Surge in energy generation, supply as Laos powers up

Surge in energy generation, supply as Laos powers up

Energy generation and supply to both local and export markets increased sharply in the fiscal year 2013-14.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines reported recently that total electricity generation was about 15,461.44 million kWh, exceeding plans by 6.98 percent.

It also represented a 10.44 percent increase compared to the previous fiscal year, the report noted.

In the previous fiscal year, Laos had a total electricity supply amounting to 16,151.22 million kWh to both local and export markets.

Supply exceeded generation due to imports, which were down on the previous year.

The report noted that during the last fiscal year electricity exports totalled 12,474.45 million kWh and had a value of about 4.88 trillion kip (US$610.19 million).

That was up about 14 percent from the projections and a jump of 18.08 percent on the previous fiscal year.

Supply for local consumption was 3,676.77 million kWh, at a cost of around 2.51 trillion kip (US$314.17 million), a 21.46 percent increase on estimations.

Laos imported electricity from Thailand, Vietnam and China of about 1,293.96 million kWh and valued at around 537.76 billion kip (US$67.22 million) in the last fiscal year, a 6.81 percent decrease on the previous fiscal year.

Imports dropped due to the enlargement of local generation capacities and commissioning of power plants.

So far Laos has 25 commissioned power plants generating energy for both local and export use with an installed capacity of 3,244.6MW.

This number does not include small scale plants that have installed capacity lower than 1 megawatt (MW).

The figure includes 15 that are under the management of independent power producers with a combined installed capacity of about 2,853.9MW.

The remaining 10 plants are under the management of Electricite du Laos (EDL) and have a combined installed capacity of more than 390.7 MW.

Laos also has 71 power plant development projects due to start generating energy in the near future, some of which are already under construction by investors from both home and abroad.

Once commissioned, the 71 power plants will provide additional installed capacity of about 21,668MW with the ability to generate about 120,000GWh annually.

The 71 projects include 31 projects under memoranda of understanding (MOU), 21 projects under power development agreements, and 19 projects under concession agreements including several under construction.

The projects do not include 16 power plant projects undertaken by the government or EDL, which have an installed capacity of 909MW.

This number includes seven projects under construction.

Laos also has other projects with installed capacity lower than 15MW falling under the auspices of provincial administration authorities.

The projects include 179 projects under MOU, and four that are in construction or preconstruction phases.

vientiane times