ASEAN has launched the ASEAN School of Regulation (ASR) to strengthen regulatory leadership, accelerate delivery of the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) and create clearer, more predictable conditions for cross-border energy investment.
Launched at the 44th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting in Manila on Oct 7, the ASR will serve as ASEAN’s dedicated platform for developing regulatory expertise, improving coordination among member states and translating regional energy ambitions into implementable projects.
Its initial focus will be on power-system integration and multilateral electricity trade, supporting the APG and the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation 2026-2030.
The school is designed to move beyond one-off training by building a permanent regional system for regulatory leadership, institutional knowledge and shared practices. Key priorities include strengthening technical and economic expertise, improving regulatory interoperability and addressing emerging issues such as renewable energy integration, storage, digitalisation, tariffs and market design.
Stronger regulatory coordination is also expected to reduce uncertainty for investors and support long-term capital flows into grids, clean energy and cross-border infrastructure.
Malaysia will host the ASR through UNITEN R&D, which will serve as its institutional base. The next phase will establish a permanent secretariat and operational platform, expanding the initiative into multi-year programmes, specialist exchanges, applied research and regional partnerships.
The ASR was launched by the ASEAN Energy Regulators Network, ASEAN Centre for Energy and ASEAN Secretariat with regional and international partners, following pilot programmes conducted in 2025 and 2026.
