May 28, 2024
VIENTIANE – Laos, Australia: Putting Renewable Energy into Action – sparking new connections
The Laos-Australia Renewable Energy Day discussed technological and economic opportunities, heard from the private sector on new ideas, discussed ways to increase investment, and brought together diverse voices on the role of women and marginalised groups in the energy transition.
The event was addressed by Director General Mr Chantho Milattanapheng, Department of Energy Efficiency and Promotion, Ministry of Energy and Mines, who outlined Laos’ ambitious plans to unlock renewable energy such as wind and solar power, pumped hydro energy storage, and green hydrogen.
The successful one-day event was convened by the Australian Embassy to Laos and delivered by EnergyLab, Partnerships for Infrastructure and AustCham.
The event included presentations from a range of experts, including Australian institutions CSIRO and the Australian National University.
Local Lao businesses outlined the private sector opportunities and challenges in clean energy and international experts such as the International Finance Corporation and the Global Green Growth Initiative discussed options to increase access to finance.
“Renewable energy is a golden opportunity for Laos and is providing new jobs, new investment and new export opportunities,” said Dan Heldon, Deputy Ambassador of Australia to the Lao PDR.
“Maximising the potential of renewable energy in a way that is equitable and rapid requires deep cooperation between government, development partners, communities and the private sector, and that’s what we aimed to do through this event.”
The day also highlighted how Laos is already delivering an inclusive energy transition and discussed opportunities to enhance that ambition.
“Renewable energy can help provide new sources of income, unlock new business opportunities and provide job opportunities for young people and women, and it is vitally important that fairness and resilience is the heart of the energy transition,” said Dean Rizzetti, Policy Director at EnergyLab.
As part of the event, three leading Lao organisations were recognised for their leadership through clean energy awards.
“The winners of the Clean Energy Awards demonstrate how businesses are already using renewable energy to improve outcomes for Lao businesses and Lao people,” said David Ormsby, Executive Director of AustCham Lao.
Local ride-hailing app Loca received the Clean Energy Technology Award for their success in using their app to increase the deployment of electric vehicles in Laos and helping to establish an electric vehicle charging network.
SNV received the Inclusive Energy Award for their clean cookstove programme.
SNV’s programme aims to propel the adoption of clean cooking technology in Laos, with a target to reach 600,000 people with sustainable, clean cooking solutions by December 2025.
MyBanLao was also recognised as the runner-up in the Clean Energy Technology Award, highlighting their pioneering success in the use of solar energy at their hotel in Luang Prabang.
All winners of the Clean Energy awards are available for interview.
Over 140 participants from government, academia, the private sector and civil society came together on Monday with the goal of creating a common understanding of then significant and diverse ways that renewable energy can propel Laos towards achieving its economic, social and environmental goals.