25th AMEM signs MOU to establish power grid throughout ASEAN

Energy Minister Piyasvasti Amranand (ปิยสวัสดิ์ อัมระนันทน์) says country members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a power grid throughout the 10-member grouping at the 25th ASEAN Ministers of Energy Meeting (AMEM).

Mr. Piyasvasti says the main issues being discussed at the 25th AMEM in Singapore include energy consumption in each ASEAN countries and ways to reduce fuel consumption. He says the meeting has agreed for ASEAN nations to develop alternative energy or find new energy sources. As for the MOU to set up a power grid throughout the ten countries, he says it is one of thee ways to reduce the reliance on fuel.

In addition, the energy meeting is also discussing nuclear development in the region, with an aim to develop electricity generation in each country in the long-run. However, a working body has to be set up to supervise the safety of nuclear energy.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 24 August 2007

At last, the international electricity grid is on the agenda.

Twenty years ago, when I was teaching electrical power in Singapore, my students could see the parallel between the peninsula and the Canadian provinces. Big hydro capability well up north, and the big load areas in the south. But Southwestern China, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore,Vietnam and Cambodia were not all in the same province.

At a sensible level of economic activity (not frenetic consumerism) the region can be sustainably self-sufficient in electrical energy without burning oil or gas or investing in fission plants.