Laos has built 58 solar power plants to develop sustainable energy

A total of 58 solar power plants with a total installed capacity of 7,656 MW have been completed or are under construction in Laos, local newspaper Vientiane Times reported on February 

A total of 58 solar power plants with a total installed capacity of 7,656 MW have been completed or are under construction in Laos, local daily Vientiane Times reported on Tuesday. 

Eight of these factories have reportedly been completed and 50 are under construction. The Ministry of Energy and Mines reported on progress in this area of ​​development during a recent meeting with central and central government agencies to discuss direction for solar energy development. local level. 

The conference reflects solar energy development policies and measures aimed at reducing the amount of electricity purchased from other countries.

 Minister of Energy

he meeting that solar energy is an important strategy for sustainable energy development. Diversification and low-cost production will create a strong and stable source of energy for export and domestic consumption, he added. 

Laos is experiencing rapid socio-economic changes, and adequate energy supply is a key factor to respond to development. "With the recent advances in solar energy in Laos, it has become clear that more and more local and foreign companies are interested in investing in the sector," Daovong said. 

In 2021, the Lao government pledged to diversify its energy sources by building solar, wind and coal-fired power plants to address dry-season electricity shortages that can result from low water levels in the tanks. Less hydropower. 

The development will support government efforts to increase 

The amount of energy exported during the dry season and minimize the amount of electricity re-imported from neighboring countries. By 2030, Laos will produce an additional 5,559 MW of electricity. 

According to the report, 77.59% of this generation will come from hydroelectric power and the rest from solar, wind and coal-fired power plants. According to the report, Laos' solar capacity is expected to be between 10,000MW and 15,000MW, with wind potential estimated at around 100,000MW.

“Renewable energy currently accounts for more than 11% of the Maldives' total energy capacity, and the country's goal is to reach net-zero by 2030,” said Simon Stolp, head of the South Asia practice at the World Bank.

We are currently working on the installation 

40 MWh battery storage system and a $26 million grid upgrade, as well as an additional 36 MW of photovoltaic (PV) power, including rooftop floating and grid-tied power.”

To attract private investors, the project will be backed by a guarantee from the World Bank's Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), protecting the investment from non-commercial risks. Development agencies and banks are providing the necessary concessional financing to fill the gap.

It's important to mitigate risk so investors can move forward with confidence," said the World Bank's Pattanasiou. "A recent solar energy project in the Maldives attracted 63 investor fairs."

The ASPIRE and ARISE projects serve as examples for other islands. 

Two countries bordering the Indian Ocean, Mauritius and Seychelles, and Comoros off Africa have similar initiatives to develop their renewable energy sector, reduce import costs and produce affordable, sustainable and clean energy. it helps.

 Islands could also benefit from a union to create a larger market for investors or to share renewable energy generation across borders. In 2022, Singapore will start importing hydropower from Laos via Thailand and Malaysia. 

Private facilities such as resorts and businesses are also increasing their capacity by installing their own solar power systems as a cost saving measure. The United Nations recognizes the experience of the 38 Small Island Developing States (SIDS) with a combined population of 65 million.