News

Volatile global oil prices triggered by Middle East tensions have reignited discussions in Indonesia over electrifying its transport sector. President Prabowo Subianto said on March 19 that the country would move toward solar-powered electric mobility.

Rising energy costs and shifting corporate strategies are reshaping sustainability trends across ASEAN this week.

Indonesia plans to rezone large parts of the national park for carbon trading and luxury tourism to raise conservation funds. Experts say carbon projects and reforestation could reduce elephant food sources and worsen human-wildlife conflict.

V-Green, the charging infrastructure arm of Vingroup, announced on March 18 that it will invest $400 million this year to deploy 99 renewable-powered fast-charging stations along highways across Vietnam, aiming to meet long-distance travel demand.

The Iran war has jolted global energy markets and renewed attention on bioenergy. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), produced from bio-based feedstocks, is widely seen as one of the key solutions for decarbonizing the aviation industry.

As Thailand expands corporate access to renewable energy, mechanisms such as DPPAs and regional grid integration are emerging as both key enablers and persistent bottlenecks.

Thailand is experiencing a rapid data center boom, with more than 70 projects planned or underway. Critics say the sector is expanding with little transparency or community consultation, leaving locals uncertain about environmental safeguards.

Amid rising energy security concerns across ASEAN, the Philippines is weighing power price intervention and increased coal generation.

This week’s ASEAN sustainability developments highlight shifts in energy policy and challenges in regional power cooperation.

Rising oil prices could strengthen the appeal of electric vehicles (EVs) in Southeast Asia, particularly as expanding renewable energy capacity continues to push electricity costs lower, economists at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said.