KUCHING: Cross-border cooperation is key to ensuring equitable access to renewable energy across Southeast Asia.
Dr. Chen Shiun, senior vice president of Strategy and Corporate Development at Sarawak Energy, said the Asean Power Grid (APG) is one of the most effective strategies for accelerating the region’s transition to sustainable energy.
Speaking at the 43rd Asean Senior Officials Meeting on Energy (SOME), he said the implementation of the power grid is not only relevant but critically needed — especially for countries like Singapore, which lack abundant renewable resources.
“The current reality is that some countries are rich in renewable sources like hydro and solar, while others face high energy demand but lack sufficient capacity. A shared power grid could address this imbalance,” he was quoted as saying in a TVS report.
“With an integrated grid, we can support one another in the clean energy transition. But to make this happen, we need collaboration between governments and the private sector,” he added, noting that a clear roadmap for the grid will allow for more efficient cross-border energy exchange.
However, Dr. Chen acknowledged that not all countries will benefit directly or immediately from every grid connection.
He said some countries might initially serve only as transit corridors for infrastructure, without being major producers or consumers of energy at the early stages.
“It’s important to understand that even if certain countries aren’t directly involved at first, they will still benefit later as more connections are established. It’s an interconnected system,” he said.
At the same time, Dr. Chen highlighted that climate change is a global issue that demands a collective response.
“We all share the same air. There’s no point in one part of Asean achieving green energy while another falls behind. Carbon reduction efforts must be pursued collectively,” he said.
He urged Asean member states to speed up policy and legal negotiations that would enable private sector investment and development of cross-border grid infrastructure.
“The next step is to harmonise regulatory frameworks across countries so these grid connection projects can proceed more swiftly and smoothly,” he added.
Dr. Chen said that the 43rd SOME serves as a crucial platform for reinforcing shared commitment towards a greener, more stable, and regionally integrated energy future for Southeast Asia.
