Market Trends of Southeast Asia Renewable Energy Industry
Solar Energy Segment to Witness Significant Growth
- Southeast Asia is becoming one of the fastest-growing solar energy markets and one of the most promising regions in the global expansion of the solar energy industry. In 2023, Vietnam and Thailand were at the forefront of this movement, with the region's highest amount of new PV capacity installed. In 2023, Vietnam's installed solar energy capacity stood at 17.07 GW, while Thailand's installed solar capacity stood at 3.18 GW.
- The increasing demand for electricity, the abundance of solar resources in the region, and favorable renewable-related policies are some of the factors that have been favoring the growth of the solar industry in the region.
- In addition, policymakers across different countries in the region have been intensifying their efforts to ensure a secure, affordable, and sustainable pathway for the energy sector, which includes activities to facilitate investment in solar power generation and infrastructure.
- In April 2024, the Philippines Department of Energy (DoE) announced its plans to switch to 2 GW of solar power generation. The government expects at least 4,165 MW of power projects to come online in 2024 in a mix of renewable and conventional sources. This includes the start of commercial operation of 1,985 MW of solar capacities, of which some 495 MW are already in the testing and commissioning stage, and an additional 966.3 MW should come online by June.
- However, Southeast Asia's cumulative solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity could increase to 35.8 gigawatts (GW) by 2024. The high solar power generation targets set by various nations lend support to this. The region is expected to witness the development of floating solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants over the next 5 to 15 years, as countries in the region are looking to substantially increase their share of renewable energy in the power mix. Moreover, development plans are in progress, particularly in Thailand and Vietnam, while smaller utility-scale floating PV developments are being proposed in Indonesia, Singapore, and Myanmar.
- Therefore, owing to the points listed above, solar energy is expected to witness significant growth in the Southeast Asian renewable energy market during the forecast period.
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Vietnam to Dominate the Market
- Vietnam has a high potential for renewable energy, including hydro, solar, wind, biomass, and waste. Biomass and hydropower are the two major sources of renewable energy currently used in Vietnam. The government aims to install 11 GW of wind power and 20 GW of solar power capacity by 2025, which is expected to foster the growth of the market.
- The environmental concerns and constraints in financing over the development of coal-fired and large-scale hydropower plants, the slow development of the natural gas industry, and the government's decision to suspend nuclear power projects are expected to provide an opportunity for the growth of solar and wind power in the country. Moreover, the renewable energy sector in the country has witnessed growth in the past, owing to investment from overseas, as there are no foreign ownership restrictions that apply to the development of renewable energy projects in Vietnam.
- Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia, and thus, the power demand in the country is increasing. The nation's demand for electricity, pushed up by its booming industry and a growing population, is expected to outstrip the construction of new power plants in the future, causing severe power shortages. By 2030, the country is expected to install 130 GW of electricity generation facilities, more than double the 54 GW currently installed.
- With Vietnam's energy demand projected to increase by 10% annually in the next five years and the required power capacity to double, the country has been taking initiatives to diversify its energy mix, including plans to generate more power from renewable sources. The rooftop solar market is expected to play a crucial role in helping Vietnam meet its massive energy needs.
- In January 2024, State utility Vietnam Electricity (EVN) entered 19 power purchase agreements for the acquisition of 2,689 MW of electricity from 26 hydropower plants in Laos during the 46th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee for Bilateral Cooperation in Hanoi. The signing of the agreements demonstrated deeper cooperation in electricity between Vietnam and Laos.
- Thus, owing to the points listed above, Vietnam is expected to dominate the renewable energy market in the region during the forecast period.
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