On April 20, the China-Laos 500 kV Power Interconnection Project officially commenced operation. China Energy Engineering Group Yunnan Electric Power Design Institute Co., Ltd. was deeply involved in the survey and design throughout the project. As China’s first 500 kV cross-border AC interconnection project, it is also the largest cross-border power grid project in terms of scale and voltage level between China and Laos.
The transmission line of the project spans 177.5 kilometers in total, including 145 kilometers in China and 32.5 kilometers in Laos. The line connects to the 500 kV substation in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, China in the north and the Namor Substation in Oudomxay Province, Laos in the south.
Once operational, the project will enable a two-way power exchange capacity of 1.5 GW and transmit approximately 3,000 GWh of clean electricity annually. It will not only effectively resolve the challenges of isolated grid operation in northern Laos, power shortages in the dry season, and excess hydropower in the rainy season, but also facilitate efficient integration and transmission of clean energy in Laos, support energy complementarity between China and Lancang-Mekong region countries, and fuel the high-quality regional economic and social development.
