Singapore and the IEA marked a decade of collaboration on regional energy cooperation at the 10th Singapore-IEA Regional Training Programme, held from 21 to 22 May 2026 in Singapore. The programme focuses on strengthening regional power connectivity through subsea interconnections and cross-border Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) trade to support ASEAN’s energy security and decarbonisation goals.

2. The training programme brought together more than 160 policymakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders from 23 countries across the Asia Pacific to discuss how regional power interconnections can strengthen energy security and support cross-border electricity trade. Representatives from the ASEAN Centre for Energy, Australian Energy Regulator, and private sector players, shared insights on technical frameworks, regulatory policies, financing models and risk-sharing mechanisms to enable cross-border power trade.

3. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been advancing its vision for the ASEAN Power Grid (APG), marked by key milestones in 2025 including the announcement of the Enhanced APG Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the development of the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the ASEAN Submarine Power Cable Development Framework.

4. Mr Puah Kok Keong, Chief Executive of the Energy Market Authority (EMA), said: “We are operating in an increasingly complex environment today, as countries work to strengthen energy security while keeping energy affordable and advancing their energy transitions. Against this backdrop, our Singapore-IEA Regional Training Programme is even more important today to help countries navigate their energy pathways. The 10^th edition of the Training Programme marks a milestone in our decade-long partnership with the IEA. The programme has trained more than 1,600 participants across the region and has grown into a valuable regional platform for capacity building. We have strengthened regional capabilities in energy security, energy efficiency, clean energy investments and regional interconnectivity among ASEAN policymakers, regulators and industry stakeholders. We look forward to even closer cooperation with the IEA on capacity building for the region.”  

5. Dr Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the IEA, said: “Recent supply disruptions in the Middle East have shown just how vulnerable economies and consumers across the world can be to energy shocks, with many countries in South and Southeast Asia heavily affected. The IEA was founded over 50 years ago to uphold energy security, and one of our golden rules is diversification – of energy sources, of supply routes, and of the energy mix. IEA is committed to supporting ASEAN and its Member States as they work to diversify their energy supplies and realise the ASEAN Power Grid vision, strengthening regional energy security for all.”

6. This training programme is part of the Singapore-IEA Regional Training Hub. Singapore and the IEA will continue working together to address capacity needs of ASEAN countries for strengthened energy interconnectivity.