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Ministry of Trade and Industry

MTI Internship 2025: Subsea power cables for cross-border electricity projects

Ministry of Trade and Industry

Internship

Closing on 14 Feb 2025

What the role is

Subsea power cables for cross-border electricity projects in ASEAN, Energy Partnerships Division The mission of MTI’s Energy Partnerships Division is to support Singapore’s energy transition by securing low-carbon electricity imports from our region and building an interconnected regional grid. The ASEAN Power Grid (APG) was first conceived about 30 years ago, but is now gaining steam given the climate change imperative. Southeast Asia has abundant renewable energy resources and fast-growing economies. Greater energy interconnectivity is essential for the region to harness its indigenous resource potential to meet both its decarbonisation goals and rising demand for energy. ASEAN member states (AMS) will also be able to reap benefits such as enhanced energy resilience and economic growth; new jobs, investments, and technology in the region’s clean energy industry; and new revenue streams for exporting and transit countries. Notwithstanding the widely acknowledged benefits of the APG, cross-border electricity trading projects in the region will only be able to make progress if there is greater clarity and harmonisation in AMS’ laws and regulations regarding cross-border subsea power cable activities, as well as credible technical, commercial, and financial frameworks to anchor their viability. In September 2024, the ASEAN Energy Ministers affirmed the urgency of working towards the realisation of the APG by 2045. They also agreed that the development and passage of subsea power cables is crucial to the realisation of the APG. Establishing consensus on cross-border arrangements for subsea power cable activities in the region would give companies and investors much-needed clarity, streamline and expedite approvals, and ultimately enhance the bankability of renewable energy and cross-border electricity projects in the region. In this context, MTI’s Energy Partnerships Division is working with the Energy Market Authority, the ASEAN Centre for Energy, and other AMS to develop a framework on subsea power cables. The framework will draw where relevant from existing frameworks related to subsea fibre optics/telecommunications cables, as well as best practices from other regions (e.g. in Europe, where energy interconnectivity and cross-border electricity trading are at a far more advanced stage than in ASEAN). The framework, which will cover legal/regulatory, technical, and commercial/financial aspects, is targeted to be submitted to the ASEAN Energy Ministers in September 2025.

What you will be working on

An internship with MTI will involve conducting independent research to support MTI/EMA’s development of this ASEAN framework on subsea power cables, as well as participating in engagements with various interlocutors such as think tanks and international organisations. Beyond this project, there will also be opportunities for the intern to be exposed to other dynamic and challenging workstreams in the fast-evolving energy space.

What we are looking for

• Ability to conduct independent research in a greenfield area and present findings succinctly and analytically in writing • Comfortable participating in engagements with external interlocutors (e.g. think tanks, international organisations etc)

About Ministry of Trade and Industry

The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) seeks to transform Singapore into a leading global city of talent, enterprise and innovation. Our mission is to promote economic growth and create good jobs to enable Singaporeans to improve their lives. In MTI, you can expect an exciting, challenging and rewarding career!