Thailand-based Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding Public Company Limited (Ratch) has signed an agreement to build the 340-MW Xekong 4A & 4B hydroelectric power plant in Laos. The company is in partnership with Lao World Engineering & Construction Co Ltd (LW) and B. Grimm Power Public Company Limited.

According to Ratch, the feasibility study for the project has been conducted and completed, and the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) has also been been approved by both the Ministry of Energy and Mines and the Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment of Laos.

The project consists of two reservoirs, the 4A Xekong reservoir in the Lamam district and 4B Xekong reservoir in the Kaluem district, Xekong province. When completed, electricity generated by the power plant is also expected to help serve demand in northeastern Thailand, said Kijja Sripatthangkura, CEO of Ratch. He mentioned that the company plans to discuss about the power purchase with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), under 9,000 MW power cooperation framework between Thailand and Laos.

Mr Sripatthangkura further added that Ratch is aiming for a 850-MW investment goal this year, in the domestic and international markets.