ACCEPT II to Present a Proposed Study on Lao Net Zero during RE-SSN (Renewable Energy Sub Sector Network) in Lao PDR. ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project Phase II (ACCEPT II) teams have presented the proposed study on Lao Net Zero Ministry of Energy and Mines of Lao PDR and during ASEAN Renewable Energy Sub-Sector Network (RE-SSN) on 5 May 2023 in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

• ACCEPT II Senior Researcher Muhammad Shidiq and Energy Modelling and Policy Planning (MPP) Senior Researcher Dr Ambiyah Abdullah have visited Lao’s Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) to introduce and present the work planning of the Lao Net Zero study to Deputy Director General of Department of Energy Efficiency and Promotion Houmpheng Theuambonmy and his team.
• ACCEPT II Senior Researcher Muhammad Shidiq and ACCEPT II Researcher I Dewa Made Raditya Margenta have presented the work planning of the Lao Net Zero study to the representatives of 10 ASEAN Member States (AMS), Dialogue Partners (DPs) and International Organizations (IOs) during RE-SSN.

Figure 1. Muhammad Shidiq (third from left) and I Dewa Made Raditya Margenta (first from right) during the meeting of RE-SSN in Lao PDR

One of ACCEPT II’s work plans is to conduct a national energy system modelling for low carbon economy towards net zero. The idea of having the study is model and analyse one of the 10 ASEAN Member States (AMS) using energy supply–demand modelling approaches to understand the net zero roadmap of a country. Lao PDR will start the study as the first country in ASEAN, where it is expected that the other countries will be analysed its net zero modelling in future under ACCEPT II.

As an initial introduction or kick off the study, ACCEPT II Senior Researcher Muhammad Shidiq and MPP Senior Researcher Dr Ambiyah Abdullah, the ACE’s modelling experts, have met and discussed with representatives from the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) of Lao PDR. The meeting aimed to introduce and explain the work planning and activities of ACCEPT II will have in the future on the Lao Net Zero study. Deputy Director General of Department of Energy Efficiency and Promotion Houmpheng Theuambonmy warmly welcomed the representatives, noting the study planning will be greatly beneficial for Lao since the country is considering to be a net zero by 2050 as written in its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). The study is expected to give early information on how the energy sectors play a role in achieving Lao Net Zero by 2050 and what input or recommendation Lao should do to achieve the Net Zero target. The study is expected to be accomplished in one year and plan to be published and launched during the Lao PDR ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024.

During the discussion, the Deputy Director General mentioned that residential is the most consumed energy in Lao. In addition, the Lao government has a strong interest in the transportation sector by pushing a lot of electric vehicles (EV) penetration and implementation soon. Meanwhile, industry is not a primary sector in Lao since Lao is not an industrial country. However, he noted that it would be very interesting for the three sectors, residential, transportation and industry, to be modelled and analysed during the study to get a comprehensive overview of the Lao net zero in future.

Figure 2. Muhammad Shidiq presented the Lao Net Zero study to the representatives of AMS, DPs and IOs

The study on Lao Net Zero was also presented during the RE-SSN meeting in the afternoon session on 5 May 2023. ACCEPT II senior officers and technical officers attended the meeting and presented the work planning of the study, including the national modelling that would give a deep-dive analysis of the energy supply and demand modelling by considering a net zero scenario. The modelling work on a national level is started by Lao PDR and is expected to continue to other ASEAN countries in future. Lao PDR has been considered the first country because it has massive hydropower potential and would like to understand how the hydro potential could be maximised to achieve the net zero. In addition, the country will be the next ASEAN Chairmanship, where the study will be published during the Lao chairmanship. At the end of the presentation, the AMS will look forward to the study’s progress and future accomplishments and showcase the replication and sharing sessions of the study to other ASEAN countries.

As following actions, ACCEPT II is currently working on the technical side of the study, including preparing the detailed methodology and starting to build model construction of Lao. The data and information collection as a part of input data for modelling will follow. Soon, ACCEPT II team will continuously work together and communicate with MEM to accomplish the study by mid of 2024, where the workshops as part of the study for data collection and validation will be conducted in between.

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Detailed information on ACCEPT II: https://accept.aseanenergy.org/. For any collaborations with ACCEPT II: [email protected]