Energy

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4th GMS Energy Transition Task Force Meeting

The 4th GMS Energy Transition Task Force Meeting (ETTF-4) was held on 11 December 2024 in Jakarta, Indonesia. Held on the sidelines of back-to-back events on the ASEAN Power Grid (APG), the 4th ETTF Meeting discussed GMS country and regional updates related to energy transition, plans on regional power trade and demand side management, ETTF work streams, and development partner support for the GMS energy program.

 

Greater Mekong Subregion countries are in varying stages of economic development but share common goals concerning energy security and environmental protection. Progress have been made in promoting renewable energy, clean fuels, and energy efficiency, but new energy solutions remain crucial to the subregion’s advancement.

The GMS Economic Cooperation Program Strategic Framework 2030 (GMS-2030) emphasizes cross-border power trade, establishment of regional grid codes, development of regional markets, and expanding clean energy investments with a greater role for the private sector.

The Regional Power Trade Coordination Committee (RPTCC) managed regional power trade in the subregion from 2004–2022. In July 2022, at the 29th RPTCC meeting, the committee formally transitioned to the GMS Energy Transition Taskforce (ETTF). Among other things, the transition to ETTF ushers in closer energy cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its initiatives, such as the ASEAN Power Grid.

 

New Energy Solutions Needed for the GMS

 

Energy consumption in the GMS countries has grown intensively as their economies develop, driven mostly by residential and industrial sectors. Demand is forecasted to increase materially over the medium term.

GMS countries have used different approaches to increase access to reliable, affordable, and low-carbon energy.

  • Power generation. Coal and gas remain prominent in installed capacity, but there is a diverse, complementary, and growing mix of renewables across GMS countries. Focus on specific types of renewables varies based on each country’s natural resource endowment but hydropower is fundamental to the subregion. In July 2021, ADB approved a technical assistance to support countries in Southeast Asia to accelerate transition to clean energy.
  • Power sector planning. Key themes that have emerged in the recent power development plans of GMS countries include the following: (i) development of grid infrastructure, battery energy storage system (BESS) and pumped storage hydropower; (ii) resource-oriented supply build-out; (iii) renewable-enabling policies and (iv) electric vehicle targets and planning.
  • Regional cooperation.Through the GMS platform, cooperation with ASEAN and other avenues for energy cooperation, GMS countries are working together to meet the subregion’s demand for new energy solutions. They share knowledge, experiences and lessons learned, and pursue initiatives that enhance and overcome challenges to cross-border electricity trade.

 

See initiatives of the GMS Energy Transition Task Force to promote energy security in the subregion in a sustainable manner.

 

Related

 

Key Energy Resources

 

Contact Persons

Focal Persons at the Asian Development Bank

  • Hyunjung Lee (lead) 
    Energy Sector Office
    Sectors Group

  • Atsumasa Sakai 
    Energy Sector Office
    Sectors Group

Other Concerned Staff & Consultants

  • Joao Aleluia 
    Energy Sector Office
    Sectors Group

  • Architrandi Priambodo 
    Energy Sector Office
    Sectors Group

  • Jeffrey Almera 
    Energy Sector Office
    Sectors Group

  • Rafaelita Jamon 
    Regional Cooperation and Integration Unit
    Southeast Asia Department/GMS Secretariat 

Send inquiries to GMS Secretariat. 

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The 73-megawatt Lopburi Solar Farm is the largest solar photovoltaic project in the world. It is integral to Thailand's efforts to generate energy from renewable sources. Photo by ADB.

ADB Launches Support to Help Countries in Southeast Asia Accelerate Transition to Clean Energy

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Meeting photo via Viet Nam Plus

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Viet Nam Electricity Signs Power Purchase Agreement with Lao PDR Wind Farm

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Representative image only. Photo by ADB.

Lao PDR to Export Wind Power and Supply Viet Nam with Renewable Electricity

Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan will invest in an onshore wind farm in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) that will supply electricity to Viet Nam. The facility is set to have power generation capacity of 600 megawatts (MW) and is eyed to become the largest onshore wind farm in Southeast Asia. The project will be Lao PDR’s first endeavor in exporting wind power.   

The use of solar, wind and other renewable energy sources continues to grow in the People’s Republic of China. Photo: Vista Wei

Accelerating clean energy transition in the People’s Republic of China

The move to clean energy and carbon neutrality in the People’s Republic of China will require conservation, conversion to new energy sources beyond coal and changing people’s energy consumption habits. 

The project will generate an average of 422 gigawatt-hours of electricity and avoid an average of 162,430 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. Phot oby Power Construction Joint Stock Company No. 1

ADB Signs Green Loan to Develop 144 MW Wind Farms in Viet Nam

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Transmission tower in Lao PDR. Photo by IG (CC BY 2.0).

Lao PDR Signs Concession Agreement with Electricity Joint Venture

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