The solar farm in Oudomxay district.

Oudomxay solar farm set to power up this year

The sale of electricity generated by a solar power farm in Oudomxay province is expected to start by the end of this year, with construction of the solar array now nearly 50 percent complete.
Vice President Bounthong Chitmany and his delegation visited the site on July 19 to inspect progress and meet with project staff and local officials,  Oudomxay radio station reported.
Located across Xay and Namor districts, the solar farm spans more than 2,090 hectares of farmland and protected forestry.
The clean energy project is being developed by China’s CGN Power Group under a concession agreement signed in 2024. It is part of Phase 1 of the Northern Laos Clean Energy Project and is seen as a key example of Laos-China energy cooperation.
Some 800 technicians and workers are currently installing the solar panels, which will have a total installed capacity of 1,000 megawatts and be able to generate about 1,700 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually.
As of mid-July, construction was 45 percent complete. Key foundational work such as earthworks for the main station, piling, transformer bases and green space landscaping has already been finished.
Surface clearing and piling in the solar energy zone are also fully complete.
Work on other components continues, with 52 percent of the anti-erosion rock network completed, 39 percent of production buildings built, and 35 percent of perimeter walls in place.
Steel structures for solar panels are 12 percent installed, and 6.6 percent of the panels are now in place, with installed panels already generating around 85 megawatts of electricity.
Road construction within the site, which covers over 90 kilometres, is about 85 percent complete.
Construction of the transmission line is also advancing. Earthworks for 25 transmission pole foundations are 43 percent complete, and concrete pouring for 24 poles is 41 percent complete. A total of 45 poles have been installed, equalling 8 percent of the planned total.
The solar farm in Oudomxay is part of a broader strategy by the CGN Power Group to expand clean energy in northern Laos.
Under the Lanxang-Mekong Cooperation framework, the company plans to build more wind and solar farms in Oudomxay, Phongsaly and Luang Namtha provinces, with a combined capacity of 10 million kilowatts.
Once operational, these projects are expected to deliver both direct and indirect benefits to surrounding communities, while also supporting Laos’ ambition to become a major regional energy exporter.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Oudomxay solar farm last year, the former Minister of Energy and Mines said the development will significantly advance Laos’ energy strategy, further supporting socio-economic growth.
“Such projects will enhance energy infrastructure, making it more environmentally friendly, stable and efficient, while also contributing to the betterment of local communities,” he said.

by Times Reporters
 (Latest Update July 22, 2025)