DEVELOPING COUNTRIES IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM VIS-A-VIS ENERGY POVERTY - A CHALLENGE

摘要

Electricity is a lifeline of progress of any nation. The long-term prospect for electricity supply in Asia pacific are vast, with the region offering the biggest potential market and some of the world's most exciting opportunities for Private Power development over next twenty years. While the growth of electricity demand has been slowing in the developed countries there has been a rapid growth in demand in Asia particularly in India. This is because of the industrial and export led growth in the' economics of the new Industrialising countries, the rise of a large more sophisticated urban middle class, increased access to markets by foreign investors, new forms of financing etc. There has also been a change in ideology, a rolling back of government involvement and a rise in the belief in the efficiency of free market, deregulation and privatisation. In fact the electricity supply industry has become truly global with Joint ventures, cross border participation, international take over of utilities and mergers of manufacturing and servicing groups. Between 1970 and 1995, population in Asia-Pacific has grown by over 60% to nearly 3.3 billion. A further rise of 37% to 4.6 billion is expected by 2020. Therefore the general consensus is that 50% of the world's growth in the Electricity Sector will occur in Asia - A key opportunity for suppliers of equipment, services and finances.