Philippines to join Trans Borneo power grid network, Indonesia says

Indonesia said the Philippines will be connected to the Trans Borneo Power Grid, expanding cross-border electricity integration in Southeast Asia as regional governments push to strengthen energy security and accelerate the clean energy transition.

Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said on Monday that Indonesia and Malaysia had already developed electricity interconnection infrastructure that would eventually extend to the Philippines.

“We have built a network between Malaysia and Indonesia, and it will soon connect to the Philippines,” Bahlil said.

Indonesia is currently developing power interconnection projects with Malaysia, including cooperation on hydropower imports for Kalimantan.

According to Bahlil, the regional grid integration scheme is expected to improve electricity reliability and efficiency while helping provide more equitable and affordable power supply, including in remote areas.

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Separately, Bahlil said Singapore plans to import clean electricity from Indonesia, although he emphasized that any exports must deliver fair economic value and benefits for Indonesia.

Earlier, President Prabowo Subianto called on ASEAN countries to accelerate the development of regional energy connectivity to address growing energy security risks linked to geopolitical tensions and instability in the Middle East.

Prabowo said the BIMP-EAGA subregion has significant untapped renewable energy potential, including hydropower, solar and wind resources, as well as large areas of underutilized land.

He urged member countries to take concrete steps to develop regional energy infrastructure, including hydropower projects in Borneo, solar development in Palawan and wind energy projects in coastal areas.

The president also reiterated Indonesia’s ambition to accelerate solar power development.

“Full speed ahead, 100 gigawatts of solar power — we invite partners to strengthen energy infrastructure,” Prabowo said.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak