The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) participated in Enlit Asia 2023, reinforcing its commitment to advancing regional energy transition.

Dr Nuki Agya Utama, Executive Director of ACE, participated in a panel discussion titled “Unifying ASEAN: A Roadmap for Achieving NZE in Future Energy Systems” on 14 November. Moderated by Andrew Roche, Partner at Baker Botts, the panel featured speakers including Narsingh Chaudhary, President, Asia Pacific & India, Noriyuki Ueda, Chief Solution Officer, JERA Asia, Suzanne Gaboury, Director General, Private Sector Operations Department, Asian Development Bank, and Zainal Arifin, DPP, Masyarakat Ketenagalistrikan Indonesia.

The discussion explored realistic milestones, priorities for ASEAN utilities, initiatives in progress, and challenges and opportunities associated with regional investment in energy transition. Highlighting the role of the green economy in driving growth and development, the panel provided insights into achieving a net-zero energy (NZE) future in ASEAN.

Following that, ACE also hosted a workshop titled “Regional Collaboration in Turning the ASEAN Power Grid Dreams into Reality: Role and Priorities of Indonesia in Supporting APG Masterplan Implementation.”

Dr Nuki delivered the opening remarks and presented the ASEAN Interconnection Master Plan Study (AIMS III), emphasising collaborative efforts in the ASEAN Power Grid (APG). The APG currently boasts eight interconnected nations and a transmission capacity of 7,720 MW.

The workshop was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Nadhilah Shani, Senior Research Analyst on Power at ACE. The workshop engaged stakeholders in discussions about the challenges and opportunities associated with transforming the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) dream into a necessity for ASEAN countries. The panel included Evy Haryadi, Director of Transmission and System Planning at PT PLN (Persero), Tim Anderson, President Director of Sun Cable Indonesia, and Suzanne Gaboury, Director General, Private Sector Operations Department, Asian Development Bank.

Discussions focused on the technical viability of identified interconnections, the imperative for improved governmental policy infrastructure, and the role of regional governance in turning the APG vision into reality.  The panel concluded that there is a clear role, opportunities, and benefit of ASEAN Power Grid to facilitate energy transition in the regional level and national level. Collaboration and partnership are the key elements in turning the regional interconnectivity plan into reality and tackling the technical as well as financial challenges in implementing national and regional transmission projects.

Joining Enlit Asia 2023 underscores ACE’s commitment to fostering collaboration and driving sustainable energy solutions across the ASEAN region.