Singapore and Malaysia renew their energy cooperation agreement to support cross-border electricity trade, renewable energy projects, regional power grid connectivity and collaboration on energy storage, solar power and gas infrastructure.
Singapore’s Energy Market Authority (EMA) and Malaysia’s Energy Commission renew their memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, with a focus on renewable energy, cross-border electricity trade and regional power grid connectivity. The agreement is renewed on October 26, 2026, during the 19th Singapore International Energy Week.
The renewed agreement aims to improve coordination between the two countries’ energy regulators and support the development of a more interconnected regional electricity system. Areas of cooperation include cross-border electricity trading, regional interconnection capacity and renewable energy certificates, which can help facilitate renewable electricity imports and encourage investment in clean energy projects.
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Puah Kok Keong, chief executive of Singapore’s EMA, says closer regulatory collaboration can facilitate greater renewable electricity trade, support investments in renewable energy projects and advance regional power system integration. The agreement reflects both countries’ interest in strengthening energy security while supporting the transition towards more sustainable energy sources.
Under the MoU, Singapore and Malaysia also plan to cooperate on the planning and reliability of electricity and piped gas systems. The framework covers the regulation of wholesale and retail electricity markets, alongside greater collaboration on solar power and energy storage systems. These areas are increasingly important as regional energy markets adapt to changing demand, renewable energy integration and supply uncertainties.
Siti Safinah Salleh, chief executive of Malaysia’s Energy Commission, says the renewal reflects the strong and constructive partnership between the two regulators in advancing regional energy cooperation. She highlights the importance of close regulatory coordination in maintaining secure and reliable electricity supplies, facilitating cross-border trade and enabling a sustainable energy transition.
The MoU was first signed in October 2020 to establish a framework for knowledge sharing and technical cooperation. The initial agreement covered the reliability of electricity and gas systems, energy-market regulation and collaboration at multilateral meetings. The renewal builds on this foundation by placing greater emphasis on renewable electricity trade, grid interconnection and emerging clean-energy technologies.
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The latest agreement comes as energy security remains a regional priority amid supply disruptions and growing concerns over the reliability of fuel supplies. Singapore’s Energy, Trade and Industry Minister Tan See Leng warns of increasing disruptions linked to resource nationalism following Indonesia’s move to reduce part of its natural gas exports to Singapore over the October 24–25 weekend.
By renewing the agreement, Singapore and Malaysia seek to strengthen energy-sector coordination, encourage clean-energy investment and improve the resilience of regional power systems. Their cooperation also supports wider efforts to develop an integrated Southeast Asian energy network capable of facilitating electricity trade and diversifying energy supplies.