HAPUA To Accelerate Cross Border Power Utilities Cooperation

MELAKA (Malaysia), May 22 (Bernama) -- Heads of ASEAN Power Utilities/Authorities (HAPUA) are seeking to accelerate power utilities cooperation among ASEAN countries. HAPUA in a statement Friday said the issue was a priority in their discussions at the 31st HAPUA Council Meeting held here, particularly involving the ASEAN Power Grid (APG). The statement said APG played an important role in supporting the master plan of ASEAN Connectivity. "The APG interconnection is expected to give rise to benefits namely greater economic generation and transmission of electricity; greater reliability and security of electricity supply in member countries. "ASEAN region as a whole has abundant energy resources with great diversity. There are large hydropower potentials as well as huge oil, natural gas and coal resources. This provides vast opportunities to exploit these energy resources collectively within the region," said HAPUA. A study conducted by HAPUA showed that there would be up to 19,576 MW of cross border power purchase and 3,000 MW of energy exchange through cross border interconnections by 2025. Meanwhile, the five-day council meeting hosted by Malaysia and which ended Friday, was attended by 120 representatives from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Myanmar was not present. In his address, Melaka Chief Minister Idris Haron said a cross border project between Melaka and Sumatera was one of the major initiatives under APG to strenghten the interconnection grid. "The interconnection is essential to ensure reliable, efficient and adequate supply for both Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatera in Indonesia," he said. Also present was 31st HAPUA council meeting chairman Azman Mohd, who is also Tenaga Nasional Berhad president and chief operating officer. -- BERNAMA