On 24 February, over 100 people attended the Energy Transition Council-Lao PDR National Dialogue: Working Together to Accelerate the Clean Energy Transition. Delegates were welcomed by H.E. Mr Chanthaboun Soukaloun, Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce (MoIC) and H.E. Ms Mel Barlow, British Ambassador to Lao PDR.
The first session of the day featured the Government of Lao PDR presenting its key priorities on clean energy transition in the power sector to achieve net zero by 2050.
Session 2 focussed on “Advancing Storage and Hydrogen Solutions in Lao PDR”. Our colleague from CCG Lao PDR, Dr Sounthisack Phommachanh, presented on the ongoing international support for long-duration energy storage and green hydrogen development in Lao PDR and this was followed by a discussion. Sounthisack was accompanied by CCG’s Koen Van Dam, and CCG Lao’s Miss Ms Orlavanh Sonesouphap and Prof Khamphone Nanthavong.
We were delighted to be joined by Mr Abu Zaki Head of the ETC at DESNZ and Mr Louis Mulvaney from FCDO Post Vientiane. Other honoured guests included Sarah Love from the FCDO and Madam Santisouk Phimphachanh from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
The event focussed on three strategic priority areas:
• Expanding renewable energy capacity and climate resilience of energy system, including power generation from hydropower, Solar and Wind
• Strengthening grid infrastructure and clean electricity trade, including incorporating more intermittent renewable energy sources and supporting economic development at the national and regional scale
• Making a positive case for renewable electricity generation and ensuring a just transition, taking into account communities, the people, along with their local economy and environment
Our thanks to everyone who helped to make the event so successful.
