Picture 1. Group Photo of the High-Level Consultative Meetings with PETRA (top) and TNB (bottom)
The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) delivered two High-Level Consultative Meetings (HLCMs) with the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) of Malaysia. The former was carried out at Menara PETRA, Putrajaya on Monday, 12 January 2026, while the latter was in TNB Headquarter in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday 13 January 2026. The purpose of these meetings was to introduce the potential collaboration with Malaysia related to APG Project Preparation Facility (APG-PPF) platform and the implementation of other APG-related activities in 2026.
In the HLCM with PETRA, Deputy Secretary General (Energy) of PETRA opened the meeting and followed by Dato’ Razib Dawood, Executive Director of ACE, extending the status of activities funded by U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), namely Feasibility Study of Indonesia-Malaysia Cross-border interconnection for two lines, Peninsular-Sumatera and Sabah-North Kalimantan.
Photo 2. Dato’ Ir. Ts. Razib Dawood, Executive Director of ACE, and Nadhilah Shani, Head of the Power Generation and Interconnection (PIN) Department, delivering a scene setting presentation.
PETRA added the status of other APG interconnections involving Malaysia, such as (i) Peninsular Malaysia-Singapore; (ii) Peninsular Malaysia-Thailand; (iii) Peninsular Malaysia-Sarawak; (iv) Sarawak-Brunei Darussalam; (v) Sarawak-Sabah; and (vi) Sabah-Philippines. With ASEAN interconnection projects continue to advance, ACE reaffirmed its readiness to support AMS in the development of APG interconnections. In the meeting, ACE introduced the secured funding channels to support feasibility study development for APG interconnections, coming from various Development Partners. The channels include supports from Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the World Bank.
The meeting continued with ACE underscoring the role of regional governance mechanisms, notably the operationalisation of APG Enhanced Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the establishment of ASEAN Power Grid Consultative Committee (APGCC) Task Forces. These initiatives demonstrate how regulatory diversity and national considerations are carefully assessed and reflected for moving APG forward, where ACE serves as the facilitator.
Photo 3. Puan Mareena Binti Mahpud, Deputy Secretary General (Energy) of PETRA.
Moreover, the meeting also touches upon Submarine Power Cable Framework as a step forward to cultivate wider APG implementation, fulfilling the vision of connecting more ASEAN countries. The Framework will also serve as one of the key regional milestones for this year’s Philippines ASEAN Chairship, given its mandate in the 43rd ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) last year.
Photo 4. Discussing during the High-Level Consultative Meeting with PETRA.
The meeting concluded with a shared understanding on the need for continued coordination between ACE and Malaysian stakeholders to advance the APG agenda. As a way forward, ACE reaffirmed its commitment to maintain cooperation with all AMS stakeholders, continue in-depth technical discussions with the utilities, facilitate engagement between AMS and development partners, and ensure the timely delivery of APG-related activities and targeted deliverables in 2026.
The next day, ACE visited TNB Headquarter in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur to meet TNB, bringing together Executive Director of ACE and TNB Chief Grid Officer (CGO), Hasmarizal bin Hassan. Dato’ Razib opened the meeting by commending TNB for its continued support to the APG initiative, emphasising that utilities play role equally critical to ministerial-level engagement in advancing regional interconnection. He referenced the HLCM held with the Ministry of Energy and Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), underscoring the importance of coherence between policy direction and utility-level implementation.
ACE further provided an overview of the recently secured grant opportunities for APG development, and the upcoming series of APG-related activities scheduled in 2026, including activities for APG Enhanced MoU operationalization and the Submarine Power Cable Framework. Additionally, ACE introduced the APG Financing Initiative (APGF), which aims to address financing barriers by coordinating support from development and commercial financial institutions. ACE, in its role as the APG Secretariat, will facilitate communication and coordination among relevant stakeholders.
Photo 6. Presentation During the High-Level Consultative Meeting with TNB
The meeting concluded with both sides acknowledging the importance of continuing coordination between ACE and TNB to address challenges in establishing regional interconnection. ACE reaffirmed its commitment to support follow-up discussions, facilitate engagement partners, and advance APG-related activities in close collaboration with utility and governmental stakeholders.
