More than 150 delegates attended the meeting from the HAPUA Secretariat, ASEAN energy agencies, power utilities and authorities from 10 ASEAN member states including Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar and Brunei.
At the welcome remarks in the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Tuan Anh - Deputy Director of the Electricity and Renewable Energy Agency stated that in order to ensure energy security and sustainable development, the Region prioritizes the development of renewable energy sources, new energy, energy saving solutions, and exploring the potential of tapping on regional power grids to access sustainable energy resources. Mr. Nguyen Tuan Anh expressed his expectation that ASEAN member states, energy agencies and partners should further unite and support each other to achieve the set goals and advance the prosperity in the region.
Mr. Nguyen Tuan Anh - Deputy Director of the Electricity and Renewable Energy Agency speaking at the meeting
In Vietnam, as of the end of 2021, the total installed capacity of the power system reached 78,120MW, becoming the leading country in ASEAN in terms of installed capacity scale.
To fulfill the commitments at COP26 with the goal of net zero emissions by 2050, Vietnam has been considering new technologies such as clean coal technology; carbon capture, utilization and storage; digital grid; virtual power plant; etc. to ensure electricity supply for economic development, climate change adaptation and greenhouse gas emission reduction, step by step transition to clean energy sources.
Mr. Nguyen Tai Anh – EVN’s Vice President (top right) presenting Vietnam's power development planning
At the meeting, the following reports and main issues were presented and discussed: 2022 annual priorities and matters for HAPUA action; ASEAN Interconnection Master Plan Study III; Multilateral power trading; Programs and activities of 5 working groups on Generation and Renewable Energy, Transmission/ASEAN Power Grid, Distribution and Power Quality & Reliability, Policy and Commercial Development, and Human Resources, etc.
Delegates attending the 38th HAPUA Council Meeting
In addition, high-ranking leaders of the 10 countries' power sectors exchanged and proposed many initiatives to promote effective cooperation between ASEAN member states and regional energy agencies in a safe and effective manner.
With a professional and accountable working spirit, the meeting worked out cooperation activities for the following years, in order to meet the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation for the next period 2021-2025.
The HAPUA Council Meeting is held annually and the chairmanship of the meeting rotates among ASEAN member states based on alphabetical order. The meeting aims to promote friendship and cooperation among the power utilities and authorities in ASEAN as well as to jointly come up with positive and effective solutions for common challenges faced by the Southeast Asian power grid.