Southeast Asia’s Energy Crossroads

The report argues that Southeast Asia is at an energy crossroads, where planned gas infrastructure expansion could lock the region into economically volatile fuels and high capital costs, while renewable energy offers a cost-competitive and sustainable alternative. It highlights that in-development gas power and LNG projects would require over $220 billion in investment and could double the region's gas-fired capacity. The document details specific national strategies in Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, noting a trend of viewing gas as a 'transitional fuel'. It further critiques the role of international finance, particularly from Japan and South Korea, and the promotion of carbon capture and storage (CCS) as potential delays to the energy transition. Conversely, it presents data showing that utility-scale solar and wind could meet nearly two-thirds of the projected increase in energy demand by 2030, provided that grid infrastructure and cross-border electricity trade, such as the ASEAN Power Grid, are developed.

• Planned gas expansion in Southeast Asia could double the region's current operational gas-fired generation capacity of 102 GW and increase LNG import capacity by 80%.
• The total capital investment required for in-development gas power and LNG infrastructure in the region exceeds $220 billion, with $180 billion for power plants and $40 billion for import/export infrastructure.
• Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand are leading the gas push, with over 100 GW of gas power, 47 mtpa of LNG import, and 16.7 mtpa of LNG export capacity in development.
• Renewable energy is a viable and cost-competitive alternative; utility-scale solar and wind could generate 450 TWh/year, covering nearly two-thirds of the projected energy demand increase by 2030.
• International financing, particularly from Japanese banks and South Korean public finance, is driving gas development to help these countries offload excess LNG supplies.
• The ASEAN Power Grid and cross-border electricity trade are critical for managing the uneven distribution of renewable resources across the region.

APA

Ajaz, W., Joly, J., Langenbrunner, B., & Rozansky, R. (2024). Southeast Asia’s Energy Crossroads. Global Energy Monitor. https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/GEM_SEAsiaGasReport_2024_11.pdf

Chicago

Ajaz, Warda, Julie Joly, Baird Langenbrunner, and Rob Rozansky. Southeast Asia’s Energy Crossroads. Global Energy Monitor, 2024. https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/GEM_SEAsiaGasReport_2024_11.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Ajaz |first1=Warda |last2=Joly |first2=Julie |last3=Langenbrunner |first3=Baird |last4=Rozansky |first4=Rob |title=Southeast Asia’s Energy Crossroads |publisher=Global Energy Monitor |date=May 2024 |url=https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/GEM_SEAsiaGasReport_2024_11.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{ajaz2024southeast, author = {Ajaz, Warda and Joly, Julie and Langenbrunner, Baird and Rozansky, Rob}, title = {{Southeast Asia’s Energy Crossroads}}, institution = {Global Energy Monitor}, year = {2024}, month = may, url = {https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/GEM_SEAsiaGasReport_2024_11.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }