Deep Dive Workshop: Enabling ASEAN Power Grid Connectivity and Private Sector Cross-Border Financing Solutions

Deep Dive Workshop

Enabling ASEAN Power Grid Connectivity and Private Sector Cross-Border Financing Solutions

Wednesday, 4 June 2025

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (GMT +8)

ASEAN leaders envision a fully integrated ASEAN Power Grid (APG) by 2045 to ensure affordable, sustainable, and reliable electricity. To achieve this, bilateral and multilateral power agreements are expanding across the region. Singapore is collaborating with neighboring countries in the region on low-carbon energy imports/exports, with Singapore's Energy Market Authority (EMA) approving projects toward its 6 GW import target from Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam and Australia by 2035. Meanwhile, Vietnam has strengthened energy ties with Laos by importing hydropower and wind power to address shortages and to advance its renewable energy goals. Laos, with its abundant hydropower and wind power resources, plays a key role in clean energy trade.

In line with ASEAN's 2045 energy vision the Asian Development Bank (ADB) supports APG development through innovative financial support, policy and regulatory guidance and technical expertise in close collaboration with government ministries, regional sponsors and leading financing institutions.

AGENDA

11:00 – 11:15 a.m.

Opening & Keynote Address

Welcome Remarks – ASEAN's 2045 Energy Vision & ADB's Role

Cathy Marsh, Deputy Director General, Private Sectors Operations Department, ADB

11:15 a.m. – 12:25 p.m.

Session 1: Panel Discussion & Q&A – Strengthening Regional Energy Cooperation

This session will provide a platform for discussing the key roles of the private and public sectors in developing the ASEAN power grid. It will also explore practical financial tools that can be used by both public and private sectors to support the development of the ASEAN power grid. Panelists will discuss risk-sharing mechanisms, blended finance strategies, and innovative financial instruments to attract private sector investments.

Moderator: Daniel Wiedmer, Director, Infrastructure Finance, Southeast Asia, East Asia and the Pacific

Panelists:

Eugene Toh, Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Energy Market Authority of Singapore

Peck Khamkanist, CEO, IES

Ma. Cecilia Cruzabra, Treasurer, ACEN

Steve Mercieca, Managing Director, Head Project Finance ASEAN and Australia, Standard Chartered

Chintan Mehta, Business Development Director, APAC, Total

Low Kian Min, Chief Renewables Officer, Gentari

Moderated Discussion & Audience Q&A

12:25 – 12:30 p.m.

Closing & Next Steps

Summary of Key Insights