China-Laos mega power project opens channel for clean energy collaboration

Transmission lines of the China-Laos 500-kilovolt power interconnection project were fully connected on Thursday, marking a key milestone ahead of its planned full operation in April and opening a new cross-border channel for clean energy in the Lancang-Mekong region.

Once operational, the project will support two-way power transmission of up to 1.5 million kilowatts, deliver about 3 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually and cut carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 2.5 metric million tons, according to China Southern Power Grid Lancang-Mekong International Co.

With an annual transmission capacity of about 3 billion kWh, the project will not only support local livelihoods and industrial development but also provide a stable energy foundation for Laos' digital ambitions, said Jiang Zhida, a senior research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies.

Reliable electricity supply will help strengthen computing capacity and artificial intelligence development, supporting Laos' green and digital transformation, Jiang said.

The project, a joint investment venture by China Southern Power Grid and Electricite du Laos Transmission Company, links Oudomxay and Luang Namtha provinces in Laos with Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture in Yunnan province. It includes a 145-kilometer section in China and a 32.5-km section in Laos, spanning 177.5 km in total length.

Environmental protection was a key focus throughout construction. By optimizing route planning and applying advanced technologies, the project reduced tree felling along the line by more than 83 percent, safeguarding local forest ecosystems.

A delegation from the energy department of Laos' Ministry of Industry and Commerce praised the project's commitment to the principle of "cutting fewer trees and protecting the ecosystem", noting that measures such as high-tower crossings, refined route optimization and drone inspections significantly minimized the project's environmental impact, in line with Laos' goals of promoting clean energy development and ecological conservation.

Beyond power transmission, the project has also brought tangible benefits to local communities. The construction team built and handed over Namor Tai Primary School and donated five libraries to improve educational conditions. The project has created hundreds of local jobs and helped train Lao technical personnel in the power sector, according to China Southern Power Grid Lancang-Mekong International Co.

Local officials in Namor district described the project as more than just an electricity infrastructure initiative, noting that it has improved livelihoods while strengthening friendship between Laos and China.

Khamphilom Vannaphone, a Laotian vlogger, described the project as a model of win-win cooperation. For Laos, he said, it converts surplus hydropower into stable export revenue, directly boosting economic growth and employment. For China, it provides an important cross-border clean energy supply channel for southwestern regions, helping optimize the energy mix and enhance regional grid resilience.

Jiang said the full connection of the transmission lines ushers in a new stage in regional cooperation, as bilateral collaboration evolves from traditional infrastructure toward green energy and digital development, injecting fresh momentum into building a China-Laos community with a shared future.