ABSTRACT
The demand for electricity is steadily increasing in Southeast Asian countries as the result of ongoing economic and population growth. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation recognizes that integrating power grids and enabling cross-border electricity trade can help ASEAN member states address their regional energy challenges. The importance of coordinated infrastructure development is particularly important in markets with growing electricity demand, such as the Southern African Power Pool and ASEAN. Another important question is whether deregulated electricity sectors in particular ASEAN countries create barriers for cross-border power trade. Tapping on hydropower potential in the Mekong Basin is a crucial aspect in the current vision of ASEAN electricity market integration. Given the commitment of ASEAN member countries to increase cross-border interconnection and power trade, we conclude the book with three market design options and detail the required steps to achieve them.
