Business · Energy & Commodities · 2 hrs ago
Officials urge faster work on Southeast Asia power grid links
An Asian Development Bank executive and Thailand’s deputy prime minister urged faster work on a regional power grid at a meeting in Bangkok.
The discussion took place during the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank on October 14.
The plan involves connecting power grids across Southeast Asia so countries can work together on energy supply.
The region remains vulnerable to energy shocks, and high oil prices are affecting businesses and households.
Better grid connections could help cushion the impact of those shocks.
The officials called for the project to be accelerated, but no timeline or next steps were stated.
Officials and experts urged Southeast Asian countries to speed up plans to connect their power grids.
They said regional links could help cushion the impact of energy shocks.
The call came as high oil prices were affecting businesses and households across the region.
The discussion took place during the IMF and World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok.
- Who
- An ADB executive, Thailand's deputy prime minister and other experts.
- What
- They urged faster work to connect Southeast Asia's power grids.
- When
- During a session on Oct. 14, 2026.
- Where
- Bangkok, Thailand.
- Why
- Regional grid links could help cushion energy shocks as high oil prices affect businesses and households.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Panelists discussed regional power-grid links during the IMF and World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok.
Nikkei Asia published its report on the call to accelerate the project.
- Meeting
- IMF and World Bank annual meetings
- Location
- Bangkok
- Session date
- Oct. 14, 2026
- Publication date
- Oct. 15, 2026