WSHPDR_2013_Final_Report-updated_version

Lao PDR has its own small hydropower classification,
where capacities up to 15 MW are considered small
hydropower.
SHP installed capacity (up to 10 MW)
SHP potential (up to 10 MW)
SHP installed capacity (up to 15 MW)
SHP potential (up to 15 MW)
10.5 MW
at least 50.2 MW
10.5 MW
800 MW
0 200 400 600 800 1000
Figure 2 Small hydropower capacities in the Lao
People’s Democratic Republic
Pico hydropower is common in the remote rural areas
of the Northern provinces. It is completely marketdriven
and provides many people in off-grid regions
with electricity. An estimated 60,000 low head pico
hydropower units provide electricity to 90,000
households (see table). 8
These low-head turbines are available in rated
capacities from 200W up to several kilowatts, but the
units producing one kilowatt and less are the most
popular in Lao PDR. The low cost (US$50-US$200)
makes it affordable for many rural households. Less
common are the turgo-type pico hydropower units,
requiring less flow but a head of at least several
metres. 8 However, pico hydro seems to be not
monitored and hence underreported. In 2005, pico
hydro was not reported at all in the official energy
statistics and information on other technologies such
as photovoltaic (PV), solar panels, were also grossly
incomplete. 8
Existing data and estimation of the number of pico hydropower turbines in Lao PDR
Area
Data
Source
Village Off-Grid Promotion and
Support Project (VOPS) Survey
2007
Smits & Bush Own Data
Smits and Bush Estimation
North No. of surveyed villages 337.0 8 3 200.0
No. of households 19 535.0 444 240 000.0
No of pico-hydro turbines 7 051.0 293 47 000.0
No. of households connected 10 683.0 293 7 000.0
% of households connected 55.0 66 30.0
Sharing factor (households/unit) 1.5 .. 1.5
South No. of villages .. 3 2 800.0
No. of households .. 245 300 000.0
No. of pico-hydro turbines .. 118 11 000.0
No of households connected .. 118 17 000.0
% of households connected .. 48 6.0
Sharing factor (households/unit) .. .. 1.5
Source: Smits and Bush 8
A Master Plan Study on Small Hydropower for the
Northern part of Lao PDR was conducted by
MEM/MIH and Japan International Cooperation
Agency (JICA) under the technical assistance
modality. 2 Some 24 potential micro/mini hydro sites
have been studied, of which 22 sites warranted
further reconnaissance. Pre-feasibility studies have
been carried out for 11 of these sites, with potential
capacities ranging between 30 kW and 8 MW.
The Laos Institute for Renewable Energy (LIRE)
together with ETC Energy from The Netherlands
conducted a two-year Pico-Hydropower Innovation
and Capacity Building Programme. It focused on the
sustainable development of pico hydropower use
through improving access to reliable pico hydropower
services, accessories and information. The programme
also focused on the establishment of the first shared
pico hydropower system in Lao PDR. Finally, LIRE
aimed at raising awareness of the importance of
small-scale hydropower for rural livelihoods. Activities
included dissemination of pico hydropower technical
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installation and safety end-user manuals and other
documentation in Laotian, training of technical
advisors (70 people), the introduction of Electronic
Load Controllers (ELC) in the supply chain and support
workshops (35 people).
The second component of LIRE’s pico‐hydropower
programme was supported by Bremen Overseas
Development Association (BORDA) and the German
Embassy in the Lao PDR. It aimed to demonstrate a
shared pico hydropower system which provided
power to 24 households and four communal buildings
of the remote village of Angsang, Huaphan. The
system is operated as a community-based service,
with village technicians responsible for maintenance
and fee collection. Local authorities and LIRE provide
guidance and capacity building until independency is
achieved. The households are divided into two
different tariff sectors, reflecting the different energy
needs: a low tariff provides only lighting (30 W limit)
and a higher tariff introduced for users who require
power for TVs and stereos (100 W). This best practice
demonstration site has been a successful model.