Laos diversifies into nuclear energy with Russian support
VIENTIANE: Laos is looking to Russian nuclear energy technology to boost its domestic power sector - a vital source of revenue for the landlocked nation.
The two governments agreed to sign a roadmap to develop Laos's nuclear energy during Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith's visit to Moscow recently, along with several other bilateral agreements.
"One of them is a roadmap for cooperation in the nuclear sector between the Russian nuclear corporation Rosatom and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Laos,' Russian News Agency TASS reported, but no further details were revealed. The Moscow-headquartered Rosatom is the world leader in nuclear energy production.
Vientiane Times on Monday (Aug 4) reported that both parties signed the agreement to pursue the nuclear energy programme.
"This comes at a time when Laos seeks to harness the peaceful use of nuclear energy to diversify power sources, instead of relying heavily on hydropower,' said the English daily.
At least 80 per cent of electricity is produced by hydropower plants.
The Lao economy is largely driven by agriculture, tourism, electricity generation, mining, manufacturing and transport sectors.
The energy diversification also comes at a crucial time after the United States imposed a 40 per cent tariff on Laos' exports into the country, which could hurt its economy.
Nicknamed the "battery of Asia', Laos is trying to emerge as a major energy player in the Asean region and currently exports electricity to Thailand and Cambodia.
Last year, it earned about RM4 billion (US$980 million) in electricity exports.
It is also part of the ambitious Asean Power Grid, a regional network earmarked to be fully integrated by 2045.
The initiative aims to supply affordable energy to about 670 million people in the South-East Asian region.
According to the International Energy Agency, coal makes up 38.9 per cent of the Lao's energy mix, followed by 35 per cent hydropower, biofuel and waste at 16.5 per cent, and oil at 9.5 per cent.
The Lao president visited Russia from July 30 to August 1 at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. - Bernama
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