flexibility in the definition of the GMS grid codes, either so they may be changed to be more appropriate for all of the AMS, or so that their implementation can be tailored as necessary to APG subregions.

The AMS as a whole can also learn from some of the difficulties that arose during the development of the GMS grid codes, including:

significant concerns about data sharing

delay in establishment of the RPCC

discussions regarding the need for a planning code.

Within the GMS effort, most of the countries have expressed concerns about data sharing. This is not a problem isolated to the GMS or ASEAN context. In most of the world, grid data have some degree of national or jurisdictional security status, making them difficult or even illegal to share.

In the context of multilateral power trading, though, it is important to note that the data that need to be shared are unlikely to have this level of sensitivity. More often than not, it is the data related to grid planning and harmonised/integrated capacity calculation methodologies that have the highest sensitivity. While the AMS may well benefit from sharing sensitive data with one another, it is not a minimum requirement to establish multilateral trading. As a result, lack of detailed data sharing on more sensitive topics should not delay efforts to develop multilateral trading in an ASEAN context. Relevant data issues may instead be addressed through parallel processes, or at some later point.

Another GMS discussion with split opinions is on the need for a regional planning code. Similar to the discussion on the sharing of sensitive data, while a regional planning code for the ASEAN region may have benefits, it is not a minimum requirement for multilateral trading. Co-ordinated regional planning is important, but it can also be done in parallel to the development of multilateral power trading or at some later stage in the process. It is also not necessary for AMS to participate in regional planning exercises. Instead, regional planning could be organised by APG region (North, South and East), or perhaps even among smaller subsets of AMS.

In summation, the GMS effort offers many important learning points for the APG. Most importantly, it offers a starting point for the AMS to work from, which could be beneficial in terms of accelerating the work within the ASEAN region.

References

Greater Mekong Subregion (2019a), Conference Proceedings, (webpage), greatermekong.org, https://greatermekong.org/conference-proceedings?page=1.

Greater Mekong Subregion (2019b), 24th Meeting of the Regional Power Trade Coordination Committee, (webpage), greatermekong.org, https://greatermekong.org/24th-meeting-regional-power-trade- coordination-committee-rptcc-24-0.

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