(KPL) Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith led the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the Sekong Coal-Fired Power Plant Project, a $4 billion initiative by Ponsak Co., Ltd. The event, held in Kalum District, Sekong Province, was attended by high-ranking officials, including the Minister of Energy and Mines, the Governor of Sekong Province, and representatives from Cambodia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy, alongside project executives and local dignitaries.

The Sekong coal power plant will have a total capacity of 1,800 megawatts, divided into six 300 MW units. The electricity produced will be exported to Cambodia under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the country’s state-owned electricity enterprise. Construction officially began on April 1, 2025, with the first unit expected to be operational by January 2028. Full capacity across all six plants is targeted for January 2030. The project will operate for 30 years (2030-2060), consuming approximately 10-11 million tons of coal annually.

In addition to the power plant, a 500-kilovolt transmission line spanning 253 kilometers will connect the facility to the Laos-Cambodia border. PSGC Thai has been contracted as the primary construction firm, while CWPC Co., Ltd. will supply equipment and oversee the transmission infrastructure.

The project is expected to enhance Laos' energy export capacity and strengthen economic ties with Cambodia. During the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay officially launched the construction phase by pressing a ceremonial button and ringing a bell, symbolizing an auspicious start for the development.

KPL