Bahlil calls for strengthening cross-border ASEAN electricity infrastructure

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia is pushing for the strengthening of cross-border ASEAN electricity infrastructure development at the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area) Leaders’ Summit in the Philippines.

“This meeting is an initiative for subregional economic cooperation established in 1994 to promote development in the 3T areas for the four member countries,” Bahlil said in his official statement confirmed by ANTARA in Jakarta on Friday.

Bahlil, who accompanied Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the meeting, emphasised that regional energy infrastructure development must deliver tangible impacts for communities in underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost (3T) areas.

According to Bahlil, subregional cooperation should not only focus on inter-country connectivity but also ensure equitable, reliable, and affordable electricity access reaching the most remote areas.

Bahlil stated that the BIMP-EAGA forum provides a crucial opportunity for Indonesia to strengthen synergies in cross-regional electricity development, particularly through energy interconnection projects, rural electrification, and the development of new renewable energy.

These efforts are deemed essential to provide better energy access to communities in border areas and remote islands, thereby driving local economic growth.

“This synergy will strengthen collaboration so that communities in remote areas can access affordable energy for improved welfare,” Bahlil said.

Through this active participation, the Ministry of ESDM is optimistic that the foundation of cooperation among the four countries will become more robust to synergise in building energy infrastructure.

Thus, it is hoped not only to secure each country’s supply chains but also to accelerate Southeast Asia as a resilient and sustainable economic growth axis.

Meanwhile, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, in his speech at the summit, affirmed that BIMP-EAGA must continue to develop to more concretely address the needs of communities in the region.

According to the President, this subregional cooperation must become more adaptive, impactful, and responsive to constantly changing global dynamics.

“With that spirit, BIMP-EAGA must continue to develop. BIMP-EAGA must be more adaptive, more impactful, and more responsive to our communities’ needs,” he said.