Photo 1. Group Photo of the Workshop Participants (Photo by PETRA)
Penang, 2 June 2025 - The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), in collaboration with Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) of Malaysia, convened the “Consultative Workshop on APAEC Post-2025 and Alignment with the ASEAN RE Long-Term Roadmap Decarbonisation Pathways” on 2 June 2025 at Gurney Bay Hotel, Penang, Malaysia. Held as part of the 32nd Annual Renewable Energy Sub-Sector Network (RE-SSN) Meeting and its Associated Meetings, the workshop brought together around 50 delegates comprised of representatives from ASEAN Member States’ (AMS) renewable energy sector, Dialogue Partners (DPs) and international organisations (IOs).
The strong regional participation for this vital workshop was made possible through the support of key partners, including the World Bank, which facilitated the travel of many AMS delegates. The session aimed to strengthen coordination between the forthcoming Renewable Energy Long-Term Roadmap (RE LTRM) and the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Post-2025 Framework, ensuring cohesive strategies under the RE Programme Area.
Photo 2. Gan Chee Koon, Deputy Undersecretary (Renewable Energy), Sustainable Energy Division of PETRA, delivering Opening Remarks. (Photo by PETRA)
The workshop was officially commenced with opening remarks by Gan Chee Koon, Deputy Undersecretary (Renewable Energy), Sustainable Energy Division of PETRA, on behalf of the RE-SSN Chair. He noted the significance of this workshop, in ensuring alignment between long-term decarbonisation goals and regional energy targets outlined in the APAEC.
Shaping the APAEC Post-2025 Framework
Photo 3. Monika Merdekawati, Senior Research Analyst of Sustainable and Renewable Energy (SRE) Department of ACE (left) and Dynta Trishana Munardy, Senior Officer of APAEC (right) (Photos by PETRA)
Session 1 was moderated by Monika Merdekawati, Senior Research Analyst of Sustainable and Renewable Energy (SRE) Department of ACE and was kicked off with a presentation by Dynta Trishana Munardy, Senior Officer of APAEC & Strategic Partnership Department at ACE. Dynta outlined the APAEC Post 2025 framework, covering the latest proposed Outcome-Based Strategies (OBS) and Action Plans (AP), particularly for the RE programme area, to be included in the next phase of the regional energy blueprint.
Recalling the last APAEC Drafting Committee (ADC) consultation meetings, AMS reaffirmed the direction to retain existing indicators for RE share in Total Primary Energy Supply (TPES) and Installed Power Capacity. While the RE share in TPES continues to serve as an APAEC-level aspirational target, stakeholders noted persistent gaps in reaching current goals and suggested revisiting targets based on present progress.
During the 5th ADC Meeting, the Centre and RE-SSN were encouraged to explore more ambitious targets, guided by findings from the RE LTRM, to boost regional investment appeal and financing opportunities. Delegates provided crucial suggestions to the new strategies and action plans of Renewable Energy programme area under APAEC such as including
- the facilitation of investment forums and matchmaking platform or initiative to accelerate RE development and
- emphasised the need for greater synergy between the RE Programme Area with the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) Programme Area through a common action plan since both are highly interconnected topics. They also proposed adding the establishment of credible green electricity electrification as a key milestone.
A central theme of the workshop was the need to set a new, ambitious regional RE target. It was acknowledged that while AMS intend to retain existing indicators for RE share in TPES and installed power capacity, persistent gaps in reaching current goals necessitate a fresh approach.
Discussions, guided by preliminary findings from the RE LTRM, moved beyond aggregating national targets towards establishing a bold, unified regional ambition. It was strongly articulated that a more ambitious regional target would send a powerful signal to the international community, enhancing investment attractiveness and mobilising financial support for national and regional projects. This approach aims to position ASEAN as a committed leader in the energy transition, using a high regional ambition to help drive and support national-level progress.
Refining the RE Long-term Roadmap
Photo 4. Dr Tharinya Supasa, Manager of SRE at ACE, delivering presentations on Sectoral Deep Dive for Industry and Transport Sectors.
The session continued with a presentation on the Preliminary Results of the RE LTRM which was delivered by Dr Tharinya Supasa, Head of SRE Department at ACE. Tharinya outlined how the roadmap will play a key role in setting new APAEC targets beyond 2025, while also highlighting its linkages to other RE-related regional initiatives. She also outlined the four scenarios to be included in the roadmap; Business-as-Usual Scenario (BAU), ASEAN Planned Energy & Climate Policy Scenario (APAS); ASEAN Renewable Electricity Coupling (AREC); and ASEAN Shared Energy Resources (ASER). These scenarios were developed focusing on alignment with two regional ASEAN blueprints, which are the APAEC and the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).
Tharinya then outlined the roadmap preliminary findings based on energy demand side, supply side, and RE targets of the roadmap. The second session featured Sectoral Deep Dive Discussions, focusing on the industry, power, and transport sectors. Each discussion explored key findings, projections, and RE-related developments specific to each sector. Tharinya delivered presentations on the industry and transport sectors. In the industry sector, she explored energy efficiency and decarbonisation strategies across its key sub-sectors—iron and steel, pulp and paper, chemicals, and food and beverages. She highlighted variations in industrial heat demand and assessed opportunities for electrification, biomass use, and technologies like heat pumps. ASEAN’s steel industry was noted to be shifting towards Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) technology, contrary to global trends favouring Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF). Case studies from SCGP (Thailand) and Muda Holdings (Malaysia) showcased practical progress in fuel switching and energy optimisation.
Photo 5. ASEAN Delegates during the Workshop. (Photos by PETRA)
Following the discussion on the industry sector, the transport sector deep dive explored strategies to decarbonise ASEAN mobility through electrification and biofuel expansion. Tharinya shared that modelling of the roadmap combined top-down and bottom-up methods, focusing on road transport and EV cost trends. While biodiesel supply in ASEAN is strong, bioethanol faces production gaps, highlighting the need for intra-ASEAN biofuel trade. She shared progress on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), with Singapore leading regional efforts. These findings inform ASEAN’s long-term energy planning and underscore the value of regional cooperation.
Photo 6. Zahrah Zafira, Research Analyst of SRE Department at ACE, delivering a presentation on Sectoral Deep Dive for Power Sector.
After Tharinya’s presentations, Zahrah Zafira, Research Analyst of SRE Department at ACE, outlined the deep dive for the power sector and highlighted key developments in ASEAN’s renewable electricity transition. Corporate demand, particularly from RE100 members, is accelerating and projected to triple by 2030, driving the need for expanded supply.
Another key highlight was the projection that the APG could enable 24.5 GW of RE integration through more than 18 interconnection points. This underscores the critical role of supportive policies and regional cooperation in scaling up renewable power across ASEAN. Sectoral deep-dives provided a platform for detailed feedback on the roadmap's assumptions and projections:
1). On the RE LTRM Scenarios:
- A key suggestion was made to refine the roadmap's scenarios by reflecting the different commissioning dates for APG transmission lines, rather than assuming they are all activated at once. This would create a more realistic distinction between the AREC and ASER scenarios.
- Further feedback indicated that the ASER scenario could be made more distinct by explicitly incorporating the growing demand for green hydrogen and its associated trade, which would in turn drive further RE deployment.
2). On the Transport Sector:
- Several member states highlighted their active biofuel trade with neighbours and shared progress on national roadmaps for hydrogen and ammonia, which target their use in heavy transport.
- The need for enhanced regional cooperation was underscored by discussions on biofuel trade. It was noted that while some member states have domestic shortfalls and an interest in resuming biofuel imports, the volatile cost of certain feedstocks makes increasing blending mandates a significant concern.
3). On the Industrial Sector:
- In the industrial sector, it was emphasised that both supply- and demand-side policies are needed for hydrogen adoption, with suggestions to align these interventions with national carbon policies and specific industry profiles.
- While there was broad support for the proposed decarbonisation strategies, a key barrier identified was the lack of sufficient incentives for industrial fuel switching. To address this, some member states shared their progress on developing industrial technology catalogues and plans to prioritise biomass switching within the sector.
4). On the Power Sector:
- A remark was made for further exploration of investment opportunities to scale up solar and wind technologies, for example in hydro-dominated countries as a mean to diversification and enhance the energy security.
- It was widely acknowledged that corporate demand for renewable electricity is accelerating rapidly across the region. The discussion highlighted that this demand is being fulfilled through national mechanisms, such as green energy purchasing programmes, which underscores the growing attention on scaling up renewable power supply.
Strategic Alignment for Regional Initiatives
The strategic alignment discussed at the workshop is about ensuring the high-level outcomes from the APAEC framework and the RE LTRM provide a solid foundation for new regional initiatives, particularly the proposed ASEAN REC Taskforce.
- The post-2025 APAEC provides the necessary policy environment by setting ambitious regional targets that signal a collective political will. In parallel, the RE LTRM provides the analytical backbone, using its data-driven scenarios to ensure the REC framework is grounded in the technical and economic realities of the region's energy transition. This synergy creates the stable and credible foundation required for the REC Taskforce to succeed and gain recognition from international partners.
To officially close the workshop, Gan Chee Koon concluded the meeting with an agreement to update the RE LTRM model with new Power Development Plan data by the end of June 2025. The insights and feedback shared will serve as critical input in shaping the next phase of the APAEC, especially in the RE Programme Area, and refining the RE LTRM, as well as strengthen ASEAN’s collective drive toward a low-carbon, sustainable energy future.
