Photo 1. All Participants of the AEO9 Country Visit to Timor-Leste.
As part of the development process for the 9th ASEAN Energy Outlook (AEO9), the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) conducted a country visit to Timor-Leste on 26-27 February 2026 in Dili. This visit is a part of a broader consultation series spanning all eleven ASEAN Member States from January to March 2025, representing one of many in-depth engagements aimed at refining modelling inputs, verifying key assumptions, and enhancing coherence between national priorities and regional energy assessments. The AEO9 Country Visits are supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) through the ASEAN-UK Green Transition Fund (GTF).
Photo 2. Welcoming remarks from the Host Country.
The programme began with welcoming remarks from Arlinda Maria de Fatima Florindo Miranda, Director General of Regulation for Electricity and Water Sanitation (DGREAS) and Alternate Senior Officials on Energy (SOE) Leader of Timor-Leste. In her remarks, she welcomed the ACE delegation and emphasized the country’s continued support for the development of the ASEAN Energy Outlook.
Photo 3. AEO9 Progress Updates led by Dr Zulfikar Yurnaidi, Head of MPP at ACE
The sesssion continued by remarks from ACE, after which Dr. Zulfikar Yurnaidi, Head of Modelling and Policy Planning (MPP) at ACE, presented a technical update on AEO9's progress. The presentation covered the development timeline and modelling framework, highlighting the essential role of high-quality national data in strengthening the accuracy and relevance of the projections. It also recognised the country's visits as a pivotal milestone in cultivating strong national ownership of the AEO9 outcomes. This was followed by Muhammad Rizki Kresnawan, Senior Energy Modeller of MPP at ACE, who introduced the Low Emission Analysis Platform (LEAP) modelling framework and scenario structure, guiding participants through the Baseline Scenario (BAS), AMS Target Scenario (ATS), and Regional Aspiration Scenario (RAS), before opening the floor for discussion with national stakeholders.
Silvira Ayu Rosalia, Energy Statistician at ACE, subsequently facilitated a thorough consultation on data inputs and modelling assumptions. The discussion encompassed a broad range of subjects, including socio-economic indicators, policy frameworks, energy balance tables, sectoral energy demand, and supply and transformation data. The session aimed to verify existing datasets, clarify methodological approaches, and identify data gaps or areas requiring further revision. It additionally fostered cross-sectoral dialogue among representatives from energy agencies, utilities, and other relevant institutions, supporting the delivery of well-rounded and consistent national inputs to AEO9.
Photo 4. Presentation on the Initial Findings of Modelling Department led by Muhammad Ilham Rizaldi, Energy Modeller of MPP
After a brief break, Muhammad Ilham Rizaldi, Energy Modeller of MPP at ACE, presented preliminary findings from the BAS and ATS for Timor-Leste. The session provided national stakeholders with an opportunity to examine initial projections on energy demand, supply, and transformation, while deliberating on how current and planned policies are captured in the modelling. Participants contributed their perspectives on sectoral trends, technology adoption, and policy implementation timelines, helping to ensure that the country-level results more accurately reflect Timor-Leste's energy landscape.
The subsequent session was dedicated to the RAS, presented by Muhammad Rizki Kresnawan, Senior Energy Modeller at ACE, who outlined the proposed definition and modelling approach for a more ambitious regional pathway in line with ASEAN's long-term decarbonisation and sustainability goals. During an interactive discussion, Vietnam's representatives identified potential policy levers, technology options, and areas for intervention that could enhance ambition levels, with the insights gathered set to guide the calibration of the RAS and reinforce its applicability to national contexts. This was followed by Rhea Oktaqiara, Research Associate on Economic and Finance of MPP at ACE, who presented the ASEAN Energy Investment 2025 report with its complementing roadmap, and seeking data contributions from AMS for the forthcoming 2026 edition.
