17 February

Union Minister for Electricity and Energy U Win Khaing met with Laos Minister of Energy and Mines H.E. Dr. Khammany Inthirath at the Luang Prabang View Hotel, Luang Prabang, Laos, to discuss increasing bilateral electrical sector cooperation.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Myanmar-Laos electrical sector cooperation was signed on 15 January 2018 and, as per the MoU, a joint committee and work committee made up of representatives from the two countries were reviewing cross border electricity purchases and sales, technology exchanges and investment opportunities. Prior to the ministerial level meeting on cooperation, high ranking officials from the two countries were conducting Myanmar-Laos electrical sector cooperation committee and work committee meetings.

At the ministerial level meeting, discussions at the joint committee and work committee meetings, constructing a cross-border power line to purchase and sell electricity, exchanging experiences on hydro power electricity production, reducing damages and the impact on the natural environment and water resources, conducting technology exchanges and preliminary studies through cooperation of experts from the two countries, and exchanging information on electrical sector investments were also discussed.

During the trip, the Myanmar delegation, led by the Union Minister and accompanied by Laos Minister of Energy and Mines H.E. Dr. Khammany Inthirath, visited the construction site at the Xayaburi hydro power station in Xayaburi Province, Laos. The hydro power project is being built on the Mekong river and will produce 1,285 MW of electricity. It is a Run Off River type hydropower station, with a Law Head Turbine installed. Xayaburi Power Company began implementing the project in 2010 and is planning to start producing electricity in 2019. The project was constructed under the guidelines of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) and is a landmark hydro power project in the Mekong River basin.

After the meeting, Union Minister U Win Khaing and party left Luang Prabang, Laos and arrived back in Myanmar in the evening.—MNA (Translated by Zaw Min)