Information Sharing Tools on Renewable Energy in the Lao PDR
Rural Electrification
Report Series
tential in Lao PDR
Information Sharing Tools on Renewable Energy for Lao PDR
Final Report
110512_RURAL_FR_010 Vientiane, Lao PDR Study funded by and conducted in collaboration with Helvetas Laos 1 May, 2011 Information Sharing Tools on Renewable Energy in the Lao PDR
Lao Institute for Renewable Energy and HELVETAS
REPORT # 110512‐RURAL‐FR‐010
Information Sharing Tools on Renewable Energy for the Lao PDR: Final Report
Vientiane, Lao PDR
11th May 2011
DOCUMENT REVISION HISTORY: Rev Date Description Authors Checkers
1 18/02/2011 Draft Report Issued for Client Review L. Mateo, N. Paech E. Allen., A. Phimmasone
2 12/05/2011 Revised Report for Internal Review L. Mateo, A. Phimmasone
2 Information Sharing Tools on Renewable Energy in the Lao PDR
About Us
LIRE is a non‐profit organisation dedicated to the sustainable development of a self sufficient renewable energy sector in the Lao PDR. The institute offers agronomical, technological and socio‐economic research services, and works to provide a free public resource of information and advice on the use of renewable energy technologies in Lao PDR. LIRE strives to support the development of the country by exploring commercially viable means to establish renewable energy technologies in rural parts of the country, in areas without connection to the national grid and with little access to technical expertise.
Helvetas is a Swiss Association for International Cooperation, founded in 1955. Helvetas has more than 40’000 members in Switzerland supporting its activities. Helvetas works in Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America. Helvetas started to work in Lao P.D.R. in 2001 with the Laos Extension for Agriculture Project (LEAP) funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Helvetas in Laos has been focusing mainly on the agriculture sector, addressing issues related to organic agriculture promotion and food security in the country. Other sectors such as Education and Culture, Civil Society and State which are part of Helvetas’ working areas shall gain more and more importance. Helvetas Laos and its partners are currently implementing 6 projects across the country.
3 Information Sharing Tools on Renewable Energy in the Lao PDR
Table of Contents
1 Context ...... ‐ 1 ‐ 2 Interview with CLICK and Re‐orientation of the Study ...... ‐ 2 ‐
2.1 Context ...... ‐ 2 ‐
2.2 Results of the meeting with CLICK ...... ‐ 3 ‐ 3 Online Information Sharing within the ASEAN Region ...... ‐ 5 ‐
3.1 Review of existing websites in the ASEAN Region ...... ‐ 5 ‐
3.1.1 The example of: MEE Net ...... ‐ 5 ‐
3.2 The importance of a moderator for online information sharing media ...... ‐ 6 ‐ 4 Review for Lao PDR, the Case through an Online Questionnaire ...... ‐ 7 ‐
4.1 Context of the ‘Monkey’ survey ...... ‐ 7 ‐
4.2 Methodology ...... ‐ 7 ‐
4.3 Results of the questionnaire ...... ‐ 8 ‐
4.4 Conclusion ...... ‐ 14 ‐ 5 Recommendations ...... ‐ 15 ‐
5.1 An Online Library ...... ‐ 16 ‐
5.2 Improving visibility on renewable energies in Lao PDR: the need for coordination ...... ‐ 17 ‐ 6 Conclusion ...... ‐ 18 ‐ 7 Appendix and Annexes ...... ‐ 20 ‐
7.1 Appendix 1: Summary of WebPages on Renewable Energy in ASEAN Region ...... ‐ 20 ‐
7.2 Appendix 2: Invitation to the Questionnaire ...... ‐ 23 ‐
7.3 Appendix 3: Results of the Online Survey ...... ‐ 24 ‐
7.4 Annex 1: READ (Renewable Energy Activities Database) by LIRE and SNV Laos, supported by the FAO, 2009 ...... ‐ 31 ‐
i Information Sharing Tools on Renewable Energy in the Lao PDR
Table of Figures
Figure 1: Who are you? ...... ‐ 8 ‐
Figure 2: What does renewable energy mean to you? ...... ‐ 8 ‐
Figure 3: What do you think about the visibility of renewable energies in the Lao PDR? ...... ‐ 9 ‐
Figure 4: Other people who might have interest in engaging in RE ...... ‐ 12 ‐
Figure 5: Information of interest ...... ‐ 13 ‐
Table of Tables
Table 1: List of websites under CLICK umbrella, February 2011 ...... ‐ 2 ‐
ii Information Sharing Tools on Renewable Energy in the Lao PDR
1 Context
The Lao PDR enjoys an abundance of natural energy resources, notably solar, hydro and biomass potential, and yet in rural areas access to energy remains poor. In 2008, the national electricity grids extended to reach 64% of the population, with a further 3.8% utilising a variety of off‐grid solutions.1 The remaining 42%, mostly the rural poor living in isolated communities, were relying on inefficient, unhealthy and environmentally damaging practices, such as use of traditional fuel wood and kerosene/diesel. These conventional activities are time consuming and costly to utilise. As such, rural populations are still disadvantaged relative to urban communities
Access to information is one of the main bottlenecks for the development of the Lao rural renewable energy (RE) sector. At present all actors and end‐users are making energy choices based on incomplete information and a lack of knowledge to begin projects at all as well as facing technical limitations. Furthermore, generally in Lao PDR users and actors suffer from inaccurate perceptions of the real costs of energy resources and neither are they aware of opportunities already available.
Helvetas Laos, fully aware of this narrow choice offered to rural populations, assigned LIRE to:
Review existing information sharing tools in Lao PDR and within the Sub‐Mekong region;
Provide recommendations on how to improve access to RE information for Lao population and main stakeholders active in the field of RE.
In order to complete this study LIRE and Helvetas RISE Program Laos, met a key informant active in the Lao PDR called Mr. P. Phimmachanh who animates and moderates several online information sharing platforms representative of the Coalition for Lao Information, Communication and Knowledge (CLICK). CLICK is an organization dedicated to online information exchange. This organization aims to alleviate poverty and support Lao development “through provision of information, communication and knowledge2”. The purpose of the study was there re‐examined and it was decided to focus on answering this key question: Is there a market‐driven demand for RE information in Lao‐PDR?
The following sections will introduce the elements needed to answer to this key question; then recommendations will be given according to the response to this important question.
1 Electricity Statistics Yearbook of Lao PDR (2008) 2 http://www.clicklaos.org
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2 Interview with CLICK and Re‐orientation of the Study
2.1 Context
On the 25th January 2011 a meeting was organized in Helvetas Laos’ office to interview Mr Phoutthasinh Phammachanh, the moderator of LaoLink (part of CLICK organization), with the aim to discuss about the idea to create an Online Information Exchange Platform especially dedicated to RE in the Lao PDR.
Mr P. Phammachanh was a key relevant stakeholder to interview as he plays an important part in the most active platform information sharing in the Lao PDR. Thus, his opinion was invaluable as he acts with the double role of i) observer of the people and topics which are active online, and ii) stakeholder with experience and feedback on setting up an online information sharing platform.
First, Mr P. Phammachanh presented to us the different online networks which are ruled under the Coalition for Lao Information, Communication and Knowledge (CLICK)3. Most of them have the purpose to make information sharing more open and pluralistic and are considered as public service. It must be noted that CLICK counts 15 member organizations in 2010, hence it is fair to say this is a legitimately independent coalition. Amongst those groups actively participating in the information sharing are members from the Private Sector, International Development Organisations, and Civil Society Organisations. CLICK's vision is to play a role in human resource development through provision of information, communication and knowledge for the alleviation of poverty and development of the Lao PDR. The different websites under CLICK for online information sharing are summarized in Table 1 below.
Table 1: List of websites under CLICK umbrella, February 2011
Name Format of information Information released Language
About agribusiness and rural LaoFab.org Online platform information sharing English livelihoods
Laolink.org Online platform information sharing Same than LaoFab but in Lao language Lao
More than 1000 types of materials. It Bring together all development issues Lao & Lao44.org is the main online library in Laos and information English
CLICK Here Materials and documents Same than Lao 44 but dedicated to Lao
3 http://clicklaos.org/index.php?lang=en
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Name Format of information Information released Language university
General forum and possibilities to Lao & CLICK Laos General website of CLICK record a file English
Support to Civil Society Organizations CLICK 2 Technical and implementation data in development of websites maintenance
Lao Water About the management and concerns Resources The latest online discussion group. about this resource. Network
2.2 Results of the meeting with CLICK
The following feedback was given on the CLICK experience and needs to be highlighted:
In Lao PDR, there is demand for energy but not specifically for renewable energy;
Five organizations only have been identified by Mr P. Phammachanh to be active in RE, namely those are: SNV (Netherlands development Organization) with its biogas program, LIRE, Sunlabob Renewable Energy Ltd., Helvetas Laos and PORDEA (Poverty Reduction and Development Association);
The energy topic which arouses most interest on existing online networks is large scale hydropower;
Government agencies/ staff do not take part or take only little part in online discussions;
When setting up an online media platform, the moderator has a key role to play in animating the platform. He has responsibilities in areas such as moderating, filtering the posts, making sure posts are relevant to the forum’s topic and eventually proposing topics to stimulate discussions;
The rural populations in Lao PDR cannot be reached directly through online media. Most of people living in rural areas have limited access to the internet. Because of this, their initiative to look for alternative information is weak.
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In addition to the above points, LIRE can add that more organizations are actually active in the field of renewable energy in Lao PDR. As far as the donors are concerned and active to support implementation within the country, we can list: JICA (hydropower), GEF Small Grant Program (climate change), the World Bank (rural electrification), the European Commission, the Finish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the FAO, and several bilateral cooperation organisations including Embassies. The ADB is also present to support the development of studies. Obviously, several organisations based overseas are engaging partnerships with those organisations enlarged to consulting companies that are locally based to provide assistance and funding for studies development or projects’ implementation. Considering the actual implementers locally based, LIRE, with the support of SNV Laos and the FAO, identified in 2009 about 20 players coming mostly from the private sector but also from the public side with further Lao governmental and non‐governmental organisations involved. The database named READ4 (Renewable Energy Activity Database) of the key players engaged in bio‐renewable energies in Laos can be found in Annex of the present document.
The study team found interesting to note that CLICK is expanding and the demand for documents in Lao language is increasing. For example, the group Lao44, has the biggest online library with over 640 documents and about 300 videos which are mainly in Lao language. Consequently, one can assume that there is a general interest for information sharing. However, the level of demand by the Lao population cannot be clearly identified, neither the profile nor the expectation of the visitors, as no comprehensive study has been conducted so far to this intend. The target group for a specific platform on RE remains unspecified and the question whether RE will raise a significant interest cannot therefore be fully answered.
As a result of the meeting, the study team came to the conclusion that a different approach was needed when thinking about reaching the most of the Lao population and especially those living in the rural areas, i.e. without Internet access and when documentation disseminated in English only becomes pointless.
In this context, the goal of the present study has taken a slightly different direction, aiming at answering to the three following questions:
1) Is there is a need to create a new online knowledge base dedicated to RE?
2) Who are the potential targets for discussing, sharing on this topic?
3) What would be the best form or media to share renewable energy information?
4 Database on Renewable Energy projects in Lao PDR: http://www.lao‐ire.org/data‐and‐ research.html
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As the number of RE sector’s stakeholders is likely to be small, it was also decided to look at sources outside of the Lao PDR and broaden the comparison with other initiatives existing in the ASEAN region. The next Section 3 introduces the outcome of this review.
Furthermore, LIRE and Helvetas Laos decided to submit a (online) questionnaire in order to answer the two first questions. The next Section 4 presents the results of this survey.
3 Online Information Sharing within the ASEAN Region
3.1 Review of existing websites in the ASEAN Region
The renewable energies receive an increasing attention from the ASEAN governments as well as from international organizations. To meet this rising demand, a number of websites are now more and more developed about RE in the region. The study team briefly reviewed relevant websites in order to gain an understanding about the tools currently in use to provide and share knowledge.
Most of the websites reviewed are run by INGOs, businesses, networks or associations and have different channels to address to public. Their main channels are publications offered on projects or policy frameworks. It is hard to find well documented online discussion forums. Due to the language barrier it was only possible to take into account websites that were presented in English. As a result, many of the websites found are specifically addressed to international stakeholders and professionals rather than the general public. A dedicated knowledge‐sharing platform to RE in the ASEAN region, comparable to other websites, e.g. the South Asia Electronic Forum on Renewable Energy5 does not exist. For ASEAN, there are on the one hand websites from organization, initiatives originating within the region and on the other hand international websites with dedicated sections on ASEAN.
Online social networks on RE seem to be numerous, however looking at e.g. Facebook groups or blogs on this topic only a limited number specifically address the ASEAN region. Moreover, when looking at blogs or discussion forums offered by social media, one can detect that they enjoy only attention for a certain period of time and are fast outdated.
A detailed summary on such websites is provided in Appendix 1: the presented table provides a brief outline list of existing online platforms, although it is cannot be considered as an exhaustive list.
3.1.1 The example of: MEE Net
The Mekong Energy and Ecology Network (MEE Net) was established in 2008. MEE Net aims to address energy problems region‐wide by developing an “energy network”. They encourage critical thinking and
5 http://www.sa‐energy.net/index.php
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discussions on alternative options that challenge conventional power sector practices. This networking aspires to share experience, work and disseminates relevant information.
MEE net is present in six Mekong countries; they created an online information platform sharing platform through Google group and Google sites.
The experience consists in a private Google group where good practices and information are shared only between members. The platform was actually a request from members to make information available. It is a simple mechanism where participants are MEE Net members or affiliates; therefore the problem of information control is limited. However, according to Ms. Mai‐Lan Ha, the research coordinator of MEE Net the experience was too restrictive and this constraint did not allow the group to be very active. Consequently, the decision was then made to open a public group as a second network, where there is no need to pre‐register as a member. This intends to facilitate the access to the forum to more participants. The online registration only requires validating a login and password. For this second network, a Secretariat manages and coordinates the exchanges between the different users on the group. The whole Secretariat acts as a moderator.
3.2 The importance of a moderator for online information sharing media
Although Discussion Groups seem to be the most used tool to exchange information, it is very important indeed that those are managed by an animator or a so called moderator. The moderator has to be neutral, creative, have a good knowledge of topics and current national laws. The person has to do more than just checking that posts from members are not insulting, offensive or inappropriate in various ways. His/her role is central to an online information sharing media, in particular for the two main obvious reasons. 1. While setting up an online media, the question of launching, convincing people to play an active part in the network remains decisive. A lot of discussions for example on Facebook come up, however only few of them will last and will have a significant impact. 2. A successful Group means that discussions are lively, relevant and convey positive inputs. Furthermore, a forum with too many posts outside of the original scope risks disinteresting the core audience who may leave away.
Based on the experience of Ms. Mai‐Lan Ha from MEE Net, she pointed out that in the ASEAN region it is still pretty difficult to get nationals joining such online information sharing platforms. Moreover according to Mr P. Phammachanh people participate if the topics that are innovative, fresh, of relevance to the local context, and then match to an existing demand. Therefore, the success depends on the moderator’s abilities to create lively and interesting discussions on its network.
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4 Review for Lao PDR, the Case through an Online Questionnaire
4.1 Context of the ‘Monkey’ survey
The decision to submit an online questionnaire was made by Mr P. Phammachanh and Mr Samuel Martin from Helvetas Laos. We thought this tool will be an appropriate, fast and an effective method to reach a large audience and gain an understanding on the interests in RE of people living in the Lao PDR. In order to assess if there is a demand for a RE online knowledge base, a questionnaire was designed to answer the 4 following key questions through 10 sub‐questions:
1) Is there a need to increase RE’s information through an online knowledge base?
2) What kind of information sharing tools might be appropriate to respond to this demand?
3) What is the main interest and demand for information on RE Laos?
4) Can we foresee the participation of potential participants in online knowledge base?
4.2 Methodology
The questions were focused on the background and interests of the respondents in RE, their opinion on the current stand of information available on RE as well as their interest in a new platform for information sharing.
For each question several answer options were provided, it was possible for participants to choose more than one answer. Moreover, the respondents had the possibility, to name other answers and comment under the option ‘Other, please specify’.
The questionnaire was created on surveymonkey.org. This website allows creating and publishing online surveys. An invitation to participate in the questionnaire was sent through the LaoFab6 and LaoLink Internet networks on the 9th of February 2011 and to the directoryofngos.org members one day later. The deadline for answering to the questionnaire was set on the 15th of February.
In total, 36 people responded to the questionnaire up to 15th February at 12 pm. This data was taken into account for the final survey. According to our methodology with possible multiple choices, one person can tick several answers.
6 The Questionnaire Invitation can be found in Appendix 2.
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4.3 Results of the questionnaire
In this section the responses received to the online questionnaire are summarized and analyzed. Key results are presented here, although the detailed answers are presented in Appendix 3. A general conclusion is then developed on the characteristics of the demand and interest for RE information tools in Lao PDR.
Results
Q1: Respondents
Figure 1: Who are you?
Q2: Understanding of Renewable Energy
Figure 2: What does renewable energy mean to you?
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o 4 people took the opportunity to state another personal meaning for RE (‘Other’).
o 1 respondent stated that RE were appropriate technologies for different scenarios and an important form of development.
o 1 person responded RE is (quoted) “a topic that holds significant potential that has not yet been tapped, but often used inappropriately or to poor effect.”
Q3: Suitable Renewable Energy Forms for Lao PDR
Most of the respondents named several technologies resulting in a total of 139 responses. Almost all of the proposed answers were selected by about 10% of the respondents. Therefore, no clear tendency towards one specific form of renewable energy could be observed. Many also took the opportunity to specify their opinion and give additional comments. In these statements it became clear that the decision for suitable options depends on the actual situation and location of RE projects, which indicates an interest in decentralized options.
Although the questionnaire intended to focus principally on small‐scale renewable energy options, 3 respondents commented that ‘large hydropower’ was missing as an choice to possibly select as part of the RE options.
Q4: Visibility of RE in Lao PDR
Figure 3: What do you think about the visibility of renewable energies in the Lao PDR?
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o Looking at the detailed statements, respondents voiced for more coordination and transparency in improving access to information and increasing information sharing.
o Respondents underlined their hope to see more diverse independent RE literature, in order to know what works and what does not work in the Lao PDR.
o Various respondents stated that different organizations working in the field of RE do not actually share their knowledge.
Q5: Quality of information available on RE
In combination with Question 4, respondents were asked in Question 5 to state what they thought about the quality of information available on RE.
Answers clearly indicated that the quality of available information is sadly poor. Only 6% of respondents judged that information was of good quality. 31% pointed out that the information needed to be improved, 22% reported that the information was too general, or to scarce for 15%. Moreover 13% regretted that much of the information is made available in English language only.
Q6: Forms of support needed for better access to RE information in Lao PDR
In Question 6, it was asked what kind of support was necessary and wished in order to improve the access to renewable energy information in the country.
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Results showed unclear trend for one preferred tool. 26% of the respondents saw an online library as a good means to better access RE information, 23% stated that a newsletter is a good way for increased access and 15% choose a national online discussion forum as their answer option.
Interestingly, several comments were given. Among the comments to this question, there seems to be a clear demand for more coordination and exchange on the knowledge of what has been achieved so far and an opportunity place to discuss lessons learnt. A few respondents furthermore stated the need for more non‐online materials (however, of what kind and on what was let unspecified); One person asked for such materials to be available in Lao language notably for people without access to Internet who are the majority in the country. Additionally, it can be underlined that one respondent worried about the general education level in the Lao PDR, and ability for the majority of Lao people to raise any interest on such RE topic.
