More than 160 participants from various sectors have gathered in Singapore for the seventh instalment of the Singapore-IEA Regional Training Programme on Seizing Opportunities with Regional Power Grids. Taking place from 30 to 31 May 2023, this training initiative serves as a platform for policymakers, regulators, utilities, and industry experts to come together and explore the vast opportunities associated with advancing regional power grids.
The importance of regional integration and multilateral power trading is emphasized in the Southeast Asia Energy Outlook 2022 by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Such integration holds great potential in enhancing the flexibility of power systems and facilitating the integration of variable renewable resources. Moreover, regional power grids can play a pivotal role in accelerating the development and financing of renewable energy projects, while driving significant economic and social benefits for the entire region. Building upon the success of the Lao PDR-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project (LTMS-PIP) initiated in June 2022, the region is now striving for further collaboration to realize the vision of the ASEAN Power Grid.
The training programme aims to foster knowledge sharing and cultivate expertise in cross-border electricity trading, with a particular focus on addressing the challenges posed by the region’s archipelagic geography. Distinguished speakers from organizations such as the IEA, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for the Asia Pacific (UN ESCAP), Keppel Electric, and the ASEAN Centre for Energy will share their insights and best practices.
Mr Ngiam Shih Chun, Chief Executive of the Energy Market Authority (EMA), highlighted the pivotal role of regional energy connectivity in driving decarbonization, enhancing energy resilience, and improving access to energy. By promoting the cross-border trade of clean energy, the feasibility of renewable energy projects can be enhanced, contributing to the realization of the region’s significant renewable energy potential. Mr Chun expressed gratitude to the IEA and other regional partners for their fruitful collaboration, which strengthens collective capabilities in cross-border electricity trading.
Dr Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the IEA, stressed the importance of further integrating national power systems across Southeast Asia as a key priority. This integration will enable a greater share of the region’s rising electricity demand to be met by renewables in a cost-effective, reliable, and sustainable manner. The IEA is delighted to partner with Singapore in training government officials and industry representatives, facilitating the fast-tracking of regional power grid integration.
Looking ahead, Singapore and the IEA will co-host the Singapore-IEA Ministerial Forum on 24 October 2023 during the 16th Singapore International Energy Week, continuing their collaborative efforts to drive sustainable energy solutions and regional power grid integration.
