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The Philippines is seeking to accelerate a project to link the electricity networks of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, as Southeast Asia faces energy supply disruptions linked to the US-Israeli war against Iran, the state-owned Philippine Information Agency (PIA) reported.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin announced the initiative on Wednesday at the 44th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting in Manila. The project would use high-voltage submarine cables to enable electricity trading across the four countries.
Garin described the proposed links as the Philippines’ main gateway to the wider ASEAN Power Grid. Another regional electricity trading arrangement already connects Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.
“Every interconnection brings that day closer when hydropower from one neighbor’s mountains lights a hospital across the border,” Garin said.
Singapore Energy Minister Tan See Leng called for common rules governing submarine cables, including their installation and maintenance, as well as the protection of related infrastructure.
The Manila meeting brings together energy ministers from ASEAN’s 11 member states to discuss cross-border electricity links, energy security and financing for infrastructure projects.
The Philippines became the first country to declare a national energy emergency after US-Israeli attacks on Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in February. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued the declaration on March 24.
More than 50% of ASEAN’s imported crude oil comes from the Middle East. Supply disruptions could put at risk volumes equivalent to nearly 28% of regional oil consumption, according to the ASEAN Centre for Energy.
