Singapore Is The Catalyst For ASEAN’s Clean Energy Transition

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“The path to energy generation is the use of diverse no-carbon and low-carbon sources,” Tan Lee Leng, Singapore’s Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science, said in his opening keynote of the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) 2025. This year is the 18th running of SIEW.

The event underscored Singapore’s strategic position as a leading energy technology hub, particularly in galvanizing the clean energy transition across Southeast Asia, and also as central to financing energy projects in the region.

Against the backdrop of global climate imperatives and burgeoning energy demands, the discussions at SIEW have highlighted Singapore’s pivotal role in accelerating regional decarbonization through enhanced interconnectivity and innovative financing.

Forging a unified ASEAN Power Grid

A central theme dominating discussions at SIEW 2025 has been the accelerated development of the ASEAN Power Grid (APG).

Recognizing that a truly resilient and clean energy future for the region hinges on collective action, Singapore has been a vocal proponent and active participant in fostering cross-border electricity trading.

Delegates from across ASEAN nations engaged in critical dialogues on policy harmonization, infrastructure development, and regulatory frameworks necessary to facilitate the seamless flow of renewable energy across national borders.

The APG is envisioned as a network of interconnected power systems within the ASEAN region, designed to enhance energy security, economic competitiveness, and environmental sustainability. By enabling countries with abundant renewable resources to export clean energy to neighbors, the APG is set to significantly increase the penetration of renewables in the regional energy mix.

Singapore’s initiatives, such as the importation of renewable energy from Laos and potentially other ASEAN members, serve as tangible examples of this regional interconnectivity in action, paving the way for larger-scale integration within the APG framework.

The role of carbon capture and storage in regional decarbonization

Beyond enhancing electricity grids, SIEW 2025 also shone a spotlight on the role of Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) solutions in the region’s decarbonization efforts. Given the continued reliance on fossil fuels in many ASEAN economies and the presence of hard-to-abate industrial sectors, CCUS is seen as a critical technology for achieving significant emissions reductions.

Singapore, despite its limited geological storage potential, is actively positioning itself as a hub for CCUS development and deployment, leveraging its expertise in project financing, technological innovation, and logistical capabilities. Discussions at SIEW explored the establishment of regional CCUS networks, including the potential for cross-border carbon dioxide transport and storage.

Partnerships with countries offering suitable geological formations, such as Indonesia and Malaysia, are crucial. Singapore aims to facilitate these collaborations, drawing on its robust financial sector to unlock investments in large-scale CCUS infrastructure and fostering the necessary technological advancements to bring these solutions to commercial viability. The focus is on creating an ecosystem that supports the entire CCUS value chain, from capture to transportation and permanent storage.

Singapore’s broader contribution to ASEAN’s energy transformation

SIEW’s extensive program, encompassing forums like the Asia Clean Energy Summit (ACES) and the Singapore-International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) High-Level Forum, reinforces the island nation’s multi-faceted approach to regional energy leadership. These platforms foster discussions on:

1. Financing Green Projects: Mobilizing significant capital for renewable energy projects and sustainable infrastructure across ASEAN.
2. Technology Adoption: Showcasing and accelerating the deployment of advanced clean energy technologies, including hydrogen and next-generation nuclear.
3. Capacity Building: Sharing expertise and best practices to enhance the energy capabilities of regional partners.

Through these concerted efforts, Singapore is not merely observing the clean energy transition, but actively shaping its trajectory within the ASEAN region.

By championing initiatives like the ASEAN Power Grid and spearheading the dialogue on technologies such as CCUS, Singapore continues to solidify its position as a dynamic energy hub, driving innovation and collaboration for a more sustainable and interconnected energy future in Southeast Asia.