ASEAN generates 26% of electricity from renewables in 2024

However, this was below the global average.

Renewable energy generation in the ASEAN region reached 26% in 2024, which was below the global average of 40.9%, according to energy think tank Ember.

In its latest report, Ember said only Lao and Viet Nam are above the global average, at 77% and 44% respectively, thanks to their abundant hydropower.

ASEAN's share of solar electricity rose by only 0.1 percentage points from 3.1% in 2021 to 3.2% in 2024, despite the region’s enormous solar potential. Viet Nam has the highest share, with 8.5%, but its solar generation has not grown in the last three years.

In 2024, clean energy sources covered 23% of the increase in ASEAN's energy needs. This is about half the contribution they made to demand growth over the preceding five years, which was 40%.

ASEAN’s untapped solar and wind potential exceeds 30,000 gigawatts (GW) and 1,300 GW respectively, yet its installed capacity is only 26.6 GW for solar and 6.8 GW for wind. 

“Tapping into solar and wind potential would enable ASEAN to unlock the renewable energy market needed to sustainably meet growing energy demand and climate targets," said Dr Dinita Setyawati, senior electricity policy analyst for Southeast Asia at Ember.

"With stronger policy support to drive renewable energy deployment, ASEAN has the potential to be at the forefront of the energy transition,” she added.

Aditya Lolla, Asia programme director at Ember also said that "a robust clean energy market is crucial for the continued expansion of clean power.

“This will not only strengthen energy security and economic resilience, but also help emerging countries access the benefits of a new clean energy market economy,” the expert added.