Energy officials lay groundwork for power trade

*Energy officials lay groundwork for power trade*
By Vientiane Times June 18, 2008

Energy officials from the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) are meeting
this week to discuss ways to move the region closer to a fully
integrated power sector, according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

During meetings sponsored by the ADB, the delegates will discuss
performance standards and transmission regulations for cross-border
power trade, the first of four stages leading to an integrated power sector.

"National forecasts show demand for electricity in the GMS region is
expected to grow between nine and 15 percent per year over the next
decade," said ADB Principal Energy Specialist Yongping Zhai, who also
co-chaired the meetings in Vientiane .

"Regional cooperation in power trading offers efficient use of regional
energy resources to meet this rising demand."

The first phase of the regional integration project is expected to be
complete in 2010, and seeks only to promote country-to-country power
transactions where excess capacity of existing cross-border transmission
lines is used.

This phase will initially involve three interconnections including one
between Laos and Thailand , another between Laos and Vietnam , and one
connecting Laos and Cambodia .

Delegates from Cambodia , China , Laos , Myanmar , Thailand and Vietnam
will also launch a joint power-sector database during the meetings. The
web-based facility will provide a channel for gathering and exchanging
relevant information on the energy sector in the region and serve as a
platform for the interaction of GMS countries towards the development of
the regional power market.

ADB, based in Manila , is dedicated to reducing poverty in the Asia and
Pacific region through inclusive economic growth, environmentally
sustainable growth, and regional integration.

Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members - 48 of whom are from the
region. In 2007, it approved US$10.1 billion in loans, US$673 million in
grant projects, and technical assistance amounting to US$243 million.