News

Indonesia could collect up to USD 8.5 billion in fines by 2026 from palm oil producers and mining companies found to be operating illegally in forest areas, Attorney General Sanitiar Burhanuddin said on Wednesday.

Malaysia is re-considering the use of nuclear power. But the government will need to tackle questions about trade-offs.

South Korea’s LS Group announced on Dec. 17 that it will invest in Vietnam’s rare earth sector, committing KRW 25.8 billion (USD 17.6 million) to expand related facilities at its plant in Ho Chi Minh City.

Japan will deploy JPY 210 billion (USD 1.34 billion) in subsidies to support companies that rely entirely on decarbonized electricity, with support covering up to 50% of capital expenditure, government officials said on Monday.

Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), a media company backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, recently announced its entry into the nuclear fusion sector, reigniting debate over whether nuclear power could emerge as a backbone energy source.

As Southeast Asia focuses on building the ASEAN Power Grid, there will be a higher chance of success if interconnections are designed to be modular and embedded within a broader regional integration agenda.

Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund Danantara on Dec. 22 signed a preliminary agreement with state-owned utility Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), committing to provide funding support and assist in the development of renewable power projects.

Vietnam’s Vinh Long province is in talks with Singapore-based Sembcorp Industries on potential investments in renewable energy and an eco-industrial park.

The global demand for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is rapidly driving up feedstock prices. In China, the price of waste cooking oil, often called “gutter oil”, has risen around fourfold in two years.

Hanoi is stepping up efforts to fully transition to green transportation by 2030, with the city government pledging to expand low-carbon public bus services and roll out supporting measures.