Why is everyone talking about an Asean power grid?
Green Pulse Podcast Why is everyone talking about an Asean power grid?
Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.
Rapidly growing Asean is hungry for power to keep its economies humming. With electricity demand growth of 3 to 4 per cent a year, meeting that demand is a costly challenge for governments in the region.
A regional grid, long-talked about, could help the region meet its energy needs while also putting a lid on growing carbon emissions that are heating up the planet. The regional grid could shift power around the region, helping move green electricity to countries less able to produce it.
And the grid is becoming a reality, with Singapore's demand for low-carbon electricity imports helping drive investment. But wiring up the whole region will be expensive and large hurdles remain, including stronger policy support from regional governments, guaranteed power purchase agreements and lack of regional power trading networks.
Join Green Pulse hosts Audrey Tan and David Fogarty as they discuss these questions in this episode.
Have a listen and let us know your thoughts!
Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):
1:52 The ASEAN power grid was first floated as an idea in 1997 but languished for years.
3:16 What are the key turning points that are helping make the grid a reality?
6:26 Lower air pollution, cheaper power are just some of the potential benefits
9:54 But high upfront costs of wiring up the region is a key challenge
14:48 What are some of the other challenges?
21:41 Blended finance and other funding sources are needed to come together to lure investors
Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/848W
Read her articles: https://str.sg/JLM2
Follow David Fogarty on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/jcvy
Read his articles: https://str.sg/JLMu
Hosts: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg) & David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg)
Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim
Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong
Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf
Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY
Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag
Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7
ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts
ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa
---
Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:
The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB
Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX
---
Find out more about climate change and how it could affect you on the ST microsite here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
23 minutes ago
- Straits Times
New Zealand to consider recognising Palestinian state
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox New Zealand said the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is rightly at the forefront of the global agenda. WELLINGTON - The New Zealand government said it is considering recognition of a state of Palestine, with a formal decision to be taken in September. 'New Zealand has been clear for some time that our recognition of a Palestinian state is a matter of when, not if,' Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement on Aug 11 in Wellington. 'The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is rightly at the forefront of the global agenda.' If it proceeds, New Zealand would be following several of its western peers, including the UK, France and Canada, who plan to recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations summit in September. Australia on Aug 11 also said it would do so . 'Some of New Zealand's close partners have opted to recognise a Palestinian state, and some have not,' Mr Peters said. 'Ultimately, New Zealand has an independent foreign policy, and on this issue, we intend to weigh up the issue carefully and then act according to New Zealand's principles, values and national interest.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business Keppel to sell M1's telco business to Simba for $1.43b, says deal expected to benefit consumers Business Singtel, StarHub shares fall after announcement of Keppel's M1 sale Singapore Healthy lifestyle changes could save Singapore $650 million in healthcare costs by 2050: Study Opinion Anwar's government: Full house but plenty of empty offices Singapore 79 arrested, over 3kg of heroin seized in 5-day drug blitz Singapore Man's claim amid divorce that his mother is true owner of 3 properties cuts no ice with judge Asia Tourist spots in South Korea face complaints over rude service, price gouging during peak season Business Nvidia, AMD to pay 15% of China chip sale revenues to US, official says It was not a straightforward, clear-cut issue, Mr Peters said, with 'a broad range of strongly held views' within government. Cabinet would take a formal decision in September and Mr Peters will 'present the government's approach to this issue' at the UN in late September, he said. BLOOMBERG
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Russia says it continued development of nuclear missiles during moratorium on deployment
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Russia kept up development of intermediate- and shorter-range missile systems during a moratorium on their deployment and now possesses a substantial arsenal of such weapons, Russian media reported late on Sunday citing Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. "When the moratorium was announced, we made it clear that it applied only to deployment, and did not mention any halt to (research and development) activities," RIA news agency quoted Ryabkov as telling state-run Rossiya-1 state broadcaster in an interview. "So this time was used to develop the appropriate systems and to build a fairly substantial arsenal in this area. As I understand it, we now possess it," RIA cited Ryabkov as saying. Earlier this month, Russia said it was lifting what it called a unilateral moratorium on deploying intermediate-range missiles, saying this was a forced response to moves by the U.S. and its allies. The ground-based shorter-range and intermediate-range treaty, signed by the Soviet Union and the United States in 1987 was seen at the time as a sign of easing tensions between the rival superpowers. But over time, it unravelled as relations deteriorated. The United States withdrew from the treaty in 2019 during Donald Trump's first presidency, citing alleged violations that Russia denied. REUTERS
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Philippines' Marcos says China ‘misinterpreted' his comments on Taiwan
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Mr Ferdinand Marcos Jr said Filipinos working and living in Taiwan will have to be evacuated if a conflict does arise. MANILA - Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Aug 11 that Beijing has "misinterpreted" his comments, saying Manila will be inevitably drawn in to a conflict between China and Taiwan should one erupt. China accused Mr Marcos of "playing with fire" after the Philippine leader said during a visit to India that "there is no way that the Philippines can stay out of it" due to its proximity to the democratically governed island. "We are, I think for propaganda purposes, misinterpreted," Mr Marcos told a press briefing. "I'm a little bit perplexed why it would be characterised as such, as playing with fire," he added. China's embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Mr Marcos said Filipinos working and living in Taiwan will have to be evacuated if a conflict does arise but maintained that he wishes to avoid confrontation and war. Over 100,000 Filipinos live and work in Taiwan, according to Philippine government data. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business Keppel to sell M1 unit's telco business to Simba for $1.43 billion Business Nvidia, AMD to pay 15% of China chip sale revenues to US, official says Singapore Healthy lifestyle changes could save Singapore $650 million in healthcare costs by 2050: Study Singapore BTO income ceiling, age floor for singles being reviewed: Chee Hong Tat World Netanyahu says Israel's new Gaza offensive will start soon Opinion Anwar's government: Full house but plenty of empty offices Singapore Man's claim amid divorce that his mother is true owner of 3 properties cuts no ice with judge Business Singapore can deliver and thrive in a fragmented global economy: Morgan Stanley analysts "War over Taiwan will drag the Philippines kicking and screaming into the conflict. That is what I was trying to say," Mr Marcos said. Mr Marcos' comments come at a time of heightened tensions between Manila and Beijing over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
