Thailand, China to boost energy security in Greater Mekong Subregion

Sign MOU to study and develop fossil and renewable energy.

Thailand and China will cooperate in pursuing energy projects in across countries comprising the Greater Mekong Subregion or GMS.

Under a memorandum of understanding (MoU), Thailand's Energy Ministry and China's National Energy Administration will jointly study and develop fossil and renewable energy projects across the GMS.

Five MoUs including the energy pact were signed during Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's official two-day visit to Thailand last week. Both countries have agreed to cooperate on technology development in the areas of power grids, energy conservation, energy efficiency and oil and gas.

Energy Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal said energy demand in the GMS countries has risen sharply due to growing tourism and investment. This development will affect energy security in the region over the next several years.

Thailand expressed interest in exchanging the technology and human resource management of nuclear power plants, said Pongsak.

Because Thailand's policy on building new power plants remains unclear, it wants to buy power from China to contribute to price and supply stability.