Kansai Electric Power Co. Inc. announces that the 290-MW Nam Ngiep 1 hydropower plant has begun commercial operations.
The plant is operated by Nam Ngiep 1 Power Company, which received the Commercial Operation Date certificate from the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand on Sept. 5.
Nam Ngiep 1, on the Nam Ngiep River between Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Thailand, consists of a dam 167 m high and 530 m long at its crest and two power stations, the Main Power Station with a capacity of 270 MW and the Re-Regulation Power Station with a capacity of 20 MW. Electricity from the Main Power Station is supplied to EGAT, and electricity from the Re-Regulation Power Station is provided to Electricite du Laos.
Construction of the project began in October 2014.
Nam Ngiep 1 Power Company is a joint investment of Kansai, EGAT International and Lao Holding State Enterprise. In August 2013, Nam Ngiep 1 Power Company entered into the power purchase agreement with EGAT and EDL, for 27 years upon commercial operation of the facility.
Kansai Electric Power (KEPCO) is an electric utility based in Japan. The company says it is “committed to contributing to the economic development of Thailand and Laos by providing a stable supply of low-cost and low-carbon electricity to both countries while earning profit as well.” The company plans to continue to expand its “overseas power business.”
