SIEWConnects@DBS

As ASEAN economies seek to strengthen their competitiveness, energy connectivity is emerging as a strategic lever for growth, resilience and deeper regional integration. Unlocking this opportunity will require close collaboration across borders, aligning national priorities with regional ambitions, and creating the conditions for long-term investment.

This fireside conversation will explore the role of public institutions, investment platforms and cross-border partnerships in advancing ASEAN's shared energy future. It will offer perspectives on how deeper regional cooperation can accelerate connectivity, unlock investment opportunities, and drive sustainable and interconnected economic growth.

Panellists:

• Stefanus Ade Hadiwidjaja, Managing Director, Investments, Danantara Investment Management
• Lim Wee Seng, Group Head of Energy, Renewables & Infrastructure, Sustainability, Project Finance and Strategic Advisory, DBS (Moderator)

Panellists:

• Ong Teng Koon, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Energy Interconnections
• Assaad Razzouk, Chief Executive Officer, Gurin Energy
• Rana Karadsheh-Haddad, Managing Director, Infrastructure, Asia Pacific, La Caisse
• Vikram Kumar, Director for Infrastructure and Natural Resources in Asia Pacific, IFC
• Ganesh Padmanabhan, Managing Director, Head of Project Finance, DBS Bank (Moderator)

Energy is central to Asia's competitiveness. As economies attract investment in AI, data centres and advanced manufacturing, access to reliable, affordable and lower-carbon power will support where industries grow and thrive. Electricity demand across the region is rising fast, driven by digitalisation and electrification. Meeting this demand securely and affordably will increasingly depend on how well countries share energy resources across borders and how quickly cross-border infrastructure can be built. The ASEAN Power Grid (APG) is gathering momentum, with the enhanced APG agreement and a growing pipeline of cross-border electricity projects creating opportunities to optimise resources across borders, strengthen energy cooperation and support economic growth.

This SIEWConnects@DBS session will bring together policymakers, industry leaders and investors to discuss how regional connectivity can support Asia's competitiveness and growth. The discussion will explore how stakeholders can accelerate cross-border energy projects from agreement to final investment decision, deepen regional cooperation and create the conditions for businesses to invest and expand in the region. As the final SIEWConnects before SIEW 2026, the session will set the stage for discussions in Singapore this October.

Key Discussion Questions:

• How can regional connectivity, including the APG, strengthen Asia's economic competitiveness while advancing energy transition goals?
• What do businesses and investors need in policy, regulation and project structures for cross-border energy projects to move forward with confidence?
• How can governments, industry and financial institutions work together to accelerate regional connectivity and unlock new opportunities for growth?