Harnessing the Power of the Private Sector for the ASEAN Power Grid: A problem-solving workshop at the ASEAN Energy Business Forum 2026
Southeast Asia is experiencing rapid electricity demand growth, with demand set to more than double by 2050. Meeting the region’s energy security, competitiveness, and climate goals will increasingly depend on one critical enabler: modern, flexible, and resilient electricity grids.
The ASEAN Power Grid (APG) will be critical to this effort, as part of a coordinated regional response, enabling greater renewable energy integration, system flexibility, electrification, and reduced exposure to volatile fossil fuels. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that USD 27 billion of investment will be needed in cross-border interconnections by 2040 to deliver the planned APG pipeline, creating opportunities for private investors, developers, and other actors. Yet aligning regional priorities, with the necessary capital, capabilities, and risk appetite, is not always straightforward.
AEBF, alongside the ASEAN Ministers of Energy Meeting, provides a timely opportunity for a solutions-focused dialogue, bringing together policymakers, utilities, industry leaders, investors, and development partners, on how we can harness international private-sector capital, expertise, and technology to accelerate priority APG opportunities.
The purpose of this discussion will be to identify where international private-sector engagement can complement public efforts, help mobilise investment, and accelerate delivery of priority opportunities under the ASEAN Power Grid.
Key Objectives
Establish a dialogue between regional grid priorities and international companies, investors and technology providers.
Highlight opportunities for greater private-sector participation in support of the APG.
Share international experience and practical examples of successful public-private collaboration and mobilised investment.
Identify priority areas for continued collaboration between governments, utilities, investors and companies.
Themes
This dialogue will facilitate breakout discussions to explore:
Mobilising investment
What models have worked well at unlocking investment at scale (e.g. blended finance, guarantees, risk sharing), and how can the private sector apply these lessons across different markets?
What are the key opportunities for private sector participation, and how can the private sector work with MDBs and governments to develop a pipeline of bankable projects?
Enabling conditions
How can the private sector contribute to the development of effective regulatory and business models?
What can the private sector do to help harmonise technical, regulatory and market requirements across ASEAN?
Accelerating delivery
What other technologies, services and innovations can private companies bring to support greater grid integration (such as data sharing and system flexibility)?
How can the private sector leverage existing APG frameworks, partnerships and initiatives - and take greater leadership - to accelerate delivery and investment?
Please note:
Further guidance on the official AEBF platform registration will be shared in due course. For now, please pre-register above to confirm your participation.