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Q7: Other people who might have interest in engaging in RE
Figure 4: Other people who might have interest in engaging in RE
Answers to this question showed a relatively equal share of possible responds:
o 27% responded that yes (more or less than 5) they know people who are not part of “discussion group” but have a concern in regards to energy issues;
o another 27% responded ‘maybe’ means are not really sure if someone from their professional or personal neighborhoods would be interest in the topic; and
o another 27% answered that communication needs anyhow to be improved for people who do not have access to Internet.
Q8: Possible role in an Internet Platform
Question 8 intended to enquire about the possible role the respondent would like to personally take if an Internet platform on RE was created in dedication to RE in Lao PDR.
Only 16% stated they would take an active role. The majority would rather like to follow the platform as a reader (43%) or to participate in answering to questions posted online from time to time where feasible (35%). This question does not raise any further comment.
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Q9: Information of interest
Figure 5: Information of interest
Most of the people choose more than one answer resulting in a total of 138 answers.
o No clear trend towards one specific kind of information was made possible.
o Comments pointed out to several interests: i) to know about lessons learnt from implemented projects, ii) to access to a free space for discussing RE policy developments.
o The will for sharing ‘best practices’ and ‘project lessons learnt’ was asked by 2 respondents under 36.
Q10: Need to create a media platform on RE in Lao PDR
In a last question, it was asked whether there is a need for the creation of a media platform on RE in Lao PDR. No choice for any directive answers was proposed; respondents were asked to write openly their personal views.
31 people (under 36) answered very briefly, with little writing. A minority with 3 out of 31 responds did not see the need to create such platform. The majority with 28 people stated that there was an actual need for such a platform. 3 out of these 28 people answering positively to such need did however
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express worries about the complexity on how to set up this and questioning whether this will (not?) replicate the existing platforms such as LaoFab.
4.4 Conclusion
First of all, the number of participants itself with 36 participants is rather encouraging. This panel of respondents allowed us to have a first screening of opinions on how to move forward in order to improve the information sharing on the RE topic in Lao PDR.
Several comments can be made looking at the answers received from the questionnaire. To refer to Question 2 about understanding of RE and Question 4 asking about the visibility level of RE, it becomes obvious that the panel of respondents has a general knowledge about RE. Thus, the results demonstrate that people know what RE is and have already an interest on it. Indeed, we have to keep in mind that this questionnaire was published within networks in which, people have already awareness about energy issues.
Generally, it can be said that there is a demand for a channeled and organized information sharing platform through the internet. There is, however, a lack of clarity on how to reach this aim and what kind of information is most interest. The majority of respondents see publications and newsletters as the most appropriate means to enhance knowledge‐sharing on Renewable Energy in Lao PDR. There does not seem a demand for the creation for an online forum dedicated to this topic. A few people warned us to NOT duplicating “LaoFab”.
With respect to Question 8, about a possible role for an Internet platform, a large majority of respondents (78%) said they would anticipate having only a passive role in such a forum. They would not specifically anticipate taking the initiative of posting onto such a forum.
It can be concluded that organizations and people working in the field of RE should make their knowledge more transparent and publish the most possible documents such as project reports, research results and databases. However, there is an obvious problem with the ‘copy’ rights to disseminating such documents within the public domain. Unlike most public donor‐funded projects based, other projects or studies supported by private funds have usually very tight restrictions on publication (for instance, restrictions for at least 1 year up to 3 years).
Looking at the results and the observed interest in improved information sharing tools, it should be kept in mind that most of the respondents (more than half of respondents working for international NGOs or be researchers) are accustomed to gaining information on the Internet and thus consider it as an important tool for information sharing.
However if when referring to Question 7 about who else might be interested in RE, it can be highlighted that many think that any new development tool for improving the introduction and discussing RE within
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the country should focus on the needs of the Lao people who do not have access to internet, which is obviously the majority of the inhabitants of Lao PDR.
Finally, it must be emphasized that this questionnaire was not translated into Lao, reaching then only people able to speak in English. Furthermore, and as a limitation, the questionnaire was intended to approach only people who have an access to Internet, which obviously excluded to reach other possible interested off‐line players. It would thus be probably relevant to study further this ‘non online segment’ of potential people interested in issues related to RE.
5 Recommendations
According to questionnaire answers, a common wish emerged for improved access to information, for it to be better shared and made more available. The questionnaire respondents, in the majority agreed to share on such a forum but would not to be an active member of a new online knowledge base7. Therefore, the idea of an Online Discussion Group or a Forum appears not to be the most appropriate option. On the contrary, people demand a place where documents, experiences, best practices success should be of relevance, reliable, available at any time and at no cost, easy to find, and in Lao language as far as possible. No debate, but knowledgeable information.
