> PM praises energy, mining sectors
>
> Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh has congratulated the energy and
> mining sectors on their 20 percent growth last year, exceeding the
> target set by the government.
>
> "The target for expansion was set at only 15 to 16 percent," Mr
> Bouasone told participants at the annual meeting of the energy and
> mining sectors held in Vientiane yesterday.
>
> "Outputs exceeded the target because of the good administration and
> promotion of these sectors."
>
> In the energy sector, the government plans to supply electricity to
> about 70 percent of the population in 2010 and 90 percent in 2020,
> focusing on the remote areas.
>
> "It won't be easy to reach these targets," Mr Bouasone added. He
> advised the sectors concerned to study to what extent people already
> had access to electricity.
>
> To reach its goals, energy developers should not only focus on
> hydropower but should also consider sources such as the sun and wind.
>
> He pointed out that Xieng Khuang province had strong winds which may
> be able to be harnessed for energy generation.
>
> Hydropower and mines depend on natural resources which, if exploited
> by developers in the right way, will be sustainable.
>
> "We try to protect trees around reservoirs and in Nationally Protected
> Areas to preserve our rivers and keep rainfall stable. It is essential
> that farmers give up slash and burn cultivation," Mr Bouasone said.
>
> By 2020 Laos hopes to have energy generation with an installation
> capacity of 30,000MW. This figure may be higher if energy production
> involves a variety of methods.
>
> In the past the government tried to attract investors in energy and
> mines but few developers showed interest.
>
> "Now we are attracting many more investors because of our current
> policies," Mr Bouasone said.
>
> The annual meeting was held to study and discuss improvements to
> regulations and laws governing these sectors, with particular
> attention paid to the work of projects after they have been granted
> government concessions.
>
> The meeting also reviewed the implementation and achievements of
> projects in these sectors over the past year and produced a
> development strategy from the present until 2020.
>
> By Vientiane Times
> (Latest Update April 4, 2008)