Enviro News Asia, Manila — The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) must maintain policy continuity and long-term investment momentum as Singapore prepares to take over the bloc’s chairmanship from the Philippines in 2027, particularly in regional electricity connectivity and renewable energy development, the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) has said.
The Indonesian energy think tank highlighted the ASEAN Power Grid (APG), its financing mechanism, the regional framework for subsea power cables and cross-border electricity trading as key initiatives requiring sustained commitment across successive ASEAN chairmanships.
In a statement issued on October 12, 2026, IESR stressed that renewable energy should be central to regional electricity cooperation as Southeast Asia seeks to strengthen energy security. Expanded electricity interconnections could diversify energy supplies, improve system resilience and accelerate the integration of renewable energy across national borders.
ASEAN should also deepen cooperation across clean energy value chains, including renewable energy technologies and energy storage, to improve the region’s long-term competitiveness and reduce exposure to external supply disruptions.
To translate these ambitions into implementation, IESR outlined four strategic priorities.
The first is to develop a pipeline of financially viable clean energy projects that are ready for investment. These should cover renewable energy generation, energy storage, power system flexibility and cross-border transmission. Achieving this will require transparent regulations, stronger project preparation and coordinated regional investment planning.
Second, ASEAN should accelerate the establishment of a dedicated regional financing mechanism alongside the ASEAN Power Grid Financing Facility (APGF). Such a mechanism could help mitigate risks associated with strategic projects, mobilise public and private capital, and provide sustained funding for clean energy investments and regional connectivity.
Third, the bloc should strengthen energy security by expanding access to domestic and regional renewable resources, modernising electricity grids and improving system resilience. These measures could reduce vulnerability to fossil fuel price volatility and disruptions in energy supplies.
Fourth, regional electricity connectivity should be aligned with the transition away from fossil fuels. Interconnected power systems need to accommodate large-scale renewable energy integration while supporting ASEAN’s long-term efforts to reduce fossil fuel dependence and meet rising energy demand safely and affordably.
IESR emphasised that achieving meaningful progress will require sustained financing, stronger regional coordination and consistent policies despite changes in ASEAN leadership.
Marlistya Citraningrum, IESR’s communications and outreach director, said the continuity of regional commitments would be essential to turning ASEAN’s energy transition ambitions into tangible outcomes.
The recommendations come as Southeast Asian countries seek to balance growing energy demand, supply security and the expansion of cleaner energy sources. Maintaining cooperation across national borders could help the region build a more resilient electricity system while supporting its long-term decarbonisation goals. (*)
