Laos expands power grid and eyes biomass in renewable energy push

Laos expands power grid and eyes biomass in renewable energy push

Laos is looking to expand its power grid network and may use renewable
energy to produce electricity, according to Xinhua News.

The Laos government plans to install 54 more electricity transmission lines
and build another 16 substations by 2020.

Laos Minister of Energy and Mines Khammany Inthirath has revealed the plan
recently, saying the government recognises the need to install more
transmission lines and substations to deal with the increase in energy
generation.

At present, there are 53,000 kilometers of high voltage electricity
transmission lines and 53 substations, Laos state-run Vientiane Times
reported. High voltage transmission lines connect with neighbouring
countries, including 14 lines that transmit power to Thailand, two to
Vietnam, one to China, two to Cambodia, and one more to Myanmar.

Laos provinces in border areas also have 22kV transmission lines that
connect with neighbouring countries to facilitate the purchase, sale and
exchange of electricity, said Inthirath, adding that Laos is focusing on
expanding the electricity network into rural areas to spur development and
wipe out poverty among ethnic groups.

At present, almost 92% of households nationwide have permanent access to
electricity, while electricity exports have increased four-fold since 2010
and are rising each year, he added.

Biomass power

Laos is also considering renewable energy sources such as solar power,
biomass, and wind turbines. As many as 1.15% of all families across the
Southeast Asian country are using solar power, Inthirath said.

Along with the construction of more transmission lines and substations, Laos
also plans to build more hydropower plants by 2020.

There are currently 42 operational power plants in Laos with installed
capacity of 6,391MW. They generate about 33,822.4 GWh annually for local
consumption and mainly for export.

The number of power plants will increase from 42 to 50 as the government and
private energy developers complete the construction of new power plants that
will soon start to generate electricity.

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Link to Original Article:
http://www.bioenergy-news.com/display_news/11685/laos_expands_power_grid_and
_eyes_biomass_in_renewable_energy_push/

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John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com