Photo 1. Group session photo in the 1st consultation workshop. 

Kuala Lumpur, 5–6 August 2025 – The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), supported by the World Bank under the Multi-Phase Programmatic Approach for Accelerating Sustainable Energy Transition (MPA-ASET), convened the 1st Consultation Workshop on the ASEAN Energy Database System (AEDS) and launched the 2025 ASEAN Energy Statistics Leaflet (AESL) in Kuala Lumpur. The workshop aimed to gather technical inputs for the ongoing AEDS revitalisation, strengthen ASEAN’s regional data governance, and promote evidence-based policymaking to advance the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) and the region’s sustainable energy transition. 

The event brought together representatives from eight ASEAN Member States (AMS) under Regional Energy Policy and Planning Sub-sectoral Network (REPP-SSN), technical experts in energy statistics, database systems, renewable energy, and power investment, as well as regional and international organisations. 

Photo 2. Agnes Koh (left) and Dato’ Ir. Ts. Razib Dawood, Executive Director of ACE,delivering opening remarks at the event (right). 

The workshop was opened with remarks from Agnes Koh, Deputy Director of International Relations at Energy Market Authority (EMA) speaking on behalf of the REPP-SSN, who highlighted the role of reliable, transparent, and timely energy data as the foundation of ASEAN’s energy transition. She reaffirmed Singapore’s commitment to regional data standardisation and stronger collaboration among AMS. 

Dato’ Ir. Ts. Razib Dawood, Executive Director of ACE, emphasised that the revamped AEDS will serve as a central platform for integrated regional energy planning, tracking policy progress, and fostering transparency in the ASEAN energy landscape. 

Photo 3. The launch of 2025 ASEAN Energy Statistics Leaflet by Silvira Ayu Rosalia, Energy Statiscian of Energy Modelling and Policy Planning Department, ACE.  

Silvira Ayu Rosalia introduced the AESL 2025, which visualises key ASEAN energy statistics, including supply, consumption, investment, electricity, fossil fuels, gender, and socio-economic indicators. The AESL is intended as a practical reference for policymakers to support both national and regional energy policy development. 

Photo 4. Scene-setting presentations: Dr. Zulfikar Yurnaidi, Manager of MPP, ACE,presented AEDS Introduction and Its Role in ASEAN Energy Cooperation (left) and Zahrah Zafira, Research Analyst of Sustainable and Renewable Energy (SRE), ACE, presented Advancing Renewable Energy Database for ASEAN Energy Planning

Dr. Zulfikar Yurnaidi, Manager of MPP, ACE, presented the AEDS as ASEAN’s strategic knowledge hub for credible modelling, monitoring, and evaluation, with functionalities in statistics, GIS, data visualisation, policy tracking, and energy related news. He stressed that “AEDS is developed by ASEAN, for ASEAN”, ensuring alignment with the priorities and practices of all AMS. 

Zahrah Zafira, Research Analyst of Sustainable and Renewable Energy (SRE), ACE, highlighted the urgent need for complete and harmonised renewable energy data to improve regional planning and monitoring, noting current data gaps and the importance of linking data to actionable insights. 

Natalie Kauf from International Energy Agency (IEA) (left) and Mentari Pujantoro from Agora Energiewende (right).

Faizal Thamrin from UN Global Pulse Asia Pacific (left) and Dr. Grayson Heffner from Southeast Asia Utility Modernization and Power Trade Consultant (right).

Akbar Dwi Wahyono from ACE (left) and Julian Prime from International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) (right).

Photo 5. Expert sharing session

International and regional experts shared experiences in designing energy statistics frameworks by IEA, building knowledge platforms like SIPET by Agora-Energiewende, fostering trust in cross-sectoral data sharing by UN Global Pulse Asia Pacific, and enabling coordinated data sharing of electricity trade across ASEAN by Dr. Heffner and Akbar. 

The first day was concluded with Julian Prime presenting IRENA’s database interface and its role in advancing renewable energy statistics, updating global energy taxonomy, and promoting transparency through international cooperation and capacity building.    

Photo 6. Tung Phuong introducing  World Bank MPA-ASET programme (left) and Rika Safrina sharing the AEDS revamp project plan under World Bank MPA-ASET  (right).

The second day was opened with an overview of the World Bank MPA-ASET programme delivered by Mr. Tung Phuong from ACE, outlining its three focus areas: renewable energy policy and finance, regional power trade, and knowledge sharing. One of its flagship activities is the revitalisation of AEDS. 

Ms. Rika Safrina provided details of the AEDS revitalisation roadmap, including milestones for consultant hiring, system design, and public launch by July 2026, ensuring sustainability and enhanced functionalities to serve both AMS and public stakeholders.

Photo 7. Presentation by AMS Focal Points on existing national database, features, challenges, plans, and expectation from AEDS (left) and Malaysia’s Representative introducing MYenergySTats (right). 

Focal points from Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam were given the opportunity to share their respective database systems, governance frameworks, and key challenges such as data fragmentation, lack of standardisation, and limited resources. Across the board, AMS expressed strong support for AEDS as a best-practice digital platform for regional data cooperation. 

 Photo 8. Interactive FGD with AMS on the revamp of AEDS led by Rika Safrina.

Photo 9. Closing remarks delivered by Dr. Zulfikar Yurnaidi 

In the afternoon session of day two workshop, Rika Safrina led the Focused Group Discussion (FGD) to gather feedback and incorporate input for future revamped AEDS using an interactive tool followed with direct discussions with all delegates. Participants discussed preferred database features, data formats, and governance mechanisms. Recommendations include improved interoperability, capacity building, automated submission tools, and enhanced public communication. 

The two-day workshop agenda was concluded by Dr. Zulfikar Yurnaidi’s closing remarks that emphasised reliable, accurate, and harmonised energy data as the backbone of ASEAN’s regional energy cooperation. He reiterated ACE’s commitment to co-developing AEDS with AMS as an ASEAN-owned, ASEAN-driven platform, enabling a data-driven energy transition for the region’s sustainable future. 

To learn more about ASEAN Energy Database Systems, please visit our website.