Singapore and the Philippines Advance Cross-Border Power Interconnection and Nuclear Energy Cooperation

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On October 26, Singapore and the Philippines exchanged letters of intent on cross-border power interconnection cooperation during the opening of Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW 2026). The two sides will study the feasibility of establishing cross-border power connections and explore power trading and complementary utilization of regional energy resources. The letters of intent were exchanged in the presence of Singapore's Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry Tan See Leng and Philippine Secretary of Energy Sharon Garin.

Under the cooperation arrangement, both sides may invite enterprises with reliable solutions to participate in the assessment of potential interconnection projects. The study will cover technical feasibility, economic viability, financing conditions and business models, and will coordinate relevant regulatory approvals and licensing matters. The cooperation will also advance the development of the ASEAN Power Grid, support the accelerated improvement of the ASEAN Submarine Power Cable Development Framework, and create conditions for the future construction of cross-border submarine transmission lines and regional power trading.

Philippine Secretary of Energy Garin said at the Ministerial Dialogue on Regional Energy Cooperation that advancing cross-border power interconnection requires coordinating regulatory rules among countries, leveraging complementary energy resource advantages, and establishing mutually beneficial arrangements. In addition to Singapore, the Philippines is also exploring power connections with Malaysia and Indonesia to promote power connectivity among ASEAN member states.

The two sides also exchanged letters of intent on civil nuclear energy cooperation during the same period, covering advanced nuclear energy technologies, human resource development, nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear waste management and civil liability frameworks. The two sides plan to advance relevant capacity building through exchanges between government officials and experts, information sharing and scientific research cooperation, and emphasized that nuclear energy cooperation must comply with international nuclear non-proliferation principles and relevant safety and security requirements.

Both letters of intent are exploratory cooperation frameworks. Specific routes, transmission capacity, investment amounts and construction timelines for cross-border transmission lines between Singapore and the Philippines have not been announced, nor do they represent a decision by either side to build nuclear power facilities.