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.

Does Laos have a plan to decarbonise its power mix?

ASEAN member Laos has plans to increase renewable energy in its power mix, notably solar power buildout. However, it continues to rely on hydropower and coal-fired power plants to generate electricity, complicating both its way forward and decarbonisation plans.

How will a power distribution improvement project help Laos?

On June 1, 2023, the World Bank approved a Power Distribution Improvement Project to increase the capacity and efficiency of Laos’ domestic electricity grid. The project should also strengthen EDL’s financial management.

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 have a power grid?

It even has two electricity grids, one for exporting power and one for domestic usage. Laos relies on hydropower and lignite (brown coal) for most of its power generation, making up 83% and 16% of the mix, respectively.

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.