Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) Holdings has started providing support for power-line operations in Laos.

TEPCO personnel will work with local utilities in Laos until January 2024, imparting to their Laotian colleagues the expertise to manage the power grid. The initiative is part of TEPCO efforts to assist in the development of infrastructure in Southeast Asia, where demand for electricity is growing rapidly.

The company signed a project contract with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on Feb. 15. The contract amount was not disclosed. A joint venture will be set up for the project, and TEPCO Holdings, TEPCO Power Grid, Tokyo Electric Power Services Co. (Koto Ward, Tokyo), and Nippon Koei will join hands to support local utilities.

Laos exports electricity generated by hydraulic power generation to neighboring Thailand and Vietnam. However, inefficient management of the power grid has rendered it difficult for Laos to increase these exports.