Regional Energy Trends Report 2020

Key Points

The ASEAN region’s rapid economic growth, growing population, and pace of urbanisation are driving a continuing rise in energy demand. Meeting this rising demand is placing pressure on energy systems and challenging policymakers to meet energy needs while balancing commitments to global, regional and national agendas on climate change and sustainable energy. Decisive action by the region’s policymakers is needed to transition and expand energy systems to sustainably and equitably deliver modern energy services, and to stimulate socio-economic development. The urgency of the sustainable energy transition has only become more pressing in light of the recent setbacks that nations have experienced due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Tracking the region’s progress toward achieving targets under Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) in the areas of ensuring universal access to electricity and clean cooking, increasing the renewable energy share of the energy mix, and accelerating energy efficiency serves to illuminate the trends and challenges leading up to 2030.