SE Asian gas pipeline plan to be studied<\/p>\n
SINGAPORE (AP): A plan to create a massive gas pipeline
\nnetwork across Southeast Asia is ready to be studied by officials
\nin the region, a report said Thursday.<\/p>\n
The plan, drafted by a task force from the Association of
\nSoutheast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, will be sent for consideration
\nto all 10 members of the grouping, Singapore's government
\nTeletext news service reported Thursday.<\/p>\n
A copy of the draft wasn't immediately available.<\/p>\n
The Trans-ASEAN Energy Network would link existing and
\nproposed gas networks in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam,
\nthe Philippines and Thailand - with major demand centers in China
\nand Taiwan.<\/p>\n
Demand for natural gas is growing throughout world, as oil
\nbecomes more scarce and expensive and concerns about the
\nenvironment increase.<\/p>\n
During a speech Thursday, Singapore Trade Minister George Yeo
\ncalled for the private sector to take a more active role in
\nbuilding and financing infrastructure in Asia's energy sector.<\/p>\n
Citing recent Indonesian-Singaporean gas cooperation projects,
\nYeo said in a speech to delegates that Singapore \"will do its
\npart to bring about great economic cooperation in the energy
\nindustry.\"<\/p>\n
Plans for the pan-ASEAN gas grid have been under consideration
\nfor five years and it may take 20 more years to complete.
\nAnother task force is studying a pan-ASEAN power grid.<\/p>\n
Yeo said an ASEAN power grid would help optimize energy
\nresources, make power generation more cost effective, spur the
\nliberalization of national electricity markets and attract more
\nprivate sector investment.<\/p>\n
Singapore will also work to increase competition within the
\npower sector in ASEAN, he added.<\/p>\n
Currently cross-border electricity sales take place between
\nThailand and Laos, Thailand and Malaysia, and Malaysia and
\nSingapore.<\/p>\n
The 10 members of ASEAN are Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, the
\nPhilippines, Indonesia, Brunei, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and
\nCambodia.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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