Philippine Energy Policy Wiki

ASEAN Energy Cooperation — Philippines Engagement

Status
operative
Confidence
high

The Philippines participates in ASEAN energy cooperation primarily through the ASEAN Energy Cooperation (AEC) framework, governed by the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC). The AEC aims to promote regional energy security, sustainability, and integration, with key objectives of enhancing EEC, promoting RE development, ensuring energy access, and fostering cross-border energy trade [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. III, Section E, p.50, 2023].

Philippines RE status: The Philippines leads ASEAN member states in RE share of TPES at 22.8% (2021), above the ASEAN aspirational target of 23% TPES [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. III, p.52, 2023].

APAEC Phase II: 2021-2025

Sub-theme: “Accelerating Energy Transition and Strengthening Energy Resilience through Greater Innovation and Cooperation”

APAEC Phase II covers 7 program areas [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. III, p.50, 2023]:

  1. ASEAN Power Grid (APG)
  2. Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline (TAGP)
  3. Coal and Clean Coal Technology
  4. Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EEC)
  5. Renewable Energy (RE)
  6. Regional Energy Policy and Planning (REPP)
  7. Civilian Nuclear Energy (CNE)

ASEAN aspirational targets (APAEC Phase II):

  • RE share: 23% of total primary energy supply (TPES) and 35% of installed power capacity by 2025
  • Energy intensity reduction: 32% by 2025 (vs. 2005 levels)

Actual ASEAN status (2021): RE 14.4% TPES / 32.8% installed capacity; energy intensity reduction 24.5% (TPES) and 30.0% (TFEC) vs. 2005 levels [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. III, p.52, 2023].

ASEAN Power Grid (APG)

The APG is the ASEAN-wide transmission interconnection initiative. The original APG MOU was signed in 2007 and ratified in 2009 (15-year validity, expiring 19 March 2024). During the ASEAN Special SOME in January 2023, AMS agreed to extend the APG MOU by 2 years (interim measure, pending amendment or new MOU). The Philippines obtained Signing Authority from the Office of the President on 22 August 2023 and signed the Instrument of Extension (IOE) [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. III, pp.50–51, 2023].

Philippines APG participation:

  • BIMP-PIP (Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines Power Integration Project) — proposed sub-regional interconnection
  • LTMS-PIP (Lao PDR-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore) — Philippines supports regionally
  • MVIP (Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project): commended at the 25th BIMP-EAGA Ministerial Meeting (November 2022) as a demonstration of successful interconnection

[PEP 2023-2050 Vol. III, p.51, 2023]

Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline (TAGP)

The TAGP MOU was first signed in 2002; extended in 2013 until 20 May 2024. The strategic direction was updated to include LNG as an option for gas supply via regional regasification terminals (RGTs) as “virtual pipelines.” AMS are undertaking the necessary processes (with ASEAN Secretariat, ACE, and ASCOPE) to extend the TAGP MOU for 10 years until 20 May 2034 [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. III, pp.51–52, 2023].

ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA)

The APSA (originally 1986) was last extended from 22 March 2013 to 22 March 2023. During SOME in January 2023, AMS committed to renewal. The DOE signed the APSA IOE on 20 March 2023 (via Signing Authority from OP), extending APSA to 22 March 2025 [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. III, p.52, 2023].

RE and EEC — APAEC Progress

The Philippines hosted the 4th Government-Private Forum on Cleaner Energy Future Initiative for ASEAN (CEFIA) back-to-back with the 17th ASEAN+3 (China-Japan-Korea) NRE and EEC Forum in Mandaue City, Cebu on 16–17 February 2023. These forums facilitated public-private collaboration on clean energy and decarbonization technology across the ASEAN+3 region [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. III, p.52, 2023].

Civilian Nuclear Energy (CNE) Sub-Sector Network

ASEAN’s CNE program builds human resource capabilities in nuclear science and technology for power generation. The Philippines serves as the country coordinator/chairperson of the ASEAN Nuclear Energy Cooperation Sub-Sector Network (NEC-SSN).

The DOE hosted the 13th NEC-SSN Meeting in Clark, Pampanga on 11–13 April 2023, discussing implementation of the CNE Work Program under APAEC [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. III, p.52, 2023]. See also Nuclear Energy Program (Philippines) .

SOME and AMEM

  • 41st Senior Officials Meeting on Energy (SOME): Jakarta, Indonesia, 19–23 June 2023; discussed APAEC Phase II progress and APG/TAGP/APSA renewal
  • 41st ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM): Bali, Indonesia, 22–26 August 2023; chaired by Indonesia under the “Epicentrum of Growth” theme
  • Philippines is scheduled to assume ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026

[PEP 2023-2050 Vol. III, pp.52–53, 2023]

BIMP-EAGA

The Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) was established in March 1994 in Davao City. It covers underdeveloped regions: entire Brunei; Kalimantan/Sulawesi/Maluku/Papua in Indonesia; Sabah/Sarawak/Labuan in Malaysia; and all of Mindanao and Palawan in the Philippines.

The BIMP-EAGA Power and Energy Infrastructure Cluster (PEIC) has a 9-year roadmap (2017–2025) for power and energy infrastructure cooperation (EEC, RE, power interconnection, knowledge sharing).

Philippines hosted the 10th BIMP-EAGA PEIC Meeting and Energy Conserving Design (ECODE) Workshop for Buildings in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, 25–28 September 2023 [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. III, p.56, 2023].

At the 25th BIMP-EAGA Ministerial Meeting (November 2022, West Kalimantan), the MVIP was commended as a major achievement; a study on Renewable Energy Certificates for Power Architects (RECPA) within BIMP was also acknowledged [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. III, p.56, 2023].