The 6th Planning Working Group (PWG-6), 7th Focal Group (FG-7) and 7th RPTCC meetings reviewed the overall results of regional technical assistance (RETA) 6304: "Regional Power Trade Coordination and Development", in terms of the major RETA components on training, website/ database development, studies on performance standards and transmission regulation, and master plan updating.

This review served as the basis for charting the way forward under the new RETA 6440: "Facilitating Regional Power Trading and Environmentally Sustainable Electricity Infrastructure in the GMS". The Inception Workshop for RETA 6440 deliberated on the approach, methodology, work plan and timetable, organization and deliverables of the RETA, particularly as these relate to achieving the milestones prescribed in the MOU on the Road Map for Cross-Border Power Trading.

Participation to the Special Subregional ADB-GMS Energy Forum (SEF)
Bangkok, 18-19 March, 2009

Prof. T. Lefevre,  Project's Deputy Team Leader, participated to the Special SEF organized by ADB and made a short presentation on the status of RETA No 6440 (Package I).

Participation to GMS EOC Cluster 1,4 & 5 Inception Workshops
27-29 May 2009, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Consulting Team visit to the PR China
August 3 and 4, 2009

Following the first mission in the GMS Countries, which took place form March 23, 2009 to April 3, 2009 to meet with the GMS Counterpart Government Officers and their Staff in Cambodia, Lao, Thailand and Vietnam, the Project organized a second mission in the People Republic of China on August 3 and 4, 2009. The visit of the People Republic of China was delayed because of the current revision of their national PDP which was currently ongoing at the time of the first mission.

The objectives of the planned meeting consisted mainly in:

• Presentation of the Project and its ongoing activities (workshops, training sessions) as well as the presentation of the Project Team;
• Presentation of the ongoing and coming activities (workshops, training sessions);
• Discussion with China Southern Grid (CSG) on:
  • the objectives in participating in a regional power market, the trends and obstacles;
  • the priorities in terms of generation and transmission facilities to develop regional power trading;
• Completion of data and information gathered by the Project Team of National Experts on the existing technical, institutional, legal, regulatory, commercial and environmental frameworks.

Training and Assistance Program (2nd Session) for the Update of Cambodia Power Development Plan (PDP)
Hotel Sunway, Phnom Penh, Cambodia on 24 to 28 August 2009

Between Working Session 1 and 2, the Cambodian team was expected to work on the national PDP with OPTGEN and exchanges questions and results with the International Experts through e-mail to receive support, assistance and guidance as needed. The second Working Session objectives were to analyse the results obtained with the International Experts, discuss, and fine tune the modeling as necessary.

The participation of an expert from Component 2, Prof. T. Lefevre, to the two Sessions of the PDP Training, of Mr. L. Linde, Mr. I. Watson (ADB-EOC) and Dr. V. Phonekeo (MRC) to the 2nd Session has allowed to include environmental and social topics during the training (SEA, Spatial Planning, EPA – Enviromental Indicators, Transboundary impact along the Mekong River, etc.) to sensitivize Cambodian Power Planners to the need of including environmental and social concerns in the preparation of Cambodia’s PDP.

The second PDP Working Session sees the completion of the works of the Consultant within the scope of works of RETA-6440 for the assistance for the updating of Cambodia PDP. Cambodia has now the necessary technical bases and planning software to further increase and develop on its own its capability and skill in generation investment planning. This will provide Cambodia an improved capacity to master its future power development.

Component 1 “Facilitation of Development of
Regional Power Trade” - Workshop No 2
Review & Assessment of GMS Power Systems (Part I & II)
Intercontinental Hotel, Bangkok, 14 to 18 September 2009

The purpose of Part I of the Workshop is to present and discuss the results achieved with the GMS Counterparts by the Consultant in relation with Module 1 (Regional Power Interconnection Plan), Module 2 (Methodology for Benefit Sharing) and Module 3 (Power Transmission Studies).

Within the Workshop programme, the Part II is covering the activities of Module 4 (GMS Regulatory Framework).

This workshop is an important milestone of the Project as it presents:
- The Prerequisites and the Basic principles leading to the organization of a modern and efficient Electricity Market;
- International Experiences in Electricity Market Development: Europe, North America and the African Experience in Regional Cooperation and Integration;
- And, finally, some initial indications on the way forwards for the development of the GMS Regional Electricity Market Development.

The workshop will prepare the ground to Component 1 - Workshop No 3 to be held in January 2010.

Component 2 "Capacity Development for
Environmental Impact Assessment of Power Projects"
Regional EIA On-the-Job Training and
SEA On-the-Job Training
Intercontinental Hotel, Bangkok, 14 to 18 September 2009

The purpose of the two trainings conducted in parallel will be to build capacity within the relevant stakeholders in the GMS (Power Ministries, Power Generating and Transmission Organizations / Companies and Environmental Authorities).

The Regional On-the-Job Training on EIA for Power Ministries, Power Generating and Transmission Organizations / Companies and Environmental Authorities seeks to build capacity within the relevant stakeholders (power utility and government authorities) in the areas identified by the Consultants and in consultation with the GMS countries.

