Electrifying a clean and sustainable energy future in Asia and Pacific

The Asia-Pacific region stands at a critical juncture in its pursuit of sustainable development, facing the dual challenge of maintaining robust economic growth while addressing significant environmental concerns, particularly those related to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. As the region endeavors to sustain its development trajectory, the imperative to decarbonize economies through electrification has never been more urgent. This is particularly true given the advancements in renewable energy and energy storage technologies, which present unprecedented opportunities to transform energy systems.

In response to these pressing issues, the International Society for Energy Transition Studies (ISETS), in collaboration with Ember and the Climate Champions Team, organised a pivotal webinar titled “Electrifying a Clean and Sustainable Future in Asia-Pacific” on June 18, 2024. Supported by the Breakthrough Agenda and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), this event brought together a distinguished panel of experts and over 40 participants from various sectors—including businesses, think tanks, NGOs, financial institutions, and industry—to foster an open discussion on the strategies and collaborations necessary to accelerate clean electrification in the region.

A deep and rapid transition towards locally-produced clean energy can contribute to affordable and resilient energy supply – essential for economic prosperity and social well-being. To achieve these benefits, accelerating the progress of the transition is necessary. This involves not just setting more ambitious targets for renewable energy deployment and end-user efficiency improvement, but also creating actionable plans to turn climate ambitions into actual progress. 

This requires technological innovations and investment, sound policy and effective implementation, and collective actions among governments, industries and communities. Significant efforts are also needed in the industrial and transport sectors to support efficiency improvement and electrification. 

This involves not only more effective knowledge sharing but also fostering strong stakeholder engagement. By actively involving local communities, policymakers, businesses, and civil society, a better understanding of the unique cultural, socio-economic and energy contexts can be developed to adapt global initiatives into practical, on-the-ground solutions that are more actionable and inclusive. 

They serve as a knowledge hub that synthesises diverse perspectives and opinions into pragmatic policy suggestions for decision-makers to consider. This collaborative approach helps bridge the gap between global goals and local realities, ensuring sustainable and effective implementation of initiatives across the Asia-Pacific region.

Supporting a rapid deployment of renewable generation involves creating a favourable environment conducive to private investment, as well as augmenting network and energy storage infrastructure. It also entails localising the manufacturing and assembly of renewable energy equipment and facilities, thereby creating jobs, and adding values in host countries.

This is essential to bring promising yet commercially unviable technologies to market. This can be facilitated through demonstration projects, supported by grants from multilateral development banks (MDBs) and development partners, along with ESG investments from large corporations. These initiatives will help bridge the gap between innovation and market readiness, accelerating the adoption of cutting-edge technologies.

It facilitates more efficient use of renewable energy resources and promotes energy security across participating countries, leveraging the complementarity of abundant and diverse renewable energy sources across the Asia-Pacific region. To deepen power connectivity, it is important to enhance dialogue and stakeholder engagement, in order to foster consensus and find common ground through strategic accommodation. 

Diversifying sources of electricity supply can serve as an effective hedge against these risks. This includes importing electricity from multiple sources and establishing resilient domestic supplies, such as rooftop solar PV, green hydrogen infrastructure, battery storage facilities, and nuclear energy.