In 2023, Laos exhibited a strong commitment to low-carbon electricity generation. More than three-quarters of the nation's electricity was produced through low-carbon methods, with hydropower being the dominant source, supplying almost the entire low-carbon share. Fossil fuels, primarily coal, accounted for more than a fifth of electricity generation, which raises some environmental concerns. The heavy reliance on hydropower showcases Laos’s commitment to clean energy, yet there remains room for improvement by diversifying the green energy portfolio to further reduce dependency on fossil fuels, aiming for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly electricity consumption pattern.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Laos?
Electricity consumption in Laos is seeing growth, albeit at a modest pace. The latest figures for 2023 show residents consuming 6823 kWh per person, an increase of 71 kWh from the previous year in 2022. Similarly, the generation of low-carbon electricity also rose from 5141 kWh per person in 2022 to 5234 kWh per person in 2023, marking a commendable increase of 93 kWh. This growth, though modest, indicates forward momentum in expanding both overall and low-carbon electricity generation. It's essential for Laos to sustain and amplify this growth to meet future demands and continue reducing reliance on fossil fuels, thus ensuring greener and more sustainable progress.
Suggestions
To further enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Laos can draw inspiration from regions with robust clean energy infrastructure. For instance, the deployment of wind and nuclear energy has shown significant success in several countries. Denmark and Iowa could serve as excellent benchmarks for integrating wind energy into the energy mix, achieving impressive generation rates of around half of their electricity from wind. Simultaneously, exploring nuclear energy as France does, with nearly 70% of its electricity from nuclear, represents another potent avenue for diversification. Expanding solar energy could also prove beneficial, given its successful implementation in regions like Lebanon, which generates about a third of its electricity from solar power. These global examples provide Laos with a roadmap to enhance its clean energy mix by integrating solar and nuclear energy alongside its already established hydropower capacities.
History
Reflecting on the historical growth of low-carbon electricity in Laos, it's evident that hydropower has been the backbone of its clean electricity generation. Since the late 1990s, hydropower in Laos has generally seen a positive trend with notable increases in the 2010s. For example, there was a significant leap in 2010 when hydropower generation increased by 5 TWh, followed by consistent growth in subsequent years, notably a leap of 9 TWh in 2020. Despite some periods of decline like in 2019, the overall trend has been of steady growth, especially in the last few years. Moving forward, adding to this solid base of hydropower with other forms of low-carbon energy will be crucial for the continued progression towards clean and sustainable electricity generation.
