Photo 1. Cooperation arrangement signed by Beni Suryadi, Acting Executive Director of ACE and H.E. Ambassador Tiffany McDonald, Australian Ambassador to ASEAN, witnessed by Dato’ Mad Zaidi Bin Mohd Karli, SOE Leader of Malaysia, and Lara Franzen, Development Counsellor of Australian Mission to ASEAN

Jakarta, 12 December 2024 – The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of Australia, have officially joined forces today at the ACE Headquarter, to advance the region’s energy goals through the ASEAN–Australia Energy Cooperation Program. This partnership marks a major milestone in supporting ASEAN’s journey tackling climate change, through green energy transition, in advancing energy security, accessibility, affordability, and sustainability in the region.

The signing ceremony brought together Beni Suryadi, Acting Executive Director of ACE, and H.E. Tiffany McDonald, Australian Ambassador to ASEAN, witnessed by H.E. Dato’ Mad Zaidi Bin Mohd Karli, Senior Officials on Energy (SOE) Leader of Malaysia and the Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), Malaysia, Lara Franzen, Development Counsellor of Australian Mission to ASEAN, Dr Chhuon Sambath Ratanak, Alternate SOE Leader of Cambodia, and Dr Michael O. Sinocruz, Alternate SOE Leader of the Philippines.

The signing of the cooperation arrangement is a sideline event of the 2^nd ASEAN Power Grid Stakeholders Coordination Meetings, convening key APG stakeholders across the region and development partners in Jakarta, Indonesia, from 9-12 December 2024. The meetings aim to discuss and share the progress and priorities area of APG implementation, with the potential support of APG partners, such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), ETP UNOPS-CASE-UN ESCAP, USAID Southeast Asia Smart Power Program (SPP) and others.

“ASEAN’s energy landscape is evolving rapidly. Ensuring that we meet the growing demand for energy in a way that’s secure, accessible, affordable, and sustainable is more critical than ever,” said Beni Suryadi. “This collaboration not only accelerates our green energy transition and addresses climate challenges, but also plays a pivotal role in advancing the ASEAN Power Grid initiative, fostering greater regional energy connectivity and resilience.”

“Australia is committed to working with ASEAN to enhance energy connectivity, resilience and security. The Cooperation Arrangement signed with the ASEAN Centre for Energy is an important step in our shared commitment towards a clean energy future that benefits ASEAN, Australia and our shared region,” said Australian Ambassador to ASEAN, H.E. Tiffany McDonald. 

The programme is designed to strengthen energy connectivity, promote renewable energy, and support regional planning initiatives that align with the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC).

With an allocated budget of USD 4.2 million for a 36-month duration, this programme underscores ASEAN and Australia’s shared commitment to addressing climate change and fostering economic development through innovative energy solutions. It will focus on critical areas such as the ASEAN Power Grid (APG), renewable energy adoption, and the creation of the 9^th ASEAN Energy Outlook, supporting the implementation of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC).

This programme takes a dynamic and adaptive approach, combining hands-on capacity-building workshops, collaborative research initiatives, and inclusive energy planning. It is designed to empower ASEAN Member States to accelerate their sustainability goals and shape a greener future for the region.

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About ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE)

Established on 1 January 1999, the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) is an intergovernmental organisation within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) structure that represents the 10 ASEAN Member States’ (AMS) interests in the energy sector. ACE supports the implementation of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC), a blueprint for better collaboration towards upgrading energy. The Centre is guided by a Governing Council composed of Senior Officials on Energy from each AMS and a representative from the ASEAN Secretariat as an ex-officio member.

The three key roles of ACE:

• As a catalyst to unify and strengthen ASEAN energy cooperation and integration by implementing relevant capacity building programmes and projects to assist the AMS develop their energy sector.
• As the ASEAN energy data centre and knowledge hub to provide a knowledge repository for the AMS.
• As an ASEAN energy think tank to assist the AMS by identifying and surfacing innovative solutions for ASEAN’s energy challenges on policies, legal & regulatory frameworks and technologies.

Keeping the region’s improvement, sustainable and harmless to the ecosystem is a fundamental concern of the ASEAN energy sector. Hosted by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of Indonesia, ACE’s office is located in Jakarta, Indonesia. For more information on ACE website: aseanenergy.org.