JAKARTA, Feb 11 — ASEAN must accelerate the development of smart grid systems and digitalisation to boost regional energy cooperation and position the bloc as a global green energy powerhouse, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
He said digitalisation must be strengthened to support cross-border electricity interconnections among member states, while also improving coordination in managing regional power systems.
“We have to look into smart grid systems. Digitalisation will need to be in place. Everybody will share in terms of our commitment, not only for climate mitigation, but also for green initiatives, and, eventually, ASEAN can become the power or battery for the world,” he said during a panel session at the ASEAN Climate Forum here today.
Fadillah, who is also energy transition and water transformation minister, said ASEAN holds great potential to become a major player in the green economy.
“ASEAN has that opportunity. Only if we collaborate and work together, can ASEAN prosper,” he added.
Indonesian Special Presidential Envoy for Energy and Climate, Hashim Djojohadikusumo, also participated in the session.
Fadillah said Malaysia is ready to contribute to and support the Philippines as ASEAN chair, to pursue the agenda this year, particularly in advancing the ASEAN Power Grid initiative, which has secured a US$2 billion (RM7.83 billion) commitment from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.
In this regard, he said blended financing and external investment remains critical to support ASEAN in achieving regional grid connectivity.
He noted that efforts are ongoing to enhance interconnectivity across ASEAN through projects such as the Borneo Grid initiative, which links Sarawak, Sabah, Kalimantan, and Brunei with Peninsular Malaysia via undersea cable.
He said Peninsular Malaysia, meanwhile, is already connected to Singapore, Thailand, and Laos, while an agreement has been signed between Malaysia and Vietnam for connectivity via undersea cable.
He was confident the initiative will allow the entire region to be interconnected, enabling ASEAN countries to share energy resources.
The deputy prime minister is on the second day of his three-day working visit to Jakarta.
