Three ASEAN power grid projects ready to start

Three power transmission projects involving member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are ready to be implemented as part of a plan to set up a transnational electricity supply grid system, The Jakarta Post reported in its Thursday edition.

This was disclosed by Indonesia?s state electricity company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) president director Eddie Widiono on Wednesday in Bangkok to Dow Jones Newswires.

Eddie is currently visiting Thailand.

Two of the projects are between Indonesia and Malaysia, while the other is between Laos and Vietnam, said Eddie.

The projects between Indonesia and Malaysia are expected to be completed around 2007 and 2008, he said.

Under an initial study on ASEAN interconnection projects, a transmission line between Sarawak state in East Malaysia and Indonesia's West Kalimantan is expected to be completed in 2007.

Another transmission line between Peninsular Malaysia and Indonesia's Sumatra island is expected to be completed in 2008.

The Vietnam-Laos transmission project is expected to be completed around 2007.

According to Eddie, the transnational electricity supply grid system among ASEAN member countries should be completed around 2010-2011, depending on the economic growth of the region.

He said three power transmission lines are currently in operation - one between Thailand and Laos, one between Thailand and Malaysia, and the other between Malaysia and Singapore.

The electricity supply grid system will help lower the cost of power and optimally utilize the region's gas and coal resources.

Electricity demand in the region is expected to reach 120,970 megawatts in 2015, from an estimated 50,267 MW this year.

ASEAN comprises Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Brunei and Cambodia. (*)