Photo 1. Group photo of the Focus Group Discussion on APG-related Projects with Cambodia APG Stakeholders.
Thailand, 25 September 2025 – The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), with the support of development partners, convened a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with MOEN Thailand, EGAT and ERC Thailand. The FGD served as a platform to consult Thailand’s needs and priorities in the implementation of the ASEAN Power Grid (APG), particularly in developing feasibility studies for APG infrastructure, data-sharing cooperation framework, and regional power market development. The activity was held in support of HAPUA’s role and mandate in implementing the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC).
The session began with opening remarks by Prihastya Wiratama, Project Manager of ASEAN Power Interconnection at ACE, expressing appreciation for Thailand’s continuous support toward ASEAN’s regional energy cooperation. The opening remarks were then followed by an overview of the funding secured from multiple partners to support the APG infrastructure development, including the project preparation, capacity building, and high-level dialogue facilitation.
Photo 2. Panupong Sathorn, Planning and Policy Analyst of MOEN Thailand, presented the latest Thailand Power Development Plan (PDP).
Panupong Sathorn, Planning and Policy Analyst from the Ministry of Energy (MOEN) Thailand shared the main contents of the latest Thailand Power Development Plan (PDP), setting the context of Thailand’s energy trends, plans and targets. The presentation outlined the national plans on reducing greenhouse gas emissions by installing more renewable power plants and electricity import from neighbouring countries, emphasising the need to enhance cross-border interconnections capacity under the APG.
Photo 3. Akbar Dwi Wahyono, Research Analyst of ACE (left), and Muhammad Rizki Kresnawan, Senior Energy Modeller of ACE (right), delivered the scene setting presentation on APG-related Projects.
Akbar Dwi Wahyono, Research Analyst at ACE, continued the discussion by introducing the data-sharing initiative which was supported by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership (ETP-UNOPS). Through the presentation, ACE emphasised the importance of a common and harmonised data-sharing framework in creating the foundation for a more open and well-coordinated cross-border electricity market in the ASEAN.
Muhammad Rizki Kresnawan, Senior Researcher at ACE, provided an overview of the ongoing development of the 9th ASEAN Energy Outlook (AEO). The presentation emphasised how the Outlook will serve as ASEAN’s primary reference for projecting regional energy demand and supply trends, incorporating consultations, data validation, and model refinement across all ASEAN Member States.
In the final presentation, Akbar Dwi Wahyono introduced the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-supported Regional Power Market (RPM) Programme to the Thailand APG stakeholders, which aims to establish a structured roadmap for regional market integration by strengthening institutional readiness and developing the necessary market mechanism.
Photo 4. Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) system planning team shared the update on Thailand electricity generation and system planning.
An in-depth discussion followed the presentations, centering on the main challenges and requirements for expanding cross-border electricity trade in line with Thailand’s national energy framework. Participants exchanged views on historical power system data, including data governance, collection methods and granularity, underscoring the importance of transparency and accessibility to facilitate a more coordinated power trading between the countries. The dialogue also covered regulatory, commercial, and environmental aspects relevant to feasibility studies, with a focus on aligning national procedures with regional goals, ensuring fair commercial arrangements, and adhering to socio-environmental safeguards.
Through the FGD, ACE and Thailand APG stakeholders reiterated their shared commitment to enhance collaboration and advance regional energy cooperation in progressing towards an established and operational APG. Insights gathered from the discussion are expected to guide the preparation of feasibility studies under the APG-PPF and support ASEAN’s long-term vision of a reliable, interconnected, and sustainable regional power network.
