The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) is pleased to announce a series of significant Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed with key regional and international partners, solidifying the Centre’s commitment to fostering energy cooperation, sustainability, and innovation across the ASEAN region.

These MoUs were officially signed during the 41st ASEAN Ministers on Energy (AMEM-41) in conjunction with the ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF) 2023, held on 25 August 2023 in Bali, Indonesia. The ceremony was witnessed by the ASEAN Ministers, underscoring the importance of these collaborations in advancing the region’s energy landscape.

ACE’s collaborations extend to a diverse range of partners, each contributing unique expertise and resources to bolster the energy landscape in ASEAN. To continue the implementation of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase II: 2021-2025, the following MoUs have been established:

1. Indonesia – Malaysia Cross-Border Power Interconnections:
   AIMS III identified 18 potential cross-border interconnections with a cumulative capacity of 33 GW by 2040, including two proposed interconnectors between Indonesia and Malaysia for feasibility-level analyses:
   • Sumatera, Indonesia – Peninsular Malaysia: ACE, PT PLN (Persero), and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) are collaborating to develop a Feasibility Study for Sumatera, Indonesia – Peninsular Malaysia Interconnection line. The study will focus on scaling up investments in the facility required, supporting the development and implementation of policies. The Feasibility Study will determine the technical, financial, and economic feasibility and also the preliminary environmental impact assessment. Sumatera, Indonesia – Peninsular Malaysia Interconnection will be the first subsea cross-border interconnection in the region.
   • Kalimantan, Indonesia – Sabah, Malaysia: ACE, PT PLN (Persero), and Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) are collaborating to create a Feasibility study with similar scope to the above arrangement which aims to achieve Sustainable Energy Security Interconnectivity in Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines (BIMP) area.

2. UNOPS and GIZ: ACE is entering into a strategic partnership with the Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership (ETP), a multi-stakeholder platform managed by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), and the Clean, Affordable and Secure Energy for Southeast Asia (CASE), a project jointly implemented by a consortium of eight (8) entities led by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH to implement the “ASEAN Power Grid Advancement Programme or APG-AP” in accelerating the renewable energy integration through ASEAN Power Grid.
3. ASEAN-China Clean Energy Cooperation Centre (ACCECC) Affairs Managing Agency: ACE and ACCECC Affairs Managing Agency (AMA) signed an MoU, aiming to enhance clean energy collaboration between ASEAN and China. ACCECC will scale up the joint research, knowledge sharing, and cooperative initiatives on energy sector that has been established since 2017 through cooperation between ACE and CREEI. ACCECC will host more programmes that showcase solid synergy in policies, technology advancement, financing, and human resources capacity building.
4. Korean Development Bank (KDB): ACE and KDB are closely collaborating on the “Supporting Innovative Mechanisms for Industrial Energy Efficiency Financing in Indonesia with Lessons for Replication in the other ASEAN Member States” programme.
5. Energy Foundation China (EFC): ACE has been partnering with EFC for the past three years, and this partnership will continue to progress to accelerate energy transition and ensure energy security in the ASEAN region. This collaboration includes joint research, policy development, and technology adoption.
6. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA): ACE and JICA are working together to expedite decarbonisation and promote sustainable development within the ASEAN region.
7. Asian Development Bank (ADB): ACE and ADB have signed an MoU to collaborate on developing clean energy and energy efficiency projects, regional power market and multilateral power trade arrangements, and regional power interconnections within ASEAN.
8. Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO): ACE and JETRO are enhancing collaboration to propel energy transition in ASEAN countries, advancing efforts towards net-zero emissions.
9. National Solar Exchange: ACE and National Solar Exchange are embarking on a collaborative project to develop a functional demonstration of a regional energy investment platform.
10. Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN): ACE and UNITEN are working together to foster academic, research, and industrial collaboration.
11. Universitas Pendidikan Nasional (UNDIKNAS): ACE and UNDIKNAS are collaborating to reinforce research and training efforts.
12. Waseda University: ACE and Waseda University have established a partnership to promote research, educational activities, and knowledge exchanges.

These collaborations underscore ACE’s commitment to driving positive change in the energy sector across ASEAN.

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 the ACE:

• 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.
• 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.

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.

Media contact:

• Rinda Rufaidah, Communications Officer: [email protected]