Faced with energy transition objectives, the ten countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have technology options to pursue decarbonized power sector pathways. Here, we present an integrated power system capacity expansion model for ASEAN over 2018 – 2050. The results provide hypothetical pathways to decarbonize the ASEAN power sector while meeting the projected electricity demand by strategically pursuing renewable energy, carbon capture and sequestration, and cross-border transmission grids. Transmission, while accounting for a marginal share in total cost (up to 0.3%), can reduce cumulative system costs by 10.8% and help achieve net-zero emissions. Across scenarios, generation infrastructure will require a cumulative investment equivalent to 29.6% – 44.2% of ASEAN’s 2018 GDP. The investment requirements for the expansion plan, however, are unevenly distributed across countries, especially with the ambition to achieve a carbon-neutral power sector. Country-specific investment in decarbonization is a consideration for the region.
ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) is an intergovernmental organisation within ASEAN structure that represents the 10 ASEAN Member States’ (AMS) interests in the energy sector.
