Accelerating Progress on the ASEAN Power Grid 2.0: Lessons from the LTMS-PIP and Beyond

In June 2023, the Laos-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project (LTMS-PIP) celebrated its one-year anniversary, demonstrating the successful import of up to 100 megawatts of hydropower from Lao PDR to Singapore through Thailand and Malaysia. Hailed as an historic pathfinder project, the LTMS-PIP delivers a proof-of-concept for multilateral power trade in the region, but ASEAN’s ambition goes much further. Through the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) initiative, ASEAN envisions the development of more cross-border connections and eventually a regionally integrated power market with a trading capacity of over 30 gigawatts which will support both the energy security and decarbonisation of the power sector across ASEAN countries. What can experiences from the LTMS-PIP tell us about the opportunities and challenges ahead? What are the next steps which ASEAN stakeholders can undertake to build on the successful commencement of the LTMS-PIP? What lessons might be learned from experiences in other regions? This roundtable discusses the key takeaway from LTMS-PIP Project and outlines the path forward for ASEAN stakeholders.