Laos advances 100-MW Bolikhamxay solar project

Developers met residents and authorities on September 18 to discuss the proposed 100-MW Bolikhamxay solar facility, which will span 140.23 hectares across Nam Ngiep and Khuay Oudom villages in Paksan district.

As reported by The Laotian Times, the plant is planned to feature 211,007 dual-glass monocrystalline panels and produce an estimated 197 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually.

The Lao government and Thailand-based APDL Solar Power Sole Co Ltd signed a feasibility study agreement in February. APDL is developing the project alongside India's Kosher Climate India Private Limited.

The latest consultation involved provincial and district officials, local communities and project developers. Discussions included the proposed generation of carbon credits. No construction timetable has yet been announced.

The Bolikhamxay development is one of 12 locations identified under Laos's national solar development and power purchase programme.

In northern Laos, a separate 100-MW project is planned in Xay district, Oudomxay province. The facility is expected to cover parts of Ban Nalae and Ban Nasankham in the Hin Reservoir area, with a feasibility agreement already signed with South Korea's CTE Company.

Oudomxay is also home to Laos's largest solar facility, a 1,000-MW project covering 2,090 hectares across seven villages. It began operations in late 2025 and generates around 1.7bn kilowatt-hours annually, with power exported to China's Yunnan province through the Laos-China 500kV transmission line.

Other solar developments include a 100MW facility under construction near Kaysone Phomvihane in Savannakhet province, covering 158 hectares and prioritising locally manufactured panels.

The government's solar expansion aims to address electricity shortages during the dry season, particularly when hydropower output falls.