International technology Group ANDRITZ has received an order to supply the electromechanical equipment for the Xayaburi run-of-river hydropower station from CH. Karnchang Company Ltd. in Laos. The order is planned to come into force during the next six months and start-up is scheduled for 2019.
ANDRITZ HYDRO will deliver seven Kaplan turbines, each with an output of 175 MW, an additional Kaplan turbine with an output of 68.8 MW, generators and governors, automation systems, and additional equipment. With a nominal capacity of 1,285 MW, the Xayaburi run-of-river hydropower station will have an annual output of 7,406 GWh (equal to the capacity of an average European nuclear power plant) and will provide electricity for around one million households.
Due to the shortage or entire lack of other energy resources, Laos has focused for years on expanding hydropower in order to improve the standard of living of its population (half of the population has no electricity supply), stimulate the country’s economic growth, and reduce its dependence on fossil energy resources.
