Laos Electricity: Generation Mix, Demand and Emissions
Laos generated 52.3 TWh of electricity in 2024, according to Ember. Hydro was the largest source at 76.5%, followed by coal (23.3%) and solar (0.2%). Demand was 15.6 TWh and each kWh generated emitted 232 gCO2/kWh. These are annual statistics for 2024; they are compiled from national sources and are not real time.
Key Facts
- Laos generated 52.3 TWh of electricity in 2024.
- Hydro supplied 76.5% of Laos' electricity in 2024.
- Coal supplied 23.3% of Laos' electricity in 2024.
- Solar supplied 0.2% of Laos' electricity in 2024.
- Low carbon sources (nuclear and renewables) supplied 76.7% of Laos' generation in 2024.
- The carbon intensity of Laos' electricity was 232 gCO2/kWh in 2024.
- Laos' carbon intensity in 2024 was 164% higher than in 2000, when it was 88 gCO2/kWh.
- Laos had the 93rd highest electricity demand among the 197 countries with Ember data for 2024.
Key Figures, 2024
| Measure | Value | As of / source |
|---|---|---|
| Total generation | 52.3 TWh | 2024 · Ember |
| Electricity demand | 15.6 TWh | 2024 · Ember |
| Demand per person | 2.01 MWh | 2024 · Ember |
| Net imports | -36.7 TWh | 2024 · Ember |
| Carbon intensity | 232 gCO2/kWh | 2024 · Ember |
| Power sector emissions | 12.1 MtCO2 | 2024 · Ember |
| Demand rank (countries with 2024 data) | 93 of 197 | 2024 · Ember |
Generation Mix, 2024
| Source | Generation | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Hydro | 40.0 TWh | 76.5% |
| Coal | 12.2 TWh | 23.3% |
| Solar | 90.0 GWh | 0.2% |
| Bioenergy | 40.0 GWh | 0.1% |
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Year by Year
Ember annual statistics, 2000 to 2024| Year | Hydro | Coal | Solar | Bioenergy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 3.28 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2001 | 3.30 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2002 | 3.21 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2003 | 2.83 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2004 | 3.00 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2005 | 3.51 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2006 | 3.60 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2007 | 3.37 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2008 | 3.72 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2009 | 3.37 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2010 | 8.36 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2011 | 12.8 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2012 | 12.9 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2013 | 15.4 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 10.0 GWh |
| 2014 | 15.1 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2015 | 13.9 TWh | 2.26 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2016 | 17.5 TWh | 7.96 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2017 | 20.1 TWh | 10.9 TWh | 10.0 GWh | 30.0 GWh |
| 2018 | 22.3 TWh | 12.0 TWh | 20.0 GWh | 50.0 GWh |
| 2019 | 19.7 TWh | 11.4 TWh | 40.0 GWh | 50.0 GWh |
| 2020 | 28.5 TWh | 11.4 TWh | 40.0 GWh | 60.0 GWh |
| 2021 | 32.9 TWh | 11.9 TWh | 70.0 GWh | 50.0 GWh |
| 2022 | 38.7 TWh | 12.2 TWh | 80.0 GWh | 40.0 GWh |
| 2023 | 40.0 TWh | 12.2 TWh | 80.0 GWh | 40.0 GWh |
| 2024 | 40.0 TWh | 12.2 TWh | 90.0 GWh | 40.0 GWh |
| Year | Generation | Demand | Carbon intensity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 52.3 TWh | 15.6 TWh | 232 gCO2/kWh |
| 2023 | 52.3 TWh | 17.1 TWh | 232 gCO2/kWh |
| 2022 | 51.0 TWh | 12.0 TWh | 237 gCO2/kWh |
| 2021 | 44.9 TWh | 11.5 TWh | 261 gCO2/kWh |
| 2020 | 40.0 TWh | 10.6 TWh | 278 gCO2/kWh |
| 2019 | 31.2 TWh | 8.47 TWh | 351 gCO2/kWh |
| 2018 | 34.4 TWh | 7.51 TWh | 336 gCO2/kWh |
| 2017 | 31.1 TWh | 6.67 TWh | 338 gCO2/kWh |
| 2016 | 25.5 TWh | 6.70 TWh | 303 gCO2/kWh |
| 2015 | 16.2 TWh | 6.66 TWh | 149 gCO2/kWh |
Full year by year history for Laos, 2000 to 2024
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2024.
Countries With a Similar Electricity Mix
Ember annual, 2024Laos's closest match is Zambia, 87.5% the same.
- Zambia 87.5% the same Zambia generates 12.5 points less coal than Laos
- North Korea 86.2% the same North Korea generates 13.7 points less hydro than Laos
- Montenegro 82.6% the same Montenegro generates 17.3 points less hydro than Laos
- Kyrgyzstan 82.2% the same Kyrgyzstan generates 17.6 points less coal than Laos
- Tajikistan 81.1% the same Tajikistan generates 18.6 points less coal than Laos
How close: the share of generation that would have to change fuel for one mix to match the other (half the sum of the fuel share differences); 100% minus that is "the same". Grids under 1 TWh are skipped. Grid twins: the 25 closest pairs and every country's nearest match
Laos Electricity FAQ
What is the main source of electricity in Laos?
Hydro was the largest source of electricity in Laos in 2024, supplying 76.5% of generation, followed by coal (23.3%) and solar (0.2%). Figures are Ember annual statistics.
How much electricity does Laos use?
Laos used 15.6 TWh of electricity in 2024, about 2.01 MWh per person.
How clean is Laos' electricity?
Generating a kilowatt hour of electricity in Laos emitted 232 gCO2/kWh in 2024, and low carbon sources supplied 76.7% of generation. That is 51% below the world average of 472 gCO2/kWh.
Does Laos import electricity?
No. Laos was a net exporter in 2024, exporting 36.7 TWh more than it imported.
Related
Cite this page
World Power Monitor. (2024). Laos Electricity: Generation Mix, Demand and Emissions. https://worldpowermonitor.com/countries/laos/
World Power Monitor. Laos Electricity: Generation Mix, Demand and Emissions. Data as of 2024. Data from Ember. https://worldpowermonitor.com/countries/laos/
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title = {{Laos Electricity: Generation Mix, Demand and Emissions}},
author = {{World Power Monitor}},
year = {2024},
note = {Data as of 2024. Data from Ember.},
url = {https://worldpowermonitor.com/countries/laos/}
} Permalink: https://worldpowermonitor.com/countries/laos/
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