Photo 1. Group Photo of the HAPUA Council Members
Luang Prabang, 22 September 2026 to 25 September 2026 – The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) participated in the 8th HAPUA Working Group 2 (HWG 2) Meeting, the 43rd HAPUA Working Committee (HWC) Meeting and the 42nd HAPUA Council (HC) Meeting under the theme “Advancing Regional Connectivity for Energy Sustainability and Security”. The ACE’s delegates participating in those meeting is supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) through the ASEAN-UK Green Transition Fund (GTF) under the ASEAN-UK Programme on Energy Advancement for Resilience (PEARL) project, and the World Bank through theClean Energy and Power Trade Development in Southeast Asia Project as Phase 1 of the Multi Phase Programmatic Approach Accelerating Sustainable Energy Transition (MPAASET).
The 8th HAPUA Working Group 2 (HWG 2) meeting,on the 22nd of September, brought together HWG 2 members from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Viet Nam. Chaired by Mr. Kornkiat Charoenpatcharakij, Acting Chairman of HWG 2 and Director of the Power System Planning Divisionatthe Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), the session served as a platform for member countries to align on regional power system planning and ASEAN Power Grid (APG) developments.
In the afternoon session, Muhammad Alif Haidar and Ignatius Primadi Limin of the Power Generation and Interconnection (PIN) Department presented updates on the proposed APG Technical Task Force Workplan, a mechanism established under the APG Enhanced Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration between HAPUA, the APG Consultative Committee (APGCC), and the ASEAN Energy Regulatory Network (AERN). The three-year workplan, running to 2029, requires members' support and endorsement ahead of the 44th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM). The presentation also covered the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the ASEAN Interconnection Masterplan Study (AIMS IV), which stressed the need to update AIMS regularly and address gaps from previous studies. As a flagship interconnectivity study, AIMS IV will be guided by the Regional Planning Framework (RPF), a task force workplan under development in parallel with the TOR, and HWG 2 members were encouraged to help shape the RPF through feedback.
Photo 2. Group Photo of the HAPUA Working Group 2 Participants
In response, some members questioned whether a framework was necessary, suggesting the proposed improvements could be implemented under the current AIMS methods. It was clarified, however, that without a formal framework, there is no standard methodology or regular update cycle to keep the regional plan in step with the region's rapidly evolving energy and power system landscape. With the workplan and RPF direction presented, the APG Technical Task Force was informed and ready to move into action, with consultation workshops planned to develop and finalise the draft by Q2 2027.
Following the HWG 2 meeting, the 43rd HAPUA WorkingCommittee (HWC) and 42nd HAPUA Council (HC) Meeting held on the 24th and 25th of September respectively, discusses the updates and follow-up actions related to ASEAN power cooperation and the APG. The meeting covered the operationalisation of the APG Enhanced MoU, the development of APG Task Force workplans, and updates from the 30th APGCC and 17th AERN Meetings, presented by ACE as the APG secretariat. These updates provided the Council with an overview of ongoing efforts to move forward the implementation of the APG and strengthen coordination among the relevant regional bodies.
Photo 3. HWG 2 meeting led by Mr.Kornkiat Charoenpatcharakij Director of the Power System Planning Division at EGAT and Acting Chair of HWG 2 (left), HAPUA Working Group 2 Meeting (right)
ACE provided updates on APG activities under ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2026–2030, including the progress of APG-related projects and key findings from cooperation with development partners. ACE further presented key insights from the 9th ASEAN Energy Outlook(AEO9), highlighting findings relevant to the region’s future energy development.
The HWC and HC reviewed the progress of the five HAPUA Working Groups, covering generation and renewable energy; transmission and ASEAN Power Grid; distribution, power quality and reliability; policy and commercial development; and human resources, with each sharing updates on its activities. The meeting also received updates on the Lao PDR-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project (LTMS-PIP) and the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines Power Integration Project (BIMP-PIP), highlighting progress on these two sub-regional initiatives and their contribution to wider regional connectivity.
Photo 4. HAPUA Working Committee (left), and Dr. Paulo da Salva, CEO of EDTL Timor Leste, welcoming endorsement of EDTL as official member of HAPUAbySouksavart Sosouphanh, Managing Director of EDL Lao PDR (right).
The HWC and HC acknowledged the outcomes and way forward from the HAPUA Strategic Dialogue, held on 30-31 July 2026, particularly its key recommendations on strengthening regional energy cooperation, enhancing coordination among HAPUA Member Utilities, and advancing follow-up actions to support ASEAN's energy connectivity and sustainability objectives. The outcomes were noted as a basis for continued coordination and cooperation among HAPUA Members.
The HWC also considered the proposed membership of Electricidade de Timor-Leste Empresa Pública (EDTL, E.P.), following Timor-Leste's accession as the 11th ASEAN Member State in 2025. In line with Timor-Leste's integration into ASEAN's regional cooperation frameworks, EDTL, E.P., as the country's national electricity utility, was formally recognised as a HAPUA Member Utility, and the HC subsequently endorsed the new membership, strengthening HAPUA's representation and regional cooperation on power and energy matters. The council then discussed the HAPUA Council Joint Statement, and the meeting concluded with the signing of the Letter of Transmittal and the closing statement from the outgoing Chair.
Photo 5. Dr. Paulo da Salva (left) The CEO of EDTL, official speech as a Member of HAPUA in the 42ndHC Meeting, and Souksavart Sosouphanh, Managing Director of EDL Lao PDR Handing over the Chairship of HAPUA to Malaysia (right)
Through the two meetings, HAPUA members reviewed progress across the Working Groups and regional power interconnection initiatives, discussed key directions for the continued implementation of the APG, and aligned on next steps for strengthening regional power connectivity and cooperation under APAEC 2026-2030. The meetings concluded with the handover of the HAPUA Chairship from Lao PDR to Malaysia, marking the start of Malaysia's term as the next Chair and reaffirming members' commitment to carry forward ongoing efforts in regional power connectivity and energy cooperation.
