Pöyry secures supervising contract for Xayaburi hydro project in Laos

The energy business group of Pöyry has been selected to provide technical consultancy services for the construction of the Xayaburi hydropower project.

Xayaburi hydropower plant consists of 8 Kaplan turbines with a total capacity of 1,285MW.

Pöyry review the design and supervise the construction of the project as a Government of Lao Engineer for the 8-year implementation period.

With the services, the company supports both the government and the project’s owner Xayaburi Power Company.

Energy production from the hydro plant is projected to generate enough clean electricity to provide electricity to nearly 1 million people in Lao and 3 million people in Thailand.

Pöyry Energy business group president Ari Asikainen said that large infrastructure projects such as hydropower plants raise a variety of sustainability related questions among stakeholders.

"However, the Xayaburi hydropower plant, as an example, will provide CO2-free renewable energy for about 4 million people in South East Asia," Asikainen noted.

"The lifespan of a run-off river power plant can reach up to 100 years and during this period it will provide affordable clean renewable energy to Lao PDR and Thailand, replacing fossil fuels, improving reliability of power supply and helping to advance Lao PDR out of the ‘Least Developed’ category of nations.

"Through this assignment Pöyry is committed to monitor the construction of the hydropower plant and its compliance with the Mekong River Commission guidelines, including the proposed technical design improvements and additional studies," Asikainen added.