Photo 1. Online group photo of the 33rd RE-SSN Participants.
Online, 14 May 2026 – The 33rd Annual Renewable Energy Sub-Sector Network (RE-SSN) Meeting officially concluded a series of meetings to enhance ASEAN’s renewable energy (RE) sector under the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship of 2026. Hosted by the Department of Energy (DOE) of the Philippines, the meeting was held online and attended by 10 ASEAN Member States (AMS), Dialogue Partners (DPs) and International Organisations (IOs), the ASEAN Secretariat, and the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE).
The Meeting focused on deliberating the strategic direction of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2026-2030 under Programme Area No. 5: Renewable Energy, as well as updating the progress of AMS’ regional RE targets and initiatives.
Photo 2. Opening Remarks by Marissa P. Cerezo, Director of the Renewable Management Bureau (REMB), DOE, the Philippines, as Host Country.
Marissa P. Cerezo, Director of the Renewable Management Bureau (REMB), DOE, the Philippines, as Host Country, delivered opening remarks to kick off the meeting. She highlighted RE’s position as a fundamental pillar of ASEAN’s energy security amid global oil market volatility. She encouraged the RE-SSN Members and partners to move beyond progress updates and strengthen coordination across regional platforms, ensuring that renewable energy planning is integrated with infrastructure, policy, financing, and institutional support needed to accelerate ASEAN’s clean energy transition.
Photo 3. Opening remarks by YBrs. En. Rosmahyuddin Baharuddin, Undersecretary of Sustainable Energy, Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, Malaysia.
YBrs. En. Rosmahyuddin Baharuddin, Undersecretary of Sustainable Energy, Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), Malaysia, delivered remarks as the RE-SSN Chair. He noted that the meeting convened at an important moment as the region enters the first implementation year of APAEC 2026-2030. He emphasised the importance of ensuring that the RE-SSN remains a purposeful and action-oriented platform, with AMS guiding the strategic direction of RE cooperation while ACE continues to support through evidence-based research, technical advice, and regional connections.
Photo 4. Opening remarks by Dato’ Ir. Ts. Razib Dawood, Executive Director of ACE.
Dato' Ir. Ts. Razib Dawood, Executive Director of ACE, in his opening remarks, reaffirmed ACE’s commitment to supporting AMS in advancing the regional renewable energy agenda. He also highlighted the importance of aligning annual milestones with the region’s long-term priorities, including support for the Philippines’ 2026 Energy Priority Deliverables on Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), while strengthening cooperation with DPs and IOs through ACE’s roles as a knowledge hub, think tank, and catalyst.
Key Updates on Regional Renewable Energy Cooperation
Photo 5. Dynta Trishana Munardy, Senior Officer of APAEC & Strategic Partnership, ACE (left) and Septia Buntara Supendi, Senior Officer of Energy and Mineral Division, ASEAN Secretariat (right).
The meeting began with updates on the outcomes and follow-up requirements from the 32nd RE-SSN Meeting, presented by Dynta Trishana Munardy, Senior Officer of APAEC & Strategic Partnership Department, ACE. This session also covered key High-Level Directions for the Renewable Energy Programme Area, delivered by Septia Buntara Supendi, Senior Officer of Energy and Mineral Division, ASEAN Secretariat. This included the Philippines’ 2026 Energy Priority Deliverables and opportunities for cross-sectoral collaboration and alignment with ASEAN’s broader sustainability agenda.
Photo 6. Presentation by Dr Tharinya Supasa, Head of SRE at ACE.
The meeting then received a report on the 33rd RE-SSN Associated Meetings, including the ASEAN RE Project Awards Board of Judges (BOJ) Meeting, presenting the outcomes and way forward for improving the Awards framework. Following this, Dr Tharinya Supasa, Head of the Sustainable and Renewable Energy (SRE) Department at ACE, presented the outcomes and recommendations from the associated workshops, which covered: advancing biofuels for energy security and decarbonisation in ASEAN; the ASEAN REC Framework and Voluntary Renewable Energy Market; and Distributed Energy Resources (DER) and BESS. The discussions provided inputs to support ASEAN’s efforts to expand RE deployment, enhance market-based mechanisms, and strengthen system flexibility for higher variable renewable energy integration.
Advancing APAEC 2026–2030 Annual Milestones
Photo 7. Presentations by Dr Zulfikar Yurnaidi, Head of the Energy Modelling and Policy Planning (MPP) Department at ACE
A key part of the meeting focused on annual milestones and plans under APAEC 2026–2030. Dr Zulfikar Yurnaidi, Head of the Energy Modelling and Policy Planning (MPP) Department at ACE, briefed the Meeting on the status of APAEC RE share targets and the preliminary results from the 9th ASEAN Energy Outlook (AEO9). Updates were also delivered by Silvira Ayu Rosalia, Energy Statistician of MPP, ACE and Muhammad Rizki Kresnawan, Senior Energy Modeller of MPP, ACE. The session provided an important basis for RE-SSN Members to review regional progress and identify areas requiring further coordination.
Photo 8. Presentation by Monika Merdekawati, Senior Officer of the SRE Department, ACE,
Delivered by Monika Merdekawati, Senior Officer of the SRE Department, ACE, the meeting also discussed progress on the Philippines’ 2026 Energy Priority Deliverables, particularly the Study on Cross-Border REC Market and Financial Assessment, as well as the Study on Accelerating BESS and Advanced Technologies for VRE integration. These deliverables are expected to support ASEAN’s efforts to strengthen renewable electricity markets, improve system flexibility, and enable higher renewable energy penetration.
In the afternoon session, the discussion revolved on the 2026 and 2027 Annual Milestones under APAEC 2026–2030, reviewing proposed activities, studies, and initiatives under the RE Programme Area, providing guidance to ensure that implementation remains aligned with ASEAN’s regional priorities and long-term energy transition objectives.
Strengthening Collaboration with Dialogue Partners (DPs) and International Organisations (IOs)
The meeting was later joined by DPs, IOs, and relevant project partners to discuss ongoing and planned collaboration under the RE Programme Area.
This session highlighted the importance of aligning external cooperation with ASEAN priorities, particularly in supporting technical studies, policy development, financing, innovation, and capacity-building activities.
Way Forward
Photo 9. Closing remarks by by YBrs. En. Rosmahyuddin Baharuddin, Undersecretary of Sustainable Energy, Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, Malaysia, as RE-SSN Chair (left) and Liza V. Pangilinan of DOE Philippines, as Host Country (right).
To close the meeting, YBrs. En. Rosmahyuddin Baharuddin, as RE-SSN Chair, delivered closing remarks. He highlighted that the RE-SSN must continue evolving to respond to ASEAN’s increasingly complex and interconnected renewable energy landscape. He emphasised that refining the TOR for the RE-SSN and strengthening linkages with other ASEAN bodies and partners, will be key to translating regional cooperation into tangible outcomes.
Ms. Liza also delivered closing remarks. She noted that the RE-SSN serves as a strategic platform to review progress, align milestones, and guide the implementation of APAEC 2026-2030. She also emphasised the importance of carrying the meeting’s momentum forward through stronger cross-sector coordination, particularly in infrastructure development, financing, and policy alignment.
The meeting reaffirmed ASEAN’s collective commitment to advancing renewable energy cooperation, strengthening annual milestone implementation, and ensuring that the Renewable Energy Programme Area continues to support the region’s pathway towards a secure, resilient, and sustainable energy future.
