New energy solutions are crucial to developing the Greater Mekong Subregion, where power demand is surging. These include improving energy efficiency and cross-border power trading. The Regional Power Trade Coordination Committee (RPTCC) manages regional power trade in the subregion.
Greater Mekong Subregion countries are in varying stages of economic development, but they share common goals concerning energy security and environmental protection. Some have made significant progress in promoting renewable energy, clean fuels, and energy efficiency.
New energy solutions are crucial to the subregion’s advancement. Demand for energy is surging, and by some estimates demand for energy in the lower Mekong countries – Cambodia, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, and Viet Nam – is expected to nearly triple from 317 terawatt-hours in 2012 to 815 terawatt-hours in 2025.
Their rapidly improving economies have allowed GMS countries to respond to this demand with extensive power generation projects. Gas-fired plants are expected to nearly double to about 54 plants with 24,000 megawatts during the same period. Renewable sources such as solar, wind, and biomass are not yet prevalent in the subregion, but the number of projects is increasing rapidly.
GMS countries are addressing the complexities of meeting this surging energy demand by taking a regional approach that allows for the most cost-efficient projects using a diverse range of energy sources. They are also sharing experiences and lessons learned.
Countries are enhancing the regional coordination of power trading, including the exchange of information on energy sector plans and projects. The ultimate goal is to provide an adequate supply of energy throughout the subregion at an affordable price, and to bring the economic benefits of a reliable energy supply to people in rural areas, while at the same time encouraging investment.
The GMS Road Map for Expanded Cooperation in the Energy Sector is helping to guide efforts in planning and implementing projects for power generation, cross-border interconnections, and for improving country transmission systems. National projects are being developed with an eye toward the development of regional power trade arrangements that will increase efficiency and lower energy costs for consumers.
Related
• GMS Road Map for Expanded Energy Cooperation
• Update of the GMS Regional Master Plan
• Study: Building a Sustainable Energy Future - The Greater Mekong Subregion
Send inquiries to GMS Secretariat.
This is the summary of discussions at the 13th Meeting of the Regional Power Trade Coordination Committee (RPTCC-13) in Yangon, Myanmar on 27 November 2012.
This is the summary of discussions at the 12th Meeting of the Regional Power Trade Coordination Committee (RPTCC-12) in Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic on 17 to 18 May 2012.
The Special 12th RPTCC meeting (RPTCC-12-A) was held mainly to continue discussions on the inter-governmental MOU to establish the Regional Power Coordination Center (RPCC), which will oversee the evolution of the GMS power market toward a more open, but appropriately regulated competitive market.
This publication is a historical summary of progress made in energy cooperation in the GMS since the beginning of the economic cooperation program in 1992.
With increasing fuel demand projected for the Greater Mekong Subregion, biofuels could make a significant contribution to offsetting oil demand and to increased agricultural and rural incomes.