KUCHING: A common framework is needed for the Asean Power Grid to be implemented, says Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.
He said the regional bloc currently lacked a concrete framework on the issue of interconnection between member states.
"There is a proposal (for power connection) from Laos to Singapore and also from Sarawak to Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore, but there is no framework on how to implement the interconnection," he told reporters after opening the Asia Pacific green hydrogen conference and exhibition here on Tuesday (June 8).
Abang Johari noted that Sarawak had its own bilateral cooperation with Indonesia to supply power to West Kalimantan.
He said discussions were also ongoing with Brunei and Singapore on power supply from Sarawak.
"These are bilateral agreements, but eventually it will become part of the grid.
"We are ready and we feel that the 11 member states of Asean should have a common framework.
"We can learn from the European Union's model on how to manage energy," he said.
Abang Johari added that it was up to the Federal Government to discuss the framework at Asean level.
"I was informed that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof is engaging his counterparts on this," he said.
On Sarawak's part, Abang Johari said the state was willing to share its surplus power with neighbouring countries.
He said Sarawak was targeting to produce 10GW of power by 2030.
"At present Sarawak only needs 6GW. If our development proceeds as planned, we might need another 1GW, so we will have a balance of 3GW " he said.
