Enhancing Power Sector Resilience in the Lao PDR: Assessing Vulnerabilities and Planning for Resilience

The Lao PDR recognizes the vital role that the power sector plays in powering economic development and to becoming a regional power exporter. A resilient power sector could withstand, respond to, and recover rapidly from the impacts of natural (both climate and non-climate), technological, or human-caused hazards. The Lao PDR is addressing risks and planning for a resilient power sector by identifying hazards, impacts, and vulnerabilities to the system, and devising solutions to mitigate them. This presentation detailed a power sector resilience planning activity conducted by the country, through a collaboration between the Lao Ministry of Energy and Mines and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). It also shares the approach and results of a comprehensive, stakeholder-driven vulnerability assessment and resilience action planning process, including the incorporation of vulnerabilities and resilience actions into Lao PDR’s integrated resource and resilience power sector planning (IRRP) and adaptability of the approach to other countries.