Vientiane, 2 July 2018: The Ministry of Energy and Mines of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) today launched Lao PDR National Energy Statistics 2018, the country’s first national energy statistics that offers insights into the country’s energy consumption, demand, and supply.

‘The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia, as its name indicates, provide support to many ASEAN countries including Laos. Since June last year, ERIA assists us to update energy statistics which involved training MEM staff and other line agencies to extend their working experience through the process of collecting data, sharing data, preparing data, and also analysing data on energy consumption in different key consuming sectors. And from outcome perspective, Lao National energy statistics report will be formulated to be in similar format as other ASEAN members,’ said H.E. Dr Khammany Inthirath, the Minister of Energy and Mines, Lao PDR in his opening remarks.

‘Apart from launching the Energy Statistics, today we will also sign an Energy Cooperation MOU between MEM and ERIA to extend the continuous support from ERIA in respect of building MEM personnel capacity in order to be able to publish the first Energy Outlook of Lao PDR, expanding our expertise on energy economics, and assisting us to prepare roadmap for electric vehicles,’ he added.

ERIA and the Ministry’s Department of Energy Policy and Planning (DEPP) established a team that worked on data collection and carried out consumption surveys for the transportation, industry, residential, and commercial sectors. Some of the most notable findings of the surveys are transport information such as fuel economy and mileage of types of vehicles, as well as the use of biomass in the residential sector.

‘ERIA is strongly convinced that improving Lao PDR energy data and statistics will not only serve Lao PDR’s policy purpose, but also will enhance the regional energy cooperation with other ASEAN member countries, and other regional and international bodies such as ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and International Energy Agency (IEA) that require data from time to time for policy and analyses,’ said Prof Hidetoshi Nishimura, the President of ERIA. 

Prior to the formulation of the Lao PDR National Energy Statistics, the Government of Lao PDR and ERIA have already developed a strong relationship through ERIA’s assistance in the development of Lao PDR at the Crossroad: Industrial Development Strategy 2016-2030, which illustrated a comprehensive industrial and infrastructure development vision for Lao PDR.

Lao PDR Energy Statistics 2018 will be able to be accessed through ERIA website at /publications/lao-pdr-energy-statistics-2018/