With the increasing electrification of the energy system, and the need for renewable energy resources, cross-border transmission lines will be essential to help countries with limited resources and seasonal differences in renewable energy power supply. While progress remains political and slow moving, it is promising that recently, several projects have been announced, some of which are led by the private sector. What is the status of cross-border power integration in the region including Central Asia, Southeast Asia and South Asia? What challenges remain? How are the agreements being structured? What are the upcoming investment needs?

This session will explore the evolution of regional power grids through presentations by industry leaders and experts. Presentations will include corporate perspectives on the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) and how a strong renewal of the APG MoU can facilitate cost-effective and accountable emissions reductions; the Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership's efforts to enhance the ASEAN Power Grid, enabling efficient cross-border power trading and the achievement of renewable energy goals; Mongolia's experience with the Northeast Asia Power System Interconnection (NAPSI) and its implications for the country's energy landscape; research findings from UNESCAP (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific) on regional energy cooperation and the development of common power markets will share research findings; and a presentation by the India Smart Grid Forum (ISGF) one the benefits of interconnecting smaller power systems into larger grids, and examinng case studies from regions such as GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council), SAARC (South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation), BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation), and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). Participants in this session will benefit from a thorough overview of the technological and policy innovations that are shaping advances in power grids and grid interconnections across the region.