Asean energy operators eye regional connectivity
Asean energy operators eye regional connectivity
Following the launch of the Asean Economic Community last year, Asean countries are becoming more integrated and a regional meeting in Vientiane last week reviewed the potential for electricity connectivity.
The annual meeting of heads of Asean power providers enables delegates to interact and share experiences and ideas for enhancing services for all member countries and their citizens.
The 23rd Meeting of the Heads of Asean Power Utilities Authorities Working Committee was attended by delegates from eight Asean member countries - Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Officials highlighted the rapid pace of economic growth in Asean countries, saying this requires the corresponding development of supporting infrastructure.
Electricity is particularly important because it affects the quality of life of Asean people.
In his welcoming remarks at the meeting, Deputy Managing Director of Electricite du Laos (EDL) Mr Komonchanh Phet-asa emphasised that the richness of gas, oil, hydro and coal in Asean offers member countries the opportunity to jointly develop a borderless electricity industry with the evolvement of the Asean Power Grid.
“Nations with surplus energy resources will be able to supply transformed energy to those with inadequate resources,” he said.
Mr Komonchanh said the dynamism of the Asean region would pose many challenges and opportunities to the industry and the new challenge in the electricity industry is to manage and provide a supply that meets the requirements of customers, particularly in high tech industries.
The 18th Meeting of the Asean Power Grid Consultative Committee and the 32nd Meeting of the Heads of Asean Power Utilities Authorities Council also took place in Vientiane last week.
