Cross-border interconnection projects under Asean Power Grid take centre stage at senior officials meeting in Kuching
KUCHING (June 17): The implementation of cross-border interconnection projects under the Asean Power Grid (APG) initiative took centre stage during the 43rd Asean Senior Officials Meeting on Energy (SOME) as the meeting reaffirmed Asean's commitment to regional energy integration and cooperation.
The Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (Petra) said delegates also shared updates on the implementation of key interconnection projects and initiatives under the APG framework during the meeting.
'Discussions also centred on the review of the Asean Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase II (2021–2025), and the ongoing formulation of APAEC Phase III (2026–2030), which will chart the region's energy cooperation strategy in the coming years.
'Other key agenda items included the status of the Lao PDR–Thailand–Malaysia–Singapore Power Integration Project (LTMS-PIP), which represents a significant step in multilateral energy trade among Asean nations,' Petra said in a statement today.
The ministry said energy transition policies were also highlighted, particularly efforts to scale up renewable energy, enhance energy efficiency, explore the potential role of nuclear energy, and coordinate regional policies to support a sustainable future.
The meeting, which began here yesterday, also additionally acknowledged the membership accession of Timor-Leste as Asean's newest member and discussed early preparations for the Asean Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM), scheduled for October 2025.
'The 43rd SOME meeting reflects the continued commitment of Asean member states toward achieving a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient energy future, with collaboration among stakeholders placing the region on a firm path toward shared energy prosperity,' said Petra.
PETRA secretary-general Datuk Mad Zaidi Mohd Karli chaired the meeting in his capacity as chairman of Asean SOME 2025.
The meeting organised by the Petra, which ends tomorrow, brings together senior energy officials from all Asean Member States (AMS), with Timor-Leste attending as an observer.
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