SET-listed Thai construction firm Ch. Karnchang Plc (CK) has secured an additional 19-billion-baht construction contract to optimise the environmental performance of the Xayaburi hydroelectric power plant in Laos.
Company president Supamas Trivisvavet said the additional construction aimed to fulfill requests by the Mekong River Commission to create an earthquake-resistant structure, navigation log, fish passageway and sediment flushing system.
She said the Lao government also agreed to extend the concession period for Xayaburi Power Company Limited (XPCL) and provide additional incentives to compensate for the higher investment and enable the project to continue to achieve the pre-set return-on-investment goal.
“We had already started the work in advance in order to expedite the project construction and are confident that Xayaburi Power Plant will be ready to start commercial operation in 2019 as planned,” said Ms Supamas.
Ch. Karnchang is the largest shareholder of CK Power Plc, which holds a majority of XPCL.
Ch. Karnchang has reported its operating performance for the first quarter of 2016 ending March 31, 2016 with revenue of 8.98 billion and profit of 305 million baht from construction works, with a current backlog of 77 billion baht.