Its president and CEO, Baharin Din, said that on a regional level, TNB is proactively identifying transmission grid locations that will improve market integration, adding that it will work closely with local authorities.

“Given the time required to plan and set up the necessary regulatory, financial and physical infrastructure, the region must act swiftly to accelerate these efforts.

“All of us must play our part in our shared journey towards a greener, more equitable and resilient future,” he said in a statement today.

Baharin said Asean power utility companies need to accelerate collaborations towards achieving an interconnected Asean power grid (APG) in support of the region’s collective goal of achieving net zero emissions as member countries shift to cleaner and more sustainable energy.

He said an interconnected grid like the APG is crucial in helping Asean member countries leverage resources from their neighbours during times of crisis, as well as providing the opportunity to trade and leverage the pricing of resources at other times.

As Asean’s power utilities accelerate their transition to a sustainable future, he said, the sharing of renewable energy sources will spur incremental inflow of private investments as well as drive innovation and growth of clean energy in the region.

Citing the successful commencement of the Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore Power Integration Project this year, Baharin said he is confident that Asean power companies can work towards realising the APG.

“We are in a good position to design a power trade framework that hopefully will match each country’s electricity industry structure and provide a win-win situation for all,” he said.