Mr Thongphath Inthavong (centre), Mr Vanthong Sithikoun (right) and Mr Chanthaboun Soukaloun chaired the meeting in Vientiane.

EDL reforms to ensure electricity supply and revenues for economic development

The Electricite du Laos (EDL) is implementing reforms to ensure sufficient domestic electricity supply and revenues from electricity exports to contribute to socio-economic development.
Ninety-five percent of households across the country are now connected to the electricity network, EDL’s Managing Director, Mr Chanthaboun Soukaloun, said at a meeting on the utility’s business operations in Vientiane on Wednesday.
The meeting was chaired by the Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines, Mr Thongphath Inthavong, and co-chaired by the Vice President of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI), Mr Vanthong Sitthikoun.
The EDL currently purchases electricity from 89 power plants, and there are 75 electricity distribution stations with 115-230 kV high voltage power transmission lines. These lines are 9,974 km long and there are 55,600 km of medium and low voltage power transmission lines, he said.
The EDL will try to develop electricity as a backbone for the nation’s development, in line with the transformation of industry through the use of modern technology to meet the goals of the national socio-economic development plan. These measures will also help find solutions to the financial-economic crisis under the electric power development strategy of Laos for 2021-30, Mr Chanthaboun said.
Laos currently exports power to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Singapore, with exports expected to increase by an estimated 20,000 MW between 2020 and 2030, according to the Ministry of Energy and Mines.
Domestic electricity consumption in Laos is also expected to increase by 1,800 MW between 2020 and 2025.
Hydropower plants are an important source of cost-effective energy. Laos is among the richest countries in Southeast Asia in terms of hydropower resources, and currently exports an estimated two-thirds of the hydropower it generates.
Revenues from power exports make a significant contribution to economic growth and poverty alleviation in Laos.
The EDL is a state-run enterprise that prioritises the implementation of the national socio-economic development plan, promotion of related enterprises, and creation of jobs for the Lao people.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update August 12, 2022)