ASEAN needs 29.4 trillion USD for energy transition to renewables

Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesian Energy Minister Arifin Tasrif has said that ASEAN countries need accessible low-carbon technologies and low-interest financing from multiple sources to achieve their net-zero targets.

Speaking at the ceremony that kicked off the country’s 2023 ASEAN energy chairmanship in Jakarta last week, Arifin said that according to a report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), ASEAN will need 29.4 trillion USD up to 2050 for 100% renewable power generation.

That is why ASEAN needs financing from developed economies and global financial institutions such as the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and the Asia Zero Emission Community.

The bloc has set a goal to achieve 23% renewables share in its total primary energy supply and 35% in installed power capacity by 2025. Member states are also expected to achieve their nationally determined contributions by 2030, and eventually net zero emissions by 2050.

According to Arifin, Indonesia expects all ASEAN member countries to declare their net zero emission targets at the 41st ministerial meeting on energy in August this year.

He emphasised that their joint commitment will become the building block for ASEAN’s net zero emission roadmap.

The roadmap will serve as an action plan for a just, affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy transition that leaves no one behind, following the social and economic conditions, as well as the priorities of the respective ASEAN countries, he added.

ASEAN now has 17,000 gigawatts of renewable energy potential. Some ASEAN members, including Indonesia, are blessed with abundant critical minerals – a mainstay for clean energy technologies such as electric vehicles, Arifin said, adding that ASEAN needs joint efforts to build the downstream industry in the ASEAN region./.