General Electric (NYSE: GE; "GE") and Electricite du Laos (EDL) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch joint research and training programmes to support the long-term development of the nation’s energy sector and underpin Lao PDR’s aim to become a key power generation source of ASEAN.

GE will bring its expertise and experience to two initiatives designed to help Lao PDR advance its ambitions of becoming an important power producer and exporter in ASEAN.

“The MoU with Electricite du Laos is a milestone for GE in the Lao PDR as it enables us to bring our energy insights, expertise and experience to the country and support important development programmes that are key in achieving future economic growth,” said Mr Wouter Van Wersch, President and CEO, GE ASEAN. 

“Like GE, we believe fresh thinking, and a strong ‘next generation’ workforce are key factors to helping us achieve our priority energy goals – from providing affordable, reliable power to more homes nationwide, to developing our energy export business, and the renewable power sector,” said Managing Director of Electricite du Laos Boun Oum  Syvanpheng. 

Lao PDR has experienced rapid growth in installed hydropower capacity and is a region leader in potential future capacity. 

The MoU aims at developing a fully qualified Hydro Lao PDR workforce via GE’S potential contribution to:

-          The design and development of Hydro curriculum

-          Hydro technical trainings in GE’s industrial facilities, Lao PDR’s hydro power plants, or partners university premises

-          Developing local leaders via access to GE’s corporate trainings, and fostering local communities’ access to power

            “Creating value in the countries where we do business and contributing to their economic and social development locally is the way we drive our business. With this MoU, we are extremely proud to support the growth of Lao PDR and the success of EDL.  We are eager to start working on its implementation,” said President and CEO of GE’s Hydro Solutions Yves Rannou.

Another initiative described in the MoU is a national grid study to be conducted by GE Energy Consulting with the aim of contributing to the security and reliability of EDL’s transmission network.  Under such initiative, GE would analyze the existing grid system to identify current constraints and make recommendations for improved performance.

The feasibility of consolidating the grid infrastructure in Lao PDR, especially to merge the domestic network with that which links its power plants to customers in neighboring countries, will also be assessed, as will proposed network expansion plans for the next four years.

In addition to the signed MoU, GE announced the opening of its representative office in the Lao PDR.  “The new office in Vientiane, coupled with the signing of the MoU, underscores our commitment to bringing our technologies, equipment and expertise to Lao PDR as well as our confidence in the country,” said Mr. Van Wersch.

“Moving forward, we intend to assess how GE can also play a role in supporting the development of the country’s healthcare sector and we look forward to collaborating with like-minded partners to do this,” added Mr Van Wersch.

Source:
courtesy of KPL NEWS AGENCY

by KPL

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