Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) February 5th – The Laos-China 500 kV transmission line was fully connected to the grid, further strengthening cross-border power connectivity between the two countries and injecting new momentum into the development of clean energy trade in the Mekong-Lancang sub-region.
The line connects the Namor No. 3 500 kV power station in Namor District, Oudomxay Province, Laos, with the Xishuangbanna 500 kV power station in Jinghong City, Yunnan Province, China. It is 177.5 kilometers long, with 32.5 kilometers within Laos. The Lao section was invested and constructed by Electricité de Laos (EDL), and construction began on February 26, 2025. Thanks to close cooperation between China and Laos, the project was completed ahead of schedule and is expected to be fully operational in April this year.
The power transmission line has a bidirectional transmission capacity of 1.5 million kilowatts and is expected to transmit approximately 3 billion kilowatt-hours of clean energy annually after commissioning, resulting in an annual carbon reduction of approximately 2.5 million tons. This will pave a new path for sub-regional power interconnection and the efficient utilization of clean energy. The project adhered to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles throughout its construction. Through line optimization, the application of modern technologies, and afforestation, deforestation along the transmission corridor was reduced by more than 83%, effectively protecting the local forest ecosystem. Simultaneously, the unexploded ordnance clearance zone on both sides of the transmission line was expanded to 70 meters, significantly improving the safety and security of surrounding communities.
The project also actively supports local community development in Laos. It not only completed and put into operation the Nam Nghi Thai Primary School and donated five "CSG Libraries" to improve local learning conditions, but also created hundreds of jobs and provided electrical technology training for the Lao people. Furthermore, the Namor 3 500 kV power station will become an important power grid hub in northern Laos, helping the region integrate clean energy sources such as solar and hydropower, and further solidifying China-Laos power supply cooperation.
