The installation boasts more than two million solar panels and comes online as global fossil fuels face unprecedented disruption
2-MIN READ2-MIN ListenMia NurmamatPublished: 8:00am, 9 Apr 2026China has completed one of Southeast Asia’s largest solar power projects in Laos, at a time when regional economies are stepping up efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels amid global energy disruptions in the Persian Gulf.The initial phase of the 1 gigawatt (GW) solar project was officially connected to the grid on Tuesday, becoming the country’s first large-scale mountainous photovoltaic installation.
Located in northern Laos, the installation is expected to generate about 1.65 billion kilowatt hours of electricity annually, according to state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV). That output could save about 500,000 tonnes of standard coal use and cut carbon dioxide emissions by about 1.3 million tonnes.
The installation was built by China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN), a Shenzhen-based state-owned energy company and the country’s largest nuclear power operator.
Equipped with about 2.23 million solar panels, it is linked to the China-Laos 500-kilovolt (kV) power interconnection project, another flagship bilateral energy initiative that achieved connectivity in February.
“The project will provide Laos with stable and clean electricity while supporting regional energy complementarity,” said Wang Yang, head of local production and operations, adding that the company would prioritise safe and efficient operations to advance cooperation.
