Asean has been dreaming of a regional power grid since the 1990s, with a vision to develop the energy resources of each of its 10 member states and to build interconnectivity among them. The Asean Power Grid (APG) was first mentioned as a concept in the bloc’s strategic vision statement in 1997. An APG Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in 2007 and enforced in 2009, further solidifying Asean’s goal of energy security and cross-border power connections.

Realising this vision has not been without challenges – a result of the bloc’s diverse energy landscape that has meant issues ranging from an overreliance on LNG, to a boom in solar power, which complicate the idea of an interconnected grid. Asean has also had to navigate the wealth gap between its member states and the lack of a shared regional energy policy.

Still, the programme continues apace, with a goal to establish fully integrated grid operations by 2045. It’s a timely target as Southeast Asia’s energy demand is expected to more than double its 2022 levels by 2050.

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