26-8-2023 (JAKARTA) Indonesia’s state-owned electricity company, PT PLN, along with two Malaysian corporations, is set to undertake a comprehensive study on an underwater electrical interconnector aimed at bolstering energy security in both countries.
During the 41st ASEAN Energy Ministers Meeting (AMEM) in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Friday, Indonesian Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Arifin Tasrif revealed that discussions were underway between PLN and Malaysian electricity company TNB and Sabah to explore potential cooperation.
The collaboration between the three entities is a direct result of the consensus reached by ASEAN energy ministers on enhancing interconnectivity within the Southeast Asian region.
The ASEAN Center for Energy (ACE) is expected to play a role in facilitating this cooperative effort, as discussed during the recent conclusion of the 41st AMEM.
Tasrif explained that the ASEAN Interconnection Master Plan Study (AIMS) III had already identified 18 potential cross-border interconnections by 2040, with a combined capacity of up to 33 gigawatts. Among these proposals are two interconnectors that will undergo feasibility analysis to determine their viability, one from each country involved in the study.
The Sumatra-Malaysia interconnection, located on the border between the two regions, will be the focus of collaboration between ACE, PLN, and Malaysian corporation Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB). The feasibility study will concentrate on securing investments for necessary infrastructure, formulating supportive policies, and overseeing their implementation, Tasrif stated.
The study will encompass technical, financial, and economic aspects, as well as conducting a preliminary environmental impact assessment. Once completed, the Sumatra-Malaysia electrical interconnection is expected to be the first underwater connection within the ASEAN region.
Additionally, PLN and Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd, in partnership with ACE, have agreed to conduct a feasibility study on the Kalimantan, Indonesia-Sabah, Malaysia route. This study will mirror the scope of the Sumatra-Malaysia analysis.
The ultimate objective of the project is to establish interconnectivity that ensures sustainable energy security in the regions of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, Tasrif emphasized.
Earlier, ASEAN energy ministers had collectively agreed to pursue regional targets for interconnection via power generation networks, gas pipelines, and liquefied natural gas by 2045.
“We urge ASEAN member countries to initiate new multilateral projects for power trade and bridge the gap by connecting the north, south, and east subregions,” Tasrif urged, outlining the need for continued collaborative efforts in the field of energy.
