Laos’ electricity exports grow 7.5% in 2022

Laos earned more than 1.76 billion USD from electricity export in 2022, up 7.5% from last year, the country media reported.

The Xayaburi hydropower dam on the Mekong River in Laos (Photo: ThaiPBS)

Vientiane (VNA) – Laos earned more than 1.76 billion USD from electricity export in 2022, up 7.5% from last year, the country's media reported.

For 2023, the Lao Government has set a target of generating at least 51,134 million kWh, equivalent to more than 41.32 trillion LAK (2.4 billion USD), up 71.77% from this year. 

Laos is trading electricity with Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, and China. 

Its government is set to continue negotiating and promoting ties with neighbouring countries to exchange electricity via the “grid to grid” system so as to help tackle power shortages during the dry season and store extra power in the wet season.

During 2021 - 2025, Laos plans to produce 1,807MW of electricity, including 57% from hydropower, 19% from coal-fired thermal power, and 24% from solar power. By 2030, it looks to manufacture another 5,560MW, with 77.59% to be generated by hydropower and the rest by solar, wind, and coal-fired thermal power, according to its Ministry of Energy and Mines.

There are 90 power plants across the country at present with a total capacity of 11,000MW, including 77 hydropower, eight solar, and four biomass power plants, along with one coal-fired power plant./.

VNA