Vietnam to link to SE Asia electricity grid

Aug 27, 08 - ThanhnienNews.com - Reuters

Vietnam plans to connect its national grid to a regional network as it aims to raise electricity supply to fuel its fast-expanding economy, the government said Wednesday.

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem has asked the Ministry of Industry and Trade to sign a memorandum of understanding to participate in a trans-Southeast Asia power grid network at a gathering of ASEAN energy ministers in Singapore on Aug. 23.

Demand for electricity in Vietnam is forecast to grow an average 17-18 percent per year, prompting the government to invest about US$3 billion per year to expand output as well as raise imports from neighbors Laos and China.

ASEAN is a regional grouping which comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Source: Reuters