Technology: RE-Imagining Renewable Energy Futures for Southeast Asia
Thursday 19 August 2021
This was the second of a 3-part series of RENdez-vous for Southeast Asia. Participants and thematic experts discussed and re-imagined what futures may look like for renewable energy in Southeast Asia.
Southeast Asia has huge, untapped potential to be a leader in Renewable Energy. Currently, however, economies in the region are heavily dependent on fossil fuels to meet their energy demand. Addressing this disconnect will require a shift in the way we imagine our energy futures for the region. It will require a stock-take on where we stand currently, a vision of what the preferred renewable energy futures could look like for Southeast Asia, and how to get there.
What changes in social, technological, economic, environmental, political and values factors would make this shift? How can we manage this change? What can we do, as individuals and as a community, to get there?
Guest Speakers
- Mary Ann Q. Franco, National University of Singapore – Energy Studies Institute (Download Mary Ann’s slides)
- Nhien Ngo, Vietnam Initiative for Energy Transition
- Tharinya Supasa, CASE & Agora Energiewende
- Wichsinee Wibulpolprasert, Thailand Development Research Institute (Download Wichsinee’s slides)
- Luky Yusgiantoro, Purnomo Yusgiantoro Center
- Krid Wongsa, REN21 (Download Krid’s slides)
Watch the video recording
The video of the event is available to watch here.
Strategic Discussions for the Energy Transition in Southeast Asia
Many of Southeast Asia’s economies are still heavily dependent on fossil fuels and have yet to accelerate their uptake of renewables. According to WEF’s Energy Transition Index 2021 (which measures system performance and transition readiness), Singapore is indexed 21st among 115 countries, followed by Malaysia (39th), Thailand (55th), Vietnam (65th), the Philippines (67th), Indonesia (71st), Brunei (82nd) and Cambodia (93rd). The remaining countries excluded from the index are the least-developed economies: Lao PDR, Myanmar and Timor-Leste.
However, renewable-focused players in Southeast Asia are numerous and dynamic. In discussions with these players and building on their strengths, this new event series aims to create open discussions, asking: what are the barriers, the challenges and opportunities for Southeast Asia to move away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy? The RENdez-vous series brings together key players from governments, industry, civil society, and research.
The three events in the series are as follows:
- Policy and Governance: From Fossil Fuels to Renewables – Strategising the Energy Transition in Southeast Asia – 22 July (Click for details, slides and the video recording.)
- Technology: Re-imagining Renewable Energy Technology Futures for Southeast Asia – 19 August
- Capital: Accelerating Investment in Renewables: Challenges and Opportunities – 22 September (Click for details.)
What is a RENdez-vous?
REN21 hosts these events to inspire and to offer opportunities to learn and share across sectors. While each event is unique, one thing remains consistent: at every RENdez-vous there is time to meet and network with people from the greater renewables community, inclusive of many different sectors. Learn more and join the next event…
