India and Singapore are exploring a 2,000-megawatt electricity link that could span around 3,000 kilometres through Southeast Asia.
India’s Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy, Shripad Yesso Naik, outlined the proposal at the 20th East Asia Summit Energy Ministers’ Meeting in Manila on October 8.
One possible route would connect Imphal in northeastern India with Singapore through Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia. No construction schedule or final implementation plan has been announced.
The corridor could strengthen regional energy security and complement the ASEAN Power Grid initiative, which aims to connect national electricity networks and expand cross-border power trade.
Naik highlighted India’s experience in renewable energy deployment, transmission planning, grid integration and energy storage as potential contributions to regional cooperation. The country’s expanding non-fossil power capacity could also support electricity exports, subject to agreements with participating countries.
However, the project would require coordination among several governments, with agreements on transmission access, electricity pricing and regulatory requirements. Its technical feasibility, financing and operating arrangements would also need to be established.
Singapore is pursuing wider regional energy cooperation through a three-year partnership with the World Bank Group, launched on October 1, to support the ASEAN Power Grid.
The proposed India-Singapore connection remains at an exploratory stage. Its development will depend on whether participating countries can agree on the necessary arrangements and establish a viable route.