However, one must consider the diversity of potential users and actors of the RE sector. Their needs may vary according to their location, occupation, access to Internet or not, and their level of education. Online knowledge base’s users might include developers, policy makers, planning authorities, civil society, NGOs, small entrepreneurs and the private sector at large, and vocational education and media organizations.
The next sub‐sections intend to propose options to improving the sharing of information for different audiences, with the two following aims:
1) To set up the tool required by the respondents to the online questionnaire;
2) To better use the existing individual skills around a focal point organization.
7 In reference to Question 8 of the Monkeysurvey
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5.1 An Online Library
An online library responds to the wish for having a central place where documents are stored, consultation free, easy to access. This e‐library must be visible and easily identified as an important RE tools for the Lao PDR; although a communication policy should be developed in parallel. The option to host it under an existing online group does not seem the most appropriate way, this to avoid confusion among the Internet users.
Proposed Model:
As a concise record of what has been written so far in direct relation to the RE sector, the newly created online library’s overall mission could be: to raise the visibility of successes and challenges of energy access in the Lao PDR to the wider international community, including potential investors and donors.
The library could be partially fully public and partially accessible with a login. Indeed, it is commonly seen as the best way to have such diffusion options in order to encourage people to share their information and exchange about their knowledge.
Regarding the content, it should be divided into two main groups: one dedicated to Lao information about RE and another for RE’s news in the world.
The dedicated e‐library should act as a Meta database of activities linked to renewable energy and ongoing in the Lao PDR. It could contain for example practical information on the RE sector’s stakeholders, best practices, a list of ongoing projects and update about policy frameworks in the sector. Furthermore, this database could include an update directory of RE actors in the Lao PDR, where the contacts, project’s name and status of the project would be listed and available in the public domain.
The second sub‐group would rather have the purpose of informing (and directing to) about selected relevant existing worldwide information networks and knowledge exchange platforms. It should optimally contain information about new RE technologies, regular updates about calls for grants and funding proposals, and provide links to other relevant web portals.
Both of the two above suggested sections could be based on a ‘multiple search data base’. This means a search engine or browser where specific information can be found through the selection of diverse (but proposed?) criteria. Thanks to a simple click, the summary content (offered in both Lao and English) of each document could be provided for the web searchers. Such searching criteria could be as preliminary suggested below:
RE sectors (Biomass, hydro, solar etc)
RE options according to users (INGOs, farmers, businesses, private, researchers, etc.)
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Ongoing projects
Projects which have been successfully completed in Lao PDR
Renewable Energy related Laws
International grants and calls for RE projects
Organizations active in RE in Laos
In order to have a reliable service, a dedicated person plus a webmaster would manage the e‐library, continuously tracking the sector news, kindly answer posted questions, redirect enquiries and make sure documents about the relevance of documents made available.
Furthermore, and as a complementary communication tool, it could also be introduced the development of a ‘Lao RE Newsletter’ to update regularly (e.g. on a quarterly basis). This newsletter would intend to inform about what the latest publications are, new members, relevant events like conferences/ workshops, any interesting developments happening in the RE sector in the Lao PDR. Ideally, a short section about International, South‐East Asia region, and Lower Mekong Region’s news should be also added.
5.2 Improving visibility on renewable energies in Lao PDR: the need for coordination
The present overall project background is here to increase the visibility and accessibility of RE in the Lao PDR. The introduction of a new mechanism should aim at improving the coordination between existing local stakeholders through a network of locally‐based key players who sharing common goals.
Several networks exists in Lao PDR where renewable energy, agriculture‐forestry related and to a larger extend natural resources can be addressed (see above Section 2.1.). Recently since early 2011, a new informal network dedicated specifically to energy has been developing. The INGO Network is taking the lead of this group which focuses on energy‐electrification issues and alternatives to traditional energy sources in use in the country (e.g. large scale hydropower). To date, this group although starting with few numbers of participants wishes to raise concerns about dam’s impacts at both environmental and social levels and support actions to prevent negative consequences.
This also means that there is currently no group or network specifically dedicated to the RE topic itself. In order to fill this gap, an organization8 (like CLICK and/or LIRE) should be firstly responsible for the gathering of RE information which is discussed in the different networks. When RE issues are de facto
8 to be identified but supporting the existing experiences
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transversal to several development issues, it is recommended that a “Focal Point” organization should serve as a catalyst to support the (better) exchange of information and knowledge about RE to reach the most with broader impacts. Such organization should act as a central national information point on the one hand to improve the diffusion of knowledge on RE and on the other hand to facilitate the gathering of key players around a common objective and a share mutual interest. In that sense, the network ingosdirectory.org could be an inspiring initiative to learn from and possible adapt the concept in use to the case of the RE’s sector.
It is recommended here that the coordinator of such group or network undertakes the following actions in order to improve the coordination of both initiatives and stakeholders:
actively participate in the existing networks (CLICK websites, energy groups);
actively liaise and meet relevant stakeholders involved in the field of RE to encourage dialogue and information sharing on projects, research results, organizing workshops, etc.
regularly collect, summarize and manage information flows on RE in Lao PDR that could be uploaded on the proposed e‐library.
