While feasibility studies have identified sufficient wind speeds in several parts of the country wind turbines have yet to be erected.
An official from the Ministry of Energy and Mines, who asked not to be named, told Vientiane Times on Thursday that wind turbine projects were only at the survey stage yet in Laos with a local company currently undertaking a wind energy feasibility study in Attapeu using information from the ministry.
Wind power uses air flowing through turbines to mechanically generate power for electricity which is environmentally-friendly with no greenhouse gases emitted.
Meanwhile, an official from the Attapeu provincial Energy and Mines Department Mr. Nalay Norasing said there were ample wind speeds in the province but not along the border of Laos and Vietnam.
Most wind speeds in Sanxay district are sufficient for the development of wind power, he said.
Last week Attapeu officials attended the Lao-China Business and Investment Forum, which is a part of the China-ASEAN Expo and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit in Nanning, China extolling the virtues of potential wind power in the province.
Laos has considerable potential for wind and solar energy in the central and southern parts of the country.
According to the Institute of Renewable Energy several companies are undertaking surveys for wind power across the country with some currently underway in Khammuan, Savannakhet and Saravan provinces.
Khammuan’s provincial Planning and Investment Department has allocated the PP Electric Company 18 months to conduct a feasibility survey in the five districts of Thakhaek, Hinboun, Mahaxay, Nakai and Xebangfay. If the survey results are positive the company will build a 15MW electricity substation for domestic supply.
Members of the public have queried why they have not yet seen any wind turbines erected in Laos. Maybe the energy companies are concerned the projects will not generate sufficient return on investment and that logistics will be a problem.
Source: Vientiane Times
