ASEAN’s Solar and Wind Capacity Grows by a fifth in One Year

 

Solar and wind power capacity in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has increased by a fifth since this time in 2023, Global Energy Monitor said in a report on 16 January 2024. 

Global Energy Monitor (GEM) develops and analyses data on energy infrastructure, resources, and uses.

According to GEM’s latest report on renewable energy in the ASEAN bloc, the 10 member countries now have more than 28 gigawatts (GW) of operating utility-scale solar and wind capacity, up by 20 percent from 23 GW in the last year.

The ASEAN region is on track to easily meet its upcoming renewables commitments ahead of schedule, GEM said in the report.

Among member states, Vietnam has the largest share of operating utility-scale solar and wind capacity in the region— at 19 GW, followed by Thailand and the Philippines, each with 3 GW.

Prospective utility-scale solar and wind power capacity – projects that have been announced or are in the pre-construction and construction phases – is estimated at 99 GW in the Philippines and 86 GW in Vietnam. All this planned capacity adds up to 80 percent of the region’s total prospective solar and wind capacity, and represents the eighth- and ninth-largest prospective capacity among countries worldwide.

The ASEAN region also boasts almost five times more prospective offshore wind power – 124 GW – than onshore, which amounts to nearly twice the current offshore operating capacity worldwide, which is 69 GW, Global Energy Monitor said.

However, despite an impressive pipeline of prospective projects in ASEAN, only a fraction of this capacity is currently under construction (6 GW, or 3 percent — one quarter of the global average), GEM notes.

“The growth of renewables across the region is impressive, but so much more can be achieved,” said Janna Smith, researcher with Global Energy Monitor and lead author of the report.

“With the world now aiming to triple renewables capacity by 2030, governments need to make it easier to bring wind and solar power online.  Switching to renewables now from coal and gas will save countries time and money on the path to a clean energy future.”