The Lao Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) said the country’s electricity imports from Thailand, China and Vietnam fell by 2 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2018.
Hanoi (VNA) – The Lao Ministry ofEnergy and Mines (MEM) said the country’s electricity imports from Thailand,China and Vietnam fell by 2 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2018.
According to the Vientiane Times, Laosimported 307.9 million kWh between January and June, of which 272.6 million kWhcame from Thailand, 21.28 million kWh from China and 14.02 million kWh fromVietnam.
The MEM said Laos spent about 14.08 millionUSD on the power.
Laos has high potential for electricityproduction from local hydropower, thermal power and solar power plants.However, electricity imports are needed to ensure domestic supply meets demand.
In 2019, the country plans to construct andupgrade several power lines to secure its plants’ connection to the nationalgrid. It also plans to link its grid to the three neighbouring countries tofacilitate power import-export.
In the six months, Laos’ revenue fromelectricity amounted to 240 million USD, up 15.44 percent year on year andrealising 48.85 percent of 2018’s target.-VNA
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Illustrative photo (Source: Laotian Times) 
