According to information from the Asia-Africa Market Department, during the working trip from April 6 to 8 of the Minister of Industry and Trade to Laos, the Lao side hopes that the two sides will further strengthen cooperation in energy and minerals.
In particular, Vietnam and Laos need to establish a working group to promote the progress of issuing a price frame for Vietnam to buy electricity from Laos after 2025; establish a working group to promote the connection of the 500 kV power line from Laos to Vietnam according to Vietnam's Power Plan 8...
Minister Nguyen Hong Dien discussed many specific contents to implement the commitments and high-level agreements of the two countries, and to implement the results of the Vietnam - Laos Intergovernmental Committee meeting earlier this year. So far, the Ministry said it has directed the Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) to study and propose a price framework for purchasing electricity after 2025 to report to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, then report to the Government for approval. The draft price framework has been completed by EVN and is being sent to the EVN Board of Members for approval. After the official report is available, the Ministry will appraise and report to the Prime Minister for approval. It is expected that in the first quarter of this year, the price framework for purchasing electricity from Laos after 2025 will be officially issued.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and Lao Minister of Energy and Mines Phosay Sayasone
Previously, at the end of 2023, EVN had sent a document requesting the Ministry of Industry and Trade to appraise and submit to the Prime Minister the policy of importing wind power from Laos, with a purchase price of 6.95 US cents/kWh, equivalent to about 1,700 VND/kWh. That is the wind power source of Truong Son wind power plant from Laos to Vietnam with a capacity of about 250MW, expected to be put into operation in the fourth quarter of 2025.
In addition, at this meeting, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien said that Vietnam's coal import demand is very high and Laos also has a need to increase coal exports. In the period of 2025 - 2030, Vietnam has a very large demand for coal imports (about 60 - 100 million tons/year). However, the two countries need to have solutions to reduce the cost of selling coal from Laos to Vietnam. The price of Lao coal must be at least equal to the world price to be competitive. From there, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien suggested that Lao coal mine owners restructure the production process to be streamlined and efficient, invest in a conveyor system to transport coal across the border to reduce the cost of mining, production and transportation of coal; and suggested that the Lao Ministry of Energy and Mines consider reporting to the Lao Government to abolish the 10% coal export tax. This tax is issued to generate revenue for the Lao Government, but in reality it will increase the selling price of Lao coal, leading to unsold coal and thus no revenue for the Government and businesses.
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