The construction of a Vietnamese invested Xekaman 1 hydro-electric plant was kicked off on Sunday in Atopu Province, Laos, with the presence of Deputy PM Hoàng Trung Hải and Lao Standing Deputy PM Somsavat Lengsavad.

The project is part of the joint program on energy cooperation between the governments of Việt Nam and Laos.

The power plant is located in lower section of Xekaman River and 80km away from the two countries’ border line.

The dual-turbine plant with a designed capacity of 290MW is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2014.

Deputy PM Hải said that the project is of significant importance to providing power to the southern part of Laos and Việt Nam. It is also part of the two countries’ effort to jointly produce 5,000 MW.

Lao Minister of Energy and Mining Sulivong Dalavong believed that the project would help accelerate the realization of the set target of generating 5000MW as pledged by the two sides.