Features
What COP30 Should Deliver to Advance the ASEAN Power Grid
The regional grid, a decades-old concept, could significantly accelerate Southeast Asia’s transition to renewables, ensuring stable, secure, clean and affordable electricity for countries in the region. However, for that to happen, leaders at COP30 must address the policy and financing roadblocks impeding the initiative.
47th ASEAN Summit 2025 Ends With Trump Promising Support to Southeast Asia
ASEAN is becoming a key point of interest to global superpowers. However, it remains critical that, in the negotiation process, Southeast Asian economies don't neglect their own interests as in the case of the energy transition, where they are increasingly succumbing under the external pressure of the fossil fuel lobby.
Renewable Energy
Renewable Energy Trends 2025: Capacity to Double by 2030
Despite the positive trends, the IEA warns that the COP28 to triple clean energy capacity remains out of reach. To get back on track, countries should minimise policy uncertainties, reduce permitting timelines, increase grid investments and expand flexibility to facilitate the integration of variable renewables and derisk financing.
Is Renewable Energy Expensive? Or Is It the Cheapest Power Source on Earth?
For years, sceptics questioned the cost of renewable energy, but the data now tells a different story. Renewables are not only the cheapest source of new electricity but also the fastest-growing, having decisively outcompeted fossil fuels on price. This surge is driving down energy bills and has led to renewables overtaking coal in the global power mix for the first time.
Fossil Fuel
Proposed Ammonia Co-firing Solutions More Expensive than Renewables
The LCOE for ammonia co-firing exceeds that of renewable electricity, rendering Southeast Asia’s plans economically unfeasible. According to experts, instead of exposing themselves to the financial, environmental and health risks associated with ammonia co-firing, ASEAN nations should prioritise the accelerated deployment of renewable energy.
Gas Turbine Shortage in Vietnam and the Philippines
Experts note that delays, exacerbated by global gas turbine shortages, and regulatory and bankability challenges are giving clear market signals to move away from gas projects and scale up renewables and battery storage deployments instead.
Region
Smog in India: A Nation Struggling to Breathe
India’s air quality crisis has reached crisis levels, with PM 2.5 concentrations far above WHO guidelines and city skies routinely choked by smog from biomass burning, vehicle emissions, industry and crop burning. Short-term fixes like cloud seeding and emergency measures mask deeper, systemic failures. Lasting improvement requires stronger emissions controls, sustained policy action and equitable access to clean air.
Domestic Banks Are Propping Up Indonesian Coal Despite Climate Risks
Despite global financiers halting support for coal power, Indonesia's major domestic banks are filling the void by funnelling billions into new coal projects. This continued investment risks locking in decades of pollution, making the country's climate goals impossible to achieve and hindering the uptake of cleaner energy alternatives.
Podcasts
Most Popular
Most Popular
Videos
