The Nam Then 2 Investment Group has issued a progress report on the multi-million dollar, controversial dam being constructed in central Laos, indicating that the project is proceeding on schedule. Construction works are on track and the evacuation of villagers from the giant reservoir area is two-third completed.
In a recent semi-annual briefing on the progress of the Nam Theun 2 Hydroelectric Project which it supports and helps finance together with the Asian Development Bank and 25 other parties, the World Bank expressed satisfaction with the considerable progress that has been made. World Bank Country Director Ian Porter also expressed his confident that the Lao government will use revenues from the NT2 project to effectively implement its poverty reduction and environment protection programs
In another development, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand or EGAT has received authorization to purchase electricity to be generated by the Hongsa lignite project in Laos's Sayabouly province, a joint venture between Laos and two Thai companies.
The project, due to start construction next year and located in the Hongsa district around 35 kilometers from Thailand's Nan province, is expected to take five years to complete and to supply EGAT 1,473 megawatts of power every year for 25 years.
The deal is part of a bilateral agreement in which Thailand has committed to purchase some 7,000 megawatts of electricity from Laos beginning in 2015.
Listen to our report for further details in Lao.