ASEAN pushes regional grid as Cambodia, Laos agree to joint study

They will assess the feasibility of electricity interconnection between the two countries.

The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), Electricité du Cambodge (EDC), and Electricité du Laos (EDL) will study the feasibility of a cross-border electricity interconnection between Cambodia and Laos.

The agreement, signed in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on 25 May, covers technical studies, policy and regulatory review, economic and commercial analysis, ACE said in a press release.

It also includes environmental and social impact screening, and implementation planning, alongside training and capacity-building activities.

The agreement establishes a steering committee and a working committee to oversee and coordinate the study.

The initiative operates under the ASEAN Power Grid Project Preparation Facility, implemented by the World Bank and ACE under the Multi-Phase Programmatic Approach – Accelerating Sustainable Energy Transition programme.

The facility supports preparation of regional interconnection projects and technical work under the ASEAN Interconnection Masterplan Study IV, the centre said in a press release.

Dr Praing Chulasa, Managing Director of EDC, said Cambodia has about 63% renewable energy in installed capacity and aims to reach at least 70% by 2030, adding that it is developing dispatch systems to integrate variable renewable energy sources.

Vienthong Sackdara, PhD, Deputy Managing Director of EDL, said the framework provides a structured process to work with Cambodia and ACE on a cross-border power connection and to prepare a feasibility study.

Dato’ Ir Razib Dawood, Executive Director of ACE, said the project forms part of the ASEAN Power Grid, which aims to link electricity networks across Southeast Asia.

The parties held a trilateral meeting after the signing, along with a steering committee meeting, technical discussions with the World Bank, and a working committee session.

The meetings covered objectives, work plan, roles and responsibilities, and expected outcomes of the study.

The ASEAN Power Grid sits under the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation 2026–2030.