Laos: Nation's renewable energy options explored with assistance from China

Laos: Nation's renewable energy options explored with assistance from China

Laos must increase understanding of the rapid development and expanding use
of renewable energies and the revolution in energy production and
distribution especially for technical officials responsible for the field.

This was among the messages delievered at a meeting that took place in the
capital yesterday attended by Deputy Minister of Sciences and Technology, Dr
Chanseng Phimmavong, representative of the Ministry of Sciences and
Technology of China, Ms Le Jia and renewable energy experts from Lao,
Myanmar and Thailand.

Dr Chanseng said the government was seeking support to study the development
of renewable energy and related products in the country.

This aims to respond to growing demand in the future, posing issues for grid
connectivity.

During the meeting, participants exchanged experiences on the implementation
and design and installation of technologies.

A presentation drawing on expertise from Yunnan Normal University of China
(YNUC) outlined technologies using renewable energy that have achieved
success in neighbouring countries.

Speaking to Vientiane Times yesterday, Deputy Minister of Science and
Technology, Dr Chanseng Phimmavong spoke at the International Training
workshop on China Laos Joint Laboratory Application Technology.

The training under agreement for renewable energy cooperation will see Laos
and China working together to enhance skills development and aptitude to
handle technological innovation.

I believe that this training will be a catalyst in attaining of objectives
as expected as soon as possible, Dr Chanseng said.

He said via this training, participants will learn how to address renewable
energy and its application in planning and management processes through
appropriate techniques that reflect both internal and external factors
affecting renewable energy development in Laos.

This training will enhance the capacities of governmental and NGO officials
to deal with reforms and changes that are happening in knowledge awareness
on this field, he said.

I urge participants to earnestly discuss the change management concept as a
tool to workable development objectives and formulate action plans to
facilitate efficient renewable energy and its application both theory and
practice, he added.

The Joint Laboratory on renewable energy development was established in 2013
to focus on the development and utilisation of renewables.

Vice President of YNUC, Prof. Dr Ma Li said both sides confirmed that
activities would continue to be conducted in Laos under the agreement of
science cooperation between Laos and China.

He said at present, about 14 government officials from Laos had been trained
in China the field of renewable energy development to postgraduate levels,
graduating with master's and doctoral degrees.

A renewable energy demonstration area is being built in Laos with support of
China and includes a solar water engineering demonstration project, solar
street lamp demonstration projects, solar cooling and drying demonstration
projects and others energy systems, he said.

According to the Institute of the Renewable Energy Promotion Department at
the Ministry of Energy and Mines, Laos has considerable potential regarding
wind and solar energy, particularly in the central and southern parts of the
country.

Now, Laos has completed two pre feasibility studies in Nong and Xonbouly
districts, Savannakhet province, but has yet to conduct large scale wind or
solar project studies due to a lack of regulations or funding support.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Link to Original Article:
http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/FreeContent/FreeConten_National.htm

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com