Attending the Commencement Ceremony were Lao Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavat, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai, the leaders of ministries and branches of the two countries and local people living in the project site.

Xekaman 1 Hydropower Project with the total investment of USD 441 million and the designed capacity of 322MW is built in the downstream of Xekaman river containing 2 subprojects: Xekaman 1 hydro-power plant in the upper section of the river and Xekaman Sanxay hydro-power plant in the lower section. The Project is located in both Sanxay and Sayxetha districts of Attapeu province, which is about 80 kilometres away from Vietnam-Laos border through Bo Y (Kon Tum, Vietnam) - Phu Cua (Attapeu, Laos) border gate.

Under the plan, both Xekaman 1 and Xekaman Sanxay hydropower plants will be wholly completed and put into commercial operation after 5-year constrcution period (power generation in early 2015) and will supply about 1.22 billion KWh per annual, 20% of which will be used for domestic consumption and the remaining will be exported to Vietnam through the 500kV transmission system between the two countries (connecting Ban Sok – Attapeu to Pleiku – Gia Lai). 

Previously, on February 10, 2011, the Concession Agreement (CA) of the Project had been signed between the Government of Laos and Xekaman 1 Power Company Limited with the term of 25 years as from the commercial operation date. The Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) with Electricite Du Laos (EDL) had been signed on October 28, 2010 and with Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) on March 02, 2011.

Addressing the Ceremony, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai highly appreciated the endeavours, efforts made by all staff participating in the project construction. He believed that the Vietnamese workers, with their ability and experience, together with the support and assistance from local authorities and people, would complete the Project on construction schedule and quality, which would contribute to social and economic development of local people in particular and both countries in general.

In his speech, Lao Minister of Energy and Mines Soulivong Daravong also confirmed that Xekaman 1 Hydropower Project had a great significance for the scio-economic development of the Lao PDR helped to promote the comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

In addition to Xekaman 1 Hydropower Project, Viet-Lao Power Joint Stock Company currently is the Investor of three hydropower projects more in the Southern Laos, including Xekaman 3 Hydropower Project (installed capacity of 250MW, power generation in early 2012), Xekaman 4, Dak E Meule Hydropower Projects and one Hotel and Offices for Lease project in Vientiane Capital (to be inaugurated during March, 2011).