Our Story

Background

The 600MW Monsoon Wind Power Project is a landmark initiative currently under construction, featuring a 500kV transmission line that links Laos to Vietnam. It is scheduled for completion by 2025. As the first wind farm in Laos and the largest in Southeast Asia, Monsoon has set a new benchmark by securing a bankable cross-border Power Purchase Agreement. In addition to providing green energy, Monsoon aims to uplift local communities through its comprehensive community development program. The project strives to become the most cost-effective renewable energy model in ASEAN, in line with the ASEAN Grid vision, while enhancing regional connectivity and driving the green energy transition across Southeast Asia.

Key
Milestones

2011

2025

November 2011

MOU executed between GOL and IEA, granting IEA exclusive rights to develop a large-scale wind farm in central and southern Lao PDR, including Sekong Province.

July 2012

Wind monitoring began in Dak Cheung District, Sekong, supported by an international wind consultant.

August 2015

Based on the preliminary feasibility study, IEA identified Dak Cheung District in Sekong and Sanxay District in Attapeu as the most promising locations for a large-scale wind project. The Project Development Agreement executed between GOL and IEA confirmed IEA's exclusive rights to develop the Monsoon Wind Power Project.

October 2016

MOU between Governments of Lao PDR and Vietnam for supply of 5,000MW renewable power from Lao PDR to Vietnam

July 2017

The GOL offered the project's electricity generation to Vietnam via a "Nomination Letter," which Vietnam formally accepted under the 5,000MW on energy sector cooperation between Lao PDR and Vietnam.

May 2018

The draft Environmental, Social, and Health Impact Assessment was submitted to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) for approval after successful consultations with villages and the provincial GOL. Meanwhile, IEA worked with the Institute of Energy of Vietnam to conduct the Grid Impact Study and identify potential connection points to the Vietnam grid.

September 2019

The Grid Impact Study was approved by Vietnam Electricity (EVN) and the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT), confirming the project’s connection at 500 kV at the Thanh My Substation in Quang Nam Province, with no negative impacts on the Vietnam grid.

Following EVN’s approval, the Tariff MOU was signed, and IEA began PPA discussions with EVN. IEA also initiated discussions with the central government on the power import approval process.

July 2020

After approval from relevant ministries, the Prime Minister of Vietnam authorized the import of power from the project, including the required 500 kV transmission line in Vietnam’s Power Development Plan.

An international environmental and social consultant was also engaged to ensure compliance with international lenders’ safeguard policies.

July 2021

PPA signed with EVN.

2022

January: Amended and restated PPA signed with EVN.

May: The international ESHIA was successfully disclosed on the Asian Development Bank’s website.

November: Turnkey EPC Contract signed with POWERCHINA.

December: Concession Agreement signed with GOL for the first wind farm in Lao PDR.

2023

March 2023: Monsoon signed a $692.55 million non-recourse project financing package with lenders.

March 2023: Construction of Monsoon Wind began.

July 2023: First set of wind turbines arrived at the site.

October 2023: First wind turbine installed.

2024

March 2024: 100 foundations completed.

September 2024: 100 wind turbine generators (WTGs) installed.

2025

Target to complete commercial operations.

Project Site

The Project is located in the Dak Cheung district of Sekong province and the Sanxay district of Attapeu province. It sits on the Dak Cheung Plateau, with elevations between 1,100 m and 1,700 m above sea level and features moderate to complex terrain. The area mainly consists of rolling forested land, farmland, and local villages.

Access to the Project is via Route No. 16B, an economic route connecting Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. The distance from Sekong town in Lamam district to the Project area is about 60 km.