News

As candidates promise to lower power bills to win public support, economists warn that broad electricity subsidies could cause long-term harm.

Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Bhd plans to deploy more capital into strengthening the country’s power system and supporting domestic semiconductor firms, as artificial intelligence accelerates a new investment cycle.

As major cities such as Hanoi weigh bans on gasoline motorbikes to curb air pollution, Vietnam’s leading EV maker VinFast on Jan. 15 unveiled three new battery-swappable electric scooters.

Malaysia’s National Biomass Action Plan published in 2023 projected up to 182 million tons of biomass output annually, with the potential to generate RM17 billion in economic value by 2030.

The ASEAN Power Grid’s only existing multilateral electricity trading scheme has finally secured a new agreement. Malaysia’s TNB announced on Jan. 14 that the second phase of the LTMS-PIP 2.0 has been formally signed.

Japanese companies and policymakers are increasingly viewing biomass as a strategic bridge for Southeast Asia's coal-dependent grids.

Vietnam has long struggled with severe air pollution, with its capital Hanoi frequently topping global rankings for the worst air quality. In response, both central and local governments are stepping up efforts to restore cleaner air.

Indonesia has officially postponed its plan to mandate a 50% biodiesel blending rate (B50), originally slated for 2026. Following a government meeting on Jan. 14, the country will instead maintain its current B40 policy.

Endowed with abundant natural resources, Southeast Asia shows strong promise for bioenergy development. With relatively stable feedstock supplies, the region has the potential to complement intermittent renewables like wind and solar.

At COP30 in Belém, Brazil, advancing sustainable fuels emerged as a key agenda. With Southeast Asia holding vast biomass resources, the region is seen as central to global biofuel expansion.