Photo 1. (left-right) Beni Suryadi, Manager of ASEAN Centre for Energy; Dr. Nuki Agya Utama, Executive Director of ASEAN Centre for Energy, Darmawan Prasodjo, PhD, President Director of PT PLN (Persero), Enoh T. Ebong, Director of USTDA, Sinthya Roesly, Director of Finance of PT PLN (Persero), and Yohannes Abraham, U.S. Ambassador to the ASEAN

Jakarta, 6 March 2024 – The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) is proud to announce its leadership role in a forthcoming feasibility study aimed at exploring the potential for new cross-border power interconnections between Indonesia and Malaysia. This significant initiative was made possible through a grant agreement signed between the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (Persero) (“PLN”) in Jakarta, Indonesia, representing a major step forward in the pursuit of enhanced energy security and connectivity within the ASEAN region.

Set to commence in early 2024, the study will assess the feasibility of establishing cross-border interconnections between Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia, as well as between Kalimantan and Sabah. These proposed interconnections, recommended by the ASEAN Interconnection Masterplan Study (AIMS III), are critical for facilitating a more integrated, sustainable, resilient and affordable energy landscape across Southeast Asia, especially in the southern and eastern sub-systems.

Photo 2. (left-right) Dr. Nuki Agya Utama, Executive Director of ASEAN Centre for Energy, Darmawan Prasodjo, PhD, President Director of PT PLN (Persero) Enoh T. Ebong, Director of USTDA, and Yohannes Abraham, U.S. Ambassador to the ASEAN

“ACE, as the lead and initiator to develop this study, which aligns perfectly with our mission to accelerate interconnectivity and sustainability among the ASEAN Member States,” said Dr Nuki Agya Utama, Executive Director of ACE. “With the invaluable support of USTDA, ACE will assist PLN to see new opportunities for regional energy cooperation and to contribute to a more secure and sustainable energy future for ASEAN.”

“This new partnership will enhance energy sector cooperation among ASEAN member states while building stronger energy sector ties between the United States and this dynamic part of the world,” said Enoh T. Ebong, Director of USTDA. “For an Agency that prioritizes collaboration, as we do, these projects weave together a tapestry of partners in an ideal set of circumstances, and we are pleased to play a role in facilitating it.”

Darmawan Prasodjo, PhD, President Director of PT PLN (Persero), emphasised the significance of the study for Indonesia and Malaysia. He stated, “The exploration of these interconnections is a critical step forward in enhancing our national and regional energy resilience as well as bringing mutual prosperity to the Southeast Asian region. Collaborating with ACE and USTDA allows us to leverage international expertise and resources, bringing us closer to realising our vision for a more connected and sustainable power network across ASEAN.”

The study, led by ACE and supported by the expertise of Delphos and Stantec (US consulting partners), will provide comprehensive insights into the technical, economic, financing and environmental aspects of the proposed interconnections. By identifying viable pathways for enhanced power exchange between Indonesia and Malaysia, the study aims to lay the groundwork for significant infrastructure projects that will bolster energy security, facilitate economic development, and support the region’s transition to a more sustainable energy mix.

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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

For further information, please contact:

• Rinda Rufaidah, Communications Specialist of ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE): [email protected], +6287809140902