Without any mitigation measures, the energy demand of ASEAN in 2050 is projected to increase by triple the 2020 value due to the population and economic growth of the region. Coal is projected to account for the significant shares for approximately 43% and 22% of the total ASEAN’s electricity generation and primary energy supply in 2050, respectively. High dependency on coal is projected to shift the region to start to import coal in the late 2030s. Eventually, this puts the region on the high uncertainty for meeting energy supply and affordability in the region. To also meet the region’s commitment for global emission reduction efforts, finding an alternative way to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels gradually becomes critical for the region, which utilisation of biomass co-firing can be one option. The proportionally blended biomass into coal power plant could gradually reduce the emission generated by coal power plants.

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This op-ed was published in the Asian Power. The original article can be found here.