The agreement to further commit to enhancing energy trade came as Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone met with Cambodia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, Keo Rattanak, during his visit to the country on 13 January.
Laos currently supplies energy to Cambodia via a 115-kilovolt transmission line between Champasack Province, in Laos, and Stung Treng Province, in Cambodia. With the implementation of the new 500-kilovolt line, the transfer of energy is expected to become more efficient.
At present, Cambodia imports around 445 MW of electricity from Laos, with the aim of reaching 6,000 MW by 2030. The country currently imports 25 percent of its electricity from Laos, Vietnam and Thailand.
The push for further electricity trade between the two nations emerges as Laos positions itself to become the “battery of Southeast Asia,” while Cambodia enhances efforts to meet electricity demand as the economy rapidly expands.
As of 2022, Laos has 94 power plants, including 81 hydroelectric dams, with a total installed capacity of more than 11,600 MW. By 2039, the country expects to generate an additional 5,559 MW of electricity, with 77.59 percent of the capacity coming from hydropower.
Although Laos relies heavily on electricity from hydropower dams, the country is also integrating other forms of renewable energy.
On 9 November 2023, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone officially inaugurated the Monsoon Wind Power Project in Sekong Province. Upon completion, the project will be the largest wind farm in SEA and will have a capacity of 600 MW.
The initiative, which is to be implemented in mountainous areas of Dak Cheung district, consists of 133 turbines, which will be spread over 1,000 hectares of concession land in Sekong Province. The project is set to be completed by December 2025.
The newly inaugurated Bokeo International Airport, situated in the Tonpheung district of Bokeo province, spans a 300-hectare site near the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone.
The ceremony to commemorate the airport’s opening saw participation from several high-ranked government officials, notably Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone who cut a ribbon to launch the airport officially.
Lane Xang Airways International offers frequent flight service between Vientiane and Bokeo for an estimated USD 200 each way. It is expected that the airport will expand its services to include international flights in the future.
Lao Airlines also planned to launch daily domestic flights on this route on 6 February for only LAK 1,700,000 each way. However, Lao Airlines disclosed that the Vientiane-Bokeo route and its counterpart would be halted “until further notice” without explanation for the sudden cancellation, leaving passengers and the public bewildered.
This unexpected move triggered speculation among the public as the airport was built by the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (which also owns Lane Xang Airways International), and social media users speculated about the true reasons behind this decision. While some wondered whether the abrupt cancellations were influenced by the Special Economic Zone, others speculated that the airport might be anticipating the arrival of Chinese airlines.
Bokeo International Airport’s terminal can accommodate 600 people and is anticipated to handle 1.5 to 2 million passengers each year when fully operational. The airport’s construction, initially set for completion in 2022, faced delays due to the global Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite the setback, Bokeo International Airport holds significant potential for economic growth and improved connectivity in the region.
The move comes as the railway operator aims to accommodate the expected increase in tourists this year, aligning with the launch of the Visit Laos 2024 tourism campaign.
The Laos-China Railway (LCR) has become an integral part of transportation within the country, helping Laos transition from land-locked to “land-linked.”
Since its inauguration in late 2021, the Laos-China Railway (LCR) has played a pivotal role in transforming Laos from a land-locked nation to a “land-linked” one. Over the past year, the railway has witnessed substantial growth, carrying over 3.1 million passengers, with an average daily ridership of 4,889 passengers and a peak ridership of 10,917 people.
In response to the increased demand for rail travel, the LCR has proactively taken steps to enhance its services. The railway saw a remarkable 103.7 percent increase in passenger traffic in 2023, with over 1.75 million passengers traveling from January to September.
To improve efficiency and accommodate the growing demand, the company introduced a new electric multiple-unit (EMU) train and launched an app for Android and IOS for ticket purchasing.
Beyond domestic transport within Laos, the LCR has successfully connected Vientiane Capital, Laos, to Kunming, the capital of southwest China’s Yunnan province, in April last year.
In late 2023, the rail operator also launched the route between Vientiane Capital and Beijing, the capital of China. The round trip between Vientiane and Beijing now takes up to 15 days, and covers an approximate distance of 3,660 km.
In addition to facilitating passenger travel, the Laos-China Railway has become a key player in the transportation of goods between neighboring countries. Notably, the railway has contributed to a surge in fruit exports from Thailand to China, reducing transit times to less than 15 hours compared to the previous two-day journey by road.
Thailand’s Tourism Authority has also incorporated the LCR into its 2024 strategic direction, which aims to prioritize overland travel via the Laos-China Railway to enhance connectivity and boost tourism between Laos, China, and Thailand.
As part of the Visit Laos Year 2024 campaign, the Lao government aims to attract over 2.7 million international tourists throughout the year, with a targeted revenue generation of USD 401 million.
‘Battery of Southeast Asia’ Plans Move Forward as Laos Enhances Trade Capacity With Cambodia
The agreement to further commit to enhancing energy trade came as Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone met with Cambodia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, Keo Rattanak, during his visit to the country on 13 January.
