GMS Sector Activities
Energy
Read the Subregional Electric Power Forum Terms of Reference .
Read the RPTCC Terms of Reference and Agreements on Regional Power Trade .
Energy Archive
View other GMS sectors
Top
The meeting was held to finalize the GMS Road Map for Expanded Energy Cooperation for endorsement to the 15th GMS Ministerial Conference scheduled in June 2009 in Thailand. Among the refinements to the Road Map which were introduced by the Special SEF meeting included: (i) a stronger focus on the promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency and conservation, toward reducing carbon emissions and mitigating climate change; (ii) stronger alignment of the Road Map with the GMS countries' energy priorities and energy activities under the ASEAN framework; and (iii) inclusion of an additional section on "Implementation Arrangements", which provided for, among others, identifying a “Lead” country to develop and oversee project development, holding regular SEF meetings for knowledge sharing, and adopting performance targets for monitoring purposes. The final draft of the Road Map would be submitted to the GMS National Coordinators (NCs), who will oversee the process of securing internal government clearances and review/ endorsement of the Road Map by the GMS Ministers. Please see summary of proceedings and appendices for more details.
Agenda and Program
List of Participants
Presentations: Annex 3, Annex 4, Annex 5
Country Presentations: Cambodia, PRC, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam
Revised Road Map
Top
The SEF considered a proposed Road Map for Expanded GMS Energy Cooperation (2008-2015), which details the specific activities in various energy subsectors based on the recommendations of the recently concluded Energy Sector Strategy study (RETA 6301). The SEF agreed to further refine the Road Map consistent with the energy development priorities in the individual GMS countries, although emerging areas of interest include sharing of best practices in renewable energy options for off-grid electrification, energy efficiency best practices for industry, and appropriate gas pricing and regulatory frameworks. There is a need for more effective development partnerships in support of the Road Map, whose financial requirements are substantial. GMS countries were please to note that development partners at the SEF expressed strong interest in the Road Map and looked forward to the outcome of further GMS consultations to refine the Road Map and its work plan. Please see summary of proceedings for more details.
Annex 1, Annex 2, Annex 3, Annex 4, Annex 5
Annex 6: Cambodia, PRC, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam
Top
The 6th Planning Working Group (PWG-6), 7th Focal Group (FG-7) and 7th RPTCC meetings reviewed the overall results of regional technical assistance (RETA) 6304: Regional Power Trade Coordination and Development, in terms of the major RETA components on training, website/ database development, studies on performance standards and transmission regulation, and master plan updating. This review served as the basis for charting the way forward under the new RETA 6440: Facilitating Regional Power Trading and Environmentally Sustainable Electricity Infrastructure in the GMS. The Inception Workshop for RETA 6440 deliberated on the approach, methodology, work plan and timetable, organization and deliverables of the RETA, particularly as these relate to achieving the milestones prescribed in the MOU on the Road Map for Cross-Border Power Trading. For details, see summary of proceedings of PWG-6, RETA 6440 Inception, and FG-7/ RPTCC-7 meetings.
Annex 1, Annex 2
Annex 3: Cambodia, PRC, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam
Annex 4
Top
Energy officials from the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) met in Vientiane on 17-18 June 2008 for the 5th Planning Working Group (PWG-5) and 6th Focal Group (FG-6) meetings of the RPTCC. The meetings aimed to advance the progress of priority RPTCC studies and activities, with the view to moving the subregion closer to realizing initial power trade arrangements and reaping the economic benefits that power trade brings.
While attaining a competitive and fully integrated regional power market is the GMS region’s long term target, its current regulatory framework and transmission facilities do not currently meet the requirements of a competitive set-up. GMS studies thus recommended that the power market evolve through 4 stages, each of which is characterized by structural differences, such as cross-border transmission links, trading arrangements, type of regulator, and network security enforcement. The GMS market is expected to evolve from “cooperation” in stages 1 & 2, to “competition” in stages 3 & 4. Currently the GMS countries are just moving into Stage 1, in which the aim is to be able to use surplus or unutilized capacity in dedicated lines that are built as part of power projects covered by long term power purchase agreements (PPAs).
