CIP, Fecon propose 1-GW Lao wind farm to export power to Vietnam

Danish renewable energy developer Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) and Vietnamese contractor developer Fecon have proposed co-developing a 1-GW onshore wind project in Laos to export electricity to Vietnam, as the two companies seek to capitalize on growing regional demand for clean energy.

The proposal was presented during a meeting on Wednesday between Vietnam's standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc and CIP board member Niels Holst.

Duing the talks, the CIP-Fecon alliance outlined a plan to study the 1,000-megawatt onshore wind farm in Savannakhet province, with electricity intended for export to Vietnam between 2026 and 2028.

Both sides are also jointly evaluating a broader renewable energy portfolio totaling approximately 2.5 GW across Vietnam and Laos by 2030.

Stressing that Vietnam is one of its priority investment destinations globally, CIP said it plans to allocate around $3 billion to the country by 2030 to develop large-scale renewable energy projects, including initiatives related to importing wind-generated electricity from Laos.

The proposed Lao wind farm would support Vietnam’s efforts to diversify energy supplies while helping meet rapidly rising electricity demand driven by industrial expansion, digital infrastructure development, and economic growth.

Beyond the Savannakhet project, the alliance is discussing the development of a wider pipeline of renewable energy assets across Vietnam and Laos.

The portfolio would include onshore wind farms, utility-scale solar projects, additional power-export projects from Laos to Vietnam, and supporting energy infrastructure designed to enhance grid stability.

The companies said the proposed projects could contribute clean and reliable electricity supplies while strengthening long-term energy cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

A key element of the partnership involves investment in supporting infrastructure for renewable energy integration.

The two sides are studying the deployment of large-scale standalone battery energy storage systems (BESS), which are increasingly viewed as essential for managing intermittency from renewable generation and improving grid flexibility.

The proposals come as Vietnam and Laos continue to deepen energy cooperation under bilateral agreements covering electricity trading, coal supply, and cross-border energy infrastructure.

Those agreements have laid the foundation for a growing number of projects aimed at transmitting Lao hydropower and renewable energy into Vietnam, supporting energy security objectives for both countries.

The CIP–Fecon consortium said it will continue working with government agencies and stakeholders in both countries to assess project feasibility, complete regulatory procedures, and develop appropriate implementation mechanisms before moving forward with investment decisions.

Cross-border electricity trade has become an increasingly important component of Vietnam’s energy strategy as the country seeks to secure additional power sources while reducing carbon emissions.

Under the existing agreements between the Vietnamese and Lao governments, Vietnam aims to import around 3,000 MW of electricity from Laos by 2025, rising to 5,000 MW by 2030. By 2050, electricity imports from Laos could reach approximately 11,000 MW, generating about 37 billion kilowatt-hours annually.

According to the Vietnam Electricity (EVN), by the end of 2025, Vietnam’s government and the Ministry of Industry and Trade had approved the import of electricity from 47 power projects in Laos with a combined capacity of 8,260 MW.

Electricity imports from Laos have already increased substantially in recent years. Power plants in Laos supplying electricity to Vietnam reached a combined commercial operating capacity of 2,379 MW in 2025, up sharply from 1,700 MW in 2024.