
Thirteenth Meeting of the Regional Power Trade Coordination Committee (RPTCC-13)
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.
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. GMS-2030, endorsed and adopted at the 7th GMS Summit of Leaders in September 2021, aims to provide a new setting for the development of this subregion for the next decade.
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).
The ETTF pursues activities across the following workstreams:
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.
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.
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.
Works are underway for greater integration of renewable energies in countries’ energy development. In July 2021, an ADB knowledge and support TA: Accelerating the Clean Energy Transition in Southeast Asia (SEA) was approved to support countries in SEA to accelerate transition to cleaner forms of energy.
Facilitating Power Trade in the Greater Mekong Subregion, published in 2022, reflects a 5-year endeavor among government officials and representatives from utilities with the support of international experts to reach an agreement on a range of complex technical and institutional issues in establishing a common Regional Grid Code (RGC) for the GMS. The report addresses the technical and operational issues of interconnections along with the steps that are required to harmonize national grid codes within an overarching regional structure of the RGC.
The GMS Road Map for Expanded Cooperation in the Energy Sector is helping 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.
The Update of the GMS Regional Master Plan for the period 2009-2025 (i) simulated the regional power system with existing and potential planned power interconnections, (ii) ran simulations of the model for a variety of regional power system scenarios, (iii) identified the potentially beneficial regional interconnection projects based on the Master Plan, and (iv) compiled a list of priority projects according to their merits.
Related
• Facilitating Power Trade in the Greater Mekong Subregion
• GMS Road Map for Expanded Energy Cooperation
• Update of the GMS Regional Master Plan
• Study: Building a Sustainable Energy Future - The Greater Mekong Subregion
• Regional Power Trade Coordination Committee (RPTCC)
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.
This is the summary of discussions at the 10th Meeting of the Regional Power Trade Coordination Committee (RPTCC-10) in Siem Reap, Cambodia on 25 to 27 May 2011.
This paper summarizes the proceedings of the Fifth Meeting of the Subregional Energy Forum (SEF) in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam, on 11 November 2011.
The Tenth Regional Power Trade Coordination Committee meeting (RPTCC-10) was held in Siem Reap, Cambodia on 25-27 May 2011.
This is the summary of discussions at the 9th Meeting of the Regional Power Trade Coordination Committee (RPTCC-9) and 4th Meeting of the Subregional Energy Forum (SEF-4) in Shenzhen, the Peoples’ Republic of China on 26 to 27 October 2010.
This is the summary of discussions at the Special Meeting of the Regional Power Trade Coordination Committee (RPTCC-9A) in Bangkok, Thailand on 14 to 15 December 2010.