ASEAN Power Grid

The ASEAN Power Grid is a key initiative under the ASEAN Vision 2020 and has the goal of achieving regional interconnection for energy security, accessibility, affordability and sustainability. The APG is a regional power interconnection initiative aiming to connect the electricity infrastructure of the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
The main goal of the ASEAN Power Grid is to ensure energy security in the ASEAN region by integrating the power infrastructure across different countries. This includes the construction of cross-border power interconnections, which would allow the sharing of excess power capacity among ASEAN countries. The APG initiative is expected to enhance electricity trade across borders, meet the rising electricity demand, and improve access to energy services in the region. It is also seen as a way to promote the use of renewable energy sources within the region.

History

In 1981, the first official discussions on the state of electricity grids within ASEAN began. This resulted in the creation of the "Heads of ASEAN Power Utilities/Authorities" group, otherwise known as HAPUA. However, it wasn't until 1996 that a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by members of ASEAN to give HAPUA 10 overarching goals, with one being power interconnectivity within each member state.
The first discussions on inter-border energy trading took place during the Agreement on ASEAN Energy Cooperation in Manila, on June 24, 1986. This conference and the ensuing agreement highlighted the importance of cooperation among ASEAN members to develop energy resources and improve the economic integration of ASEAN collectively.
During the Second ASEAN Informal Summit in Kuala Lumpur, on December 15, 1997, the "ASEAN Power Grid" was first mentioned in official documents as part of the "ASEAN Vision 2020" and within the "Hanoi Plan of Action". This event also marked the first time the organisation articulated the APG as the end goal for a unified energy market.
A roadmap for the APG was first mentioned during the "17th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting" in Bangkok on July 3, 1999. The meeting established the "ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation" for the years 2004–2009. A subsequent APAEC plan, covering 2004 to 2009, was adopted at the 22nd AMEM in Makati City on June 9, 2004. Both plans promoted the development of a policy framework that would guide legal and technical implementation methods. The ultimate goal of these plans was to establish an "Interconnection Master Plan" to help achieve the objectives outlined in the ASEAN Vision 2020.
The legal aspect of this "Master Plan" was agreed as the "ASEAN Power Grid's Roadmap for Integration" at the 20th AMEM Meeting in Bali on July 5, 2002. A final report titled the "ASEAN Interconnection Master Plan Study " was approved by the 21st AMEM in Langkawi on July 3, 2003, to serve as the guiding document for the implementation of power interconnection projects.
The full technical specifications of the project were initially agreed upon at the Tenth ASEAN Summit in Vientiane on November 29, 2004, and named the "Vientiane Action Programme 2004-2010". The plan agreed upon a policy framework for power interconnection and trade, alongside the improvement of energy infrastructure in ASEAN. Again, there was a specific focus on interconnection projects between individual member states, as highlighted at the 2002 meeting.
In 2007, the APGCC was established under HAPUA as an advisory committee dedicated to creating and maintaining a framework to create the APG.
In 2012, HAPUA was reorganised into 5 working groups, with one focused solely on inter-member transmission and the APG.
In 2015, the 31st meeting of HAPUA took place, discussing the goal of achieving a 25% renewable energy mix by 2020 for the ASEAN power grid and reviewing funding proposals for the APG. The implementation of the Lao PDR – Thailand – Malaysia – Singapore Power Integration Project was slated for 2018, with the expectation that insights gained would aid in addressing legal and tax harmonisation issues pertinent to establishing the ASEAN Electricity Regulator, APG Transmission System Operator, and APG Generation & Transmission Planning institutions.

Implementation

The implementation of the APG is expected to be carried out in stages, starting with bilateral agreements between neighbouring countries. These are then gradually to be expanded to sub-regional bases, eventually leading to a fully integrated power grid system in Southeast Asia.
As of now, several bilateral cross-border interconnections have been established, such as those between Thailand, Laos, Singapore, and Malaysia.
The APGCC, the current technical committee leading development, has made a goal to create 16 interconnection projects with 27 physical links. Thirteen links are currently operating with a total capacity of 5.212 MW.

Current system

The current combined ASEAN grid is quickly growing, with particular increases in generation within Indonesia and Vietnam.

Name	Converter station 1	Converter station 2	Additional stations	Total Length	Nominal Voltage	Power	Year	Type	Remarks	Ref
Peninsular Malaysia – Singapore	Plentong, Malaysia	Woodlands, Singapore			230	450		EE
Peninsular Malaysia – Sumatra	Melaka	Pekan Baru				600		PP: SM->PM & EE	Under Construction
Thailand - Peninsular Malaysia	Sadao, Thailand	Bukit Keteri, Malaysia			132/115	80		EE
Thailand - Peninsular Malaysia	Su-ngai kolok	Rantau Panjang			132/115	100		EE	Under Construction
Thailand - Malaysia	Khlong Ngae, Thailand	Gurun, Malaysia		110	300	300	2001	Thyr	Supplier: Siemens
Sarawak – West Kalimantan	Mambong, Malaysia	Bengkayang, Indonesia			275	70 − 230		EE
Sarawak – Sabah – Brunei	Sarawak	Brunei			275	2×100		EE	Under Construction
Thailand – Lao PDR	Nakhon Phanom, Thailand	Thakhek, Laos	Hinboun, Laos		230	220		PP: La->Th
Thailand – Lao PDR	Ubon Ratchathani 2, Thailand	Houay Ho, Laos			230	126		PP: La->Th
Thailand – Lao PDR	Roi Et 2, Thailand	Nam Theun 2, Laos			230	948		PP: La->Th
Thailand – Lao PDR	Udon Thani 3	Na Bong	Nam Ngum 2		500	597		PP: La->Th
Thailand – Lao PDR	Nakhon Phanom 2	Thakhek	Theun Hinboun		230	220		PP: La->Th
Thailand – Lao PDR	Mae Moh 3	Nan 2	Hong Sa # 1, 2, 3		500	1473		PP: La->Th
Thailand – Lao PDR	Udon Thani 3	Na Bong	Nam Ngiep 1		500	269		PP: La->Th	Under Construction
Thailand – Lao PDR	Ubon Ratchathani 3	Pakse	Xe Pien Xe Namnoi		500	390		PP: La->Th	Under Construction
Thailand – Lao PDR	Khon Kaen 4	Loei 2, Xayaburi			500	1220		PP: La->Th	Under Construction
Lao PDR – Vietnam	Xekaman 3	Thanhmy				200		PP: La->Vn
Lao PDR – Vietnam	Xekaman 1	Ban Hat San	Pleiku		500	1000		PP: La->Vn	Under Construction
Lao PDR – Vietnam	Nam Mo	Ban Ve			230	100		PP: La->Vn	Under Construction
Lao PDR – Vietnam	Luang Prabang	Nho Quan			500	1410		PP: La->Vn	Under Construction
Lao PDR – Cambodia	Ban Hat	Stung Treng			230	300		PP: La->Kh	Under Construction
Vietnam – Cambodia	Chau Doc	Takeo	Phnom Penh		230	200		PP: Vn->Kh
Thailand – Cambodia	Aranyaprathet	Bantey Meanchey			115	100		PP: Vn->Kh

Brunei

Brunei, along with Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, has initiated a pilot project known as the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines Power Integration Project. This project aims to study cross-border power trade among these countries.

Indonesia

Indonesia is set to launch the Nusantara Grid Project in 2025, which will connect the power networks among Indonesian islands, optimizing the use of renewable energy resources across the archipelago.