EDL Generation of Lao seeking partners to boost capacity

• 3 years ago (2021-04-28)
• Junior Isles

Asia 859 Hydropower 116

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EDL Generation (EDL-Gen), a majority Lao state-owned power generation firm, has announced that it is seeking strategic private partnerships in neighbouring countries to boost its total capacity by 25 per cent to fulfil growing regional energy demand. It plans to increase its capacity to 2435 MW from its current 1949 MW.

The additional capacity will come from hydropower plants already under development, including seven wholly-owned power plants and eight more under an IPP scheme. The projects will be either reservoir or run of river hydropower plants.

EDL-Gen has joint ventures with several IPPs, including: Nam Theun 1, Nam Dik 1, Nam Phoun, Nam Bi unit 1-3, and Pak Beng. All of these are currently under construction.

Duangsy Pharanhok, Managing Director of EDL-Gen, said that the company is striving to achieve the Lao government’s goal of being the “Battery of Asia” through its hydropower plants. The World Bank estimates that Lao has a potential capacity of 30 GW in hydropower.