ACES: Strengthening Regional Connectivity for Tomorrow's Clean Energy Systems

by Mounika V Oct 28, 2025, 14:24 PM

H.E. Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Ministry of Trade and Industry, Republic of Singapore, delivered the opening address at the Asia Clean Energy Summit (ACES) 2025. She called for stronger regional connectivity to accelerate ASEAN's shared clean energy transition.

In his welcome remarks, Edwin Khew, Chairman, Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS), highlighted ASEAN's growing momentum in clean energy cooperation. He stressed that stronger communication and partnerships are key to overcoming challenges in grid capacity, regulation and financing.

Building on this message, H.E. Ms Gan outlined three priorities to accelerate the region's clean energy transition: the need to strengthen interconnectivity, build capabilities, and deepen public-private collaboration. Her address echoed SIEW 2025’s theme, ‘Envisioning Energy Tomorrow, Building Systems Today’, underscoring that the systems built today will shape ASEAN’s energy future.

Connectivity through the ASEAN Power Grid

The ASEAN Power Grid (APG) remains central to the region's clean energy ambitions. It will unlock renewable resources, create green jobs, and strengthen energy resilience across Southeast Asia.

H.E. Ms Gan shared that the region is making steady progress on projects forming the APG’s foundation. The Energy Market Authority (EMA) has given conditional approval to Sembcorp Utilities to import 1 gigawatt (GW) of hydropower from Sarawak. This marks Singapore’s first large-scale electricity import from Malaysia and brings the regional pipeline to about 8 GW.

She also highlighted the ASEAN Energy Ministers’ endorsement of a Submarine Power Cables Development Framework. This is a move that will expand connectivity through new subsea routes. Singapore and Malaysia will soon begin feasibility studies for a second interconnector, which could support up to 2 GW of two-way power flows by 2030.

Singapore has also launched a Cross-Border Electricity Trade Framework with Australia to establish shared norms and best practices for regional power trade. Together, these initiatives signal real momentum towards ASEAN’s goal of realising the APG by 2045.

Connectivity through capability building

Connectivity is not only about linking power grids. It also means building the region's knowledge, skills, and institutions to ensure the energy transition is inclusive and people-centred.

Partnerships with the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) are key to these efforts. The IEA's Regional Cooperation Centre in Singapore has strengthened regional networks and advanced research on low-carbon technologies such as hydrogen, solar and wind.

IRENA will be unveiling the Accelerated Partnership for Renewable Energy in Southeast Asia (APRESA). This will help countries deploy renewables, develop decentralised energy solutions, and build workforce capabilities.

The 9th Singapore–IEA Regional Training Programme also brought together more than 200 policymakers and industry leaders to share practical insights on sustainable energy systems. These partnerships reflect a shared commitment to an energy transition that is both low-carbon and people-centred.

Connectivity through public-private collaboration

H.E. Ms Gan highlighted the vital role of public-private collaboration in scaling clean energy efforts. While governments set the direction, she noted that businesses drive implementation by investing in infrastructure, deploying innovation, and accelerating renewable projects.

 

A key announcement at ACES 2025 was the draft Cross-Border Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) Framework. It was jointly developed by Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, the EMA, and the International Tracking Standard Foundation. The framework provides a trusted system to track renewable electricity traded across borders and builds on international best practices. It has gained early support from the RE100 initiative, ASEAN Centre for Energy, Asia Clean Energy Coalition, and other global partners.

Strengthening market integrity and finance

H.E. Ms Gan also underscored the importance of credible carbon markets to help companies meet their sustainability goals.

She announced new initiatives to build confidence and promote high-integrity participation in the voluntary carbon market. These include:

  • Voluntary Carbon Market Guidance developed with industry to help companies use carbon credits in their decarbonisation plans.
  • Buyers' Coalition led by EnterpriseSG to aggregate regional demand for quality carbon credits.
  • Financial Sector Grant introduced by the Monetary Authority of Singapore to support financial institutions involved in carbon trading and project financing.
  • Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) establishing its first physical office in Singapore. This reinforces Singapore's role as a trusted carbon services hub. The new office will focus on improving standards for transition credits from retiring young coal-fired plants in Southeast Asia.

Looking ahead

H.E. Ms Gan closed her address by noting that global climate ambition faces growing challenges, making regional partnerships more critical than ever. She stressed that Southeast Asia's clean energy future remains within reach. This hinges on countries continuing to strengthen interconnectivity, build capabilities, and deepen public-private collaboration.

Her message reaffirmed Singapore's commitment to regional collaboration. Together with ASEAN partners, Singapore will continue advancing shared progress towards a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.

Stay tuned as the conversation evolves throughout the day. Follow @SIEW_sg on Telegram and X (formerly Twitter) for the latest insights.