VIentiane Times report on 30/11/2015: "Hongsa Power to celebrate commercial power generation:
Hongsa Power Company Limited will hold a celebration to mark commercial power generation at the Hongsa power plant, with two generators now fully operational and the third set to operate early next year.
The ceremony will be held at the Hongsa Mine Mouth Power Plant, Hongsa district, Xayaboury province on December 9, and will be attended by high ranking officials of Laos, Thailand and other foreign guests.
The first power generator was officially put into operation in June of this year and the second generator began operating early this month, while the third one is expected to begin generating in March next year, according to the company.
The plant will help to create revenue for the government for development and to promote the bilateral economic relationship between Thailand and the Laos.
The constructions started in 2011 and are expected to finish next year with a 25 year land concession of 76.2 square kilometres from 2016-2041.
The company is expected to spend US$3.7 billion on the construction and the plant will have a total capacity of 1,878 MW or 626MW per generator, using 14.3 million tonnes of lignite per year.
Under the agreement, 1,473 MW of electricity will be sold to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), and 100MW to Electricite du Laos (EDL).
Banpu Power Limited, and Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding Public Company Limited both share 40 percent, and Lao Holding State Enterprise shares the remaining 20 percent.
The Hongsa Mine Mount Power Project is the biggest thermal power plant in the country.
The project respects international environmental standards but some people are still concerned about the pollution it might cause.
The company cooperated with the provincial Health Department to ensure and follow up the health of current and coming generations.
After the project began construction, it created many jobs for local people, especially young workers.
According to a 2014 company report, almost 3,000 Lao people are employed in the plant and this number is expected to rise this year.
This has improved living conditions of the local people and reduced the number of people illegally working in Thailand.
The company highly values its social responsibility to families affected by the project by promoting agricultural projects, livestock breeding and handicrafts to gain an income.
However, many families still suffer as the special projects are located far from their homes.
The company also assists the community with educational development and health promotion by constructing schools and dispensaries and handing over equipment within the district, as well as road construction works.