Under Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship, Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof has announced an ambitious push for greater regional energy integration, spotlighting the ASEAN Power Grid as a central pillar for enabling cross-border renewable energy trade. Speaking at the Asia Pacific Business Forum, Fadillah emphasized Malaysia’s commitment to spearheading grid modernization, regulatory harmonization, and green financing models. The country will also drive innovation in clean energy technology, particularly solar, hydrogen, and AI-integrated energy systems—while promoting itself as a regional hub for sustainable investment. These efforts aim to solidify ASEAN’s role in shaping a greener, more resilient energy future, bolstered by collaboration with partners such as UNESCAP, ADB, and IRENA.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reaffirmed ASEAN’s strategic focus on internal resilience amidst global uncertainties, noting that regional cooperation on energy security and financial connectivity remains a priority. He stated that ASEAN is pushing forward with an energy transition initiative aimed to strengthen regional energy security, highlighting recent agreements facilitating power transfer from Vietnam to Malaysia via Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand—an early win for cross-border energy trade, though investment challenges remain.
