PHL exploring initial link with Indonesia grid

THE Department of Energy said it is exploring the possibility of initially connecting the power grid to that of Indonesia.

The link could form part of a broader ASEAN Power Grid, enabling cross-border electricity trading across Southeast Asia, Energy Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella said.

At a media briefing on Monday, Mr. Fuentebella said the Indonesia link could be routed via Bongao, Tawi-Tawi; Basilan, and Sulu.

“This requires careful coordination, either bilaterally with Indonesia or through a multilateral ASEAN forum,” he said.

As this year’s ASEAN chair, the Philippines has designated the Enhanced ASEAN Power Grid as among its energy priorities.

The ASEAN Power Grid aims to connect the electricity networks of the 10 member countries. The target timetable for the program is 2045.

According to the World Bank Group, achieving this over the next 20 years will require an estimated $800 billion in generation and transmission investment.

Mr. Fuentebella said the planned cross-border power trading among Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore will form Phase 1 of the regional interconnection scheme.

He added that the Brunei–Malaysia–Indonesia–Philippines interconnection will make up Phase 2.

“This is something that, as chair of ASEAN, we are pursuing to connect the Philippines — whether it’s Malaysia or Indonesia — whichever is the most diplomatically feasible and as well as technically feasible,” Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said.

“That is what we are currently studying together with international institutions. Step by step (connection) makes it a more viable project,” she added. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera