Southeast Asia (SEA) was regarded as a "slow starter" in the energy transition but has accelerated the decarbonization path, with most SEA countries developing their own road maps to achieve net-zero emissions between 2050 and 2065. Various efforts have been made to push clean energy expansion. Singapore's first power import project begins through the Lao PDR-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration project; the Philippines's inaugural green energy auction awarded 76% of the capacity to solar; and Vietnam's latest Power Development Plan (PDP) 8 draft appears to center on gas and wind. Besides, it was noted that nuclear power is now being considered as one of the clean energy transition options in the region. The heavily coal-reliant countries—the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam—all float their prospects of nuclear power development in the most recent announcements during the second quarter of 2022.
This policy dialogue will bring in key experts both from Canada and Southeast Asia to discuss key issues related to clean energy innovation and transition in the region. The discussion will be held under the Chatham House Rule and aims to spark ideas and insights on how Southeast Asia can smoothly undertake its clean energy transition.
This is a side event to the 10th Asia-Pacific Forum for Sustainable Development and is co-organized by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and ESCAP's Subregional Office for South East Asia.