Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 5 hrs ago
Iran War Pushes Southeast Asia to Expand Renewable Energy
The Iran war has added pressure to Southeast Asia's energy supplies, as fuel trade disruptions raise fears of shortages and higher prices.
Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines announced 37 renewable energy and electrification policies between February 28 and August 31, as well as 29 fossil fuel policies.
The region's energy demand has grown while its crude oil output has fallen, increasing reliance on imported fuels, including liquefied natural gas.
Most of the renewable energy measures are designed for longer-term change, while many fossil fuel policies offer short-term relief.
The International Energy Agency expects Southeast Asia's electricity demand to rise by about 5.4% a year from 2026 to 2030, and says grids and new power capacity will need investment.
Across Asia-Pacific excluding China, renewable capacity is forecast to grow by more than 840 gigawatts from 2026 to 2031, with Southeast Asia expected to provide around one-fifth of the increase.
The war in Iran has pushed several Southeast Asian governments to expand renewable energy and electrification to reduce reliance on imported fuels.
Between February 28 and August 31, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines announced 37 renewable energy and electrification policies.
The same countries announced 29 fossil fuel policies, many focused on short-term relief.
Of the renewable energy and electrification policies, 24 have implementation periods of around three years or more, compared with six of the fossil fuel policies.
The IEA expects electricity demand in Southeast Asia to grow by around 5.4 per cent a year from 2026 to 2030.
- Who
- Governments in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines.
- What
- They announced policies on renewable energy, electrification and fossil fuels. The war has increased pressure to diversify energy supplies.
- When
- The policies were announced between February 28 and August 31. The war began in February.
- Where
- Southeast Asia.
- Why
- Fuel shortages and high prices linked to the war have highlighted the risks of reliance on imported fuels.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The war in Iran began, according to the article.
Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines announced 37 renewable energy and electrification policies and 29 fossil fuel policies.
The IEA published a report on Southeast Asia’s energy security challenges.
OilPrice published its report on the region’s renewable energy push.
- Renewable energy and electrification policies
- 37 announced by six Southeast Asian countries
- Fossil fuel policies
- 29 announced by the same countries
- Longer-term renewable policies
- 24 have implementation periods of around three years or more
- Longer-term fossil fuel policies
- 6 have implementation periods of around three years or more
- Electricity demand growth
- Around 5.4 per cent per year in Southeast Asia from 2026 to 2030
What people are saying
Southeast Asia’s energy security challenges are intensifying as demand grows, reliance on imported fuels rises, and interactions across energy systems become increasingly complex – creating a greater need for coordination and planning.