Lao PDR energy report

• The energy policy is mostly focused on developing sustainable hydropower, wind, and solar and on increasing the electrification rate.
• Most of the power capacity is owned by IPPs.
• EDL owns and operates the power transmission and distribution networks.
• The oil sector has very few players due to a lack of upstream activities.
• Power production has more than doubled since 2015. The share of hydropower in the power mix has dropped from 100% in 2014 to 71% in 2020, following the commissioning of a large lignite-fired power plant.
• The prices of gasoline and diesel are slightly higher than in neighbouring countries, while the electricity price is much lower.
• Lignite is the main energy source in the energy mix (56% in 2020). Households & services account for 51% of final consumption.
• The government seeks to diversify and expand its power mix to reduce imports.
• Solar is increasingly considered as a strategic power source for securing electricity supply.
• Power exports and underlying transmission projects are central to power development plans.

• Institutions & Energy Policy

  The Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) is responsible for the energy sector and operates primarily through five departments: the Department of Energy Policy and Planning (DEPP); the Department of Energy Business (DEB) which is in charge of private sector investments in the power sector; the Department of Energy Management (DEM), which is in charge of drafting energy-related laws, regulations, g

• Energy Companies

  Electricity:

  Electricité de Laos (EDL) is the national public power company. It is vertically integrated, and involved in the production, transport, distribution, and export of electricity.

• Energy Supply

  Oil:

  In 2007, the Government granted an exploration permit for the Savannakhet area, which is the main zone of interest in the country. Three permits had been granted in the past, but no drillings were carried out and the companies withdrew. Drilling has not started in the Champasak and Saravan PSC.

• Energy Prices

  Electricity:

  Electricity tariffs used to be heavily subsidized, the price of electricity was gradually increased over 2006-2017 as a component of EDL reform. Prices have been decreasing since 2018. The average price of electricity is US$7.2c/kWh for industry and US$5.6c/kWh for the residential sector in 2020.

• Energy Consumption

  Energy consumption is relatively low at 0.84 toe/capita (vs around 2 toe/capita in Thailand), including around 1160 kWh of electricity (2020).

  Graph: CONSUMPTION TRENDS BY ENERGY SOURCE (Mtoe)

  

• Issues & Prospects

  Electricity:

  In November 2021, the Ministry of Energy and Mines unveiled a plan to diversify its power mix by developing solar, wind, and coal-fired power plants. The country, which is heavily reliant on hydropower, experiences power shortages during dry seasons and has to import electricity.

• GENERAL OVERVIEW
• INSTITUTIONS AND ENERGY POLICY
• ENERGY COMPANIES
• ENERGY SUPPLY
• ENERGY PRICES
• ENERGY CONSUMPTION
• ISSUES AND PROSPECTS
• DATA TABLES
• ABBREVIATIONS
• GLOSSARY

Download the Table of Contents

Below is a list of the Lao PDR energy market report graphs:

• GRAPH 1: CO₂-energy emissions (MtCO₂)
• GRAPH 2: Installed electric capacity by source (2020, %)
• GRAPH 3: Gross power production by source (TWh)
• GRAPH 4: Power generation by source (2020, %)
• GRAPH 5: Gasoline & diesel prices (US$/l)
• GRAPH 6: Electricity prices for industry and households (US$c/kWh)
• GRAPH 7: Consumption trends by energy source (Mtoe)
• GRAPH 8: Total consumption market share by energy (2020, %)
• GRAPH 9: Final consumption market share by sector (2020, %)

In the Lao PDR energy market report you will find the following tables:

• Economic Indicators: Annual historical data including population, GDP growth, imports and exports, inflation rate, energy security and efficiency indicators, CO₂ emissions.
• Supply Indicators: Historical data including oil and gas reserves, electric and refining capacity, energy production, power production and external trade. All are detailed by energy source.
• Demand Indicators: Historical data including consumption per inhabitant, consumption trends, total consumption by energy source, final consumption by energy source and sector, and electricity consumption by sector.
• Energy Balances: Single table displaying the overall energy industry balance per annum, also graphically displayed by energy sub-segment.
• Infrastructure Projects: Covers power plant projects by energy, technology, status and operator.