Hydropower supply, funding support could speed up Laos’ renewables development

Laos has a huge hydropower potential of 23GW.

With a 23GW estimated hydropower potential and funding support from developed countries, Laos is in a position to speed up the development of its renewable energy, GlobalData reported. 

In 2021, the market saw a total annual generation of 36.8 terawatt-hours (TWh), of which 27.5TWh were exported. 

“Laos is diversifying its power mix through renewable expansion particularly hydro, solar, and wind. The country also has set a conditional target to achieve 1 gigawatt (GW) of total solar and wind capacity and 300 megawatts (MW) of biopower capacity by 2030 depending on the level of support it receives from developed countries,” Attaurrahman Ojindaram Saibasan, Power Analyst at GlobalData, said.

“As per current estimates, the country is expected to achieve 0.6 GW solar PV capacity and 150 MW biopower capacity by 2030 falling short of its targets.” At present, Laos’ hydropower capacity stood at 9.6GW. 

Read more: What could dry up Laos’ hydropower potential

The country is also considering foreign investments for its renewables deployment. 

Laos currently plans to build 3.4GW of wind capacity, over 1GW of utility-scale solar PV capacity, and over 9.1GW of hydropower capacity.