6 Conclusion
This study intended to seek tools to facilitate a better exchange/access to RE’s information for all actors in the Lao PDR. Based on this initial screening, it came out that the scope of the study was probably wider than expected to really manage to clearly identify target audience and media or necessary tools to be proposed to put in place. However, this rapid study does reveal interesting outcomes.
Based on the questionnaire’s methodology and results, two main appreciations can be stressed:
The audience targeted by the survey was restricted to a certain part of the civil society, especially people who are able to speak English and who do have access to the Internet, leaving a large range of the population out of reach to be possibly questioned.
The questionnaire results clearly indicate that the kind of awareness, needs and expectations for an information sharing platform on RE does hugely vary in accordance to the people’s interest or working areas. Nevertheless, in general the need of new information sharing tools can be here confirmed.
Two main recommendations can be outlined:
The setting up of an actively managed online library of Renewable Energy information in Lao PDR should be further investigated including how and by whom.
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Further investigation could start with, or come from, a better coordination among the current local stakeholders. A dedicated ‘Focal Point’ must be identified with adequate resources to fill this gap.
Finally, it can be found limitative that this rapid survey does not able to propose immediate actions and detailed recommendations to fit each target groups such as non English speakers and people without access to online resources. An additional study should possibly further search and identify such wider segments to be able to complete the analysis.
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7 Appendix and Annexes
7.1 Appendix 1: Summary of WebPages on Renewable Energy in ASEAN Region Name Internet Address Country Target Format of Topics covered Mission/Aim Information GRIPP http://www.ec‐asean‐ ASEAN Companies Database on Project and Knowledge greenippnetwork.net/ Countries working in the existing projects financing Centre RE field, Knowledge maps structures only accessible Discussion forums Policy for registered Publications instruments users & regulations Renewable energy resources and technologies Meenet: http://www.meenet.org/ Mekong Publications Electricity Information Sustainable Countries Information structure exchange on Energy exchange for Governance Energy issues in Network in member Policy Reform the Mekong the Mekong organizations region Region Encouraging Policy Debate Media resources Clean http://www.cleanenergyasia.net/ Asia Clean energy Case Studies and Renewable Energy Asia practitioners in Reports energy Asia, Policies and laws Energy open access Educational efficiency Material Clean energy Newsletter financing Presentations Greenhouse Renewable http://www.re2010.com/aboutus.php Philippines open Organizing National Energy Self sufficient RE Energy conferences policy sector for the Coalition Multi‐stakeholder Philippines
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Name Internet Address Country Target Format of Topics covered Mission/Aim Information dialogues Policy advocacy
Asian http://www.asianrenewables.com/ Asia Businesses in RE Resources section RE technology Renewables field does not work for Asia Market for RE
ASEAN http://www.aseanenergy.org/ ASEAN Intergovernmen Publications Energy issues in Intergovernmenta Centre for Countries tal organization, News the member l organization Energy free access to Project Reports countries established by published ASEAN states to material on coordinate energy website issues. Ren 21: http://www.ren21.net/AboutREN21/Goals Worldwide Open, particular Virtual library Policy Convey Rewable andMission/tabid/5016/Default.aspx aimed at Media frameworks international Energy International Event calendar stakeholders to Network stakeholders transit to for the 21st renewable energy Century Reep: http://www.reeep.org/443/south‐east‐ Asia, Latin Database with RE Facilitate the Renewable asia‐and‐the‐pacific.htm America, policy frameworks developments transformation of Energy and Southern Policies energy systems Efficency Africa, into RE Partnership
Reegle http://www.reegle.info worldwide open Information portal Policy Provide open (webpage Regulation and frameworks information on RE from Ren financing Finance 21 and News blog Technology Reep)
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Name Internet Address Country Target Format of Topics covered Mission/Aim Information Energia www.energia.org Asia and open News Gender and Contribute to the Africa Fact Sheets Energy empowerment of Training material, women ‐both Online learning rural & urban‐ Publications through a specific focus on energy Southeast energy.einnews.com/south‐east‐asia/ Southeast Open, particular News Blog Everything News service for Asia Energy Asia aimed energy energy related energy News professionals professionals Facebook http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/gr Asia open News Blog RE in Asia Group: oup.php?gid=422966d562345 Discussion Group Clean Energy Asia
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7.2 Appendix 2: Invitation to the Questionnaire
Dear LaoLink/LaoFab Members,
LIRE (Lao Institute for Renewable Energy) and Helvetas Laos are collaborating to promote renewable energy in Laos and address the knowledge gap as well as improve communication with regards to this important issue. In this framework, we are assessing the current level of awareness on renewable energy.
After a brief review of existing websites and discussions forums, it has been noticed that there are a lot of discussions on energy issues in the Lao PDR. However specific data on renewable energies, their potential, existing policies, etc remain sparsely addressed. Indeed, the Lao PDR has great renewable energy potential but it remains so far largely untapped. In order to understand the reasons for limited debates and suggestions we would like to invite you in a short survey (10 questions). This questionnaire has the purpose to identify your interest in renewable energies in the Lao PDR and seek your suggestions on ways to improve knowledge sharing surrounding this topic.
