The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) has received approval to purchase an additional 2,000 megawatts of electricity from Laos, up from the originally agreed-upon 5,000 MW, to meet Thailand's increasing energy demands.
The additional power purchase will come from four hydroelectric plant operators in Laos, with whom Egat is expected to sign power purchase agreements (PPA) by year's end.
The four projects - Nam Theun 1, Theun-Hinboun Extension, Nam Ngum 3, and Nam Ngiep, are all scheduled to start operations between 2012 and 2014, with a total capacity of 1,460 megawatts.
Egat is also expected to sign a power purchase agreement with Hongsa Lignite early next year.
Listen to our Laos Today report for more details in Lao.