Manila: Energy regulators across Southeast Asia on Wednesday moved closer to establishing integrated energy systems as member states reaffirmed their strong support for deeper collaboration during the 17th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Energy Regulators Network (AERN) Meeting. Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Chairperson and CEO Francis Saturnino Juan, who serves as the AERN chair for 2026-2027, noted that mounting pressures such as fuel market volatility, supply disruptions, and geopolitical shifts continue to strain energy systems across the region.
According to Philippines News Agency, Juan emphasized that these challenges are shared across ASEAN, requiring coordinated and collective action among member states. 'In the Philippines, we have just declared a state of national energy emergency, and behind that declaration are industries that cannot afford to slow down, and households that cannot afford to wait,' Juan said during the meeting. The high-level meeting, aligned with ASEAN's theme 'Navigating Our Future, Together,' followed a preliminary knowledge-sharing workshop titled 'Managing the Energy Crisis and Beyond: Strategies and Tools for ASEAN Regulators.'
The workshop underscored the growing impact of global fuel price volatility, particularly in liquefied natural gas (LNG) and oil, which continues to expose the region's dependence on imported fuels and vulnerability to external shocks. These pressures have contributed to rising electricity costs and increased fiscal strain across several ASEAN member states.
During the regulators' roundtable at the workshop, ERC Commissioner Floresinda Baldo-Digal highlighted the shared responsibility among member states in maintaining stable and resilient energy systems. 'As we navigate the evolving energy landscape, securing affordable, reliable, and sustainable power remains both a pressing challenge and a shared responsibility among ASEAN member states,' Baldo-Digal said.
To demonstrate concrete domestic responses, the ERC presented key Philippine government interventions following the declaration of a state of national energy emergency under Executive Order No. 110, s. 2026. These include the implementation of the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT), aimed at mitigating the impact of rising energy costs while strengthening overall energy resilience.
To help stabilize electricity prices and ensure supply security, the Commission implemented emergency measures such as the temporary suspension and resumption of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), the imposition of administered pricing for coal-fired power plants, and the expedited approval of power supply agreements, as well as consumer protection measures. It also supported the expansion of renewable energy to diversify the country's energy mix.
'Our response must go beyond short-term solutions. We must strengthen systems that ensure long-term resilience and stability in the energy sector,' Baldo-Digal added. Regulators at the forum emphasized enhancing consumer protection frameworks, particularly for vulnerable sectors, while supporting investments in grid modernization, energy storage, and demand-side flexibility.
They also highlighted the importance of advancing regulatory harmonization to support the ASEAN Power Grid and cross-border electricity trade. Looking forward, Juan noted that the region is navigating a crucial transformation driven by renewable energy expansion, evolving technologies, and increasingly interconnected grids.
'Interconnection is as much about rules as it is about wires,' Juan said. He outlined the three regulatory priorities as regulatory coherence, operationalizing regional integration, and strengthening regulatory capacity amid rapid sector changes. 'The ASEAN Power Grid is no longer a long-term aspiration. It is an active workstream. Our focus now shifts from planning to delivery,' he said. 'The credibility of this work will not be measured by what we say. It will be measured by what we deliver,' he added.
