EU Deepens Collaboration with ASEAN to Accelerate Clean Energy Integration and Regional Power Grid Development

EU Deepens Collaboration with ASEAN to Accelerate Clean Energy Integration and Regional Power Grid Development

(IN BRIEF) The European Union has announced expanded support for Southeast Asia’s sustainable energy transition through a major partnership with ASEAN and the Asian Development Bank to advance the ASEAN Power Grid. The initiative aims to improve energy access for over 670 million people and strengthen regional integration via cross-border renewable infrastructure. A Joint Declaration of Intent signed at the Global Gateway Forum brings together the EU, its Member States, and European financial institutions such as the EIB, AFD, and KfW, reinforcing their shared commitment to clean energy development and regional cooperation.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUXEMBOURG, 13-Oct-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The European Union (EU) has announced a significant boost in its commitment to advancing sustainable energy connectivity across Southeast Asia, marking a new phase in collaboration with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and international partners. Through a Team Europe approach, the EU, its Member States, development finance institutions, and private sector partners will collectively enhance their engagement in the development of the ASEAN Power Grid — a flagship initiative aimed at improving access to affordable, reliable, and clean energy for more than 670 million people in the region.

At the Global Gateway Forum held in Brussels, the EU, European partners, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) formalized their cooperation through a Joint Declaration of Intent to accelerate progress on the ASEAN Power Grid. The initiative is designed to strengthen regional integration through cross-border electricity infrastructure while supporting the region’s sustainable development goals.

European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela emphasized the transformative potential of this initiative: “Reliable access to clean energy means better education, lower costs, stronger local businesses, and greater energy security. The ASEAN Power Grid will make all this possible — fully in line with our Global Gateway Strategy — and that is why we are stepping up our support for this project. It is also a major step forward in our shared ambition to promote sustainable energy solutions across Southeast Asia.”

Building on decades of expertise in renewable energy and grid integration, the EU is bringing its technical know-how and investment capacity to strengthen electricity market integration and promote regional energy security in partnership with ASEAN. The collaboration is set to deepen ties between the two regions as they approach the 50th anniversary of the EU–ASEAN Strategic Partnership in 2027.

The EU already works closely with ASEAN on energy initiatives — from renewable generation to connectivity and fair transition frameworks, such as Just Energy Transition Partnerships. During the Global Gateway Forum, a dedicated session allowed stakeholders to discuss the next steps for the ASEAN Power Grid, focusing on regulatory harmonization, financing mechanisms, and large-scale investments in renewable energy generation and transmission infrastructure.

The Joint Declaration of Intent, signed by the EU, ADB, and European development finance institutions — including the European Investment Bank (EIB), Agence Française de Développement (AFD), KfW, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), FMO, and the European Development Finance Institutions (EDFI) — reflects a unified European commitment to supporting ASEAN’s vision of a sustainable, interconnected energy future. The signing ceremony was witnessed by the ASEAN Secretariat, the ASEAN Centre for Energy, and representatives from ASEAN Member States.

This strategic cooperation underscores Europe’s long-term partnership with ASEAN in accelerating energy transition, enhancing connectivity, and driving sustainable economic growth through clean energy innovation and investment.

Background information

Global Gateway Forum

The Global Gateway Forum brings together an assembly of leaders from the European Union and across the globe, alongside key stakeholders from the private sector, civil society, thought leaders, financial institutions, and international organisations to promote global investment in infrastructure – hard and soft – to deliver on the SDGs and sustainable growth and resilience worldwide.

Global Gateway

Global Gateway is the EU’s positive offer to reduce the worldwide investment disparity and boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport sectors, and to strengthen health, education and research systems.

The Global Gateway strategy embodies a Team Europe approach that brings together the European Union, EU Member States, and European development finance institutions. Together, we aim to mobilise up to €300 billion in public and private investments from 2021 to 2027, creating essential links rather than dependencies, and closing the global investment gap.

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SOURCE: European Investment Bank