Viraphonh Viravong
Viraphonh Viravong
Lao People's Democratic Republic
A mechanical engineer by training, H.E. Viraphonh Viravong is an outspoken advocate of sustainable hydropower development and regional power integration. He travels the world to keep up with the latest in hydropower technology and share more about the Lao PDR’s plans to harness the might of the Mekong River and its tributaries to become the “Battery of Southeast Asia.” After earning his engineering degree at Footscray Institute of Technology in Australia, H.E. Viraphonh returned to his native Lao PDR to work with the power utility Electricite du Laos where he was CEO during 1995-2006. Since 2006, he has served in the Ministry of Energy and Mines first as Director General, and from November 2011, as Vice Minister. He oversees scores of projects throughout Lao PDR, including construction of the 1,285 MW Xayaburi Hydropower Project on the Mekong mainstream. He has participated in numerous international forums, advocating sustainable development of the power sector to earn foreign reserves from energy exports to help electrify the countryside, alleviate poverty and ensure a brighter future for the people of Lao PDR. He has served on the board of directors of the Nam Theun 2 Power Co. Ltd, and Theun Hinboun Power Co. Ltd.
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