NEWS & UPDATE

KUALA LUMPUR
8 JUNE 2026

Closer coordination between governments, regulators and utilities will be key to moving the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) from discussions and agreements into practical implementation, as Southeast Asia continues to work towards a more secure and sustainable energy future.

Speaking at the Energy Transition Conference 2026 (ETCon26) dialogue session “ASEAN Power Grid: From MoUs to Megawatts” on 4 June 2026, Sarawak Energy Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Haji Sharbini Suhaili said ASEAN already has a strong foundation to build on, with existing interconnections showing that regional power exchange is possible.

He cited Sarawak’s interconnection with West Kalimantan, Indonesia, as well as the Sarawak-Sabah interconnection, as examples showing that regional power exchange is feasible when supported by clear government commitment and coordinated utility execution.

“From Sarawak Energy’s perspective, scaling up cross-border power trade requires continued focus on regulatory clarity, energy security considerations and long-term investment certainty,” he said.

He said ASEAN Power Grid development is a long-term process built on trust, policy coordination and progressive expansion from bilateral arrangements towards broader regional integration.

He also highlighted the importance of transmission readiness and system integration, noting that cross-border power trade depends not only on generation capacity, but also on grid infrastructure and coordinated dispatch and the ability to manage power flows reliably across borders.

“Increasingly, we must move from MoUs to megawatts. The region has the resources and demand growth. What is needed now is a clearer framework that enables long-term investment decisions,” he said.

Sharbini added that stronger coordination between system operators will be essential as interconnections expand, particularly to ensure reliability, reserve sharing and efficient cross-border power flows.

He further said the ASEAN Power Grid should be viewed not only as an infrastructure project, but also as a way to enhance regional energy security, support economic growth and widen access to renewable energy across ASEAN.

Sharbini added that stronger coordination between system operators will be essential as interconnections expand, particularly to ensure reliability, reserve sharing and efficient cross-border power flows.

He further said the ASEAN Power Grid should be viewed not only as an infrastructure project, but also as a way to enhance regional energy security, support economic growth and widen access to renewable energy across ASEAN.

Sharbini underlined the role of grid interconnections in addressing the region’s energy trilemma by strengthening energy security, maintaining affordability and supporting environmental sustainability.

The Energy Transition Conference 2026 was officiated by The Right Honourable Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia. Earlier, The Right Honourable Datuk Amar Haji Fadillah Yusof, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), delivered a special address highlighting the importance of a people-centred energy transition as part of the nation-building agenda. The three-day event explored opportunities to advance the energy transition, including the role of artificial intelligence in supporting sustainable development across the sector.

Sarawak Energy’s participation reflects its continued support for regional dialogue and collaboration on energy transition and cross-border power integration.

Also present were Yusri Safri, Chief Executive Officer of Syarikat SESCO Berhad, the operations and retail arm of Sarawak Energy; Sim Ko Sin, Chief Digital Officer; George Chapman, Senior Vice President for Legal and Compliance; and other Sarawak Energy representatives.

Sarawak Energy Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Haji Sharbini Suhaili spoke at Energy Transition Conference (ETCon) 2026.

Datuk Haji Sharbini Suhaili (middle) in a group photo with other panellists during the “ASEAN Power Grid: From MoUs to Megawatts” dialogue session.

Datuk Haji Sharbini Suhaili (middle) together with (from fifth left) Sim Ko Sin, Yusri Safri and George Chapman at the Sarawak Energy booth during Energy Transition Conference (ETCon) 2026.