The Dark Side of Laos' Electricity Surge Laos has long been touted as the "Battery of South east Asia," but beneath its role in powering its neighbors lies a more complex reality: frequent power outages that leave its own people in the dark.
The irony is not lost on those who live with the constant threat of electricity shortages, yet Laos' decision to prioritize exports over domestic needs has far reaching consequences.
The country's aging grid, dating back to the 1970s, struggles to keep pace with modernization and urban development.