Gas pipeline network plan ready for review by ASEAN

A plan to create a massive gas pipeline network across Southeast Asia is ready to be studied by officials in the region, a report said yesterday.

The plan, drafted by a task force from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, will be sent for consideration to all ten members of the grouping, Singapore's government Teletext news service reported.

A copy of the draft was not immediately available.

The Trans-ASEAN Energy Network would link existing and proposed gas networks in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand - with major demand centers in China and Taiwan.

Demand for natural gas is growing throughout world, as oil becomes more scarce and expensive and concerns about the environment increase.

During a speech Thursday, Singapore Trade Minister George Yeo called for the private sector to take a more active role in building and financing infrastructure in Asia's energy sector.

Citing recent Indonesian-Singaporean gas cooperation projects, Yeo said in a speech to delegates that Singapore "will do its part to bring about great economic cooperation in the energy industry."

Plans for the pan-ASEAN gas grid have been under consideration for five years and it may take twenty more years to complete.

Another task force is studying a pan-ASEAN power grid.

Yeo said an ASEAN power grid would help optimize energy resources, make power generation more cost effective, spur the liberalization of national electricity markets and attract more private sector investment. (*)