Published
September 28, 2017, 10:01 PM By
Myrna M. Velasco
Interconnections of
power grids have been an advancing pathway for the ASEAN region, although the
Philippines is still far from joining that integration because of its very
archipelagic geographic make-up.
As host to this year’s
35th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM), the Philippines witnessed the
deal signing of Lao PDR-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project, that
shall enable Malaysia’s purchase of up to 100 megawatts from Laos via
Thailand’s transmission grid.
So far, this agreement
dubbed as the Electricity Purchase Wheeling Agreement (EWPA) has been the first
multilateral electricity transaction in ASEAN, anchored on the goal of
“advancing electricity trade” under the ASEAN Power Grid paradigm.
As noted, this is a
concretized physical energy infrastructure project within the propounded
blueprint of ASEAN connectivity.
While not yet feasible
to be connected with the power grids of ASEAN neighbors, Philippine Energy
Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi, who is the minister-host in this year’s AMEM, has
shifted his pitch into inviting energy investments in the Philippines and for
the region, particularly power projects in his own country as it is still
recurrently saddled with the dilemma of power supply tightening.
He asked
participant-investors in the event “to help fund the many energy-related
undertakings of the member-states of ASEAN.”
Given that the region
is now gaining traction in the global economic arena, Cusi stressed that “ASEAN
is the right place for you to invest in.”
He expounded “there are
great energy plans, but these are plans that will cost money. Thus, it is
imperative to draw in more investments. Additionally, with a
disaster-vulnerable country hosting this year’s AMEM, the focus of
deliberations had delved with resiliency and sustainability of energy
infrastructure facilities as well as the regional connectivity of these very
critical assets.
The energy ministers
tackled various issues and concerns of the energy sector that each
member-country addresses on their own; and also those that they would have to
attend to as ‘connected region’ of the world.
Cusi’s hope is for a
“dynamic and robust collaboration within ASEAN and dialogue partners, as well
as international agencies.”
Beyond ASEAN, it is
worth noting that the region is also in commune with dialogue partners Japan,
China South Korea and India and the larger global core, which include the
United States, Australia, Canada, Middle Eastern Countries and the European
Union.
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