Superhot Rock Geothermal in Laos

The document highlights that just 1% of Laos's estimated superhot rock geothermal resource could provide 200 GW of energy capacity, far exceeding the country's 2021 electricity consumption of 44,913 GWh. While not expected to reach commercial scale by 2030, the technology could theoretically replace all coal and gas in the electricity sector, reducing emissions by approximately 14 megatonnes of CO2eq, which represents 23% of Laos's Nationally Determined Contribution goal. The report also notes the technology's low land footprint, requiring roughly 12 km² per 1 GW, and its ability to provide reliable 24/7 power.

• Preliminary modeling indicates that Laos possesses significant superhot rock resources; specifically, 1% of this resource could provide 200 GW of energy capacity and generate over 1,664,979 GWh of electricity.
• The potential energy from 1% of Laos's superhot rock endowment is estimated to be 37 times the country's electricity consumption in 2021, which was 44,913 GWh.
• Utilizing 1% of the superhot rock potential could theoretically eliminate all coal and gas used for electricity production in Laos, cutting carbon emissions by about 14 megatonnes of CO2eq, or 23% of the nation's NDC goal.
• Superhot rock geothermal is characterized by high energy density and low land requirements, needing approximately 12 km² per 1 GW, which is significantly less than natural gas (160 km²), solar (180 km²), offshore wind (520 km²), or biomass (14,000 km²).

APA

Clean Air Task Force (n.d.). Superhot Rock Geothermal in Laos. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/22144905/Laos-SHR-Regional-Assessment.pdf

Chicago

Clean Air Task Force. Superhot Rock Geothermal in Laos. n.d. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/22144905/Laos-SHR-Regional-Assessment.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Clean Air Task Force |title=Superhot Rock Geothermal in Laos |url=https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/22144905/Laos-SHR-Regional-Assessment.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{cleanairtaskforcendsuperhot, author = {{Clean Air Task Force}}, title = {{Superhot Rock Geothermal in Laos}}, institution = {Clean Air Task Force}, url = {https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/22144905/Laos-SHR-Regional-Assessment.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }