Without exception, countries in Southeast Asia, a region home to approximately 622 million inhabitants (World Population Review 2020), are endeavoring to provide sustainable, reliable, and affordable electricity to their population, 130 million of whom do not have access to electricity. Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2016–2025 outlines strategies and programmes of actions to realise energy security, accessibility, affordability and sustainability for ASEAN population through energy connectivity and market integration (Zamora 2015). The plan sets higher targets to improve energy efficiency and increase the uptake of renewable energy by reducing the energy intensity by 20% in 2020 compared to 2005 while increasing the share of renewable energy to 23% by 2025 in the energy mix. The targets will lower the costs of energy supply, improve air quality, and create a robust energy system.

Despite the progress being made, the plan for increased deployment of renewable energy is obstructed by numerous challenges, including financial, technological, regulatory, institutional, geographical, and human resource aspects. These challenges, however, can be addressed through broadening and deepening regional partnerships and collaboration among ASEAN member countries with dialogue partners, International Organisations (IOs), research institutions, and involvement of the private sector in the forms of financial investment and technology transfer.

All countries in Southeast Asia as a whole need to work together more seamlessly to promote research, development and deployment of renewable energy in all spectrums of the economy, society, businesses and governance. In addition, innovative approaches to sustainable development need to be continuously explored, tested and implemented in order to achieve greater progress and more inclusive development in the region.