Spotlight Session
Interregional Connectivity: Enabling Regional Power Trade through Policy, Markets, and Technology
Wednesday, 4 June 2025
2:00–5:30 p.m. (GMT +8)
The benefits of regional power trade and market integration—enhanced energy security, optimized resource use, and reduced costs—have been demonstrated across the world. As the Asia-Pacific region seeks to achieve similar outcomes, there is much to be learned from the experiences of other countries in addressing similar challenges and applying innovative solutions. These include regional cooperation frameworks, emerging technologies, and financing mechanisms adaptable to the regional conditions.
One particularly promising innovation is the development of subsea power cables, which can significantly reduce energy losses in long-distance transmission and enhance grid connectivity across borders. The rapid growth of subsea power cable and high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technologies is highly relevant to Asia’s regional aspirations for expanded interconnectivity.
This back-to-back and associated sessions will delve into the landscape of cross-border energy trade in the region—with a special focus on the challenges and solutions in subsea cable and HVDC development.
The ADB is co-organizing this session with the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO), a non-profit international organization established under the State Grid Corporation of China. GEIDCO is dedicated to advancing global energy interconnection and promoting the sustainable development of energy worldwide.
AGENDA
SESSION 1: CREATING AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR REGIONAL POWER TRADE AND POWER MARKET
This session will explore the policy, regulatory, commercial and institutional frameworks required to support regional power trade and market development across Asia and the Pacific. Drawing on global best practices and regional initiatives, it will highlight practical pathways to harmonize regulations, strengthen cooperation, and implement cross-border trade mechanisms.
2:00 - 2:10 p.m.
Opening Remarks
Hideaki Iwasaki, Director General, Sector Department 1, ADB
Chen Gesong, Director General of Development Bureau, GEIDCO
2:10 - 2:40 p.m.
Geopolitical, Policy and Regulatory Landscape for Cross-Border Power Trade in Asia and the Pacific
Syed Munir Khasru, Chairman, The Institute for Policy, Advocacy, and Governance
Regional Cooperation and Integration Initiatives in Central, South and Southeast Asia
Nana Gurgenidze, Senior Energy Specialist, ADB
Jiwan Acharya, Principal Energy Specialist, ADB
Hyunjung Lee, GMS/ASEAN Energy Program Lead / Principal Energy Economist, ADB
2:40 - 3:25 p.m.
Panel Discussion
Moderator: Hongpeng Liu, Director, Energy Division, United Nations Social and Economic Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
Panelists:
Farhad Mammadov, General Director, Green Energy Corridor Power Co
Song Fulong, Director of Development Bureau, GEIDCO
Nazim Hiari, Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER)
Kanchana Wanichkorn, Director of Sectoral Development, ASEAN Secretariat
Puneet Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary, State Government of Kerala, India
3:25 - 3:30 p.m.
Closing Remarks and Way Forward
Joonho Hwang, Energy Director, ADB
SESSION 2: UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF REGIONAL CONNECTIVITY THROUGH TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS SUCH AS SUBSEA CABLE AND HVDC
This session will focus on the technological frontier of regional connectivity: subsea cables and HVDC transmission. It will present global experiences and innovations, while addressing the technical, financial, and geopolitical hurdles to deploying these technologies in the Asia-Pacific context.
4:00 - 4:05 p.m.
Opening Remarks
Keiju Mitsuhashi, Energy Director, ADB
4:05 - 4:40 p.m.
State-of-the-Art Subsea Power Cables: Unlocking the Future of Global Energy Trade
Awais Muhammad, Lead Electrical Engineer, Orient Cable (member of GEIDCO)
Case Presentations:
UK–Denmark Interconnectors
Robert Rome, Director, National Grid Ventures, UK
India–Sri Lanka
Prof. Udayanga Hemapala, Secretary, Ministry of Power and Energy, Sri Lanka
4:40 - 5:25 p.m.
Panel Discussion
Moderator: Len George, Principal Energy Specialist, Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Panelists:
Wang Ying, Head of Business Development, Overseas Business Division, Orient Cable (member of GEIDCO)
Albert Segura Torras, Asso.subsea
Ceejay Hernandez, Head of Sustainability, HSBC Philippines
Jomel Cristobal, Manager, Project Review and Monitoring Division, National Transmission Corporation, Philippines
Mel Chan, Partner, Clifford Chance Pte Ltd
5:25 - 5:30 p.m.
Closing Remarks and Way Forward
Priyantha Wijayatunga, Senior Director, Energy Sector Office, ADB
SPEAKERS
Hideaki Iwasaki
Director General, Sectors Department 1 (Energy and Transport Sectors), Asian Development Bank
Gesong Chen
Director General, Development Bureau, Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization GEIDCO
Syed Munir Khasru
Chairman, Institute for Policy, Advocacy, and Governance (IPAG)
Nana Gurgenidze
Senior Energy Specialist, Asian Development Bank
Jiwan Acharya
Senior Energy Specialist, Asian Development Bank
Hyunjung Lee
GMS/ASEAN Energy Program Lead / Principal Energy Economist, Asian Development Bank
Hongpeng Liu
Director, Energy Division, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
Farhad Mammadov
Senior Energy Specialist, Asian Development Bank
Fulong Song
Director of development bureau, GEIDCO
Nazim Khiari
Senior Regional Energy Specialist, Infrastructure & Natural Resources, Islamic Development Bank
Kanchana Wanichkorn
Director of Sectoral Development, ASEAN Economic Community, The ASEAN Secretariat
Puneet Kumar
Additional Chief Secretary, State Government of Kerala, India
Joonho Hwang
Director East, Central and West Asia Team Energy Sector Office Sectors Department 1, Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Keiju Mitsuhashi
Director, Energy, ADB
Awais Muhammad
Senior Energy Specialist, Asian Development Bank
Rob Rome
Senior Energy Specialist, Asian Development Bank
Udayanga Hemapala
Senior Energy Specialist, Asian Development Bank
Len George
Principal Energy Specialist, Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Wang Ying
Senior Energy Specialist, Asian Development Bank
Albert Segura
KAM - APAC, ASSO SUBSEA
Jomel Cristobal
Manager, Project Review and Monitoring Division, National Transmission Corporation, Philippines
Mel Chan
Partner, Clifford Chance Pte Ltd
Priyantha Wijayatunga
Senior Director, Energy, Asian Development Bank (ADB)