Cambodia & Singapore Push for ASEAN Power Grid to Combat Rising Electricity Prices & Promote Green Energy

• 8 June 2024
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Cambodia and Singapore have proposed the re-establishment of the ASEAN Power Grid, aiming to promote green energy, protect the environment, and control rising electricity prices. This initiative, announced by Minister of Mines and Energy Keo Rattanak in a video released on 4 June 2024, comes 25 years after ASEAN initially set this goal but was unable to achieve it.

Minister Keo Rattanak highlighted that this initiative is not only environmentally beneficial but also enhances economic competition, and investment opportunities, and creates new job opportunities for the youth. He mentioned that the recent meeting on the ASEAN Electricity Grid Project was positive, with Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, and Malaysia showing commitment to achieving this important goal for ASEAN unity.

In September 2024, a meeting of ASEAN Energy Ministers will be held in Vientiane, Laos, where Cambodia and Singapore plan to further discuss connecting the 10 ASEAN power grids.

Historically, electricity connections have been bilateral, such as Cambodia’s connections with Vietnam and Laos, and Singapore’s connections with Malaysia, Thailand, and Laos. Minister Keo Rattanak emphasised that this initiative presents an opportunity for Cambodia to generate energy for domestic use and open channels for electricity export to the 10 ASEAN countries, which would attract long-term investment to Cambodia as well.

This revitalised push for the ASEAN Power Grid aims to ensure sustainable energy development across the region, offering a comprehensive solution to the challenges of rising electricity prices and environmental concerns.

• Energy and Environment
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