Vietnam , Laos plan 500 kV transmission line

(KPL) Vietnam and Laos agreed on Feb. 24 to collaborate in the construction of a 500 kV transmission line linking the two countries to facilitate electricity trade.

According to VNA, the agreement was reached during a meeting in Hanoi administered by Vietnam’s Minister of Industry and Trade, Vu Huy Hoang, and Lao Minister of Energy and Mining, Soulivong Dalavong.

They also agreed to send a proposal to the Asian Development Bank, asking for technical and financial support for the 500kV transmission line.

The two ministers expressed delights at the progress and agreement reached on the Sekhaman 1 hydro electricity project and confirmed both sides’ readiness to cooperate ensuring joint hydropower schemes as scheduled.

They agreed to jointly review the feasibility and the execution speed of power plant projects in Laos designed to sell electricity to Vietnam. Minister Hoang thanked the Lao government for creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese firms to carry out exploration and exploitation projects for minerals, oil and gas in Laos.

In response, Minister Soulivong Dalavong praised Vietnam’s assistance in training energy officials for Laos, expressing the desire to increase the exchanged of professional knowledge and management experiences with relevant agencies in Vietnam.

On the same day, the Lao minister met with Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung and worked with Vietnam’s National Oil and Gas Corporation (PVN).

During the meeting, Permanent Deputy PM Hung underlined the importance for Vietnam and Laos to boost mutual cooperation and support not only in economy but also in national defence and security, especially among bordering provinces.

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