Delegates from various organisations and countries came together to discuss strategies for promoting renewable energy integration into electricity markets.

The Regional Workshop on Electricity Market Designs for Renewables in Southeast Asia, a two-day event held in Bangkok, Thailand from 24-25 April 2024, stressed the urgent need for Southeast Asian nations to ramp up wind and solar energy production to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Organised by the project “Clean, Affordable and Secure Energy for Southeast Asia (CASE)” and the Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership (ETP), the workshop brought together more than 60 key stakeholders from Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, including government representatives, regulators, utility companies, renewable energy producers and international experts.

The workshop highlighted the significant progress already underway across the region. All four participating countries are actively deploying renewable energy sources, particularly wind and solar power. However, the workshop also acknowledged the shared challenges faced by these nations in integrating these variable renewable energy sources with their existing power grids and markets. Discussions focused on identifying best practices and potential solutions, with a particular emphasis on market reforms, knowledge sharing, and strategic investments in system flexibility solutions like battery storage.

These collective efforts will be crucial for ensuring a smooth and successful transition towards a clean energy future for Southeast Asia, as emphasised by Sascha Oppowa, Energy Project Director at GIZ: “While Southeast Asia boasts strong renewable resources and investment opportunities, the current share of solar and wind in the energy mix remains relatively low. This event delves into how existing electricity market designs can be adapted to attract crucial investments in renewables and ensure smooth integration into power grids undergoing significant transformation.”

Looking beyond national borders, the workshop explored the potential of the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) to play a transformative role in the region’s energy landscape. The APG envisions a seamlessly interconnected power grid across Southeast Asia, facilitating the cross-border trading of electricity. This collaboration could unlock significant benefits, allowing countries to tap into a wider pool of renewable energy resources and optimise energy use throughout the region. By fostering greater utilisation of clean energy across borders, the APG presents a promising pathway for accelerating Southeast Asia’s collective journey towards a sustainable and secure energy future.

Later this year, CASE will publish a detailed analysis on how Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam can harness market opportunities to increase renewable energy.