MC Signs Loan Agreement for Monsoon Cross-border Wind Project in Laos
Construction Set to Commence on Climate-action Project Serving Vietnam and Other Parts of Southeast Asia
April 10, 2023
Mitsubishi Corporation
Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) is pleased to announce that MC and other project sponsors signed a 692 million USD financing package for the Monsoon cross-border wind power project in Laos with the Asian Development Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, and other lenders. As MC announced in its press release in June 2021, MC is involved in the project via investment through its wholly owned subsidiary Diamond Generating Asia, Limited*. Once the wind farm has been constructed, it will sell electricity to Vietnam’s state-owned electric power company (Vietnam Electricity) under a 25-year power purchase agreement.
The Monsoon Wind Power Project is situated in southern Laos, and when completed will boast the largest installed capacity of any wind farm in Southeast Asia. In addition to being the first cross-border renewable energy project in the ASEAN region, it will play a central role in the plan shared by the governments of Vietnam and Laos to transmit 5,000 megawatts of electricity from Laos to Vietnam by 2030.
1.Significance for Vietnam
Vietnam is working to balance its climate actions with measures to ease energy constraints. Having set a target to curb the country’s carbon emissions by 27% by 2030, the Vietnamese government has made increasing the use of wind and other renewables part of its 8th national power development plan, which is under preparation. The Monsoon project is considered a key contributor to that plan.
2.Significance for Laos
By partnering on this project, the government of Laos will secure more foreign capital that will aid the country’s economic growth and development. Furthermore, in strengthening cross-border power-transmission infrastructure, the Monsoon project should help to raise the average standard of living in Laos.
At MC, our mission is to simultaneously create economic, societal and environmental value, thereby meeting the needs of communities around the world and growing with them in a sustainable fashion. Our latest management plan, “Midterm Corporate Strategy 2024 – Creating MC Shared Value,” outlines our intention to promote both digital and energy transformations that can leverage renewables to build new, carbon-neutral industries.
By participating in this project, MC is demonstrating a commitment to climate action, energy stability in Vietnam, and economic development in Laos.
【The Monsoon Cross-border Wind Project】
(1) Location: Sekong and Attapeu provinces (central southern Laos)
(2) Installed Capacity: 600 megawatts
(3) Power Purchaser: Vietnam Electricity (25-year power purchase agreement)
(4) Schedule: Construction slated for commencement in 2023, with operations to commence in 2025.
【Project Site】
【Investment Structure】
【Partner Entities】
Name | Operations |
Diamond Generating Asia, Limited (wholly owned subsidiary of MC) | Power generation in Asia, Oceania and the Middle East |
ACEN Renewables International Pte. Ltd. | International holding company for power generation of the Ayala Group, with investments primarily in Asia and Australia |
Impact Electron Siam Co., Limited | Developer and investor of Monsoon Wind Project. Regional development and investment company focusing on Asia Pacific renewable energy and connectivity. |
STP&I Public Company Limited | Manufacturer of customised quality steel fabrication including Steel Structure, Piping Fabrication and Process Module for customers worldwide |
BCPG Public Company Limited | Asia-Pacific developer and operators of the renewable energies arm of BCP Group, the leading greenovation group in Thailand |
SMP Consultation Sole Company Limited | Consulting firm in Laos serving the finance, auto, and other industries |
Materiality
Based on the Three Corporate Principles, which serve as MC’s core philosophy, MC has continued to grow together with society by contributing to the sustainable development of society through its business activities while pursuing value creation. MC’s revised “Materiality” was announced in Midterm Corporate Strategy 2024 as a set of crucial societal issues that MC will prioritize through its business activities, towards the strategy’s goal of continuous creation of MC Shared Value (MCSV). Guided by this Materiality, MC will continue to strengthen its efforts towards sustainable corporate growth. Out of the six material issues relating to “Realizing a Carbon Neutral Society and Striving to Enrich Society Both Materially and Spiritually”, this project’s activities particularly support “Contributing to Decarbonized Societies” “Promoting Stable, Sustainable Societies and Lifestyles” and “Addressing Regional Issues and Growing Together with Local Communities”.
Inquiry Recipient
Mitsubishi CorporationTelephone:+81-3-3210-2171 / Facsimile:+81-3-5252-7705