The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has reaffirmed its support for greater ASEAN power grid integration after participating in a series of regional energy engagements in Singapore ahead of the 17th ASEAN Energy Regulators Network (AERN) Meeting.

ERC Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Francis Saturnino C. Juan led the agency’s participation in the events, which focused on strengthening regulatory cooperation and advancing efforts toward a more interconnected regional power system.

On May 25, Juan represented the AERN during the Regional Dissemination Workshop on Development of Financial Support Mechanisms for Accelerating Clean Energy and Interconnectivity Deployment in ASEAN.

The workshop discussed ways to support investments in clean energy and regional electricity interconnections, which refer to transmission links that allow power to be shared across national borders.

“These engagements highlight the Philippines’ active role in shaping a more interconnected ASEAN power system. Through stronger regulatory cooperation and shared learning, we are helping lay the groundwork for a reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy future for the region,” Juan said.

Supporting these efforts, ERC Executive Director Nancy Aurora Q. Fajardo represented the AERN Chair during the 30th Meeting of the ASEAN Power Grid Consultative Committee (APGCC) on May 19.

During the meeting, Fajardo provided updates on the AERN’s ongoing ASEAN Power Grid initiatives. The ASEAN Power Grid is a long-running regional initiative aimed at improving electricity connectivity among Southeast Asian countries to enhance energy security and grid reliability.

Meanwhile, ERC officials Franz Xyrlo I. Tobias and Patrick Jason C. Pineda participated in the Singapore–International Energy Agency Regional Training Programme on “Connecting ASEAN: Advancing Energy Security through Subsea Interconnections” on May 21 and 22.

The training focused on governance frameworks, regulatory mechanisms, and technical requirements for subsea interconnections, or underwater transmission links that can connect the power grids of different countries. Discussions also covered renewable energy certificate systems, which track and verify electricity generated from renewable energy sources.

According to the ERC, the engagements form part of broader preparations for the 17th AERN Meeting held on June 2 and 3, where ASEAN energy regulators are expected to further align policies and strengthen collaboration toward a more integrated regional power market.

The commission said these efforts support the broader goal of building a more reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy system across Southeast Asia through greater regional cooperation.

As ASEAN moves forward with plans for deeper electricity market integration, how could stronger regional power connectivity help improve energy security and reliability in the Philippines?

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