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 session 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.

AGENDA

SESSION 1: CREATING AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR REGIONAL POWER TRADE AND POWER MARKET

2:00 - 2:10 p.m.

Opening Remarks

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

Peerapat Vithaya, Senior Energy Analyst – Power and System Integration, Regional Cooperation Centre, International Energy Agency

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, Senior 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:

Farkhad Mammadov, General Director, Green Energy Corridor Power Co

Song Fulong, Director of Development Bureau, GEIDCO

Sarah Wilson, Partner, A&O Sherman

Nazim Hiari, Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER)

Topics include:

  • Successes in Asia-Pacific regional power trade
  • Government cooperation for electricity trade
  • Stumbling blocks to interconnection and how to overcome them
  • Incentives for private sector participation
  • Role of advanced technologies in power trade and markets
  • Readiness of countries for technological solutions
  • Cooperation frameworks for scaling connectivity
  • Enhancing inter-regional power trade

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

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, ADB

Panelists:

Ethan Wang, Head of Business Development, Overseas Business Division, Orient Cable (member of GEIDCO)

Sarah Wilson, Partner, A&O Shearman (law firm)

Albert Segura Torras, Asso.subsea

Ceejay Hernandez, Head of Sustainability, HSBC

Topics include:

  • Barriers to large-scale subsea power cable industry in Asia (industry size/concentration, order delays)
  • Critical technical challenges in subsea and HVDC interconnections
  • Permitting, siting and licensing for subsea interconnectors (legal/regulatory issues)
  • Financial instruments to de-risk subsea interconnection projects
  • Mitigating geopolitical risks via regional cooperation
  • Role of MDBs and private financiers in scaling technologies

5:25 - 5:30 p.m.

Closing Remarks and Way Forward

Priyantha Wijayatunga, Senior Director, Energy Sector Office, ADB