New power link with Laos example of BRI cooperation

The China-Laos 500-kilovolt power interconnection project — China's first such cross-border power link — officially began operations on April 20. The largest and highest-voltage grid project between the two countries, this power channel spans the border and boosts mutual power support capacity from 50 megawatts to 1,500 megawatts, a remarkable 30-fold increase.

Completed during the 65th anniversary of the establishment of China-Laos diplomatic relations and the Year of China-Laos Friendship, the project is another flagship achievement under the Belt and Road Initiative. It is a perfect example of the two countries' joint efforts to build a China-Laos community with a shared future. The significance of this project extends beyond power. The energy artery not only promotes mutual benefit and common development through energy connectivity, but it is also a crucial step toward building Yunnan province into a hub facing South and Southeast Asia. It also elevates China-Laos cooperation from hard connectivity through railways to energy integration, making the tangible benefits of BRI cooperation both visible and accessible to local people.

The project unlocks Laos' energy potential and reshapes the power development landscape in the Lancang-Mekong area. Despite Laos' abundant hydropower resources, seasonal fluctuations create periods of surplus and shortages. This power link establishes an efficient channel for mutual support: During the rainy season, Laos can export surplus hydropower to generate revenue, while in the dry season, China can fill the power supply gap in northern Laos.

Expected to deliver 3 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually, equivalent to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 2.5 million tons, this project aids Laos in advancing its green transition. It positions the country as a "battery" or energy hub in Southeast Asia, establishing a foundation for energy interconnection in the Lancang-Mekong region.

Adhering to environmental, social, and governance principles, the route was optimized to avoid ecological reserves, and a helicopter-plus-drone aerial transport model was used to minimize environmental disturbance and protect elephant habitats. Additionally, cutting-edge technologies such as smart construction sites, intelligent inspections and comprehensive management controls were implemented, advancing traditional cross-border infrastructure toward smarter and greener solutions.

Committed to enhancing community welfare, the project has also supported the construction of rural primary schools, established reading rooms, launched Laos' first sign language audiovisual program and upgraded public amenities, thereby sharing the benefits of cooperation with Lao communities. By connecting China and Laos through electricity, the project has transformed infrastructure connectivity into a deep, heart-to-heart bond between the two peoples, thus symbolizing friendship and shared prosperity.

By harnessing green energy, it addresses development bottlenecks, facilitates industrial upgrading, and enhances public well-being, illustrating that BRI cooperation is grounded in practical collaboration, and benefits people along its routes.

This green energy connection will further strengthen China-Laos power collaboration, provide lasting momentum for building a high-level China-Laos community with a shared future, and promote coordinated development in the region, highlighting stories of win-win cooperation.