Should Laos rely on hydropower?

At first glance, it would appear that Laos’ overreliance on hydropower would be beneficial in terms of energy independence and a negligible carbon footprint, but challenges remain. On the one hand, hydropower is considered a clean energy source.

Does Laos need more energy?

More broadly, Laos is betting on future demand across the region, with regional energy demand set to triple by 2050. Currently, 83 percent of Southeast Asia’s energy needs are met by coal, oil and gas, but ASEAN states are committed to transitioning toward cleaner sources.

How many solar power plants are there in Laos?

However, by the end of last year, only eight solar power projects and four biomass power plants were in operation, with an installed generation capacity of 116 MW, representing just 1% of the country’s total electricity production. As of early 2023, Laos produced power from 76 hydropower dams, with another 43 still under construction.

How much does electricity cost in Laos?

To its credit, state-run electricity company Electricité du Laos (EDL) is trying to encourage more solar power development by offering a tariff rate of USD 0.08 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). That’s higher than the rate for hydropower-generated electricity, which ranges from USD 0.05 to 0.06 per kWh.

Does Laos export electricity to Singapore?

Laos also exports smaller amounts of electricity to Singapore using existing interconnections from Thailand and Malaysia. However, Laos generally suffers from energy instability because most of its power plants are owned by international businesses and generate electricity for export.

Is renewable power gaining traction in Laos?

Renewable power generation is slowly gaining traction in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos). However, the country of only 8 million people doesn’t receive as much attention as its larger and more powerful fellow Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members, particularly Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.