SINGAPORE does not, for now, plan to invest directly in cross-border infrastructure under the Asean Power Grid initiative, said Second Minister for Trade and Industry Tan See Leng in Parliament on Wednesday (Mar 22).

“Our focus is to work with regional partners to provide the framework, the regulations, as well as the ecosystem that will enable commercial players to build the infrastructure,” he added.

The Asean Power Grid aims to integrate the national power systems of the 10 member states, creating opportunities for mutual support and electricity trading.

Dr Tan was responding to Workers’ Party Member of Parliament Dennis Tan (Hougang SMC), who asked whether the government “envisions a larger role for Singapore in realising the Asean Power Grid” and is considering direct investments in renewable and sustainable cross-border electricity infrastructure.

He said the Asean Power Grid can facilitate decarbonisation efforts since there is “significant renewable energy potential” in the region, adding: “Building energy interconnections can help to realise this potential by joining the producing regions to the consumption points.”

As for Singapore’s role, the minister highlighted the Republic’s involvement in “path-finder” projects, such as the Lao PDR-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project.

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Memoranda of understanding have been signed with countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Indonesia to advance collective energy interests and facilitate regional decarbonisation.

A feasibility study with the US on regional energy connectivity is in the works.

“We will continue to work closely with regional partners and with this year’s Asean chair, Indonesia, to realise the Asean Power Grid,” he said.