in the central province of Quang Nam, began on Sept. 30.

Agribank is providing loans for the project, which is set to be operational by the end of 2024 and add 2,500 megawatts to the grid.

Vietnam and Laos established a partnership in 2019, in which Vietnam would buy 3,000 megawatts from Laos annually towards 2025 and 5,000 megawatts from 2026 to 2030.

EVN has recently proposed that the government speed up the procedures of importing from Laos to prevent a power shortage in northern Vietnam next summer.

The north suffered a crippling power shortage this summer, with many localities resorting to load shedding.