Utility-scale solar and wind capacity in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is up by a fifth to 28GW since this time last year, according to a new report from Global Energy Monitor.
It found that the region is on track to easily meet its upcoming renewables commitments ahead of schedule.
However, lack of progress in breaking ground on new projects, coupled with a challenging regulatory environment for renewables and continued reliance on fossil fuels, poses an uphill path to a clean energy transition.
Data from the Global Solar and Wind Power Trackers show that Vietnam has the largest share of operating utility-scale solar and wind capacity in the region at 19GW, followed by Thailand and the Philippines each with 3GW.
The Philippines and Vietnam have 99GW and 86GW, respectively, of prospective utility-scale solar and wind power, which add up to 80% of the region’s total, and represent the seventh- and eighth-largest prospective capacity among countries worldwide.
The ASEAN region also boasts almost five times more prospective offshore wind power (124GW) than onshore, which amounts to nearly twice the current offshore operating capacity worldwide (69GW), the report found.
Yet despite an impressive pipeline of prospective projects, only a fraction of this capacity is currently under construction (6GW, or 3% – one quarter of the global average), according to the analysis.
At the same time, with a goal of 35% installed renewables capacity by 2025, ASEAN countries only need to add an additional 10.7GW of utility-scale projects on top of what is already in construction in order to meet this goal.
With 23GW set to become operational by 2025, the region is likely to far surpass this milestone, Global Energy Monitor said.
Janna Smith, researcher with Global Energy Monitor and lead author of the report, said: “The growth of renewables across the region is impressive, but so much more can be achieved.
“With the world now aiming to triple renewables capacity by 2030, governments need to make it easier to bring wind and solar power online.
“Switching to renewables now from coal and gas will save countries time and money on the path to a clean energy future.”