China-Laos e-silk road gains speed, lighting up regional cooperation

The Chinese section of the China-Laos 500-kV power interconnection project officially broke ground in south Yunnan’s Xishuangbanna on June 30, marking a new phase in the construction of this across-the-mountains "electricity silk road".

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The China-Laos power project is a major initiative included in the action plan for building the China-Laos community with a shared future. It is also the first cross-border power interconnection project operating at the 500 kV voltage level in the region. Starting in Laos' Oudomxay province and ending in China's Yunnan province, the 183.5-kilometer transmission line is divided into the Lao section and the Chinese section. Construction of the Lao section commenced in February this year.

Once operational, the project is expected to enable a two-way mutual assistance power capacity of 1.5 million kW and realize an annual transmission of approximately 3 billion kWh of clean electricity. This will facilitate broader and larger-scale bilateral power exchanges, further deepening the strategic partnership in energy cooperation between the two countries.

When construction of the Lao section of the project began in February, Lao Minister of Energy and Mines Phoxay Sayasone said that the project would allow the Lao electricity to "join hands" with its Chinese peer, while enabling power trade and exchange and unlocking significant economic potential.

Chinese Ambassador to Laos Fang Hong noted that the project would integrate energy resources from both countries, optimize power distribution in the region, enhance the Lao capacity in clean energy development, and promote regional cooperation and mutual benefits.

Lin Rui, Deputy General Manager of the Southern Power Grid’s Lancang-Mekong International Energy Co., Ltd., said the China-Laos 500 kV power project enhances the two-way electricity transmission capacity between the two countries. When Laos has a surplus of electricity, it can deliver the extra clean energy to China, while during peak demand periods in Laos, the clean power from China can provide timely supplementation. This achieves cross-regional, large-scale optimal allocation of clean energy resources.

In the future, the China-Vietnam and China-Myanmar power interconnection projects will also be launched via Yunnan province. Together, the projects will enhance power-grid integration in the Greater Mekong Subregion, allowing clean electricity to transcend borders. The e-silk roads will brighten more households and manifest the "Yunnan strength" in regional economy.

By YICC reporters