Transmission lines of the China-Laos 500-kilovolt power interconnection project were fully connected on Thursday, marking a key milestone ahead of its planned full operation in April and opening a new cross-border channel for clean energy in the Lancang-Mekong region.

Once operational, the project will support two-way power transmission of up to 1.5 million kilowatts, deliver about 3 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually and cut carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 2.5 metric million tons, according to China Southern Power Grid Lancang-Mekong International Co.