Laos, China take on development study for rural electricity plan

Laos, China take on development study for rural electricity plan

Lao and Chinese companies will jointly undertake a development study for a
rural electrification plan aiming to achieve the government's goal to expand
power access to rural and remote areas.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) regarding technical cooperation on the
development study for a final rural electrification plan was signed on
Friday between the Institute of Renewable Energy Promotion (IREP) under the
Ministry of Energy and Mines, Electricite du Laos (EDL) and Pinggao Group
Co., Ltd from China.

The event was attended by Minister of Energy and Mines Dr Khammany
Inthirath, senior officials and employees from the three parties.

The percentage of the Lao population with access to electricity has
increased significantly over the last two decades, from 15 percent in the
mid-1990s to close to 90 percent in 2015.

At present, about 92 percent of people in Laos have electricity for use in
their homes and businesses since the government began to expand the
electricity grid.

Only 8 percent of people across the country remain unconnected but there is
difficulty expanding electricity access to rural and remote areas.

While increasing electrification has been a major success, the national
power grid is increasingly facing new challenges and difficulties related to
the rapid increase in demand for electricity.

Ministry of Energy and Mines has paid close attention to achieving the
sector's development goals in response to demand from people in rural and
remote areas where there is no electricity and national grid.

"This project will provide benefits to Laos especially implementation of the
National Socioeconomic Development Plan in achieving the goal of electricity
access reaching 95 percent of the population by 2020 and 98 percent by
2025," Acting Director General of IREP Mr Chantho Milattanapheng said.

Objectives of the project include creating a rural electricity database and
study plan to expand electricity to new rural areas, improved data on
constructed transmission lines and lines planned and underway across the
country; improved database on electricity from small hydropower plants,
solar and wind energy through information collection from villages in remote
areas, with the study to summarise results especially identifying possible
projects to define a rural electricity development strategic plan to 2030.

The initial study will take about 24 months with the Lao and Chinese
companies to then seek funding for future implementation.

The overall project is projected to cost US$100 million and take about 8
years to complete.

The project was very important and would bring major benefits to Laos
especially people living in rural and remote areas, Director of Pinggao
Group Co., Ltd Mr Xu Xiaofei said.

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Link to Original Article:
http://vientianetimes.org.la/FreeContent/FreeConten_Laos_china_127.html

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John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com