Your opinion matters and it will take you less than 10 minutes to answer this questionnaire.
To participate, just click on the web link below.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JH3RVQW
We thank you for your participation.
Deadline: Tuesday 15th February, 2011
LIRE and Helvetas Laos are grateful for your contribution.
PS: Please note that your data will remain confidential.
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7.3 Appendix 3: Results of the Online Survey
Question 1:
Who are you?
A private company in the energy sector 8%
A private company in another sector 10%
An international organisation 10%
An international NGO 30%
A Lao NGO/ NPA 3%
A Lao PDR’s government agency, ministry, local 8% authority
An international government representative 0% agency
A media organisation 0%
An independent researcher, consultant 23%
A Research Institute, University 5%
Other 5%
Total number of responses 40
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Question 2:
What does renewable energy mean to you?
A topic highlighted in the media 9%
A trendy topic, but with interesting issues 2%
An alternative to fossil energy sources 49%
A solution for efficiency 30%
Actually, you do not really know what it is about 0%
Other 11%
Total number of responses 47
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Question3:
In your opinion what is the most suitable use of renewable energy in the Lao PDR?
Biomass 9%
Biofuels 8%
Biogas 9%
Energy Efficiency/Conservation 9%
Small‐hydropower (<10MW) 9%
Mini‐hydropower 8%
Micro‐hydropower 8%
Pico‐hydropower (<5KW) 5%
Solar 14%
Waste‐to‐Energy 11%
Hybrid (a combination of one or more technical 9% focuses)
Other 1%
Total number of responses 139
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Question4
What do you think about the visibility of renewable energies in the Lao PDR?
There is few information available on the web 35%
Diffusion of information needs to be improved 35%
Information is available but not well organized 29%
No need to be more developed, it is not priority 0%
Total number of responses 48
Question 5:
What do you think of the quality of information available on renewable energies?
Good 6%
Too general 22%
Too scarce 15%
Too much oriented on technical data 2%
Needs to be improved 31%
Too much information in English language 13%
Too much information in Lao language 0%
Other: please, specify 11%
Total number of responses 54
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Question 6:
What support would you need to access renewable energy information in the Lao PDR?
An online discussion forum (national) 15%
Be a sub‐component of a bigger forum 6%
An online library 26%
A short newsletter 23%
A monthly chat forum about a specific topic 3%
A none‐online media platform 3%
Would you be more interested if this media 16% covers the sub‐region (Mekong, South‐East Asia)
Other: please, specify 7%
Total number of responses 86
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Question 7:
Do you know people who are not members of any Internet Group Discussion but who might be interested in engaging in renewable energies issues?
No 20%
Maybe 27%
Yes, less than 5 10%
Yes, more than 5 17%
Communication on this topic needs to be 27% improved for people who do not have access to internet
Total number of responses 41
Question 8:
If an information platform is to be created, would you participate as:
A reader 43%
A participant (answer to posted questions) 35%
An active member (start topic and share all 16% information)
A moderator from time to time 4%
Others: please, specify 2%
Total numbers of responses 49
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Question 9:
What kind of information would you be interested in?
Latest RE technologies around the world 13%
Current information on RE (projects 17% achievement/launch, grants, new partnership)
Reports and literature on RE business models 12%
Technical documentations on RE 9%
Information related to technical solutions suitable 20% for Laos
Review of policy and legal documents related to 11% RE, in Laos and around the world
A place to exchange ideas to help develop 17% implementation of RE projects in the country
Others: please, specify 2%
Total numbers of responses 138
Question 10:
Do you think there is a need to create a media platform dedicated to renewable energies in the Lao PDR?
Total number of responses 31
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7.4 Annex 1: READ (Renewable Energy Activities Database) by LIRE and SNV Laos, supported by the FAO, 2009
The following content is an abstract of the READ database. For the full content please refer to the link: http://www.lao‐ire.org/data‐and‐ research.html.
DATABASE BIOENERGY PROJECTS & INITIATIVES
LAO PDR BIOFUEL Last update: 25/09/2009
Date Purpose/Objecti Cost Name Contact Location Type Started ve US$ Remarks
Kolao Mr. Viengthong 6 provinces Private In 2006. Production under 15 Million KOLAO mentioned Farm Chanlivong, Farm along the sector; Plan to contract farming and without yield problem in director, email: Mekong, Feedstock: plant own management. processing several production viengthong_chanlivong@ called the Jatropha 25000 Ha Processing plan to be plant zone and this hotmail.com, Mekong Belt only in 2009 made in Lao and end (additional aspect remains a and 240 use product to supply 10 M) major concern. The Tel: 020 2205683 000 Ha national. Consumption. model of contract productio Export to Korea is also farming is linked to n in total planned. On-going rural development but the all production is sold to the company and no biofuel is used at community level.
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