Latest news with #43rdAseanSeniorOfficialsMeetingonEnergy
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sarawak showcases clean energy potential at Asean energy meet
Mad Zaidi speaks to the media. – Photo from Information Department KUCHING (June 18): The 43rd Asean Senior Officials Meeting on Energy (SOME) provided an excellent platform for Sarawak to highlight its potential leadership in the regional clean energy agenda, said Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (Petra) secretary-general Datuk Mad Zaidi Mohd Karli. He said the meeting, which concluded today here, has allowed Sarawak to demonstrate its strengths to energy officials from across Asean. 'This meeting was a great opportunity to introduce Sarawak to Asean delegates as a state rich in natural resources and committed to renewable energy. 'It showed Sarawak is ready to play an important role in the regional energy agenda,' he told reporters after the meeting. Held over three days from June 16, the meeting aimed to align regional energy policies and review the progress of the Asean Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC). Hosted by Malaysia through Petra, the event also served as a preparatory platform for the upcoming Asean Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) in October. It brought together senior energy officials from all 10 Asean member states – Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam – alongside Timor-Leste as an observer. Dialogue partners included China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the European Union. Nearly 250 delegates participated, including representatives from the Asean Secretariat, Asean Centre for Energy (ACE), and international organisations such as the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), International Energy Agency (IEA), Economic Research Institute for Asean and East Asia (ERIA), Asian Development Bank (ADB), and World Bank. According to a statement from Petra, six high-level meetings were successfully convened during the 43rd SOME. Key outcomes included significant progress on the Asean Power Grid initiative, with the ADB presenting its 2025–2026 work plan focused on clean energy transitions and sustainable infrastructure via innovative financing frameworks. The 16th SOME-Russia Energy Consultation explored cooperation in oil, gas, and nuclear energy, while initiating discussions on a new energy cooperation plan for 2026–2028. Meanwhile, the 16th SOME–United States Energy Consultation emphasised decarbonisation and the expansion of renewable energy across the region.
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Cross-border interconnection projects under Asean Power Grid take centre stage at senior officials meeting in Kuching
Senior officials attend the second day of the meeting in Kuching today. – Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (June 17): The implementation of cross-border interconnection projects under the Asean Power Grid (APG) initiative took centre stage during the 43rd Asean Senior Officials Meeting on Energy (SOME) as the meeting reaffirmed Asean's commitment to regional energy integration and cooperation. The Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (Petra) said delegates also shared updates on the implementation of key interconnection projects and initiatives under the APG framework during the meeting. 'Discussions also centred on the review of the Asean Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase II (2021–2025), and the ongoing formulation of APAEC Phase III (2026–2030), which will chart the region's energy cooperation strategy in the coming years. 'Other key agenda items included the status of the Lao PDR–Thailand–Malaysia–Singapore Power Integration Project (LTMS-PIP), which represents a significant step in multilateral energy trade among Asean nations,' Petra said in a statement today. The ministry said energy transition policies were also highlighted, particularly efforts to scale up renewable energy, enhance energy efficiency, explore the potential role of nuclear energy, and coordinate regional policies to support a sustainable future. The meeting, which began here yesterday, also additionally acknowledged the membership accession of Timor-Leste as Asean's newest member and discussed early preparations for the Asean Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM), scheduled for October 2025. 'The 43rd SOME meeting reflects the continued commitment of Asean member states toward achieving a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient energy future, with collaboration among stakeholders placing the region on a firm path toward shared energy prosperity,' said Petra. PETRA secretary-general Datuk Mad Zaidi Mohd Karli chaired the meeting in his capacity as chairman of Asean SOME 2025. The meeting organised by the Petra, which ends tomorrow, brings together senior energy officials from all Asean Member States (AMS), with Timor-Leste attending as an observer.
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
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.