Photo 5. Rhea Oktaqiara, Research Associate on Economic and Finance of MPP at ACE, presented ASEAN Energy Investment Dissemination
Following the lunch break, representatives from Autoridade Nacional do Petróleo (ANP) delivered a presentation on oil and gas development in Timor-Leste and its contribution to the national energy sector. This was followed by a presentation from the Directorate General of Regulation for Electricity and Water Sanitation, which covered the energy policy and legal framework, as well as ongoing and planned energy-related projects.
After a short break, representatives from Autoridade Nacional dos Minerais provided an update on mining development, including critical minerals in Timor-Leste and their relevance to the energy sector. The session continued with representatives from Timor Gap, who shared updates on energy-related projects within the Timor Gap portfolio and its engagement with ASCOPE.
The first day ended with a Way Forward and Recap session led by Dr. Zulfikar Yurnaidi, Head of MPP at ACE, who expressed appreciation to Timor-Leste's focal points and participating institutions for their active engagement and meaningful technical contributions. He underscored that the feedback received would directly shape the refinement of country-level results and the design of the RAS. ACE also presented the next steps in the AEO9 process, emphasizing forthcoming technical engagements and continued coordination with AMS to uphold transparency and foster shared ownership of the final outputs.
The second day of the visit commenced with a preliminary presentation and Q&A session by the Electricidade de Timor-Leste (EDTL) representative, covering updates on the energy policy and legal framework, as well as ongoing and planned energy-related projects under the EDTL portfolio. This was followed by opening remarks for the second day and an introduction delivered by Beni Suryadi, Senior Manager of ASEAN Plan of Action on Energy Cooperation (APAEC) at ACE, who provided an overview of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), its energy cooperation structure, including the APAEC, and the ACE.
Photo 6. Veronica Ayu Pangestika, Research Analyst of Sustainable and Renewable Energy at ACE, presented ASEAN Renewable Energy Programmes
Following the opening remarks and introductions, each department of ACE delivered its respective presentations. Nadhilah Shani, Head of Power Generation and Interconnection at ACE, presented progress on the ASEAN Power Grid (APG), covering cross-border electricity trade, grid harmonization, and regional cooperation in civilian nuclear energy, including technical and regulatory coordination. Veronica Ayu Pangestika, Research Analyst of Sustainable and Renewable Energy at ACE, outlined ASEAN renewable energy initiatives, technology roadmaps, and policy frameworks aimed at supporting deployment, facilitating investment, and achieving regional targets. Irma Ramadan, Senior Officer of Energy Efficiency and Conservation at ACE, discussed regional efforts to improve energy intensity and strengthen demand-side management, encompassing flagship studies, standards, and policy instruments under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EE&C) framework. Suwanto, Head of Fossil Fuels, Hydrocarbon, and Minerals at ACE, presented and deliberated on regional cooperation concerning oil and gas connectivity, clean coal transformation, and the evolving role of hydrocarbons and critical minerals in securing energy security and supporting transition pathways.
Following the lunch break and Friday prayers, Dr. Zulfikar Yurnaidi, Head of MPP at ACE, resumed the presentations by discussing the role of energy modelling, regional outlook development, and data-driven analysis in advancing evidence-based policymaking, regional alignment, and APAEC monitoring. This was followed by a presentation from Dr. Andy Tirta, Head of Corporate Affairs at ACE, who elaborated on ACE's communication strategy, stakeholder engagement approaches, and the ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF) as a platform for fostering public-private collaboration and partnership development.
Photo 7. Closing remarks and ceremony from the Host Country.
The second day drew to a close with a site visit to the ANP Office, followed by closing remarks delivered by Beni Suryadi, Senior Manager of APAEC at ACE, and Arlinda Maria de Fatima Florindo Miranda, Director General for Electricity and Water Sanitation.
Overall, the AEO9 Country Visit to Timor-Leste strengthened the shared understanding of national energy priorities and improved the quality of data and assumptions underpinning the modelling results. The inputs and feedback gathered will be integrated into the refinement of Timor-Leste’s country-level projections and RAS, supporting a more robust and policy-relevant AEO9. ACE will continue to coordinate closely with Timor-Leste’s focal points and institutions through follow-up technical engagements leading up to the finalisation of the Outlook.
