The Japan Renewable Energy Foundation and the Desertec Foundation are teaming up for a shared vision of an Asia Supergrid that would connect the national grids of Japan, Korea, China, Mongolia and Russia. Conceivably, this could open up opportunities for renewable energy development in which the power produced could be moved to where it is needed most. That means places like Japan, with fewer areas in which to build renewable developments, could benefit from wind power produced in placed like Inner Mongolia, where potential capacity far exceeds demand.

“The aim (of the Asian Super Grid) is to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy to provide secure and sustainable alternatives to fossil and nuclear energies,” JREF and Desertec said in a shared statement.

If built, it could also help redraw the map on both electrical power and political power.