China-Laos 500-kV power interconnection project achieves full line connectivity

A drone photo taken on Feb. 5, 2026 shows construction workers shaking hands to celebrate after line-connecting operation at the connection point of the Chinese and Lao sections of the China-Laos 500-kV power interconnection project. The Chinese and Lao sections of the China-Laos 500-kV power interconnection project were physically connected on Thursday, marking a major step forward in putting the project into operation. This is another major project in bilateral cooperation following the construction and operation of the China-Laos Railway. Spanning a total length of 177.5 km, the transmission line includes a 145-km Chinese section and a 32.5-km Lao section, funded and constructed by China Southern Power Grid Co., Ltd. and Electricite du Laos Transmission Company Limited, respectively. Once operational, the project is expected to enable a two-way transmission capacity of 1.5 gigawatts, delivering approximately 3 billion kWh of clean electricity annually. (Xinhua/Peng Yikai)

KUNMING, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese and Lao sections of the China-Laos 500-kV power interconnection project were physically connected on Thursday, marking a major step forward in bringing the project into operation.

This is another major project in bilateral cooperation following the construction and operation of the China-Laos Railway.

Spanning a total length of 177.5 km, the transmission line includes a 145-km Chinese section and a 32.5-km Lao section. The infrastructure was funded and constructed by China Southern Power Grid Co., Ltd. and Electricite du Laos Transmission Company Limited, respectively.

Once operational, the project is expected to enable a two-way transmission capacity of 1.5 million kW, delivering approximately 3 billion kWh of clean electricity annually.

By extending bilateral physical connectivity from transportation to the energy sector, the project is set to strengthen regional infrastructure connectivity and promote the optimization of the energy mix and clean development. ■

A drone photo taken on Feb. 5, 2026 shows construction workers operating at the connection point of the Chinese and Lao sections of the China-Laos 500-kV power interconnection project. The Chinese and Lao sections of the China-Laos 500-kV power interconnection project were physically connected on Thursday, marking a major step forward in putting the project into operation. (Xinhua/Peng Yikai)

A drone assists during the line-connecting operation of the Chinese and Lao sections of the China-Laos 500-kV power interconnection project on Feb. 5, 2026. The Chinese and Lao sections of the China-Laos 500-kV power interconnection project were physically connected on Thursday, marking a major step forward in putting the project into operation. (Xinhua/Peng Yikai)

Construction workers shake hands to celebrate after line-connecting operation at the connection point of the Chinese and Lao sections of the China-Laos 500-kV power interconnection project on Feb. 5, 2026. The Chinese and Lao sections of the China-Laos 500-kV power interconnection project were physically connected on Thursday, marking a major step forward in putting the project into operation. (Xinhua/Peng Yikai)

An aerial panoramic drone photo taken on Feb. 5, 2026 shows the connection point of the Chinese and Lao sections of the China-Laos 500-kV power interconnection project. The Chinese and Lao sections of the China-Laos 500-kV power interconnection project were physically connected on Thursday, marking a major step forward in putting the project into operation. (Xinhua/Peng Yikai)

A drone photo taken on Feb. 5, 2026 shows construction workers heading towards the connection point of the Chinese and Lao sections of the China-Laos 500-kV power interconnection project. The Chinese and Lao sections of the China-Laos 500-kV power interconnection project were physically connected on Thursday, marking a major step forward in putting the project into operation.(Xinhua/Peng Yikai)