How is electricity produced in Laos?

Electricity generation in Laos is produced by one coal-fired power plant and several hydroelectric dams. 53% of power generated in 2016 came from renewable sources. The majority of power produced from the Hongsa plant is exported to Thailand.

Which power companies are responsible for electricity production in Laos?

Power companies responsible for energy and electricity production in Laos include: Electricite du Laos, Glow Energy (a subsidiary of GDF Suez), Lao Holding State Enterprise and Nam Theun 2 Power Company, a consortium comprising French-owned EDF (40% ownership), Thai (35%) and Lao (25%) entities.

What is the main energy source in Laos?

As of 2018, most of primary energy comes from coal (60.7%), followed by hydropower 30% and oil 18%. Hydropower is a significant resource in Laos, with 22.5 TWh electricity generated in 2018. However, the national electrification rate was 94.2% in 2017.

What is the current electricity capacity of Laos?

The current electricity capacity of Laos is approximately 6,000MW. The Lao government expects to achieve a capacity of 14,000MW by 2020. They plan to install 54 more electricity transmission lines and build another 16 substations by 2020. Current number of high voltage electricity transmission lines: 53,000km.

Are coal reserves enough to power Laos power plants?

The government claims that coal reserves adjacent to the plants are sufficient to power the plants for the entire 25-year concession period. The combustion of fossil fuels, particularly coal, is the main contributing factor to the increase in carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions in Laos.

How many power plants are there in Laos?

There are currently 42 operational power plants in Laos. The country plans to achieve an installed capacity of 14,000MW by 2020, and to install 54 more electricity transmission lines and build another 16 substations to support this growth.