During the visit of Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith to Moscow, seven agreements were signed covering nuclear energy, health, education, the environment, and legal cooperation. A key focus of the visit was a plan for peaceful nuclear cooperation between Russia and Laos. This partnership aims to use nuclear technology to improve medicine, farming, scientific research, and energy production in Laos. This included a roadmap for cooperation in the nuclear sector between Rosatom and the Laos Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said this would provide Laos with affordable and clean energy while helping boost healthcare and agriculture.
“This comes at a time when Laos seeks to harness the peaceful use of nuclear energy to diversify power sources, instead of relying heavily on hydropower,” said Vientiane Times. “At least 80% of electricity is produced by hydropower plants. The Lao economy is largely driven by agriculture, tourism, electricity generation, mining, manufacturing and transport sectors.”
It added: “The energy diversification also comes at a crucial time after the United States imposed a 40% tariff on Laos’ exports into the country, which could hurt its economy. Nicknamed the ‘battery of Asia’, Laos is trying to emerge as a major energy player in the ASEAN region and currently exports electricity to Thailand and Cambodia. Last year, it earned about $980m in electricity exports. It is also part of the ambitious ASEAN Power Grid, a regional network earmarked to be fully integrated by 2045. The initiative aims to supply affordable energy to about 670m people in the Southeast Asian region.”
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