Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) whether the Government envisions a larger role for Singapore in realising the ASEAN Power Grid; and (b) whether the Government is considering direct investments in renewable and sustainable cross-border electricity infrastructure to ensure electricity sustainability.
The Second Minister for Trade and Industry (Dr Tan See Leng) (for the Minister for Trade and Industry): The ASEAN Power Grid is ASEAN’s vision to integrate the national power systems of its 10 member states. This will create opportunities for mutual support and electricity trading among the member states. The support of all ASEAN member states is necessary to realise this vision. And Singapore is committed to playing our part.
Singapore has been working with various countries on pathfinder projects such as the Lao PDR-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project. We have also signed several Memoranda of Understanding with like-minded countries such as Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam – and I think Members know, with Indonesia as well – to advance our collective energy interests and facilitate regional decarbonisation.
Last week, Indonesia and Singapore signed the MOU on Renewable Energy Cooperation where we will collaborate on cross-border electricity trading projects.
We are also working with the US on a feasibility study on regional energy connectivity to support the development of the ASEAN Power Grid. The ASEAN Power Grid can facilitate ASEAN’s decarbonisation efforts. There is significant renewable energy potential in the Southeast Asia region. Building energy interconnections can help to realise this potential by joining the producing regions to the consumption points or regions.
At this point in time, the Government does not intend to invest directly in cross-border infrastructure. Our focus is to work with regional partners to provide the framework, regulations as well as the ecosystem that will enable commercial players to build the infrastructure. We will continue to work closely with all of our regional partners and with this year’s ASEAN Chair, Indonesia, to realise the ASEAN Power Grid.
Ministry of Trade and Industry
22 March 2023
https://sprs.parl.gov.sg/search/#/sprs3topic?reportid=oral-answer-3180
Office of the Leader of the Opposition 