Photo 1. All Participants of the AEO9 Country Visit to Lao PDR.
As part of the development process for the 9th ASEAN Energy Outlook (AEO9), the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) conducted a country visit to Lao PDR on 5 February 2026 in Vientiane Capital. The visit was part of a series of targeted consultations with all eleven ASEAN Member States (AMS) from January to March 2025, designed to fine-tune modelling inputs, validate core assumptions, and enhance alignment between national energy strategies and regional analytical frameworks. The AEO9 Country Visit initiative is supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) through the ASEAN-UK Green Transition Fund (GTF).
Photo 2. Welcoming remarks from the Host Country.
The programme commenced with welcoming remarks from Dr Santisouk Phimphachanh, Director General of Department of Energy Policy and Planning, Ministry of Energy and Mines and Senior Officials on Energy (SOE) Leader of Lao PDR as the host country representative. In her opening address, she reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the development of the ASEAN Energy Outlook and underscored the importance of robust data collaboration to ensure credible and policy-relevant outcomes.
Photo 3. Yudiandra Yuwono, Senior Modeller of Modelling and Policy Planning (MPP) at ACE, delivering the AEO9 Progress Update Session and Model Overview.
The session continued with remarks from ACE, followed by a technical presentation delivered by Yudiandra Yuwono, Senior Energy Modeller at ACE. He provided an update on the overall progress of AEO9, including the development timeline, modelling architecture, and scenario framework. The presentation highlighted the strategic importance of high-quality national data and assumptions in strengthening projection accuracy and reinforcing country ownership of the AEO9 results.
Photo 4. Data and Assumptions Consultation Session led by Afham Kilmi, Research Analyst of MPP
Subsequently, Afham Kilmi, Research of the MPP Department at ACE, facilitated an in-depth consultation session on data inputs and modelling parameters. Discussions covered socio-economic projections, policy frameworks, energy balance tables, sectoral demand trends, as well as supply and transformation data. The consultation served to validate datasets, clarify methodological approaches, and identify areas requiring updates or additional information. Representatives from relevant ministries, statistical agencies, utilities, and energy institutions actively contributed to the discussion, ensuring that Lao PDR’s inputs to AEO9 are comprehensive, consistent, and reflective of national priorities.
Photo 5. Model Preliminary Results Discussion led by Muhammad Ilham Rizaldi and Lazuwardi Imani Energy Modeller of MPP
In the second session, Muhammad Ilham Rizaldi together with Lazuwardi Imani, Energy Modeller at ACE, presented the preliminary results for Lao PDR under the Baseline Scenario (BAS) and the AMS Target Scenario (ATS). The session enabled national stakeholders to review initial projections on energy demand, supply structure, and power sector transformation. Participants provided constructive feedback on sectoral growth patterns, hydropower development trajectories, electrification progress, and planned policy measures, ensuring that the modelling outcomes accurately capture Lao PDR’s evolving energy landscape.
The discussion then progressed to the Regional Aspiration Scenario (RAS) presented by Yudiandra Yuwono, Senior Energy Modeller at ACE. ACE introduced the conceptual framework and modelling approach for RAS, representing a higher-ambition pathway aligned with ASEAN’s long-term decarbonisation and sustainability objectives. Through an interactive exchange, Lao PDR representatives identified potential policy instruments, renewable energy expansion strategies, grid enhancement priorities, and energy efficiency measures that could support stronger ambition levels. These inputs will be instrumental in refining the RAS calibration and strengthening its relevance to Lao PDR’s national development context.
The visit concluded with a Way Forward and Closing Session delivered by Yudiandra Yuwono. He expressed appreciation to Lao PDR’s focal points and participating institutions for their active engagement and technical collaboration. He emphasised that the insights gathered would directly inform the refinement of country-level modelling results and the further development of the RAS. The session also outlined next steps in the AEO9 process, including continued technical coordination and iterative validation to ensure transparency, credibility, and shared ownership of the final outputs.
Photo 6. Yudiandra Yuwono, Senior Energy Modeller of MPP at ACE presents the AEO8 report to the host country
Beyond data validation, the visit reinforced knowledge exchange on scenario development, integrated energy planning, and pathways toward a secure, resilient, and sustainable energy future for Lao PDR and the broader ASEAN region.
