The 15th Meeting of the Heads of ASEAN Power Utilities/Authorities (HAPUA XV) was convened in Singapore from 21 to 23 April 1999, hosted by Singapore Power Ltd.

The meeting was attended by delegates from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. A delegation from Cambodia attended the Meeting as observer for the first time.

At the meeting, member utilities observed that the regional economic crisis had dampened electricity demand in 1998. However, some utilities have noted an improvement in demand this year, showing signs that the economic situation is on the road to recovery.

The electricity sector in a number of ASEAN member countries is progressively being deregulated and utility assets being privatised. HAPUA will convene a workshop on electricity sector deregulation, restructuring and privatisation to discuss and exchange views and experiences to facilitate the industry restructuring process.

During the meeting, HAPUA noted the trend towards establishing electricity tariffs at market rates to reflect the true costs of providing electricity services, while separate mechanisms can be developed to address the issue of subsidies to certain group or groups of customers.

HAPUA supported the development of regulatory frameworks that promote greater competition and facilitate foreign direct investment into the region's power sector.

HAPUA agreed to the increase in the number of the ASEAN Inter-Connection Projects from ten to fourteen. The new projects are those linking Thailand-Myanmar, Vietnam-Cambodia, Lao PDR-Cambodia and Thailand- Cambodia.

The issue of Y2K compliance was also discussed at the meeting with active exchange of views on the effort committed to ensure continued reliable supply of electricity into the new millennium.

The meeting deliberated on the progress of the ten Cooperation Projects since HAPUA XIV held in Manila, Philippines in 1998. The ten cooperation projects are:

• Micro/Mini Hydro Development
• Electric Power System Interconnection
• Research, Development and Engineering
• Training and Development
• Geothermal Energy Development
• Rural and Urban Electrification
• Standardisation of Power Equipment
• Electric Power Information Centre
• Use of Combined Cycle Power Plants
• Corporatisation/Privatisation of Power Utilities

The Meeting was held in the spirit of ASEAN cooperation, solidarity and cordiality.

Thailand will be hosting HAPUA XVI in 2000.

Issued on 23 April 1999
Singapore