Lao Key Figures
- Population:
- 7.28 million
- GDP growth rate:
- 0.50 %/year
- Energy independence:
- 100%
Data of the last year available: 2020
- Total consumption/GDP:*
- 117 (2005=100)
- CO2 Emissions:
- 2.48 tCO2/capita
- Rate of T&D power losses:
- 26.7%
* at purchasing power parity
View all macro and energy indicators in the Lao energy report
Lao Related News
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Lao Related Research
Benefit from up to 2 000 up-to-date data series for 186 countries in Global Energy & CO2 data
A data overview is available in the global energy statistics app
Total 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)
Total energy consumption increased by nearly 5%/year over 2000-2014 and surged until 2017 (+23%/year), with the start of production of the lignite power plants. It then remained stable until 2019, before rebounding in 2020 to 6.1 Mtoe.
Interactive Chart Lao Total Energy Consumption
Benefit from up to 2 000 up-to-date data series for 186 countries in Global Energy & CO2 data
View the detailed fondamentals of the market at country level (graphs, tables, analysis) in the Lao energy report
Crude Oil Production
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.
A small refinery of 20 kb/d was commissioned in 2020. Oil demand is entirely supplied by imports from China, Thailand, and Vietnam. In 2020, total oil product imports amounted to around 1.1 Mt, which is nearly twice the level in 2010.
Interactive Chart Lao Crude Oil Production
Benefit from up to 2 000 up-to-date data series for 186 countries in Global Energy & CO2 data
Additionally, for more detailed information on refineries, you can request a sample of our Asia Refineries Dataset
Renewable in % Electricity Production
In 2011, the government published its Renewable Energy Development Strategy, which focuses on small scale renewables (biofuels, biogas, solar energy, wind, small hydropower). The government aims to increase the share of renewables (excluding large hydro) to 30% of the total energy consumption by 2025 (ambition confirmed in the new PDP 2020-2030). The government targets 400 MW of small hydro, 33 MW of solar, 73 MW of wind, 58 MW of biomass and 51 MW of biogas capacity by 2025.
Interactive Chart Lao Share of Renewables in Electricity Production (incl hydro)
Benefit from up to 2 000 up-to-date data series for 186 countries in Global Energy & CO2 data
Learn more about renewables in the Mini grid Africa & Asia markets for village electrification
CO2 Fuel Combustion/CO2 Emissions
In its updated NDC (2021), the country pledged to unconditionally reduce its GHG emissions by 60% in 2030 compared to a BAU scenario. To achieve this goal, Lao PDR aims to reduce LULUCF emissions by 1.1 MtCO2eq/year by reducing deforestation, to install 7.5 GW of hydropower capacity (to reach 13 GW), and to introduce 50 000 energy-efficient cooking stoves.