Kuala lumpur: Malaysia is set to play a pivotal role in the implementation of the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) starting next year, with the country well-positioned to anchor the regional initiative aimed at integrating electricity transmission networks across Southeast Asia. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof highlighted the nation’s readiness to lead this ambitious project, which seeks to enhance energy connectivity across the region.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, key decisions regarding the APG roadmap are anticipated to be finalized at the 43rd ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) in Kuala Lumpur this October. This follows promising advancements made during the recent Senior Officials Meeting on Energy (SOME). The roadmap has received agreement in principle, and implementation is expected to commence next year, pending endorsement by ASEAN leaders.

Fadillah, who also serves as Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, emphasized Malaysia’s infrastructure readiness and cross-border interconnection capabilities. These factors place the country in a strong position to support the rollout of the regional grid. He noted that Malaysia’s grid system, already connected to Thailand, Laos, and Singapore, needs further upgrades and regulatory alignment among member states to achieve the project’s goals.

The APG, introduced in 1997, is a comprehensive initiative to interconnect the electricity infrastructure among the bloc’s 10 member countries. It aims to achieve a fully integrated grid operation by 2045, fostering energy security and sustainability across Southeast Asia.