Integrated Resource Planning for Long-term Electricity Supply in Selected GMS Countries, Part 1:Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Abstract

The scarcity of fossil fuel to supply the high growth in energy demand in the selected Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) is leading to the concern about future electricity supply. The effect of the high fossil fuel price on the global market would lead to limitation in economic development in this region. In 2007, most countries in the selected GMS, namely Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam, used abundant fossil fuels in electricity generation. Fossil fuels used in power generation accounted for 90%, 85%, 60%, and 1.5% in Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos, respectively. This study includes the integrated resource planning (IRP) concept into the long-term power planning. IRP is the most appropriate approach that applied to both demand and supply sides. To curb the high growth in electricity demand, the demand-side management options are taken into account. To reduce the high dependency on imported fossil fuel, the domestic renewable energy resources and reduction in transmission and distribution losses are introduced. Results of this study were analyzed by using the Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning system model. Results reveal that under the IRP concept, the selected GMS countries could save the installed power capacity of 5,780 MW by 2030.