Mirza, chief researcher at the Yosov Isaf Issa East South Asian Research Institute in Singapore, said in an interview with Lianhe Morning Post that the development of Hydropower in Laos has huge potential because Laos is close to Thailand and Vietnam.It also promotes strong growth in energy trade.
Laos has developed hydropower in the past 30 years, and plans to build more than 20 hydropower stations in the next eight years to further consolidate Laos as the largest power exporter in Southeast Asia.However, the development of Hydropower in Laos also faces many challenges. To fully exert its potential, we must first overcome geopolitical challenges, update technology and solve environmental problems.
Laos began to develop hydropower as early as 1971, and did not begin to develop at a high speed until the 1990s. The domestic hydropower stations surged from four in 1993 to 78 today.Laos Energy and Mineral Department predict that by 2030, Laos Hydropower Station will increase to 100.
Laos currently exports electricity to neighboring countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, but the eyes are farther and farther.On June 23, Singapore, which was 2,000 kilometers away, also began to import electricity from Laos.
Although the electricity imported from Singapore to Laos is only 100 MW, it is believed to be the farthest market for Hydropower in Laos so far.This project is called "Laos-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Electric Power Integration (LTMS-PIP)", and the electricity conveyor interconnection device for Thailand and Malaysia is the first multilateral transnational power transaction involving four member states.
According to Radio Free Asia, by 2030, Laos's electricity output can reach 28,000 MW, of which 20,000 meters are exported.Compared to many countries, it is often troubled by the shortage of power supply. Laos' power export capability is impressive, and some media are also known as the "Southeast Asian battery".
Mirza Sadaqat Huda, chief researcher at the Yosov Issa East South Asian Research Institute in Singapore, said in an interview with Lianhe Zaobao that "Southeast Asian battery" was exaggerated, but it is undeniable that Laos has become the main energy exporter of Southeast Asia, And keep this trend in the short term.
According to a report released by the Australian State University researcher in May, Laos exported 27 Taiwaph time in 2018 and is currently the largest power exporter in Southeast Asian countries.
Mirza pointed out that the development of Hydropower in Laos has huge potential because Laos is close to Thailand and Vietnam, such as Thailand and Vietnam, and the existing cross -border power grid has also promoted strong growth in energy trade.
Mirza believes that the power trade between Laos and other Southeast Asian countries also helps to promote the ASEAN POWER GRID.The plan aims to expand the region's multilateral power transactions, strengthen the toughness and modernization of the grid, and promote the integration of cleaning and renewable energy.
Laos Public debt super high limit Government investment in energy
However, funds and geopolitics may become a stumbling block for Laos to develop hydropower.According to a report released by the World Bank in April this year, Laos's public debt reached US $ 14.5 billion (about S $ 20.2 billion) last year, equivalent to 88 % of the GDP, beyond the 77 % level that economies like Laos.EssenceThis will be limited to the Laos government's investment in energy development.
Diana Suhardiman, the director of the Institute of Royal Southeast Asia and the Caribbean Research Institute, told Lianhe Zaobao that Laos still needs to promote the development of hydropower and still need private developers in Thailand, Vietnam and China to bet capital, but this limits Laos Laos Laos, but this limits Laos LaosThe government has discussed the right to discuss the power purchase agreement and the hydropower development plan.
Su Hadman said: "Laos currently lacks power grids, and it is clear that the rights symmetry between Laos and neighboring countries and (financial) dependencies. Insufficient power grids, can Laos export electricity to neighborsIt depends on the willingness to build the power grid by each country, which weakens the ability of Laos to negotiate power purchase agreement ... The Laos government also lacks the ability to promote hydropower development based on the total blueprint, or lacks relevant decision -making capabilities. "
Mirza also pointed out that the planning of the Asian Power Grid is very complicated.Southeast Asia, including multiple islands, and frequent extreme climate, make it difficult to build a cross -border grid. To promote the planning of the Asian Power Grid, the leaders of all member states must make a lot of investment and political commitments.
Mirza said: "The unstable political situation in Myanmar and the geopolitical competition between China and the United States have exacerbated the complexity of the completion of the energy interconnection project.Lay behind, but this area is slowly moving towards the realization of the Ayanan Power Grid plan. "
