Ministry predicts energy generation still below demand
Ministry predicts energy generation still below demand
The Ministry of Energy and Mines expects that local energy generation will rise to about 7,196.55 million kWh in the first six months of this fiscal year (2013-14), although the amount of power required by local and export markets is still larger.
A summary report released by the ministry last week indicates that supply will be around 7,209.68 million kWh, at a cost of 3,166.64 billion kip (US$395.83 million).
“The 7,209.68 million kWh will also include the energy generated locally and that which is imported,” the report noted.
Laos generates energy for both local and export markets, but must still import power for local consumption because some areas that are outside the national grid do not get sufficient electricity. However those areas are close to neighbouring countries, from which power can easily be imported.
The supply of 7,209.68 million kWh will include the export of about 5,590 million kWh at a cost of about 2,129.2 billion kip (US$266.15 million), while the rest (about 1,619.68 million kWh) will be for local supply.
The ministry's report noted that energy generation in the first quarter was 3,495 million kWh, representing a 50.5 percent increase compared to the same period last fiscal year
Electricity generation increased sharply because some power plants' first quarter generation saw much greater output than the previous year.
One outstanding point is that energy generation by the Nam Theun 2 (NT2) hydropower plant, which has an installed capacity of 1,070MW, is much larger than other power plants in the country.
The ministry's report also noted that in the first quarter supply was 3,623 million kWh, including energy generated locally and that which was imported.
The 3,623 million kWh includes 2,854 million kWh for export, at a cost of more than 1.13 trillion kip (US$141.35 million). The export value increased twice compared to the same period last fiscal year.
For supply locally, it was 769.62 million kWh at a cost of about 517.44 billion kip (US$64.68 million). The value represented an increase of about 0.4 percent compared to the same period last fiscal year.
So far Laos has 24 operational power plants (starting from 1MW) with a total installed capacity of 3,245MW. Combined, these are generating more than 16,100 GWh annually for local and export markets.
The 24 plants include 14 under the management of independent power producers that have an installed capacity of about 2,854MW and 10 plants under the management of Electricite du Laos which have an installed capacity of more than 390MW.
On March 11 Xenamnoy 1, which is one of four power plants that are set to begin commercial operation this year, started full-scale commercial electricity generation, with the others being Xekaman 3, Nam Sana and Nam Ngiep 3A. All up, the four plants will have a combined installed capacity of about 322.8 MW.
Eight additional hydropower plants will begin commercial operation next year, with a combined installed capacity of around 2,976MW.
Another five power plants are also scheduled to commence generation in 2016 and they will have an installed capacity of about 514MW.
vientiane times
