The government has announced new electricity rates for households, starting with the October billing cycle, covering the final quarter of 2025.
From September to December, the cost of electricity transmission for Tier 1 to Tier 3 households will increase by 0.7 US cents per kilowatt-hour.
Although the announcement did not provide a clear explanation for the change, Electricité du Laos (EDL) stated that it will continue negotiations with independent power producers in an effort to lower electricity purchase costs.
At the same time, the government has ended the free electricity program for households consuming up to 25 kilowatt-hours per month, a move likely to affect low-usage consumers the most.
The official announcement also outlines several measures aimed at managing electricity costs and improving the overall energy system.
It promotes the use of renewable energy sources, such as rooftop solar panels, wind power, and biomass, while also highlighting the importance of public awareness campaigns to encourage energy conservation, particularly among young people.
These initiatives are part of a long-term strategy to keep electricity services reliable, sustainable, and affordable for both providers and consumers.
Facebook Users Share Their Concerns
The announcement was posted on Facebook by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce on 23 September and quickly sparked a strong response on EDL’s official Facebook page.
Many social media users voiced their frustration over rising electricity costs, with several questioning the new pricing policies and the impact on household budgets.
“Seriously! Whether prices go up or down, electricity bills are getting more expensive every month,” one user wrote.
“I’m waiting to see if the price actually goes down. My life is still normal, but my spending has changed a lot. I’ve gone from paying hundreds of thousands of kip to millions […],” another said.
Some users also questioned whether ongoing negotiations with independent power producers would truly benefit the public.
“I hope the plan to reduce electricity purchase prices really works,” one user wrote. “But it seems like any agreement will mostly hurt us, even though our country has strong laws and skilled negotiators.”
Meanwhile, others focused on the temporary nature of the price adjustment.
“The price has been lowered from the previously announced rate, but only for October to December 2025,” one user noted. “After that, prices will continue to rise each month and return to the previously announced levels until 2029. The headlines make it sound like the government is cutting prices, but in reality, it’s only for three months.”
These reactions show that residents are closely watching the changes with growing concern over how the new tariffs, along with the end of the free electricity program, will impact their daily lives.

