Laos works to boost power
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Laos expects to see a big surge in electricity production over the next seven years with a number of hydropower plants currently under construction. According to a report from the Ministry of Energy and Mines' Energy Policy and Planning Department, the c
This increase in power-production capacity will be possible when eight hydro plants and one lignite-fired power plant become operational over the next seven years.
Economists say the huge increase in power generation will not only play a significant role in securing power supplies for domestic consumption, but will also help generate much-needed foreign exchange.
About 85 per cent of the power to be generated by the new dams is intended for export to Thailand, which needs more power to feed its growing industry. Thailand has agreed to purchase up to 7,000MW of electricity from Laos by 2020.
According to the Ministry of Energy and Mines, Laos exported about US$500 million (Bt14.7 billion) worth of hydropower in 2012.