Laos currently supplies energy to Cambodia via a 115-kilovolt transmission line between Champasack Province, in Laos, and Stung Treng Province, in Cambodia. With the implementation of the new 500-kilovolt line, the transfer of energy is expected to become more efficient.
At present, Cambodia imports around 445 MW of electricity from Laos, with the aim of reaching 6,000 MW by 2030. The country currently imports 25 percent of its electricity from Laos, Vietnam and Thailand.
The push for further electricity trade between the two nations emerges as Laos positions itself to become the “battery of Southeast Asia,” while Cambodia enhances efforts to meet electricity demand as the economy rapidly expands.
As of 2022, Laos has 94 power plants, including 81 hydroelectric dams, with a total installed capacity of more than 11,600 MW. By 2039, the country expects to generate an additional 5,559 MW of electricity, with 77.59 percent of the capacity coming from hydropower.
Although Laos relies heavily on electricity from hydropower dams, the country is also integrating other forms of renewable energy.
On 9 November 2023, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone officially inaugurated the Monsoon Wind Power Project in Sekong Province. Upon completion, the project will be the largest wind farm in SEA and will have a capacity of 600 MW.
The initiative, which is to be implemented in mountainous areas of Dak Cheung district, consists of 133 turbines, which will be spread over 1,000 hectares of concession land in Sekong Province. The project is set to be completed by December 2025.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/01/19/battery-of-southeast-asia-plans-move-forward-as-laos-enhances-trade-capacity-with-cambodia/
Bokeo International Airport Launch Overshadowed by Sudden Flight Cancellations
The newly inaugurated Bokeo International Airport, situated in the Tonpheung district of Bokeo province, spans a 300-hectare site near the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone.
The ceremony to commemorate the airport’s opening saw participation from several high-ranked government officials, notably Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone who cut a ribbon to launch the airport officially.
Lane Xang Airways International offers frequent flight service between Vientiane and Bokeo for an estimated USD 200 each way. It is expected that the airport will expand its services to include international flights in the future.
Lao Airlines also planned to launch daily domestic flights on this route on 6 February for only LAK 1,700,000 each way. However, Lao Airlines disclosed that the Vientiane-Bokeo route and its counterpart would be halted “until further notice” without explanation for the sudden cancellation, leaving passengers and the public bewildered.
This unexpected move triggered speculation among the public as the airport was built by the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (which also owns Lane Xang Airways International), and social media users speculated about the true reasons behind this decision. While some wondered whether the abrupt cancellations were influenced by the Special Economic Zone, others speculated that the airport might be anticipating the arrival of Chinese airlines.
Bokeo International Airport’s terminal can accommodate 600 people and is anticipated to handle 1.5 to 2 million passengers each year when fully operational. The airport’s construction, initially set for completion in 2022, faced delays due to the global Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite the setback, Bokeo International Airport holds significant potential for economic growth and improved connectivity in the region.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/02/05/bokeo-international-airport-launch-overshadowed-by-sudden-flight-cancellations/
Laos-China Railway Boosts Daily Trips in Preparation of Tourism Surge
The move comes as the railway operator aims to accommodate the expected increase in tourists this year, aligning with the launch of the Visit Laos 2024 tourism campaign.
The Laos-China Railway (LCR) has become an integral part of transportation within the country, helping Laos transition from land-locked to “land-linked.”
Since its inauguration in late 2021, the Laos-China Railway (LCR) has played a pivotal role in transforming Laos from a land-locked nation to a “land-linked” one. Over the past year, the railway has witnessed substantial growth, carrying over 3.1 million passengers, with an average daily ridership of 4,889 passengers and a peak ridership of 10,917 people.
In response to the increased demand for rail travel, the LCR has proactively taken steps to enhance its services. The railway saw a remarkable 103.7 percent increase in passenger traffic in 2023, with over 1.75 million passengers traveling from January to September.
To improve efficiency and accommodate the growing demand, the company introduced a new electric multiple-unit (EMU) train and launched an app for Android and IOS for ticket purchasing.
Beyond domestic transport within Laos, the LCR has successfully connected Vientiane Capital, Laos, to Kunming, the capital of southwest China’s Yunnan province, in April last year.
In late 2023, the rail operator also launched the route between Vientiane Capital and Beijing, the capital of China. The round trip between Vientiane and Beijing now takes up to 15 days, and covers an approximate distance of 3,660 km.
In addition to facilitating passenger travel, the Laos-China Railway has become a key player in the transportation of goods between neighboring countries. Notably, the railway has contributed to a surge in fruit exports from Thailand to China, reducing transit times to less than 15 hours compared to the previous two-day journey by road.
Thailand’s Tourism Authority has also incorporated the LCR into its 2024 strategic direction, which aims to prioritize overland travel via the Laos-China Railway to enhance connectivity and boost tourism between Laos, China, and Thailand.
As part of the Visit Laos Year 2024 campaign, the Lao government aims to attract over 2.7 million international tourists throughout the year, with a targeted revenue generation of USD 401 million.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/01/23/laos-china-railway-boosts-daily-trips-in-preparation-of-tourism-surge/