In the end, the recent PWG and FG meetings in Vientiane agreed on the following: (i) employing systematic consultation processes for data collection and addressing key issues in the performance standards and transmission regulation studies; (ii) recommending focus of additional training courses; (iii) launching the website/ database under GMS country ownership, guided by a handbook for administrators and users, in order to maximize its use as a platform for interaction and exchange of information on power activities; and (iv) examining the master plan model’s applicability and referencing it with the results of the GMS energy sector study and power development programs of GMS countries. For the RPTCC’s next priorities, it was agreed to focus on determining approaches to fully achieve the milestones in the power trade road map which were included in the MOU on power trade signed at the Third GMS Summit in Vientiane in March 2008. In order to complete stage 1 of power trade by 2010, work should commence shortly on such milestones as standard metering, identification of regulatory barriers, and the grid code. The next RPTCC meeting, planned to be held in Viet Nam later this year, should be able to agree on approaches for realizing these milestones.
For more details, please view entire proceedings of PWG-5 and FG-6.
PWG-5: Appendix 4 (Cambodia, PRC, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam)
FG-6: Appendix 3, Appendix 4.1, Appendix 4.2, Appendix 4.3, Appendix 4.4
Top
The PWG-4 and FG meetings took stock of the report of the study on performance standards and agreed to review the future scope of the studies on performance standards and transmission regulation to ensure that these adequately address the GMS countries’ requirements. The meeting also considered additional training on power trading operations, which could utilize technical assistance resources being provided by various development partners. The meetings also agreed that PRC would host the power database and act as its regional coordinator. The Regional Power Master Plan report was also reviewed and the GMS representatives would submit additional comments to further refine the report. Country reports made by GMS representatives provided useful updates on generation and transmission projects crucial to building GMS power interconnectivity. The meetings agreed on the significance of the proposed MOU on the power trade road map, which will be refined/ simplified and re-distributed to the PWG/ FG members by the end of November 2007. The process of finalizing the MOU for possible signing at the Third Summit in Vientiane in March 2008 will be discussed in a special meeting in Bangkok on 14 December 2007.
For more details, please view entire proceedings of PWG-4 and FG-5.
Top
The workshop discussed the current progress of the Energy Strategy Study and was participated in by 42 representatives from GMS governments, civil society organizations, private sector, academe, multilateral and other international development organizations. The project consultant, Integriertes Ressourcen Management of Austria, presented the initial results of the least-cost analyses for various scenarios using the planning model, MESSAGE (Model of Energy Supply Systems Alternatives and their General Environmental Impacts). The participants gave comments on the assumptions and data used and suggestions on how to further improve the study. Based on this feedback, a draft final report will be prepared and a series of national workshops will be held to discuss the results, culminating in a final regional workshop in October 2007.
For more details, please visit report of the meeting.
Top
The Third Planning Working Group (PWG-3) and the Fourth Focal Group (FG-4) meetings were held back-to-back with the RPTCC-6 meeting in Sanya, PRC, on 16-18 May 2007. The PWG-3 and FG-4 meetings reviewed the progress and agreed on the next steps and timetable of the priority RPTCC studies and activities. For the studies on performance standards and transmission regulation, a joint workshop will be held in the week of 25 June 2007 in Bangkok to discuss the main findings, including methodologies of the studies. The dates and venues of the priority training courses were also agreed by the PWG-3/ FG-4 meetings. On the power master plan, a regional workshop will be held in PRC in the week of 25 June 2007 to validate the countries’ data and analyze preliminary results. The meetings also agreed that the database and website should be in place by the end of the year, and to realize this, engagement of database developer (software and hardware) would be fast-tracked. The status of the prioirity interconnections projects, namely the GMS Power Interconnection Phase I project (THA-LAO-VIE), the 500 kV GMS Transmssion Line project (PRC-LAO-THA) and the PRC-Viet Nam 500 kV Power Interconnection, were also discussed, which focused on the preparation constraints that would need to be monitored and addressed by the RPTCC in the near term. The FG-4 also provided GMS representatives with a briefing on private technology for power interconnection systems management, which could provide useful perspectives in planning subregional transmission grid development.
