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Hydropower development and protected areas in Lao PDR

Oudomsack Philavong, Lao National Mekong Committee Secretariat Prime Minister’s Office

Presented at:
The Lao PDR First National Round Table on 12 November 2001, and
The First Regional Workshop on 6/7 May 2002

Some basic facts about Lao PDR

Area:	236,800 km²
Population:	5.2 Million 80% living in rural area 2.9% annual growth Life expectancy 52 years 10% infant mortality
Economy:	Resource-based GNP per capita US$ 330 GNP annual growth 7% 62% of GNP from agriculture

Energy statistics

Consumption	Fuelwood 90% Electricity 5% Petroleum 5%
Electricity	Population access to electricity 30% Domestic consumption 653 GWh Per capita consumption 123 kWh Export to Thailand 2682.5 GWh Import from Thailand & Vietnam 161.5 GWh

Government policies on hydropower development

Earn foreign exchange to finance government economic and social programs.
Satisfy growth in domestic demand.
Extend electrification in rural area.
Maintain an affordable tariff to promote economic and social development.
Operate EdL on sound commercial principles.
Meet commitment of intergovernmental MOUs.
Co-operate with neighbouring countries in supplying border communities.
Reduce dependence on imported fuels for generation.

Categories of domestic tariffs

Residential (0-50, 51-100, 101-200, and >200 kWh)
Embassies, international organisations
Business
Entertainment
State offices
Agricultural
Industrial

Export/import patterns

Export and import with Thailand in TOU rates (Peak 18:00-21:00, Shoulder 7:30-18:00, Off peak 21:00-7:30)
Import from Vietnam in flat rate

Demand and forecast

Year	Energy Demand (GWh)	Peak demand (MW)
2000	730	142
2005	1,150	229
2010	1,793	352
2015	2,634	517
2020	3,870	759

Hydropower and protected areas

Lao PDR has great hydropower potential with an appropriate topography, a high precipitation rate and extensive forest cover. Hydropower and protected areas will be closely linked in future development options.

Large scale hydropower plants and protected areas

At present there is 620 MW installed capacity from 6 large scale hydropower plants. Nam Leuk Dam, linked to Phou Khaokhouay NPA, accounts for 60MW and Theun-Hinboun Dam, linked to Nakai-NamTheun NPA, accounts for 210 MW.

In the near future, Nam Theun 2 Dam will be located by Nakai-NamTheun NPA and Nam Mang Dam by Phou Khaokhouay NPA.

Small/micro hydropower plants

There are currenly 37 small and micro scale hydropower plants contributing 6,043 kW to the country. 11 in Houaphanh Province supply 706 kW of which 3 are in Nam Et - Phou Loei NPAs.

Hydropower levy for protected areas management

At present, annually 1% of electricity sale from Nam Leuk Dam contributes to Phou Khaokhouay watershed management. In the near future 1 million USD per year from Nam Theun 2 Project will be allocated for Nakai - Nam Theun NPA management.

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Review of protected areas and their role in socio-economic development
in the four countries of the lower Mekong River region

page updated: 30/05/02