Mr. Robert Fitzgibbons, Senior Counsel at DFDL Mekong and Mekong Power Summit panellist sat down with team for a frank discussion on the region’s power sector and current regulatory developments.

As an electric utility and power sector lawyer for almost thirty years, Rob’s key expertise is in drafting laws and subsidiary legislation for governments. In fact, Rob assisted both the Vietnamese and Cambodian government craft their respective electricity laws and reforms.

At the interview, Rob pinpoints the complexity of the Mekong power sector.

“Systems in each country are quite different. Vietnam is trying to disaggregrate the vertically integrated power system sturcture. Cambodia, although a small market, has already taken that step and permits power investment in virtually any kind of power project. In Thailand, they still embrace the system of a vertically integrated utility. How you work your way around these systems for your power projects is an intriguing and challenging question.”

Due to his close involvement with governments and private investors in developing power projects in the region, Rob’s insights were holistic and covered both the regulatory and business point of view. 

This insightful session addressed key issues shaping the region’s power sector growth including:

1. The fallout of the global economic downturn on power investments in the Mekong countries.
2. Latest policy changes and reforms in the region & their impact on private power investments.
3. Key challenges associated with investment in the sector’s power markets.
4. A Mekong regional power grid- pipe dream or in the cards?
5. Developing Nuclear Power, Hydro Power & Renewable Power (Biomass) in the region.

During the interview, Rob constantly referenced the many opportunities for power sector investment in the region.

He says, “There’s obviously a great market for power sector projects. The Thai market will rebound, and the Vietnamese market is still strong. There will be tremendous opportunities in not only power projects, but also transmission facilities.”

We are releasing the recording of this interview for you to listen in to Rob’s insight into the sectors. Just provide your details in the form below, and watch out for our email with further instructions on how you can listen in!