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(Adi Constantin, Unsplash)

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Katharine Rooney, Senior Writer, Formative Content
  • Southeast Asia’s growth in electricity demand is among the fastest in the world
  • Renewable energy only meets around 15% of demand
  • Higher temperatures are leading to an increased use of air-conditioning
  • Peak demand for cooling systems could strain power systems
The energy market in Southeast Asia is growing rapidly. Overall demand has increased by 80% since 2000, with millions of new customers gaining access to electricity.
That is putting pressure on energy systems, and with much of the demand met by a doubling of fossil fuel use, CO2 emissions have also risen.
 
The number of deaths linked to outdoor and household air pollution in Southeast Asia is expected to jump to more than 650,000 a year by 2040, up from around 450,000 in 2018, according to the International Energy Association (IEA).
However, a more sustainable approach to energy usage is possible.
Three new charts from the IEA show not just the challenges that Southeast Asia is facing, but the opportunities for its energy future.
1. Balancing demand and impact
This chart shows the share of selected global economic and energy indicators in Southeast Asia.
Southeast Asia has a burgeoning need for energy that is mainly being met by fossil fuels.
Image: IEA
The populations of many Southeast Asian countries are growing at a faster rate than those of the United Kingdom, United States and China.
“Southeast Asia is set to have a major impact over the next two decades, adding the equivalent of Japan’s entire energy system to global demand. This rapid growth underscores the importance of Southeast Asian countries’ energy policies for their citizens, but also for the world,” says IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol.
The IEA findings are based on the economic and energy trends from the 10 countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), including Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia.
Its research shows just how heavily dependent the region is on oil to meet its energy needs. With demand expected to reach 9 million barrels a day by 2040, Southeast Asia is close to becoming a net importer of fossil fuels.
2. A cooling trend
Over 30 years, the energy required for air-conditioners in ASEAN countries has increased 7.5 times – equivalent to the annual household electricity consumption of South Korea.
However, air-conditioning ownership in the region is still low compared to developed economies with less challenging climates, so the market could grow considerably.
Under the Stated Policies Scenario (STEPS) of ASEAN countries, the energy required for cooling would leap to nearly 30% of peak electricity demand by 2040; representing 200 GW of capacity.
This chart shows the residential electricity demand by end use and electricity consumption per household in Southeast Asia.
As demand for cooling continues to rise, so does the need for better operational efficiency.
Image: IEA
The IEA suggests that ASEAN countries could save 110 TWh of electricity by that date – almost equivalent to the current electricity production of Malaysia, the Philippines and Viet Nam combined – with an improvement in the efficiency of air-conditioners and improved overall building design, innovation, and consumer engagement.
3. The scope for going green
By 2040, electricity consumption in Southeast Asia is set to double, due to rising incomes and higher temperatures. In order to meet that need, the energy mix w ill have to diversify.
Under current policy, the share of renewable energy is forecast to account for around 20% of electricity generation in ASEAN countries. Plans for cross-border interconnection in the region will help add a greater share of renewable energy to its power system.
This chart shows the cumulative renewable energy capacity of the ASEAN region in 2017 and 2023.
Renewable energy in ASEAN countries is expected to grow by over a third by 2023.
Image: IEA
The IEA has made four recommendations to help make the energy sector in Southeast Asia more sustainable:
  • Tripling the share of renewables in the energy mix to 70% by 2040
  • Improving energy efficiency, especially in fast-growing areas such as cooling and road transport, to tackle concerns about rising energy costs and security
  • Phasing out fossil fuel subsidies
  • Implementing new technologies such as carbon capture, utilization and storage.