The RPTCC-6 meeting meanwhile, included presentations on experiences in developing various energy markets (West Africa, Philippines, Europe and South America), which generated RPTCC members’ interest in cross-border markets practices that may be applied in the GMS context. The RPTCC-6 meeting also took note of the various ongoing and proposed development partner initiatives in support of the RPTCC work plan. The meeting clarified the needed actions to prepare the MOU on power trade that may be endorsed or signed at the Third GMS Summit next year. It agreed on the need for a new Action Plan on Energy for 2008-2012, containing priority cooperation projects to realize the subregion’s sector objectives, and which can serve as a monitoring tool on the progress of energy cooperation in the GMS. The meeting agreed to submit additional inputs to the draft Action Plan, particularly on key priority projects, by the end of May 2007. The meetings were co-hosted by the China Southern Power Grid Co. (CSG) of PRC and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
For more details, please view entire proceedings of PWG-3, FG-4 and RPTCC-6
Top
The Second Planning Working Group (PWG-2) and the Third Focal Group (FG-3) meetings held in Lijiang, PRC, on 7-10 November 2006, agreed on the detailed activities and timeline for the studies on performance standards and transmission regulation. These are the priority studies earlier agreed to by the Regional Power Trade Coordination Committee (RPTCC) to harmonize national transmission systems in preparation for interconnection of national power systems required in power trading. The meetings also endorsed the courses, coverage and venues for the training program. Other substantive agreements reached, subject to additional comments by the countries, concerned the models to be used for the GMS power master plan, the concept/ design for the database and website, and the pricing, risk management, and other good practices for Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). A road map was presented prescribing requirements for transitioning from one stage of power trading to another, and a proposed technical assistance from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) will help implement this road map in conjunction with the current assistance to the RPTCC being provided by the Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD). The meetings also agreed to prepare an initial document on the power trade operating agreement (PTOA) for possible signing at the Third GMS Summit in Lao PDR in 2008.
The meetings also took note of the progress of various planned priority GMS interconnection projects, namely: the GMS Power Transmission Line (PRC-LAO-THA), the GMS Power Interconnection Phase I (THA-LAO-VIE), and the GMS Power Interconnection Phase II (PRC-VIE) projects. As there are remaining project issues (such as reconciling economic/ financial assumptions and conducting additional technical studies), the GMS countries are nevertheless optimistic that future project meetings will lead to resolution of these issues in support of the RPTCC’s long-term goal of an interconnected GMS region. The meetings were co-hosted by the China Southern Power Grid Co. (CSG) of PRC and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
For more details, please view entire proceedings of PWG-2 and FG-3
Top
The first planning and consultation workshop on the GMS Energy Strategy was held on 31 July 2006 in Bangkok, Thailand. The workshop solicited views and recommendations on the focus and methodology of the study and centered on the theme balancing energy and environment for sustainable development in GMS. About 70 individuals including senior government officials and policy makers from the GMS member economies, representatives from academia, civil society, developments partners, and the private sector attended.
For more details, please visit report of the meeting.
Top
The First Meeting of the Planning Working Group (PWG-1) was held back-to-back with the Second Focal Group (FG-2) and Fifth Regional Power Trade Coordination Committee (RPTCC-5) meetings in Siem Reap, Cambodia in June 2006. The meetings were co-hosted by the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy (MIME) of Cambodia and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The PWG-1 meeting agreed on the procedural arrangements and authorities (electing PRC and Thailand as chair and co-chair, respectively) and discussed the terms of reference for specific PWG tasks, agreeing to focus initially on the study on performance standards and transmission regulation, as well as the preparation and implementation of the training program. The FG-2 meeting, with PRC as chair, discussed the progress and endorsed the next steps proposed by the PWG-1 for priority RPTCC activities, namely, preparing the GMS power master plan, developing the power sector database and website, and formulating best practices for power purchase agreements (PPAs).
