SIEW 2025: Energy leaders call for regional unity to drive ASEAN’s clean energy future

This year’s theme, “Envisioning Energy Tomorrow, Building Systems Today”, underscores the need for innovation and cooperation as Asia works to balance growth, affordability, and sustainability amid surging energy demand.

Speaking at the SIEW Summit, Singapore’s Minister for Manpower and Minister in Charge of Energy, Science and Technology Dr. Tan See Leng said the region’s energy landscape faces growing challenges, as geopolitical tensions have prompted countries to reassess their climate ambitions, prioritising economic resilience and self-sufficiency over decarbonisation.

He also highlighted the ASEAN Power Grid as central to unlocking the region’s vast renewable potential.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates Southeast Asia holds more than 20 terawatts of untapped solar and wind capacity, and even more when hydropower and geothermal sources are included.

“Singapore cannot build this grid alone; we must partner with other countries.

“We have made strong progress with partners from Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Australia," he said.

At the recent 43rd ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM), Singapore granted conditional approval for a project to import about one gigawatt of hydropower from Sarawak, Malaysia, by 2035.

A feasibility study is also under way for a second interconnector between Singapore and Malaysia, which could provide up to two gigawatts of capacity by 2030, supplementing the existing one-gigawatt link.

The project forms part of efforts to enhance regional grid interconnectivity and bolster energy resilience.

Singapore aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, with clean energy imports and cross-border integration playing a key role in maintaining both reliability and affordability.

Meanwhile, Energy Market Authority (EMA) Chief Executive Puah Kok Keong stressed that no country can meet its decarbonisation targets in isolation.

“Many other countries face similar challenges and are more advanced in tackling the energy transition.

“Their policy, regulatory, and financial experience can help accelerate our progress.” he said.

He highlighted the Lao PDR–Thailand–Malaysia–Singapore Power Integration Project as a key milestone, enabling cross-border electricity trading between the four countries, stressing how regional interconnections can pave the way for a fully-realised ASEAN Power Grid in the future.

Now in its 18th year, SIEW, organised by the EMA under the Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry, brings together policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to explore strategies for building a secure and sustainable energy future for the region.