Singapore's EMA Grants Conditional Approval for 1.3 GW Vietnam-Malaysia-Singapore Renewable Power Import

Singapore's Energy Market Authority has granted Conditional Approval to Sembcorp Utilities Pte Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sembcorp Industries, as the designated importer for the Vietnam-Malaysia-Singapore renewable electricity initiative, marking a significant step forward for one of Southeast Asia's most ambitious cross-border power projects. The approval provides a foundation for the participating consortia to advance the next stages of project development, subject to the necessary regulatory and project approvals.

The VMS initiative aims to import up to 1.3 GW of renewable electricity into Singapore through a regional power corridor linking Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore. The proposed project will harness Vietnam's offshore wind resources alongside solar and battery energy storage infrastructure in Malaysia, with the import expected to commence in 2035. Under the arrangement, renewable electricity generated in Vietnam would be transmitted through Malaysia and supplied to both Malaysia and Singapore, with Malaysia serving as both a recipient and transit country for the regional power flow.

The Conditional Approval builds on the Joint Development Agreement signed in May 2025 between the consortium comprising PetroVietnam Technical Services Corporation, a member of Vietnam National Industry–Energy Group, and Singapore-based Sembcorp Utilities; and MY Energy Consortium, comprising Malaysia's Tenaga Nasional Berhad and Petroliam Nasional Berhad. Since the signing of the JDA, the participating consortia have advanced technical and commercial activities in close collaboration with governments, regulators and other stakeholders across the three countries. The Conditional Approval reflects the collective progress achieved to date and the strong cooperation supporting the development of this landmark regional initiative.

The approval was formally presented during the opening of Singapore International Energy Week 2026 on 26 October 2026, in a ceremony involving Wong Kim Yin, Group Chief Executive Officer of Sembcorp Industries; Phan Tu Giang, Vice President of Petrovietnam; Tran Ho Bac, President and Chief Executive Officer of PTSC; Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik, President and Group Chief Executive Officer of PETRONAS; and Dato' Sri Ir. Ts. Shamsul bin Ahmad, President and Chief Executive Officer of TNB. The ceremony was witnessed by Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry of Singapore; Datuk Amar Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation of Malaysia; and Cao Anh Tuan, Vice Minister of Finance of Vietnam.

The VMS initiative supports broader efforts to unlock Southeast Asia's renewable energy potential, strengthen cross-border energy connectivity and contribute to the advancement of the ASEAN Power Grid. The project underscores the growing momentum behind regional power trade as Southeast Asian nations seek to decarbonize their energy systems while meeting rising electricity demand.