The RPTCC-5 meeting, with Lao PDR as chair, affirmed the work plan arising from the PWG and FG discussions on priority activities. In addition, the RPTCC-5 meeting noted the progress of various ongoing and planned ADB assistance to the GMS energy sector, namely:
- the GMS Power Transmission Line (PRC-LAO-THA)
- the GMS Power Interconnection Phase I (THA-LAO-VIE)
- GMS Power Interconnection Phase II (PRC-VIE)
- GMS Northern Power Transmission (LAO and THA)
The RPTCC-5 meeting endorsed the next steps for these projects as agreed during the project-specific meetings held just before the PWG-1 meeting. The RPTCC-5 meeting lauded the proposed assistance by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) on facilitating sustainable, environment-friendly regional power trading, which would complement the assistance to the RPTCC being provided by Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD). Finally, the RPTCC-5 held a session on lessons derived from developing regional energy markets in Southeast Europe, which aims to enable RPTCC members to better respond to the challenges they face in laying out the next stages for cross-border power trading. The GMS countries agreed that the next PWG/ FG meetings would be held later this year, possibly back-to-back with another RPTCC meeting with Lao PDR still as chair. It was agreed that Myanmar would chair the RPTCC starting in 2007.
For more details, please view entire proceedings of PWG-1, FG-2 and RPTCC-5
Read more:
Top
The First Meeting of the Focal Group (FG-1) of the Regional Power Trade Coordination Committee (RPTCC) was held in Hanoi, Viet Nam in January 2006; this was co-hosted by the Ministry of Industry (MOI) of Viet Nam and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The meeting reached important agreements to jump-start the FG program for promoting power trade arrangements, particularly with respect to:
- appointing the authorities (chair, co-chair)
- agreeing on communication channels and procedures
- prioritizing FG activities, and
- establishing the sub-groups for priority activities, particularly the Planning Working Group (PWG).
The Peoples’ Republic of China (PRC) was appointed chair for the next two years, while ADB was appointed co-chair. Coordinators were appointed to take the lead in undertaking the work for the following priority activities agreed to by the FG members: Lao PDR for the additional work for developing best practices for Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for regional power trade; PRC for developing and maintaining a regional database on the GMS region’s power sector; and Thailand for developing the Regional Master Plan, which would harmonize the generation and transmission plans of the individual GMS members, with eventual interconnection in mind. The GMS members agreed to hold the meeting on rotational basis, and agreed to hold the next FG meeting back to back with the RPTCC meeting in Cambodia in June 2006.
For more details, please view entire proceedings.
Top
The Fourth Meeting of the Regional Power Trade Coordination Committee (RPTCC-4) was held in Yangon last September and co-hosted by the Ministry of Electric Power (MOEP) of Myanmar and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The RPTCC-4 meeting successfully deliberated on 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 terms of reference (TOR) and the associated capacity building plan. Discussions on the practices and experience for regional power trade in other regions provided lessons for the design of GMS regional power market arrangements.
Country presentations on RPTCC work plan activities led to substantive exchanges among GMS members on their respective power sector plans, and to affirmation of support for ADB-proposed TA projects on the energy sector strategy and the coordination and development of GMS power trade. Alternative routing via Southern Lao PDR would be explored for the GMS Power Interconnection project (Thailand- Lao PDR- Viet Nam), while follow-up work on the GMS Power Transmission Line project (PRC- Lao PDR- Thailand) would involve confirming economic viability and looking at benefit sharing and ownership models.
The meeting agreed to hold the Energy Sector Forum meeting back-to-back with the RPTCC-5 meeting in Cambodia in April/ May 2006 (originally scheduled December 2005) to allow coverage of the initial findings of the energy sector strategy study and the update of the regional master plan study. The development partners affirmed their support to GMS power cooperation particularly in the areas of institution building, database development and infrastructure construction. Read the minutes of the meeting for more details.-->
For more details, please view entire proceedings.
