Grid connectivity in rural Lao PDR
yields widespread benefits: substantial improvements in
household income, spending, ownership of durable assets, and
children’s education. Policymakers should consider
extending grid-connectivity to households still off the
grid. For connected households, reliability and quality of
service should be improved. Grid power in Lao PDR is subject
to seasonality due to its reliance on hydropower. Avoiding
outages in the dry season can be temporarily solved by
having households reduce their electricity consumption. A
long-term solution will depend on increasing energy
efficiency, adding generation capacity, and extending the grid.