Asean agrees to enhanced power grid deal, new energy roadmap
KUCHING : Asean energy officials have agreed on several key regional initiatives to strengthen energy cooperation and connectivity.
Energy transition and water transformation ministry secretary-general Mad Zaidi Karli announced today that senior energy officials have agreed on the terms of an enhanced memorandum of understanding for the Asean Power Grid (APG).
'This will be signed in October during the Asean Ministers on Energy Meeting,' he told a press conference after the 43rd Asean Senior Officials' Meeting on Energy which concluded here today.
Zaidi also confirmed that officials have endorsed the policy document outlining the second phase (2026-2030) of the Asean Plan of Action for Energy, which continues the region's focus on energy security, market integration and the clean energy transition.
In a recent interview with FMT, energy transition and water transformation minister Fadillah Yusof said Asean is also exploring a code of conduct for external energy partners amid growing engagement with dialogue partners, including the US and Russia.
The three-day meeting, hosted by the ministry from June 16 to 18, saw the participation of 250 delegates across Asean countries, the Asean Secretariat, the Asean Centre for Energy, and dialogue partners from China, Japan, Russia and the US.
Other outcomes
The ministry said other key outcomes of the three-day meeting included the launching of the Asean-Russia Capacity Building on Energy Statistics project and renewing the Asean-Russia energy cooperation framework for 2026-2028.
Russia's Elena Vikulova, deputy head of its directorate of international cooperation, said there is strong potential for Asean-Russia energy cooperation given the region's surging energy demand.
In a statement, the ministry said senior officials from Australia, the US, Russia, South Korea, China and Japan discussed advancing energy efficiency measures, sustainable biofuels and renewable energy deployment during the 30th East Asia Summit Energy Cooperation Task Force Meeting.
It also said the International Energy Agency presented its Southeast Asia Energy Outlook 2025, while the International Renewable Energy Agency shared renewable energy trends around the world.
Additionally, the Asian Development Bank presented its 2025-2026 work plan, which focuses on clean energy transitions and sustainable infrastructure development, while also making 'significant progress' in discussions on the APG with energy senior officials.
Earlier today, South Korea's trade, industry and energy first secretary Heegang Kim said in his opening remarks that the nation is set to launch a nuclear cooperation project with Asean to systematically support the region's readiness to introduce nuclear power plants.
Another new initiative Kim announced was the transfer of the Korean electrical safety management system to Asean member states from the Korea Electrical Safety Corporation.
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