Laos eyes renewable energy push
Summary
Laos’s Monsoon Wind Power Project is emerging as a landmark cross-border energy deal, with 133 Chinese-built turbines supplying electricity to Vietnam. The project is being cited as a bankable model for a regional shift toward wind power as hydropower growth slows.
Key Points
- Laos’s 600-megawatt Monsoon Wind Power Project began operating in August 2025 and is the first cross-border wind project in Asia.
- The $700 million project sends electricity exclusively to Vietnam’s national grid and is seen as a model for future wind development in the region.
- Experts say wind power is becoming more economically attractive as hydropower options become limited and seasonal output falls.
- Residents near the turbines say the project has brought roads and water access, but not reliable electricity for their own community.
