Lao DSM/EE Program

The primary objective of the Lao PDR Rural Electrification APL Phase I Project (REP I) is to expand rural electricity service in the central and southern provinces of Lao PDR by extending the grid to some 52,000 households and providing electricity via off-grid technologies (including solar, village hydro, and distributed engine-generator sets) to another 10,000 households.   REP I will also advance the power sector reform agenda in critical areas such as completing the commercialization of Electricite du Laos (EdL), continuing the process of tariff policy reform for the EdL grids, reducing network losses, creating a Rural Electrification Fund, and creating a Demand-Side Management/Energy Efficiency (DSM/EE) program located within EdL.  These latter activities are mostly financed by a grant from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF).

In 2004, a DSM/EE Action Plan was prepared which specified institutional arrangements, establishment of a DSM Cell and identified several DSM/EE programs that could be undertaken by EdL that would enhance its current operations and address significant growth in demand experienced over the recent years.

The implementation of DSM/EE Phase 1A commenced in February 2007 and was completed in September 2008.  The scope of this phase included the establishment and building capacity of a DSM cell within EdL, programs focusing on the public sector consumption which accounts for most of EdL’s current billing arrears, development of a energy use database; conduct of energy audits in selected public buildings, implementation of EE measures in pilot sites, launching of a public awareness campaign and the development of a results monitoring program for DSM/EE component of REP 1.

DSM/EE Phase 1B includes the revision of the DSM/EE Program Plan for the next 4 years (2008-2012), preparation of career development and capacity building plans for the DSM Cell staff and the Energy Coordinators (to be hired for implementing EE measures in the Public Sector); increasing representation in the DSM Steering Committee; implementation of EE measures in the initial 50 audited buildings; implementation of a AC maintenance program; conduct of detailed audits in selected hospitals; expansion of the energy database to include all public sector accounts; design of residential sector efficient lighting programs and conduct of appliance saturation surveys to facilitate an appliance energy standards and labelling program.