Lao PDR is a potential country for the development of hydropower with the total installed capacity of approximately 26,500 MW. There are more than 30 years for the development of hydropower with two main priorities such as the reasonable price for electricity fees and generate income by exporting electricity.
According to VOA news, the electricity consumption in Laos is 989 MW in 2015, increasing to 1,180 MW in 2016 or 20 percent compared with 2015. In addition, the estimation of electricity consumption in Laos will increase to 2,862 MW in 2020 and 7,093 MW in 2030. Based on the information in Update Magazine issue 04, February 2018, Vietnam will generate electricity more than 7,000 MW and domestic electricity consumption only 5,000 MW. For Thailand's electricity development plans 2015 - 2036, Thailand will generate 70,000 MW and the estimation demand of electricity consumption is 50,000 MW. Malaysia and Singapore are focusing on renewable energy. Moreover, Neighboring countries have their electricity development plans in order to meet the needs for electricity consumption in the future.
Therefore, Laos' electricity export to neighboring countries will face obstacles due to neighboring countries are planning to generate electricity for themselves. Lao PDR plans to export electricity to neighboring countries in 2020 for instance 7,000 MW to Thailand, 5,000 MW to Vietnam and 1,500 MW to Cambodia.
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