Asean Power Grid links among key topics at energy officials' meeting

Senior energy officials from Asean are convening in Kuching for a three-day regional meeting on energy. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star
KUCHING: Cross-border interconnection projects under the Asean Power Grid (APG) initiative were among key matters discussed at an ongoing regional meeting here.
The 43rd Asean Senior Officials Meeting on Energy (SOME), organised by Malaysia's Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry, also reviewed the progress of the Asean Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase II 2021-2025.
The development of the forthcoming APAEC 2026-2030 phase was also discussed, the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday (June 17).
Current progress of multilateral energy trade under the Laos-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore power integration project (LTMS-PIP) was another item on the agenda, it added.
"Topics related to energy transition policies were also highlighted, including the scaling up of renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, the potential of nuclear energy, and the coordination of regional energy policies," the statement read.
The meeting also served as a platform for Asean countries to acknowledge the accession of Timor-Leste as a full member of the regional bloc.
The three-day meeting, which started on Monday (June 16), brings together senior energy officials from all Asean member states, with a delegate from Timor-Leste participating as an observer.
SOME serves as a key platform for deliberating regional energy policies and reinforcing the strategic direction of Asean energy cooperation.
"The convening of SOME reflects the continued commitment of Asean member states in realising the goals of sustainable, inclusive and resilient energy development in the region.
"The strong cooperation established among all stakeholders places the region on a solid path towards a sustainable energy future, while contributing towards shared prosperity," the statement said.

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