Asean integrated power grid aims to improve energy efficiency

Integrated power grids of the Asean countries and of the Mekong sub-region countries are the issues that always draw most attentions, according to deputy minister of Industry and Trade Do Huu Hao. Those issues are always brought up in every ministerial Meeting on Energy of the countries in Asean and Mekong sub-region.

Asean power grid

The Integrated power grid project has been discussed for ten years, aiming to improve energy efficiency and develop indigenous energy resources. The grid interconnection between the countries in the region will bring huge economic efficiency to both investors and users, creating opportunities to expand power market, stimulate investment, and greatly contribute to the each country’s energy security.

In fact, each Asean country has different power grid. While power grids of Asean 6 countries are more developed, Asean 4 countries’ grids are almost out of date with unstable operations. There are many difficulties in integrating the power grid, especially technical issues. The unstable voltage, frequent power outages and unguaranteed power level at 220kV, etc. could seriously affect the overall power grid.

Integrating Asean power grid has been discussed for over 10 years, but the outcomes have not been satisfactory, deputy minister Hao added.
However, Asean power grid will continue to be in the future energy plan. In the near future, Asean will encourage small regions to cooperate to interconnect sub-regional power grid, after 2020, it will be expanded to all countries in the region.

Sub-region interconnection power grids

Vietnam has joined Asean power grid for a long time, but mainly connected the grid with China, Laos, and Cambodia. For implementing the general agreement on energy development between Vietnam and Laos, in December 2009, the system of power supply through 22kV transmission line was put into operations by Quang Nam Electricity (Vietnam) and Se Kong Electricity (Laos), providing power to Dac Chung district (Laos). This is the foundation for the hydropower construction project invested by Vietnam in Se Kong (Sekaman 3 hydropower) to later provide electricity to Vietnam.
For a long time, the power cooperation between China and Vietnam has maintained regular contacts, ensuring safe and stable operations. However, Vietnam still has to import large amount of power from China, averaging about 17 million kWh per day.

Chair of the Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) Dao Van Hung said in the first six months of 2010, EVN has purchased over 2.4 billion kWh from China, up by 31.19 percent compared to the same period of last year. For Thien Bao border gate (Yunnan province, China), Trung Quoc has provided about 1.08 billion kWh to Vietnam, up by 75.6 percent compared to the same period of last year.

In addition, Vietnam government has signed the agreement in energy cooperation with Cambodia government. In 2002, Vietnam has started selling power to Cambodia, mainly in the areas that are close to the border of the two countries. To the end of November 2005, Vietnam has provided 45.162 billion kWh, worth over $3.1 million.

From 2010, EVN will sell electricity to Cambodian Electricity Corporation (EDC) through 220 kV Chau Doc (Vietnam)-Takeo (Cambodia) transmission line, connected to the Phnom Penh capital, with maximum capacity of upto 200 MW, average output will be from 0.9 to 1.4 billion kWh per annum. EDC currently receives power with maximum capacity of 24 MW from Vietnam, averaging 400,000 kWh.

Cambodia has potential in hydropower development, estimated at over 10,000 MW, concentrating on Northeast area. According to the cooperation and energy exchange programme between Cambodia and Vietnam governments, Nattarat Kiri and SeSan 2 hydropower projects with capacity of 400 MW in SeSan district, Stung Treng province (Cambodia) have been in the course of construction. By 2014, when those plants were completed, EVN expects to start connecting the 220 kV grid, Cambodia then will use power produced from those plants to sell to Vietnam.

After 2017, Vietnam is expected to become energy importer, purchasing electricity from Cambodia, Laos, and China. This sub-regional energy integration and Asean regional grid in the future would help Vietnam to have better energy security.

The Asean plan of action for energy cooperation (APAEC) 2010-2015 was approved by the 27 ministerial Meeting on Energy held in Myanmar on 27 July 2009. APAEC consists of seven programmes, including (1) Asean power grid; (2) Trans-Asean gas pipeline; (3) Coal and Clean coal technology; (4) Energy efficiency and Conservation; (5) Renewable energy; (6) Regional energy policy and planning; and (7) Civilian nuclear energy
Those would still be the main contents to be discussed in the 28 AMEM Agenda, despite the different result levels in a number of strategic cooperation areas between Asean countries, said deputy minister Hao.

Tags: Asean energy