ASEAN Energy Regulatory Forum

Regional power integration is a key lever for ASEAN’s energy transition and achieving the region’s ambitious decarbonisation goals. The ASEAN energy landscape consists of a spectrum of technical standards, regulatory frameworks and market structures. To facilitate effective and efficient development of cross-border power interconnections, regulators, utilities, and industry are working to align on common frameworks that govern third-party access, pricing, and emissions accounting.

This session will explore how regulatory authorities and industry stakeholders are addressing technical, regulatory, and policy challenges, and the coordination mechanisms required to enable a reliable, efficient, and equitable regional power grid.

Discussion Topics:

• Bridging gaps between diverse nations in Southeast Asia
• Which regulatory frameworks must converge to enable multilateral electricity trading?
• How can regional emissions accounting be standardised to support renewable energy imports?
• What tools or mechanisms could facilitate trust and verification between national systems?
• Can ASEAN regulators jointly define minimum standards for open access and system reliability?

Moderator:

• Jean Louis Neves Mandelli, Partner, Ashurst

Across Southeast Asia, the growing demand for clean and reliable electricity is accelerating the development of cross-border interconnectors. From subsea cables to high-voltage transmission systems (HVDC), these assets are key to enhancing system flexibility, optimising generation portfolios, and enabling large-scale renewable energy integration across borders. Yet despite technological feasibility, progress is often slowed by permitting delays, financing risks, and regulatory misalignment.

This session will convene regulators, industry leaders, and financial experts to explore the regulatory frameworks, coordination models, and financing mechanisms required to deliver bankable, cross-border interconnector projects.

Discussion Topics:

• What regulatory frameworks can unlock long-term capital for cross-border interconnectors?
• How can joint licensing and coordinated regulatory processes reduce complexity and approval delays?
• What role do risk-sharing arrangements and financing structures play in accelerating interconnector delivery?
• How can regulators balance investor certainty with national policy needs?

Panellists:

• Ganesh Padmanabhan, Head of Project Finance, Institutional Banking Group, DBS Bank

Moderator:

• Yatin Premchand, Managing Director, Infrastructure Advisory, EMEA and APAC, Black & Veatch

Subsea power cables are becoming a critical component of ASEAN’s future energy system. These interconnections will enhance regional power reliability, enable greater renewable energy exchange, and support national energy transition targets. With multiple cross-border projects now progressing subsea cables are rapidly moving from concept to construction.

This closing spotlight will reflect on how ASEAN can strengthen coordination for subsea interconnections, for planning, licensing, and managing subsea cables across multiple to ensure the interconnection become a secure and lasting foundation for the ASEAN Power Grid.

Discussion Topics:

• Strengthening cross-border coordination among ASEAN regulators and utilities
• Technical and operational standards for reliability and grid stability
• Lessons from emerging corss-border cable projects and what they mean for ASEAN’s wider Power Grid vision

Panellists:

• Maxime Toulotte, Markets & New Solutions Director for the Power Transmission Business Group, Nexans