Lights out in Laos as electricity exports surge

Lights out in Laos as electricity exports surge

Exports of electricity to neighbouring countries including Thailand and Vietnam are a key source of revenue for the landlocked nation, designated as a least developed country by the United Nations. But most of the power generated leaves the country and, combined with an ageing grid, that results in frequent outages and sometimes having to import electricity to meet demand. When the power cuts out after dark in Vientiane, families wander outside …