The Infra Loop
Editorial illustration; not a photograph of the project.
Good morning. In this edition, a solar project gains its ownership structure, a water proposal advances without a rival bid, and energy projects move closer to paid output.
MUST KNOW
Malaysia | TNB and IOI agree solar-and-storage venture
TNB Renewables, an IOI subsidiary and a consortium of smaller businesses signed a joint venture and shareholders’ agreement on 3 November for a 500 MWac solar project with 250 MW/1,000 MWh of battery storage in Bahau, Negeri Sembilan. The project company has also agreed a long-term lease over approximately 1,300 acres.
TNB Renewables will own 70%, IOI’s subsidiary 25% and the consortium 5%. TNB’s 21-year offtake arrangement with DayOne, under which the data-centre operator is expected to procure up to 500 MWac, was announced in June 2025.
Why it matters: The new agreement puts equity ownership and land alongside an existing offtake arrangement. It does not establish project financing, a construction start or an operating date.
Philippines | No rival bid emerges for New Clark water proposal
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority plans to proceed towards awarding a proposed PHP14.8 billion New Clark City water and wastewater project after receiving no competing proposal in the Swiss challenge, its chief executive told reporters on 3 November. The Maynilad–K-Water consortium has original proponent status; the formal award still depends on required procedures.
The project is designed to raise New Clark City’s water supply capacity to 150–200 million litres a day, according to Context.ph.
Why it matters: The absence of a rival bid advances the commercial process, but it is not a signed contract or financing. Reliable water supply is part of the infrastructure needed to serve industrial and data-centre demand.
DEALS & PROJECTS
Philippines | Alabat wind begins generating ahead of full commissioning
Three turbines at Alternergy’s 64 MW Alabat wind project are generating electricity and earning pre-commissioning revenue after its transmission system was connected to the Luzon grid, Context.ph reported on 3 November. The report did not specify the energisation date.
Why it matters: First generation is a material step beyond the sea-crossing link’s construction, which we covered last week. Integrated testing and remaining commissioning still stand between early output and full commercial operations.
Vietnam | A new 220 kV connection is energised
Vietnam’s national transmission company energised a roughly 4.37 km, double-circuit connection to the Bac Lieu 220 kV substation on 3 November, according to EVN. The works connect the substation to the existing Ca Mau power plant–Soc Trang line.
Why it matters: EVN says the link strengthens the regional grid and supports the evacuation of renewable generation. The announcement does not quantify additional deliverable capacity.
WORTH TALKING ABOUT
Regional | ASEAN seeks advice on who pays for subsea power cables
The ASEAN Centre for Energy published a request for expressions of interest on 3 November for a study of commercial and financing arrangements for regional subsea power cables. Its scope includes identifying potential anchor buyers and assessing risk sharing, ownership, cost allocation and investor protections.
Why it matters: Those questions can determine whether cross-border power links attract private capital. This is procurement of a study, not an award of a cable project or a commitment to finance one.
Vietnam | Average retail electricity price falls 2%
Vietnam Electricity reduced the average retail electricity price by 2% to VND 2,159.9037 per kWh before VAT, effective 1 November. The Ministry of Industry and Trade issued separate prices for consumer groups.
Why it matters: The change affects the revenue and affordability backdrop for the power sector. Actual customer bills depend on the applicable tariff and consumption; the average reduction does not mean every bill falls by 2%.
Keeping you in the loop on all things infrastructure happening in ASEAN.