1,000 Islands: rural electrification through renewable energy

Thailand plans to offer tax incentives for plug-in hybrid vehicle manufacturing, with the changes to take effect from 2026 if they are approved, Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul said on Monday.

Under the plans, tax collection would be based on the travel range per battery charge for a vehicle, with lower taxes for a longer travel range, Paopoom said, adding the proposal would be sent to cabinet by April.

*This excerpt is from a news item collated by SIPET as part of its mission to serve as a one-stop platform for information and knowledge exchange about the energy transition in Southeast Asia. For the full news item, click on the link next to 'Further Information' . 

**Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

More than two dozen foreign and Vietnamese investors, including Adani Green Energy, have warned Vietnam's plans to retroactively change rules on subsidised prices for wind and solar energy could affect more than $13 billion of investments.

In a letter to Vietnamese leaders dated March 5 and reviewed by Reuters, the investors expressed "deep alarm" about the possible end of favourable energy tariffs, noting the policy change could undermine broader financial stability and erode confidence in Vietnam at a time when the country plans to significantly expand its renewables capacity.

*This excerpt is from a news item collated by SIPET as part of its mission to serve as a one-stop platform for information and knowledge exchange about the energy transition in Southeast Asia. For the full news item, click on the link next to 'Further Information' . 

**Photo credit: Reuters

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) issued its first yellow alert for the Luzon grid this year, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, due to insufficient operating margin amid rising temperature.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that the highest heat index in Luzon reached 42°C in Echague, Isabela, and Baler, Aurora.

The NGCP recorded peak demand at 11,829 megawatts (MW), with an available capacity of 12,488 MW, leaving a slim operating margin of 659 MW.

The situation was aggravated by forced outages and derated power plants.

“Eight plants have been on forced outage since February, and four other power plants out since 2024; while 16 are running on derated capacities, for a total of 3,362.3 MW unavailable to the grid,” the NGCP said.

The Department of Energy forecasted that peak demand in the Luzon grid this year is at 14,769 MW higher than the actual peak demand of the 14,016 MW recorded on April 24, 2024.

Meanwhile, both Visayas and Mindanao grids are in normal operation, NGCP said.

*This excerpt is from a news item collated by SIPET as part of its mission to serve as a one-stop platform for information and knowledge exchange about the energy transition in Southeast Asia. For the full news item, click on the link next to 'Further Information' . 

**Photo credit: PNA

Thailand is making a significant shift towards a green economy, with individuals and households playing an active role in the transition by installing rooftop solar panels. According to research by Kasikorn Research Center (K-Research), the adoption of solar rooftops is expected to continue growing steadily, driven by their cost-effectiveness and increasing marketing efforts by solar providers. Banks in Thailand are also now offering green financial products, including solar rooftop loan packages, to encourage households to embrace sustainability and reduce energy costs.