Singapore-IEA Forum: Charting ASEAN's Energy Priorities

One year after establishing its regional office in Singapore, the International Energy Agency (IEA) reaffirmed ASEAN’s central role in shaping global energy trends.

Speaking at the Singapore-IEA Forum, IEA Executive Director Dr Fatih Birol highlighted that ASEAN will account for 25 percent of global energy demand growth over the next decade, and the region’s energy demand growth must be met with a mix of gas, renewables, and potentially nuclear energy. Ramping up grid infrastructure will also be critical to accelerate the region's clean energy developments.

Dr Birol pointed to the emerging opportunity for ASEAN to develop its critical minerals industry and position itself as a competitive hub for the energy transition. Southeast Asia holds vast reserves of key minerals such as nickel, cobalt and tin, and Dr Birol said the ASEAN nations are beginning to scale up their refining capabilities as part of the momentum.

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