Time to get Asean Power Grid off the ground
ASEAN is a year shy of its 60th birthday. As happens each November, it will gather — this time in the Philippines — for a pageant of summitry where not just regional luminaries but global leaders, including United States President Donald Trump, will show up.
ASEAN celebrates its 60th anniversary this November, with global leaders, including US President Donald Trump, in attendance. Originally formed to avoid geopolitical tensions, the organization now primarily addresses challenges stemming from the evolving Sino-US relationship. Despite its focus on economic integration, the Asean Power Grid (APG) remains a topic of discussion but little action.
Malaysia, particularly Sarawak, sees the APG as a strategic connection for energy security and prosperity. However, delays in exporting Sarawak's renewable energy to Singapore have hindered progress. The 44th Asean Ministers on Energy meeting reaffirmed the commitment to enhance regional connectivity. Key challenges include implementing memoranda of understanding, securing financing, and obtaining approvals for subsea power cables and renewable energy certificates.
Sarawak has made strides by interconnecting with West Kalimantan and working with Brunei. As energy-intensive data centers rise, the demand for energy in the region is evident, but the APG's progress hinges on the political will of regional governments to provide backing and mitigate risks.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
