Photo 1 All Participants of the AEO9 Country Visit to Viet Nam
As part of the development process for the 9th ASEAN Energy Outlook (AEO9), the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) conducted a country visit to Viet Nam on 4 March 2026 in Hanoi. This visit is one component of a comprehensive consultation series being conducted across all eleven ASEAN Member States from January to March 2025. The initiative seeks to fine-tune modelling inputs, validate key assumptions, and strengthen alignment between national priorities and regional energy assessments. The AEO9 Country Visits are supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) through the ASEAN-UK Green Transition Fund (GTF).
Photo 2 Welcoming remarks from the Host Country
The programme began with welcoming remarks from Nguyen The Huu, Deputy Director General at Electricity Authority and Senior Officials on Energy (SOE) Leader of Viet Nam. In his remarks, he welcomed the ACE delegation and emphasised the country’s continued support for the development of ASEAN Energy Outlook.
Photo 3. Dr. Zulfikar Yurnaidi, Head of MPP at ACE, and Muhammad Rizki Kresnawan, Senior Energy Modeller of MPP at ACE delivering the AEO9 Progress Update Session and Introduction to Low Emission Analysis Platform (LEAP) Model and Scenario
The session continued with remarks from ACE, and Dr. Zulfikar Yurnaidi, Head of Modelling Policy and Planning (MPP) at ACE, delivered a technical presentation providing an update on AEO9's progress. The presentation outlined the development timeline and modelling framework, emphasizing the critical importance of high-quality national data in enhancing the accuracy and relevance of the projections. It further identified the country's visits as a key milestone in fostering strong national ownership of the AEO9 outcomes. Muhammad Rizki Kresnawan, Senior Energy Modeller of MPP at ACE, then introduced the LEAP modelling framework and scenario structure, walking participants through the Baseline Scenario (BAS), AMS Target Scenario (ATS), and Regional Aspiration Scenario (RAS), which was followed by an open discussion with national stakeholders.
Photo 4. Silvira Ayu Rosalia, Energy Statistician at ACE, presented Data Inputs and Assumptions for Model
Following this, Silvira Ayu Rosalia, Energy Statistician at ACE, and Afham Kilmi, Energy Modeller of MPP at ACE, jointly led an extensive consultation on data inputs and modelling assumptions. The presentation and discussion spanned a range of topics, including socio-economic indicators, policy frameworks, energy balance tables, sectoral energy demand, as well as supply and transformation data. The session was designed to validate existing datasets, clarify methodological approaches, and pinpoint data gaps or areas in need of revision. It also encouraged cross-sectoral dialogue among representatives from energy agencies, utilities, and other relevant institutions, ensuring that comprehensive and consistent national inputs are contributed to AEO9.
Following a short break, Lazuwardi Imani, Energy Modeller of MPP at ACE, presented preliminary findings from the BAS and the ATS for Viet Nam. The session offered national stakeholders the opportunity to review initial projections on energy demand, supply, and transformation, while engaging in discussions on how current and planned policies are reflected in modelling. Participants shared their insights on sectoral trends, technology adoption, and policy implementation timelines, contributing to a more accurate representation of Viet Nam’s energy landscape in the country-level results.
Photo 5. Dr Ambiyah Abdullah, Senior Researcher of MPP at ACE, presented ASEAN Energy Investment Dissemination
The following session centered on the RAS, presented by Muhammad Rizki Kresnawan, Senior Energy Modeller at ACE, who laid out the proposed definition and modelling approach for a more ambitious regional pathway aligned with ASEAN's long-term decarbonisation and sustainability objectives. Through an interactive exchange, Viet Nam’s representatives pinpointed potential policy levers, technology options, and areas for intervention that could raise ambition levels, with the insights gathered expected to inform the calibration of the RAS and strengthen its relevance to national contexts. This was followed by a presentation from Dr. Ambiyah Abdullah, Senior Research Analyst at ACE, who introduced the who presented the ASEAN Energy Investment 2025 report with its complementing roadmap, in addition to use the opportunity to solicited data contributions from ASEAN Member States for the upcoming 2026 edition.
Photo 6. Dr Zulfikar Yurnaidi, Head of MPP at ACE presents AEO8 report to the host country
The visit concluded with a Way Forward and Closing session facilitated by an ACE representative, who conveyed gratitude to Viet Nam's focal points and participating institutions for their active engagement and valuable technical contributions. It was emphasised that the feedback received would directly inform the refinement of country-level results and the design of the RAS. ACE further outlined the next steps in the AEO9 process, highlighting upcoming technical engagements and ongoing coordination with AMS to ensure transparency and promote shared ownership of the final outputs. The visit also transcended data validation, functioning as a platform for knowledge exchange on scenario development, energy planning, and inclusive transition pathways, reaffirming ASEAN's collective commitment to a secure, resilient, and sustainable energy future.