Top
The Third Meeting of the Regional Power Trade Coordination Committee (RPTCC-3) was held in Vientiane, Lao PDR on 7-8 April 2005 and co-hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Handicraft (MIH) of Lao PDR and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The RPTCC-3 meeting successfully deliberated on substantive improvements to the consultant's report on the study of the Regional Power Trade Operating Agreement (RPTOA), particularly on the institutional arrangements needed for initially implementing the RPTOA. The meeting's main outcome is the draft of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the guidelines for implementation of stage 1 of RPTOA. The MOU is expected to be finalized and signed by the time of the Second GMS Summit of Leaders in Kunming, PRC in July 2005.
The RPTCC-3 meeting also updated the RPTCC work plan which covers the prioritized areas and programs for the next three years. This work plan was fully supported by the development partners present during the meeting, and specific cooperation programs and financing arrangements to channel grant support to the work plan is currently being prepared.
For more details, please view entire proceedings.
Top
The 11th Meeting of the Subregional Electric Power Forum (EPF-11) was held back-to-back with the RPTCC-2 meeting in Bangkok, Thailand and co-hosted by the Energy Policy and Planning Office of the Ministry of Energy of Thailand and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). For EPF-11, the GMS representatives agreed to expand cooperation to include other energy sub-sectors such as oil, gas, and renewable energy, in a gradual manner as deemed necessary by the GMS members and agreed that the EPF will henceforth be upgraded to the Energy Sector Forum (ESF).
The EPF-11 also agreed on criteria for prioritizing energy projects and programs in the GMS development matrix, and to ensure early identification of projects in the matrix to enhance the management of externalities arising from energy projects. The EPF participants also reiterated the importance of and need for expanded partnerships with some development partners active in GMS energy work.
For more details, please view entire proceedings.
Top
Co-hosted by the Energy Policy and Planning Office of the Ministry of Energy of Thailand and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Regional Power Trade Coordination Committee (RPTCC-2) meeting was participated by nominees from all GMS member countries.
The RPTCC-2 discussed refinements to the consultant's report on the Regional Power Trade Operating Agreement (PTOA) and agreed that out of a draft of the full PTOA, an "Agreement on Basic Principles for Initiating Stage 1 of Regional Power Trade" would be drafted by March 2005, targeted for signing during the Second GMS Summit in July 2005. The RPTCC- meeting also adopted the work plan of the RPTCC, which includes creating the Technical Secretariat and other institutional mechanisms at the appropriate time.
Read the summary
of proceedings of the RPTCC-2 meeting
Top
The First Meeting of the Regional Power Trade
Coordination Committee (RPTCC-1) was held in Guilin, PRC, on 13-14 July 2004 and
co-hosted by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and China Southern
Power Grid Co. (CSG) of the People's Republic of China (PRC), and the Asian Development
Bank (ADB).
The establishment of the RPTCC was provided for by the Inter-Governmental
Agreement on Regional Power Trade (IGA), signed by all GMS countries in November
2002, to coordinate regional power trade in the GMS and more specifically, to
oversee the formulation and adoption of the Regional Power Trade Operating Agreement
(PTOA).
The PTOA will prescribe operational guidelines for technical coordination,
cross-border pricing and institutional framework for power trade in the GMS. At
the time of the RPTCC-1 meeting, five (5) GMS members have ratified the IGA, which
had been in force since three (3) countries have ratified the IGA. The meeting
elected the Chairperson (Mr. Wang Jun of PRC) and Vice Chairperson (Dr. Somboune
Manolom of Lao PDR) in accordance with the RPTCC guidelines, which were affirmed
during the meeting.
ADB was named Co-Vice Chairperson and Special Coordinator
to oversee the formulation of the PTOA until its adoption by the GMS members.
The RPTCC-1 came up with a draft RPTCC work plan, and discussed the Interim Report
of the "Study for a PTOA in the GMS". Comments during the meeting would provide
guidance in finalizing the PTOA report.
Read the RPTCC-1
Summary of Proceedings
For more details, please view entire proceedings.
Regions and Countries 
Back
