LTMS Power Grid A Model For ASEAN Power Integration

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- The Laos-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore (LTMS) Power Integration Project (PIP) and the proposed Peninsular and Borneo grids will serve as models for ASEAN’s push towards a fully connected regional power network, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

Fadillah, who is also the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, said the existing sub-regional link demonstrates the feasibility of cross-border electricity trading and should be expanded to cover all ASEAN member states. 

He said the development of the Borneo grid, connecting Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei, Kalimantan (Indonesia) and the Philippines, along with the Peninsular Malaysia grid linking to Singapore, would help unlock the region’s vast renewable energy potential.

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Fadillah noted that geographically, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore can be linked by land, and partly through undersea cables from Vietnam to Peninsular Malaysia and onward by land to Singapore.

He added that Singapore can be linked to Indonesia via undersea cables, while the Borneo grid—connecting Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei and Kalimantan with abundant green energy resources—could be connected to Peninsular Malaysia through undersea cables from Sarawak to Singapore and Johor.

The deputy prime minister said this when participating as a panelist on the ‘Powering ASEAN’s Green Economic Growth’ panel discussion at the ASEAN-EU Business Summit 2025 here, today.

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He said Sabah’s grid could also be connected to the Philippines, enabling full ASEAN-wide interconnection and seamless cross-border electricity trading.

To achieve this, he stressed the need for ASEAN member states to work closely with the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), which serves as a neutral platform for knowledge sharing, coordination and alignment in realising the ASEAN Power Grid (APG).

Fadillah said ASEAN is expected to endorse an enhanced memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the APG at the ASEAN Energy Ministers’ Meeting in October, marking a shift from bilateral to multilateral electricity trading.

He also outlined Malaysia’s vision of strengthening cross-border links, harmonising market rules and ensuring transparent, efficient energy exchanges. 

Fadillah also stressed capacity building through organisations like the ACE, the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), which have already contributed to Malaysia’s Southeast Energy Outlook and renewable energy roadmap.

Reaffirming Malaysia’s goal of sourcing 70 per cent of its energy mix from renewables by 2050, he said regional collaboration is essential. 

He cited Malaysia’s Enabling Transparent Cross-Border Renewable Energy Trading Mechanism (NETM), piloted with Singapore, as a successful model to be scaled up ASEAN-wide.

The panel discussion also featured HSBC Amanah Malaysia chief executive officer and chief sustainability officer, Raja Amir Shah Raja Azwa; Evonik Thailand managing director (MD) Dr Matthias Pascaly; European Investment Bank’s (EIB) Regional Head for Southeast Asia and Pacific, Sunita Lukkhoo; and Siemens Energy Malaysia MD Azli Mohamed.

-- BERNAMA