Thailand agrees to buy more electricity from Laos

[webfact]

Électricité du Laos (EDL) power lines cross the rice fields on the outskirts of Vientiane, Laos in this file photo.

 

Thai environmentalists say the move favors profits over nature and riparian communities.

 

Thailand has agreed in principle to buy more electricity from Laos after the two Southeast Asian neighbors signed an agreement that expands energy cooperation between the two Mekong River neighbors.

 

The memorandum of understanding, signed by both countries’ respective ministers of energy March 4, promotes clean energy, and creates more opportunities to invest in Laos’ energy sector, an official of the Lao Ministry of Energy and Mines told RFA’s Lao Service Monday.

 

Laos has staked its future on power generation in a controversial bid to become “The Battery of Southeast Asia,” exporting electricity from more than 50 large and small-scale dams on the Mekong River and its tributaries.

 

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Full story: https://www.rfa.org/english/news/laos/thailand-03092022145758.html

 

-- © Copyright  Radio Free Asia 2022-03-10

 

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[KhunLA]

Sad alternative to developing eco-friendly energy in country.  Outside dependency is never good.

[mikebell]

To think mighty Thailand used to snigger smugly at Laos as the poor neighbour.

[RafPinto]

Install all over Isaan solar panels and you should have enough energy for the whole country.

[Muhendis]

3 hours ago, RafPinto said:

Install all over Isaan solar panels and you should have enough energy for the whole country.

Agreed but who's going to pay for it to be done.

There should be a half decent feed in tariff for households but the Thai government would prefer to take money from it's customers rather than give it.

[it is what it is]

 

why on earth can't thailand improve and develop its dams and water management to produce its own hydro electricity, and better alleviate the annual flooding problems

[Srikcir]

Flashback to 2019:

Thailand seeks to become Southeast Asia energy hub.

Develop a wholesale electricity market for ASEAN members.

In re: www.reuters.com

Sep. 4, 2562

Another Hub failure?

[Moonlover]

16 minutes ago, it is what it is said:

 

why on earth can't thailand improve and develop its dams and water management to produce its own hydro electricity, and better alleviate the annual flooding problems

Thailand already has 26 hydroelectric dams in the country and they can only be built where the topography allows. Hydropower is the biggest form of renewable energy in Thailand. Check it out at Wiki.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroelectricity_in_Thailand

[Moonlover]

4 hours ago, RafPinto said:

Install all over Isaan solar panels and you should have enough energy for the whole country.

And just where will Thailand grow all its food?

[KhunLA]

10 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

And just where will Thailand grow all its food?

Every roof should be covered with solar panels ... that would be a start.  

 

Since not even considered, anywhere, most countries' energy policy is a joke.

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Sad alternative to developing eco-friendly energy in country.  Outside dependency is never good.

Thailand at the moment doesn't view infrastructure as a priority... better to spend billions on aircraft.

[BritManToo]

2 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Every roof should be covered with solar panels ... that would be a start.  

 

Since not even considered, anywhere, most countries' energy policy is a joke.

Hard to even buy solar panels in Thailand at the moment.

I've been trying to buy 1 for the last 2 weeks without success.

[Moonlover]

46 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Every roof should be covered with solar panels ... that would be a start.  

 

Since not even considered, anywhere, most countries' energy policy is a joke.

I'll pass the word around the village!