019 Biomass gasification – identification

EASE has supported placement of two trainees with Sunlabob/LIRE in Lao PDR to investigate the feasibility of biomass gasification for rural electrification, design a micro franchise package, and propose follow-up activities.

000 Pro-poor rural electrification planning support in Cambodia and Laos

The global objective of the project is to improve the impact of rural electrification on sustainable development and poverty alleviation by establishing effective cross sectoral investment and planning capacities and instruments.

032 Pico-hydropower innovation & capacity building programme (phase 2)

This project targets the poorest provinces with the highest incidence of pico-hydropower units and the least access to grid electricity, all in the Northern part of the country. The project therefore aims to alleviate poverty and provide people with better access to electricity using an existing market-based technology. The initial target province will be the same as the one in the first phase of the pico-hydropower programme: Xieng Khouang. Subsequently, two other provinces in the North of Laos will be targeted.

025 Pico-hydropower innovation and capacity building program (pilot)

An estimated 60.000 low-head pico-hydropower units provide electricity for about 90.000 households, making it the most important renewable energy technology in the country. Yet, there are challenges of using this technology, such as coping with low quality hardware, risks of electrocution and breaking of electronic devices and light bulbs. Many problems have been overcome by innovation of actors in the supply chain of pico-hydro: users, village technicians, shopkeepers, traders and producers. The market is currently focused on individual users. However, there are opportunities for 1) scaling up and improving 2) the quality and safety and 3) efficiency and reliability of pico hydro technology through existing and potential new market channels.