Borneo Post
5 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Premier: PM has requested for Sarawak to explore energy grid link to Southern Philippines via Sabah
Abang Johari (second right) and Fadillah (left) seen arriving at the event. KUCHING (June 16): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has requested the Sarawak government to explore the possibility of extending its renewable energy grid to southern Philippines via Sabah, revealed Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. He said the matter is currently under discussion and will be subject to the final decision of the Federal government. 'That (matter) is under discussion. I leave it to the Federal government. If they say okay, then we will do our part in order to extend to the Asean grid. That is the future we have in Sarawak,' he added during a welcoming dinner for the 43rd Asean Senior Officials Meeting on Energy (SOME) held at a local hotel here tonight. Highlighting Sarawak's growing role in regional energy cooperation, Abang Johari noted that the state already supplies electricity to West Kalimantan, Indonesia, and is set to provide up to 100 megawatts to Sabah beginning early next year once the interconnection is completed. He said Sarawak Energy has also taken a 25 per cent equity stake in the Mentarang Induk hydropower project in North Kalimantan, Indonesia, further cementing Sarawak's commitment to cross-border energy integration in Borneo. 'With the technology available and advanced technology that can produce the cleanest energy, we are able to contribute in a small way from Sarawak to the Asean power grid,' he said. On Sarawak's energy development roadmap, the Premier said the state currently has an installed capacity of 7 gigawatts, of which 65 per cent is derived from hydropower. Plans are in place to raise this to 10 gigawatts by 2030. Key projects contributing to this goal include new gas turbine plants in Bintulu (1,000MW) and Miri (500MW), as well as the upcoming Baleh Hydroelectric Project in Kapit, which will add another 1.2 gigawatts to the state grid. 'We are a small country with a population of over 2.8 million, and if we have a surplus of power, we share with our brothers and sisters in Asean,' he said. Abang Johari also reiterated Sarawak's commitment to hydrogen as a future energy source. He highlighted ongoing collaborations with Japan, South Korea, Petronas subsidiary Gentari, and Siemens to produce hydrogen through electrolysis. 'God permits, by next year we will have a public transport ART (Autonomous Rapid Transit) fuelled by hydrogen. We will be the first in this region,' he said. He further shared Sarawak's initiatives under its Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) policy, development of the Sarawak Gas Roadmap through state-owned Petros, and plans to expand methanol and ammonia production to serve energy and industrial sectors, including international shipping. 'Our methanol plant is already producing 5,000 tonnes per day, and we are exporting to China. Perhaps one day this methanol can be converted into ammonia as another form of energy,' he said. Welcoming the Asean SOME delegates, Abang Johari expressed hope that their visit would also offer an opportunity to experience Sarawak's vibrant culture and development achievements. He concluded by expressing confidence that the Asean region, working together in the spirit of mutual understanding and technological collaboration, can secure a brighter and more sustainable energy future. 'I wish you all the best in your deliberations, and may the future of ASEAN be bright,' he said. Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, PETRA Secretary General Dato' Mad Zaidi Mohd Karli and other officials. Abang Johari Tun Openg anwar ibrahim Asean energy grid renewable energy
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
S'wak ready to contribute energy resources to Asean Power Grid, says Abang Johari
KUCHING: Sarawak is ready to contribute its energy resources to the Asean Power Grid, says Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg. The Sarawak Premier said the state planned to increase its installed power capacity from seven gigawatts (GW) now to 10GW by 2030, maintaining a ratio of 60-70% from renewable energy based on hydropower and the rest from gas turbines. He said Sarawak was building 1.5GW gas turbines in Bintulu and Miri, while the upcoming Baleh hydroelectric plant will produce 1.2GW. "In the next four years we will be able to add another 3GW to the present installed capacity of 7GW. "And if we have surplus power, we share it with our brothers and sisters in Asean," he said at the welcoming dinner of the 43rd Asean Senior Officials Meeting on Energy here on Monday (June 16) night. Abang Johari said Sarawak was already supplying power to West Kalimantan and will supply 100MW to Sabah starting next year. He said a proposal to extend the power supply from Sabah to southern Philippines was under discussion. "I leave that to the Federal Government. If they say okay, then we will do our part to extend it. "I am sure that with the technology available, we are able to contribute in a small way to the Asean Power Grid," he said.
