Thailand is preparing to enhance cross-border electricity connectivity between four countries, while also working with Asean to jointly reduce carbon dioxide emissions, says Energy Minister Auttapol Rerkpiboon.
The move aims to forge stronger cooperation on regional power trade, and was approved by the cabinet ahead of the 43rd Asean Ministerial Meeting on Energy, which is being held in Kuala Lumpur this week.
Thailand, Laos, Malaysia and Singapore are expected to adopt the sixth joint statement on the Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore Power Integration Project, also known as LTMS-PIP, which was initiated in 2022.
“The joint statement serves as a crucial foundation for Asean Power Grid connectivity, which aims to enhance regional energy security,” said Mr Auttapol.
The latest statement marks the second phase of the LTMS-PIP. In the first phase, Laos sold 100 megawatts of electricity to Singapore via Thai and Malaysian transmission lines.
In the second phase, Malaysia agreed to sell additional electricity to Singapore, bringing total power trade to 200MW, he said.
Thailand can benefit from the project by earning revenue from a wheeling charge, which refers to a service fee for the use of transmission lines, said Mr Auttapol.
The cabinet also approved another joint statement on cooperation to curb carbon dioxide emissions for the third Asia Zero Emission Community (Azec) Ministerial Meeting, which is scheduled for Oct 28 in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia is hosting the 47th Asean summit from Oct 26-28.
Azec commits 11 countries — Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam — to address climate change and achieve carbon neutrality, a balance between carbon dioxide emissions and absorption.
Under the “One Goal, Multiple Approaches” theme, the Azec Ministerial Meeting focuses on discussions to find ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in difficult sectors through the development of clean energy technologies, supporting the development of carbon markets and tracking greenhouse gas emissions throughout the supply chain.
Thailand can benefit from these projects by accessing innovative green finance and expertise from Japan and other Azec partner countries, said Mr Auttapol.