The second phase of the School Based Sanitation (SBS) and Community Based Sanitation (CBS) project, a joint-cooperation project between the Lao Institute for Renewable Energy (LIRE) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has kicked off in July 2010. This follows the successful completion of the project’s first phase from October 2009 to March 2010.

On July 1, 2010, LIRE and the JICA Study Team signed an Agreement in Vientiane, Lao PDR for further collaboration on the CBS and SBS projects.

2009 was an exciting year for the Lao Institute for Renewable Energy. Similarly as LIRE did in the former years, the Institute was able to move in a bigger office, increase the staff capacity and engage in exciting partnerships and assignments which highlights the positive direction LIRE is experiencing.

The visibility and impact of LIRE’s activities has increased tremendously in 2009. LIRE provided free consultations to numerous study teams on mission and provided information and data to them in order to facilitate their work. The LIRE website welcomed over 5000 visitors per month, underlining LIRE’s role as a resource centre for renewable energy stakeholders with an interest in the Lao PDR. Another positive progress is that initial projects which were launched under enormous efforts but on s small scale are now in a more mature phase with reasonable impact and recognition.

This annual report presents a brief account of activities in 2009. For a real understanding of LIRE’s contribution to the renewable energy sector in Laos, we hope you’ll find your way to our office in 2010!

The database provides a snapshot of renewable energy projects in Lao PDR, and includes any small-scale renewable energy projects where the primary application is to meet local/domestic energy demand. It identifies key players and programs originating from both the private and public sectors. The READ is intended as a tool for decision makers, implementers and donors in order to help avoid duplication, whilst fostering greater integration of the sector. The database was compiled in October 2009, at which time 73 renewable energy projects were identified as either ongoing or under development.

The data was provided directly by the projects themselves, and the assignment did not allow for independent verification of these. Similarly, LIRE cannot guarantee the database includes an exhaustive list of projects. However, we will strive to update and maintain the file on a regular basis, as new projects and more accurate data become available.

If you have information about a Lao energy project that is currently not listed in the database, or if you would like to correct any data currently presented, please This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Lao Institute for Renewable Energy (LIRE) completed the commissioning of an innovative shared pico-hydropower system with an official opening ceremony, held on the 10th February 2010 in Angsang village, Huaphanh Province with the participation of various representatives from government departments and offices at provincial and district levels. These include Provincial Department of Energy and Mines, District Administration Office, District Energy and Mine Office, District Lao Women Union and local authorities. The demonstration site was co-financed by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Vientiane and the Bremen Overseas Research and Development Association (BORDA) as well as material, labour and financial contributions from Angsang village. The implementation was accomplished by a group of companies and organisations, namely by LIRE, Institute for Hydropower Research (IHR) Vietnam and the Lao private company Sunlabob Renewable Energy Ltd. All activities were executed within a close exchange and communication with the villagers, the Provincial Department of Energy and Mines (PDEM), and local authorities in Viengxay District.

LIRE is implementing the first Decentralized Waste Water Treatment System (DEWATS) in Laos. DEWATS are efficient components to treat wastewater but also generate biogas as a by-product. Construction began on the 15th December, 2009 close to the dormitory compound at the Faculty of Engineering (FoE) in Vientiane Capital. The project is funded by the Finnish Turku School of Economics through its ICI Project, and by LIRE. Dormitory residents also contribute 10% of total costs through active participation in the project.

The Faculty of Engineering was built in 1984 and has since been providing its 6000 students with engineering-study facilities. Students come from different provinces throughout Laos, and thus the FoE provides dormitories close to campus. The existing septic tank for the dormitories is not suitable to the needs of the school due to its small dimensions and improper pipeline settings. Bad odours often result since rainwater and the septic tank’s outlet have joined intersections. The DEWATS is being built as a result of discussions amongst residents, lecturers and LIRE to improve environmental and hygiene conditions around the dormitory buildings. The system has the capacity to treat 10m³ of wastewater per day which is sufficient to significantly reduce pollution of water and soil by the wastewater effluent. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of January 2010 and utilized as on-the-job training for two LIRE engineers.