Following the first consultative meeting in January 2018 to review the preliminary work of their joint research titled Pathways for Energy Connectivity in ASEAN – Accelerating Energy Transition for Sustainable and Resilient Societies, the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), the Global Energy Interconnection Cooperation and Development Organization (GEIDCO) and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (United Nations ESCAP) held the second consultative meeting in Bangkok, Thailand. The meeting was on 16 – 17 July 2018 and attended by energy experts from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.  The meeting this time aimed to discuss and finalise the report,  which is expected to be reported to the ASEAN Member States during the Senior Officials Meeting on Energy end of July 2018.

The meeting was officially opened by Mr. Beni Suryadi, Manager of Policy Research and Analytics Programme of ACE, Ms. Gao Yi, Acting Division Director of GEIDCO, and Mr. Hongpeng Liu, Director of Energy Division of United Nations ESCAP. Furthermore, Mr. Weerawat Chantanakome, Special Counsellor on International Affairs of the Ministry of Energy of Thailand, delivered an opening speech on ‘Electricity Development in Thailand’.

The session was commenced with a roundtable discussion, whereby experts from ASEAN Member States shared their expectations for the report.  ACE and GEIDCO introduced the background and current progress on the joint research project initiative facilitated by ESCAP.  This was followed by 10-minute evaluations by the experts.

Moreover, ACE will collaborate with the ASEAN experts to acquire data and additional inputs on their priorities relating to the analysis. The meeting resulted in a general consensus among participants on the overall key messages of power trade, clean development potential, as well as benefits of interconnection. This multi-scenario analysis could offer more perspectives and help apprehend the future of power sector in ASEAN. The organisers agreed to work on the draft according to  the remarks received. They think the joint study could provide an alternative vision on interconnection among and beyond ASEAN Member States to enhance the development of the new ASEAN Interconnection Masterplan Study. (VV.  Featured photo credit:  ESCAP)