The training is designed to improve the working knowledge of the participants in EIA methodology and practice with emphasis on improved legislation, new performance criteria and analytical techniques, new issues of concern (transboundary and climate change issues), advances in social and health impact assessment, public participation, and worldwide “best practices” for EIA development and implementation. Participants will develop a better working knowledge and understanding of:

• Environmental assessment policy, procedures and practice;
• EIA document review for adequacy, completeness, and acceptability of proposed mitigation measures;
• The international lending institutions’ requirements for project finance (loans from the IFC’s based on Performance Criteria and the Equator Principles);
• Worldwide “best practices” for mitigation measures to provide social equity and environmental protection;
• How and why public participation is used to modify project design and monitor the adequacy of proposed and implemented mitigation measures.

Participants will gain an appreciation of how the tools of EIA assist responsible power ministries and environment agencies to achieve sustainable development within the country’s stated policy goals of poverty alleviation, livelihood intervention improvement, conservation of natural resources, and management of the environment.

The Regional On-the-Job Training on SEA for Power Companies and Environmental Authorities seeks to build capacity of the relevant stakeholders (power utility and government authority) in the areas where it is lacking, as identified by the Consultants and in consultation with the GMS countries.

SEA extends the aims and principles of EIA upstream to the higher, pre-project level of decision making. The SEA Training is designed to improve the working knowledge of the participants in SEA methodology with emphasis on new means of analyzing and addressing the environmental effects of policies, plans, programmes (PPP) and other proposed strategic actions, and worldwide “best practices” for SEA development and implementation. Participants will develop a better working knowledge and understanding of:

• SEA Concept and Implementation;
• SEA Screening and Scoping Methodology and Practice;
• SEA Scenarios Preparation;
• Environmental Social and Environmental Impacts;
• Weighting Assessment;
• Identifying SEA Recommendations and Reporting.

The training addresses high level energy sector planners, administrators of environmental agencies. Both development planner and environmental administrators should learn to work together for an integrated planning toward sustainable development.

Component 1 - Workshop No 3
Review & Assessment of GMS Power Systems
Part I (Modules 1 & 3), and
The GMS Regulatory Framework & Strategy of Implementation
Part II (Module 4)
20-22 January 2010, Intercontinental Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand

The purpose of Part I of the Workshop is to present and discuss the results achieved with the GMS Counterparts by the Consultant in relation with Module 1 (Regional Power Interconnection Plan) and Module 3 (Power Transmission Studies).

Regarding Part II which is covering the activities of Module 4 (GMS Regulatory Framework), the Consultant will present:
A. Review and Assessment of the current Regulatory Framework in the GMS countries;
B. Transmission capacity, access and pricing options for the GMS countries;
C. Conceptual Design of the GMS Electricity Market;
D. Implementation Strategy-GMS road map.

Component 1 - Workshop No 4
Update of the GMS Interconnection Master Plan
(Modules 1, 3 & 4)
17-18 June 2010, Shangri La Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand

For Module 1, the purpose of Workshop 4 will consist in :
- Presenting the base case results for the updated GMS regional Master Plan.
- Discuss and agree on the complementary sensitivity cases to be run for the Final Workshop.

For Modules 3 & 4, the Consultant will present the results of the work that has been carried out. The corresponding issues will be presented for discussion and validation by the GMS Counterparts.

Component 2 - Regional Environmental Management
Plan (EMP)  / Social Development Plan (SDP)
On-the-Job Training-cum-Field Trip
Thakek and Nakai, Khammouane Province, and in Nahin, Borikhamxay Province, Lao PDR
July 5-10, 2010

The objectives of the Regional EMP/SDP Training-cum-Field Trip are to conduct a Regional Training on the Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan (EMP) with emphasis on field work to permit hands-on training and field experience for staff from the Power Ministries, Power Generating and Transmission Organizations / Companies and Environmental Authorities, who are assigned to follow up and monitor the implementation and adequacy of the EMP of power projects as appropriate in the GMS region.

The site visits and hands-on job training will take place at two important hydropower projects in the Lao PDR. Participants will thus be able to witness two different sets of “best practices” – one during the construction phase and one during the operation phase. They will also see where problems are being encountered and group discussions will be held to generate solutions and improve the EMP/SDP and their monitoring programs. Participants will thus become familiar with how monitoring is used to improve project outputs of social equity and environmental protection. Finally, they will be provided with the tools, guidelines, and lessons learned they need to monitor and judge the adequacy of mitigation programs in power development projects.

Components 1 & 2 - “Final Workshop (No 5)”
[29 Sept. – 1 Oct. 2010, Shangri La Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand]

Final Workshop No 5 corresponds to the last activity of RETA No 6440 (Package I), and the main objectives are to present:

For Component 1:

• The final results of the revised GMS Master Plan;
• The benefits provided by the development of the GMS Electricity Market;
• The proposed strategy for a harmonious implementation of the Market Design in the GMS Region;
• The update of the RPTCC Road Map to achieve these results; and
• The assessment of the GMS Regional Database;

For Component 2:

• The main results of the project environmental and social reviews on identified weaknesses, gaps and needs in the fields of SEA, EIA, EMP;
• The proposed SEA Pilot Project; and
• Review of the activities covered in the framework of Project’s Component 2, and emphasize on the potential synergies developed between Component 1 and 2.