KUALA LUMPUR – Asean is moving closer to sealing a major agreement to enhance regional energy connectivity, with Sarawak poised to play a central role in the upcoming Asean Power Grid (APG).
Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz said negotiations on the enhanced memorandum of agreement for the APG are expected to conclude with a signing at the 43rd Asean Ministers on Energy Meeting in October 2025.
Speaking after chairing the 25th Asean Economic Community (AEC) Council Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, he said the bloc welcomed progress on establishing the APG Financing Facility Framework, which aims to boost cross-border investments and unlock new funding opportunities for energy infrastructure.
“The Asean economic ministers welcomed ongoing work towards the APG Financing Facility Framework, which will enhance cross-border flows of foreign direct investments and new funding opportunities for regional energy-related projects,” he said.
Tengku Zafrul added that a joint meeting between Asean’s energy, finance, and economic ministers is scheduled for August 2025 to further align policy support for the grid initiative.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg reaffirmed the state’s commitment to regional energy integration. Sarawak, which has been exporting electricity to West Kalimantan for six years, is now preparing to supply power to Brunei and potentially to Sabah.
“Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) has asked me to study the possibility of supplying power from Sarawak to Sabah and to connect to Brunei,” Abang Johari said at a fireside chat during the Asean Women Economic Summit 2025 (AWES 2025).
“Sarawak will play its part to contribute to the Asean Grid.”
He said Sarawak is expanding its grid infrastructure, targeting 10 gigawatts (GW) of generation by 2030 and 15 GW by 2035, in line with regional energy ambitions.
The 25th AEC Council Meeting, held alongside the 46th Asean Summit, saw representatives from all member states discuss 11 agenda items focused on strengthening economic integration.
Meanwhile, AWES 2025, held in conjunction with the summit, drew over 700 delegates across the region. – May 25, 2025