Picture 1. Group Photo of the Bilateral Meeting with Department of Energy (DOE) Philippines
Bohol, 20 January 2026 — The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) convened a Bilateral Meeting with the Department of Energy (DOE) Philippines at the Department of Energy (DOE) Headquarter, Bohol, Philippines. The meeting was led by the Dir.Luningning G Baltazar, Director of the Electric Power Industry Management Bureau, and attended by Beni Suryadi, Senior Manager of APAEC and Strategic Partnership Department of ACE The discussion focused on the potential cooperation on regional power interconnection initiatives under the ASEAN Power Grid (APG). The meeting formed part of ongoing efforts to strengthen regional energy connectivity and enhance coordination between national and regional stakeholders.
The meeting began with opening remarks from both parties, highlighting the importance of continued dialogue and close cooperation between regional institutions and national authorities. ACE and the Philippine DOE emphasized that regional collaboration plays a key role in supporting national energy priorities while contributing to ASEAN’s broader goals on energy security, system resilience, and regional integration. The session also reaffirmed a shared interest in advancing cross-border power interconnection initiatives through a coordinated and well-structured approach.
ACE also introduced the ASEAN Power Grid Project Preparation Facility (APG-PPF) as a regional mechanism to support AMS in preparing cross-border interconnection projects, including through early-stage technical and preparatory studies. The facility was highlighted to support structures and coordinate the development of potential APG projects in close collaboration with national stakeholders.
Picture 2. Discussion on APG-PPF during the bilateral meeting
The discussions then focused on aligning the Philippines’ national energy priorities with regional APG objectives, particularly in the context of the Philippines ASEAN Chairship. Both sides, ACE and DOE exchanged views on potential cross-border interconnection options involving the Philippines and neighboring ASEAN Member States. The meeting highlighted the importance of conducting preparatory studies to assess and compare these options, with a view to identifying a priority interconnection pathway for further development.
The discussion also underlined the importance of delivering tangible outcomes under the APG framework, including the identification of priority interconnection routes and clear next steps that could be reported at key ASEAN meetings. Both ACE and the Philippine DOE emphasized the value of close coordination in developing a common understanding of potential study pathways and future cooperation arrangements especially to support Philippines ASEAN Chairship 2026.
Picture 3. Both Department of Energy (DOE) Philippines & ACE are agreed to continue collaboration to enhance the APG study related to Philippines
The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of the Centre and the Philippines’ Department of Energy to advancing regional energy cooperation under the ASEAN Power Grid framework. Both sides agreed on the importance of sustained dialogue, close coordination with relevant stakeholders and neighboring countries, and continued engagement to support the development of reliable, resilient, and interconnected regional power systems in line with ASEAN’s shared objectives and national priorities.
