Energy

The PWG-6 meeting will revisit/ review the results and accomplishments under the regional technical assistance project (RETA) 6304 (Regional Power Trade Coordination and Development), particularly in the areas of training, database/ website development, master plan study, and studies on performance standards and transmission regulation.

The SEF-2 meeting will discuss the medium term (2008-2015) road map for expanded GMS energy cooperation and will consider the proposed work plan for realizing the road map, after a careful assessment of the priority activities and timetable of the work plan. The first SEF meeting held in Bangkok in December 2004, agreed to establish the SEF to oversee the expansion of cooperation to other energy sub-sectors per the request of the GMS countries.

The PWG-5 meeting was held to: (i) decide on chairmanship for the PWG and FG, and firm up the system for rotation and tenure of chairmanship; (ii) update on and advance the progress of priority RPTCC studies and activities, such as the studies on performance standards and transmission regulation, training programs, and the power sector database and website; (iii) provide updates of each GMS country's power generation and transmission development plans; (iv) discuss priority GMS interconnections for ADB support and other priority projects in the master plan and their relation to country powe

The RPTCC-6 meeting was held to undertake the following: (i) confirm the FG-4 agreements and recommendations on the next steps and timelines of priority RPTCC studies and activities; (ii) discuss updates on the ongoing and proposed technical assistance to the RPTCC; (iii) review, refine and set the milestones for preparation of the proposed MOU on the power trade road map and Action Plan on Energy; and (iv) brief GMS representatives on the experiences in developing other regional energy markets.

The RPTCC-6 meeting was held to undertake the following: (i) confirm the FG-4 agreements and recommendations on the next steps and timelines of priority RPTCC studies and activities; (ii) discuss updates on the ongoing and proposed technical assistance to the RPTCC; (iii) review, refine and set the milestones for preparation of the proposed MOU on the power trade road map and Action Plan on Energy; and (iv) brief GMS representatives on the experiences in developing other regional energy markets.

In the last meeting (RPTCC-4) held in Yangon, the RPTCC members deliberated on the key institutional arrangements for the stage 1 of the Regional Power Trade Operating Agreement (RPTOA), particularly on the establishment of the Focal Group (FG), its TOR and capacity building plan. Since then the FG and the Planning Working Group (PWG) have been established, and their meetings held. The RPTCC-4 meeting also discussed practices/ experiences in regional power trade in other regions to serve as initial lessons in design of power market arrangements.

The Focal Group was established with the holding of the its first meeting (FG-1) in Hanoi in January 2006. The earlier FG-1 meeting agreed on the appointment of the authorities (chair and co-chair), the setting up of communication channels/ procedures, prioritization of activities, and the establishment of the Planning Working Group (PWG). PRC was appointed chair for the next two years, with ADB as co-chair. The FG-2 meeting was co-organized by the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy (MIME) of Cambodia and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The establishment of the Focal Group (FG) was agreed during the RPTCC-4 meeting held in Yangon in September 2005, to coordinate the implementation of the RPTCC activities in each GMS country. The FG was the first institution created for the implementation of the Regional Power Trade Operating Agreement (PTOA). The list of FG members was recently finalized based on nominations submitted by the GMS countries. The FG-1 meeting was attended by FG members nominated by the six GMS member countries, as well as by representatives of AFD, Soluziona, World Bank and ADB.

About 70 participants attended the First Planning and Consultation Workshop on the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Energy Sector Strategy held in Bangkok, Thailand on 31 July 2006. The participants included senior government officials and policy makers from the GMS member economies, as well as representatives from academia, civil society, development partners, and the private sector.

The RPTCC-5 meeting was held to: (i) discuss and decide on the recommendations of the FG for priority RPTCC activities, and confirm the work plans for both the PWG and FG; (ii) take stock of various ongoing and planned ADB assistance to the GMS energy sector, and (iii) discuss and derive lessons from recent experiences in developing regional energy markets.