The ASEAN region is undergoing a substantial increase in energy demand, expected to triple from 2020 to 2050. This surge is largely driven by population growth and economic development.

Notably, according to the 7th ASEAN Energy Outlook (AEO7), energy demand in the ASEAN commercial sector has been on a steady rise, growing at an average annual rate of 3.3% from 2005 to 2020.

The Outlook’s projections estimate that the Total Final Energy Consumption (TFEC) in the commercial sector is poised to increase by approximately 45.1% from 29.3 Mtoe (Millions of tonnes of oil equivalent) in 2020 to 42.5 Mtoe in 2030, and by about 214.0%, reaching 92 Mtoe by 2050.

This growing trend, coupled with the increased integration of unpredictable, weather-dependent renewable sources such as wind and solar, is exerting pressure on the region’s power supply. As a result, consumers and businesses experience higher and more volatile electricity prices, power shortages, and outages. Therefore, the adoption of more efficient and resilient building practices becomes crucial. Grid-interactive buildings, proficient in managing energy use, present a promising solution to the region’s energy challenges.

What are Grid-interactive efficient buildings?

A grid-interactive efficient building (GEB) is a building that interacts with the power grid by utilising on-site energy sources like solar panels, batteries, and electric cars in the best way possible for the people who live or work there and for the stability of the grid. A GEB has four main characteristics that set it apart from a regular building.

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This op-ed was published in the Phnom Penh Post. The original article can be found here.