Business-as-usual won’t get us to net zero, especially in emerging markets

SOUTH-EAST Asia has reached a critical juncture in its energy and economic journey.

Over the past two decades, energy demand in the region has climbed 3 per cent a year on average and International Energy Association (IEA) projections see that pace continuing to the end of the decade.

Those demand figures, however, may not account for the region’s robust digital economy, which could hit US$1 trillion in gross merchandise value by 2030. That will likely boost electricity needs even further as demand for power-hungry data centres rises along with positive economic metrics.