600 MW Monsoon Wind in Laos reaches commercial operation

Energy generated from the project travels through four 115 kV substations.

The Monsoon Wind Power Project has officially reached its commercial operation date, becoming the first cross-border renewable energy project in Asia.

The facility stretches across Dak Cheung District of Sekong Province and the Sanxay District of Attapeu Province. It generates energy through 133 wind turbines, which travels through four 115 kilovolt (kV) substations, stepped up to 500 kV at the project substation, according to ACEN, one of the companies backing the project.

It is then carried along a 27-kilometre high-voltage transmission line to the Lao–Vietnam border, where it connects to Vietnam’s 500 kV transmission system. From there, the transmission line continues another 44 kilometres to Vietnam Electricity’s Thanh My substation.

The project was initiated by Impact Electrons Siam (IES) and is developed and operated by Monsoon Wind Power Company Limited, a Lao-incorporated company. It is backed by an international consortium of shareholders: Impact Electrons Siam, the project’s originator, ACEN, BCPG Public Company Limited and STP&I Public Company Limited from Thailand, Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan and its wholly owned subsidiary, Diamond Generating Asia, Limited (DGA), and SMP Consultation Sole Company Limited from Lao PDR.

Financing came from various groups, including the Asian Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

The Monsoon Wind directly supports the ASEAN Power Grid initiative, reduces reliance on fossil fuels, and advances the region’s energy transition. The project is expected to offset approximately 1.3 million tonnes of carbon annually.