ASEAN, a regional organization established in 1967 to facilitate cooperation and economic integration amongst member states, with a current population of 640 million has forecasted an increase of power demand tripling from 789 TWh in 2013 to about 2,200TW by 2040. To meet this, a total investment of USD 618 billion and USD 690 billion in generation and transmission respectively is needed.

The 1^st edition of the ASEAN Power Grid Summit 2018 (APGS2018) is supported by the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Lao PDR with the Faculty of Engineering, National University of Laos as the knowledge partner; is co-organised by Confexhub Group and LJ Hydro Consultancy. This inaugural summit is set to provide a platform for over 200 potential foreign investors, power producers, technology providers and energy financial institutions, to gather in Vientiane, Laos; to understand the key development issues of investing in the power generation and grid in ASEAN with special focus on Lao PDR; get updated on the new market directions, opportunities and economic priorities of the ASEAN and Lao PDR power generation and grid sectors, and at the same to build potential investment networks with the local authorities and industry players.

Themed “Enhancing APG Investment Towards Regional Energy Optimisation” is to heighten energy investment and bridge private sector communication in the APG strategic plan and policy. The two-day Summit will be presented by policy makers and energy experts under the proposed six sub-themes, which are:

Plenary : ASEAN Power Grid Strategic Plan;

Session 1: Policy and Planning for Cross-Border Trade;

Session 2: Financing Mechanism for ASEAN Power Grid;

Session 3: ASEAN Interconnection Infrastructures;

Session 4: Generation Resources for the ASEAN Power Grid; and

Session 5: ASEAN Power Grid Business and Investment Opportunities