During the 50th ASCOPE Council Meeting, held from 30 September to 2 October 2025 at The Ritz-Carlton, One Bangkok, the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) contributed to the regional dialogue through its participation in the Task Force Sharing Session, an engagement attended by all ASCOPE Task Force members. The event, part of ASCOPE’s 50th anniversary programme themed “Shaping a Sustainable World Through Inclusive Actions,” provided a timely platform for energy institutions to exchange perspectives on the region’s evolving energy landscape.  

Representing ACE, Muhammad Rizki Kresnawan, Senior Energy Modeller of Energy Modelling and Policy Planning (MPP) Department, delivered a presentation outlining the development progress of the 9th ASEAN Energy Outlook (AEO9). His intervention built on ACE’s invitation to share updates during the dedicated session , showcasingthe growing relevance of the AEO series as ASEAN prepares for the next cycle of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) under the 2026–2030 framework. 

In his narrative, Rizki highlighted the foundation of AEO9 as a joint effort between ACE and all ten ASEAN Member States, developed through a combination of technical collaboration, harmonised data approaches, and continuous validation processes. Drawing from the modelling tradition established in previous editions of the Outlook, he explained how AEO9 introduces a deeper bottom-up analysis of demand sectors and employs full energy system optimisation to generate long-term projections. He further noted that the Outlook will explore several scenario pathways, including a Baseline Scenario, AMS Target Scenario, and a Regional Aspiration Scenario, with the potential for additional scenario refinement as consultations progress.

Photo 1. Muhammad Rizki Kresnawan, Senior Energy Modeller of Energy Modelling and Policy Planning (MPP) Department during his presentation. 

 Rizki also walked the participants through the multi-stage timeline guiding AEO9’s development. Beginning with the virtual kick-off meeting in July 2025 and followed by scenario discussions, data collection workshops, and in-country consultations, the process will extend into 2026 with result finalisation, regional consultations, and a comprehensive report review prior to its adoption in the REPP Sub-Sector Network and SOME. The official launch is slated for September 2026 during the ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting, after which the dissemination activities will continue until project closure at the end of the year. This structured approach, he emphasized, ensures that the Outlook remains grounded in regional realities while supporting evidence-based policymaking.  

A central part of the presentation focused on the strategic role of ASCOPE in strengthening the relevance of AEO9. Rizki underscored how ASCOPE’s technical expertise feeds into the Outlook’s assessments on infrastructure development, including LNG terminals, refineries, and regional trade networks. He also noted the importance of industry insights from national oil and gas companies, particularly regarding investment trends, project pipelines, and cost structures that shape the region’s energy security outlook. The incorporation of technology foresight—such as CCUS deployment, hydrogen applications, and enhanced recovery—adds further depth to the modelling, while ASCOPE’s input on market integration supports the analysis of cross-border energy flows and the interconnectedness of oil and gas markets. Finally, he highlighted the Task Force’s role in validating assumptions and results to ensure the Outlook’s alignment with industry realities and ASEAN’s broader transition objectives.  

Throughout the session, ACE’s participation reinforced the value of regional cooperation in navigating Southeast Asia’s shifting energy landscape. The discussion helped strengthen alignment across key stakeholders, particularly as ASEAN moves toward the next phase of APAEC, where energy security, sustainability, and affordability must be jointly balanced. The engagement at the 50th ASCOPE Council Meeting ultimately reaffirmed the collective resolve of ASEAN’s energy institutions to advance coordinated planning and to ensure that the region remains on a resilient and forward-looking trajectory.