World

ASEAN boasts potential of world's battery

He stressed that the deployment of smart grids would demonstrate ASEAN’s collective commitment to climate mitigation and green initiatives, adding that the bloc has the potential to become a major energy provider, or “battery”, for the world.

Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) must accelerate the development of smart grid systems and digitalisation to enhance regional energy cooperation and position the bloc as a global green energy powerhouse, according to Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

Speaking at a panel session of the ASEAN Climate Forum in Jakarta, he noted that stronger digitalisation would support cross-border electricity interconnections among member states and improve coordination in managing regional power systems.

He stressed that the deployment of smart grids would demonstrate ASEAN’s collective commitment to climate mitigation and green initiatives, adding that the bloc has the potential to become a major energy provider, or “battery”, for the world.

Fadillah, who is also Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation of Malaysia, said ASEAN has significant potential to become a key player in the green economy, but this can only be realised through close cooperation among member countries.

He added that Malaysia stands ready to support the Philippines, ASEAN Chair in 2026, in advancing green agendas, particularly the ASEAN Power Grid initiative, which has secured investment commitments worth 2 billion USD from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.

He stressed that blended finance mechanisms and investment mobilisation play a crucial role in helping ASEAN achieve regional grid connectivity goals. Malaysia is currently implementing several projects to enhance cross-border power links, including the Borneo Grid initiative connecting the Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah with Indonesia’s Kalimantan, Brunei and Peninsular Malaysia via subsea cables.

The development of smart grid systems, he noted, is not only a key lever to improve regional connectivity but also contributes to ensuring ASEAN’s energy security and gradually reinforcing its central role in the global clean energy transition./.

VNA
#ASEAN #smart grid systems #green energy powerhouse #Malaysia
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

Malaysia’s manufacturing sector expected to sustain growth into 2026

Malaysia’s manufacturing sector expected to sustain growth into 2026

RHB Investment Bank maintained an optimistic view on the sector’s prospects, forecasting IPI growth of 4.1% in 2026. Despite concerns over a global economic slowdown, higher tariffs and geopolitical volatility, industrial activity is expected to remain on a growth trajectory. For the whole of 2025, Malaysia’s IPI expanded by 3.6%, nearly matching the 3.7% increase recorded in 2024.

The Vietnam–Malaysia–Singapore (VMS) offshore wind initiative is expected to have a capacity of up to 2,000 MW. (Photo: VNA)

Advancing ASEAN cross-border power grid links

With coherent policies, advanced technologies and adequate financing in place, ASEAN partners voiced confidence in building a secure, clean and competitive energy future for the region.

See more

Authorities in Banteay Meanchey province raids a building used for online fraud in Poipet city, arresting more than 270 people and seizing a large amount of evidence in July (Photo: AKP/VNA)

Cambodia proposes life imprisonment for leaders of online scam networks

A 2024 report by the United States Institute of Peace estimated that illicit revenues from online scams in Cambodia could exceed 12.5 billion USD annually, equivalent to roughly half of the country’s GDP. Prime Minister Hun Manet has previously said the scam centres are seriously damaging Cambodia’s economy and international image, pledging to “clean up” the problem.

Laos confirms stable fuel supply

Laos confirms stable fuel supply

Government spokesperson Sonexay Sitphaxay and Lao Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Chanthaboun Soukaloun provided an update on the national fuel supply situation.

Singapore diversifies its sources of imported LNG, and also has a fuel stockpile for power-generation companies to draw from. (Photo: Reuters)

Singapore adopts multiple measures to safeguard energy security

On the measures the Singapore government has in place to handle the rise in global gas prices, Tan highlighted that around half of the city-state’s gas is piped to Singapore from the region and is therefore “unaffected”. Moreover, the country diversifies its sources of imported LNG, and hence is “not overly exposed to the Middle East”, he noted.

Philippines eyes non-permanent seat in UN Security Council

Philippines eyes non-permanent seat in UN Security Council

The Philippines has been working with the UN on many important global issues for decades, and its candidacy for the Security Council serves not only the country's own interests but also aims to strengthen its overall cooperation with the world's largest multilateral organisation, President Marcos said.

An Air India Express Boeing 737-300 sits on the runway at Phuket airport shortly after making a hard landing on March 11. (Photo: Phuket International Airport)

Aircraft incident disrupts operations at Thailand’s Phuket airport

Preliminary findings indicated that the aircraft made a hard landing, resulting in damage to the landing gear and nose gear assembly. The incident caused the aircraft to veer off the runway and prevented it from being moved immediately, leading airport authorities to suspend runway operations.

Indonesian authorities rescue 34 stranded pilot whales

Indonesian authorities rescue 34 stranded pilot whales

The agency's head Imam Fauzi said his team conducted rescue operations for a total of 55 stranded whales from March 9 night to March 10 in a coordinated effort involving local security forces, conservation agencies, officials, and residents. Twenty-one whales were declared dead after stranding.

Indonesia shipped 1.8 million tonnes of palm oil to the Middle East in 2025. (Photo: REUTERS)

Middle East conflict pushes up Indonesia’s palm oil export costs

The conflict, which intensified after coordinated strikes by the US and Israel on Iran’s capital Tehran late last month, had disrupted key maritime routes through the Strait of Hormuz. As a result, some cargo vessels were delayed or forced to take longer alternative routes, raising transport expenses and maritime insurance premiums.

Minister of State Apparatus Utilization and Bureaucratic Reform Rini Widyantini (Photo: beritasatu.com)

Indonesia steps up plan to relocate civil servants to new capital

A meeting to review progress and implementation mechanisms for the relocation plan focused on office capacity in Nusantara, the availability of official housing and the criteria for selecting ministries and agencies that will relocate in the initial phase.

Delegates at the press briefing (Photo: Tempo.co)

Indonesia likely to achieve 6% growth amid geopolitical uncertainty

At a press briefing in Jakarta on March 11 to release the state budget report, Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi said the Indonesian economy remained in an expansionary phase, with macroeconomic indicators staying stable. He noted that first-quarter growth was expected to exceed the 5.39% recorded in the final quarter of 2025.