ASEAN regulators push stronger energy cooperation

ASEAN energy regulators called for stronger regional cooperation to address rising energy challenges during a knowledge-sharing workshop on June 2, 2026, highlighting the need for coordinated action to ensure energy security and resilience.

The workshop, titled “Managing the Energy Crisis and Beyond: Strategies and Tools for ASEAN Regulators,” underscored the growing impact of global fuel price volatility, particularly in liquefied natural gas and oil.

Regulators said the volatility continues to expose the region’s dependence on imported fuels and its vulnerability to external shocks.

These pressures have contributed to rising electricity costs and increased fiscal strain across several ASEAN member states.

The Energy Regulatory Commission of the Philippines, serving as chair of the ASEAN Energy Regulators Network, emphasized the importance of strengthening regulatory coordination and institutional capacity to address immediate challenges and long-term structural issues in the energy sector.

During the regulators’ roundtable, ERC Commissioner Floresinda G. Baldo-Digal said ASEAN member states share responsibility for maintaining stable and resilient energy systems.

“As we navigate the evolving energy landscape, securing affordable, reliable, and sustainable power remains both a pressing challenge and a shared responsibility among ASEAN member states,” she said.

The ERC also presented key government interventions following the declaration of a state of national energy emergency under Executive Order No. 110, s. 2026.

These include the implementation of the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport, or UPLIFT, which aims to mitigate the impact of rising energy costs while strengthening overall energy resilience.

To help stabilize electricity prices and ensure supply security, the ERC implemented emergency measures, including the temporary suspension and resumption of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market.

The commission also imposed administered pricing for coal-fired power plants and expedited the approval of power supply agreements and consumer protection measures.

The ERC said it also supported the expansion of renewable energy to diversify the country’s energy mix.

“Our response must go beyond short-term solutions. We must strengthen systems that ensure long-term resilience and stability in the energy sector,” Digal said.

Regulators also emphasized the need to enhance consumer protection frameworks, particularly for vulnerable sectors.

They also backed investments in grid modernization, energy storage, and demand-side flexibility.

Regulators likewise highlighted the importance of advancing regulatory harmonization to support the ASEAN Power Grid and cross-border electricity trade.

They also called for enabling frameworks that can attract investments in resilient energy infrastructure and integrate energy security and resilience into ASEAN’s broader energy agenda.

The ASEAN Power Grid is a regional power grid initiative that supports multilateral power trade and is intended to enhance energy security, resiliency, and connectivity across the region, according to the ASEAN Centre for Energy.

The ASEAN Energy Regulators Network was established on March 3, 2012, to share information on energy supply regulation, foster closer cooperation among ASEAN energy regulatory bodies, and promote sustainability and economic development in the region.

In a separate set of regional engagements in Singapore, the ERC reaffirmed its support for greater ASEAN power grid integration ahead of the 17th ASEAN Energy Regulators Network 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 are 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.

ERC Executive Director Nancy Aurora Q. Fajardo represented the AERN chair during the 30th Meeting of the ASEAN Power Grid Consultative Committee on May 19.

During the meeting, Fajardo provided updates on AERN’s ongoing ASEAN Power Grid initiatives.

ERC officials Franz Xyrlo I. Tobias and Patrick Jason C. Pineda also 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.

The ERC said the engagements formed part of broader preparations for the 17th AERN Meeting held on June 2 and 3, where ASEAN energy regulators were 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.

The workshop reinforced that energy crises should not only be viewed as risks but also as opportunities to accelerate ASEAN’s transition toward a more secure, interconnected, resilient, and sustainable energy future.