Southeast Asia’s Renewable Energy Gambit: Vietnam’s Wind Power Goes Regional
A Trilateral Pact Could Reshape ASEAN’s Energy Future
In a move that could accelerate Southeast Asia’s renewable energy transition, energy giants from Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam have inked a landmark agreement to explore cross-border electricity trading. The deal, signed during the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, centers on exporting Vietnam’s untapped offshore wind power through a proposed subsea cable network—potentially creating a blueprint for regional clean energy collaboration.
“This isn’t just about cables and megawatts—it’s about rewriting ASEAN’s energy playbook,” says an industry insider familiar with the negotiations.
The partnership brings together Malaysia’s MY Energy Consortium (featuring state-owned Tenaga Nasional Berhad and Petroliam Nasional Berhad), Vietnam’s PTSC, and Singapore’s Sembcorp Utilities. Their immediate goal: assess the technical and economic feasibility of funneling Vietnamese wind energy through Malaysia’s national grid to power-hungry Singapore. The project aligns with Malaysia’s push for the ASEAN Power Grid, a decades-old vision for regional energy security now gaining urgency.
Singapore’s ambitions loom large here. The city-state aims to import 6 gigawatts (GW) of low-carbon electricity by 2035—enough to cover roughly one-third of its projected demand. Meanwhile, Vietnam is betting big on wind, with nearshore farms already in development and a target of 6 GW offshore capacity by 2030. Long-term plans are even bolder: 70–91.5 GW by 2050, which would require unprecedented investment.
The Subsea Challenge
Key to the plan is overcoming Southeast Asia’s fragmented energy infrastructure. The consortium will study routing options for high-voltage subsea cables—a technical and financial hurdle given the region’s complex maritime geography. Previous attempts at regional power sharing have stalled over pricing disputes and grid reliability concerns, but participants insist this venture is different.
“Vietnam’s wind resources could become the battery for Southeast Asia’s industrial hubs,” notes a Singapore-based energy analyst.
If successful, the model could extend beyond these three nations. Thailand and Indonesia have shown interest in similar arrangements, while the Philippines’ own offshore wind boom could integrate into future networks. For now, all eyes are on the feasibility studies—expected to take 18–24 months—which will determine whether this vision becomes reality or another ASEAN pipe dream.
The stakes are high. As climate pressures mount and energy demand soars, Southeast Asia’s ability to collaborate on renewables may decide whether the region becomes a clean energy leader or remains tethered to fossil fuels. This three-nation experiment could be the first real test.
