ASEAN energy ministers have moved to accelerate the ASEAN Power Grid (APG), with the operationalisation of the Enhanced APG memorandum of understanding and development of a regional submarine power cable framework emerging as key priorities at the 44th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) in Manila.
The meeting, which opened on Oct 7, brings together ASEAN energy ministers, industry leaders and stakeholders as the region pushes deeper energy integration and cross-border cooperation.
Under the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN chairmanship, the bloc will also advance seven energy priorities, covering the 9th ASEAN Energy Outlook, nuclear power financing and human resources, carbon capture utilisation and storage, upstream oil and gas fiscal benchmarking, sustainable energy management certification, battery energy storage systems and a cross-border renewable energy certificate market.
The focus on the APG is aimed at strengthening regional electricity connectivity, supported by legal and regulatory work for submarine power cables that could enable greater cross-border power trade.
The 44th AMEM is being held alongside the 26th ASEAN Energy Business Forum, which connects governments, industry, financial institutions and development partners to explore investment and commercial opportunities tied to ASEAN’s energy agenda.
