Vietnam has decided to import an additional 200 MW of electricity from Laos next year amid possible power shortages.
The country’s decision comes amid concerns that it may suffer energy shortages from 2020.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade estimated that the country would experience a shortage of 3.7 billion kWh in 2021, which will reach its peak of 15 billion kWh in 2023 before halving each year and falling to 3.5 billion kWh in 2025.
VnExpress quoted unnamed officials at the ministry as saying that the only short-term solution to overcome the power shortage is to import from Laos.
The officials cited speeding up work on major power projects as a long-term solution.
In June, Laos agreed to sell 5,000 MW of electricity to Vietnam, in addition to exports of more than 300 MW.
