Greater Mekong Subregion

Regional Indicative Master Plan on Power Interconnection in the GMS (TA No. 5920)

Overview

The Mekong Integrated Transmission System Study, completed in September 1996 by the Mekong River Commission Secretariat (MRCS), provided overall assessment of the interconnection network potential for the GMS.

Subsequently, GMS countries adopted a power trade strategy and focused their efforts at the needed policy, institutional, and commercial framework to efficiently develop and operate a regional power network efficiently.

Objectives and Scope

TA 5920 aimed to update the earlier MRCS study by taking into account:

1. Changes in power demand forecasts due to the Asian economic crisis; and
2. Advances in the technology for combined cycle gas turbines, which has enhanced the viability of natural gas (abundant in GMS) for power generation.

This TA involved the preparation of an indicative master plan for transmission development up to 2020. The study was expected to guide each country's individual power system plans with a view to being connected to the subregional grid system.

The TA was also expected to harmonize transmission planning, design, and operational practices to promote regional power trade.

The scope of the TA included the following:

1. Assessment of the electric power demand and review of generation and transmission master plans in GMS countries;
2. Updating of power grid interconnections identified earlier, based on revised supply and demand projections;
3. Formulation of an indicative master plan to promote regional power trade; and
4. Identification of the institutional and regulatory issues to be addressed for proper plan implementation.

Project Cost and Financing ($ million)

Status

Ongoing.

For detailed information on project status, write to the GMS Unit (ADB) at the following e mail address:

gms@adb.org