Cross-border power system integration has long been used as a strategy to lower costs and to increase security. It is also recognized as a key strategy for supporting increased power system sustainability, in particular by helping countries meet Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7).
At UN ESCAPβs 77th Commission Session, member States endorsed the Regional Road Map on Power System Connectivity.1 The road map details nine strategies which, if implemented, would support increased and sustainable cross-border power system integration in the region. These strategies can be grouped into four categories:
- Planning integrated power systems
- Financing and developing cross-border infrastructure
- Sustainable and secure operation of integrated power systems
- Cross-cutting issues, such as political will and ensuring connectivity efforts support sustainable development
Each category offers a lens through which to examine the potential opportunities power system connectivity offers to meet sustainable development and national policy goals. At the same time, it is important to recognize that efforts to plan, develop, and operate cross-border power system infrastructure face real world challenges.
This roundtable will focus on the challenges and opportunities of increased cross-border power system integration. Expert participants from around the world will discuss real-world examples of cross-border integration projects, including the reasoning behind the projects, the challenges those projects faced, and how those challenges were overcome.