With transportation being one of the most energy-consuming sectors in the region, fuel switching to bioenergy in the sector could play a critical role in ASEAN energy.
However, given the renewable energy (RE) share, which accounts for 14.2% of total primary energy supply (TPES) and 32.4% of total installed capacity as of 2020, the integration of biofuels can be seen as the diver for energy diversification across ASEAN and to achieve the regional targets by 2025, as indicated in the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy.
Furthermore, higher biofuel utilisation will contribute to the local economy and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth by unleashing agricultural feedstock potential, whilst aligning with climate change commitments under the Paris Agreement.
With heightened mandates and increasing demand, biofuel research and development (R&D) activities will be more critical than ever, The ASEAN Biofuel R&D Roadmap is proposed to resolve the existing impediments in the whole supply chain through a coordinated approach within AMS.The roadmap is based on a review of related policies, technologies, and feedstocks, then verified through questionnaires and focus group discussions (FGD).
Lastly, the action plans are categorised according to upstream, midstream, and downstream supply chain elements, and arranged according to near-term, mid-term, and long-term priorities.