Netflix’s Bid for Warner Bros Discovery Aims to Cut Streaming Costs and Reshape the Industry 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Firelight Launches as First XRP Staking Platform on Flare, Introduces DeFi Cover Feature 
Rise of the Zombie Bugs takes readers on a jaw-dropping tour of the parasite world 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
What’s so special about Ukraine’s minerals? A geologist explains 
UPS MD-11 Crash Prompts Families to Prepare Wrongful Death Lawsuit 
Tesla Faces 19% Drop in UK Registrations as Competition Intensifies 
Swimming in the sweet spot: how marine animals save energy on long journeys 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
IKEA Launches First New Zealand Store, Marking Expansion Into Its 64th Global Market 
Thailand-based Impact Electrons Siam Ltd (IES) has secured a $692 million financial package from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for its 600-MW Monsoon wind power project in Laos.
The project will be the first wind farm in Laos and the first cross-border wind power plant in Southeast Asia.
The wind park and a dedicated 500-kV transmission line will be built in the Sekong and Attapeu provinces.
Vietnam Electricity (EVN) will buy the electricity generated by the wind farm under the 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA).
ADB acted as the sole mandated lead arranger and the book runner for the financing transaction that involves developmental and commercial funding.
It is co-financing the project together with the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA), the Export-Import Bank of Thailand (Thai EXIM), Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp (SMBC), Hong Kong Mortgage Corp Ltd (HKMC), Kasikornbank and Siam Commercial Bank.
“Developing economies in Asia and the Pacific face shortfalls in climate investments that are needed to clear a pathway to green growth,” said
According to ADB private sector operations department director general Suzanne Gaboury, the syndication of development and commercial financing for this project bridges the shortfalls in climate investments by mobilizing private capital.
The project is expected to help Laos unlock its wind resources and diversify the country’s hydro generation, which mainly occurs in the rainy season.
Last year, Chinese green tech company Envision Group announced a Letter of Intent (LoI) to supply turbines for the Monsoon project.
