Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Laos exports over 6,423MW to ASEAN

Laos exports over 6,423MW to ASEAN

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Laos currently sells 320MW of electricity to Cambodia and plans to increase this to 600MW in 2025-2026 and to 1,800MW in 2026-2027. VIENTIANE TIMES

Laos exports over 6,423MW to ASEAN

Laos currently exports more than 6,423MW to other countries, mainly neighbouring countries, a senior official has said.

Addressing the National Assembly recently, Minister of Energy and Mines Dr Daovong Phonekeo said several power plants are under construction that will generate electricity for sale to neighbouring countries and other ASEAN member states.

However, billions of dollars are still needed to develop the energy sector in order to boost exports, Dr Daovong said.

At present, Laos has 86 sources of energy with a combined installed capacity of more than 10,400MW, of which more than 80 per cent is sourced from hydropower dams.

Power generated by eight plants with installed capacity of 5,421MW is currently being sold to Thailand. Another two power plants with installed capacity of 982MW are expected to become operational and generate electricity for sale to Thailand in 2027.

The government also believes that four more power plants with installed capacity of 3,734MW will be up and running after 2027. Laos and Thailand have agreed to revise their memorandum of understanding, which could result in Thailand buying more electricity from Laos.

Meanwhile, electricity generated by another three power plants with a capacity of 572MW is being sold to Vietnam. In addition, power purchase agreements have been signed on the export of electricity from six power plants with a capacity of 519MW to Vietnam.

Laos and Vietnam are also preparing to sign agreements on the sale of electricity generated by another 13 power plants with a capacity of 874MW.

Laos currently sells 320MW of electricity to Cambodia and plans to increase this to 600MW in 2025-2026 and to 1,800MW in 2026-2027.

Laos presently exports only 10MW of electricity to Myanmar but plans to increase this to 100MW by 2023 and to 300MW in 2025.

Laos also sells 100MW to Malaysia and will increase this to about 300MW in the near future.

Negotiations are also ongoing with other ASEAN nations on the sale of 100MW of renewable hydropower to Singapore via Thailand and Malaysia using existing interconnectors under an import trial.

Over the past five years, 53 hydropower dams have been built and put into operation with total installed capacity of 4,723MW.

Electricity is a huge revenue earner for Laos, especially through exports to neighbouring countries and ASEAN member countries.

The government has pledged to tap the potential of the energy sector, particularly the development of hydropower, solar and wind power, so that more electricity can be sold to neighbouring countries.

From 2021-2025, Laos plans to generate 1,807MW of electricity, with hydropower accounting for 57 per cent of the total, coal-fired power 19 per cent, and solar power 24 per cent.

VIENTIANE TIMES/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Famed US collector family return artefacts to Cambodia

    In the latest repatriation of ancient artefacts from the US, a total of 33 pieces of Khmer cultural heritage will soon return home, according to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. In a September 12 press statement, it said the US Attorney’s Office for the

  • Tina rebuffs ‘false claims’ over falling paddy price

    Agriculture minister Dith Tina has shed light on the trade of paddy rice in Battambang – Cambodia’s leading rice-producing province – in a bid to curb what he dubs a “social media fact distortion campaign” to destabilise the market. While acknowledging that the prices of paddy

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • Kampot curfew imposed to curb ‘gang’ violence

    Kampot provincial police have announced measures to contain a recent spike in antisocial behaviour by “unruly’ youth. Officials say the province has been plagued by recent violence among so-called “gang members”, who often fight with weapons such as knives and machetes. Several social observers have

  • PM outlines plans to discuss trade, policy during US visit

    Prime Minister Hun Manet is set to meet with senior US officials and business leaders during his upcoming visit to the US for the UN General Assembly (UNGA), scheduled for September 20. While addressing nearly 20,000 workers in Kampong Speu province, Manet said he aims to affirm