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The Guide for Cross-Border Electricity Sales (CBES) serves as a comprehensive guide or framework in advancing ASEAN’s regional energy integration, facilitating power trade between Peninsular Malaysia and neighbouring countries, specifically Singapore and Thailand. The guide establishes two distinct schemes: the CBES Scheme, which governs non-renewable electricity exports, and the CBES RE Scheme, which enables the cross-border trade of renewable energy. Each scheme has its own set of regulatory requirements, infrastructure needs, and market mechanisms in shaping Malaysia’s role as an electricity exporter in the region.

In Indonesia, which still relies heavily on coal as its main source of energy, shifting to renewable energy is not an easy challenge. Achieving this goal requires strong planning, substantial investment, and policies that support communities affected by coal reduction.

The Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) conducted a study to understand public views on the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and various new energy technologies. 

Among the technologies studied, solar energy emerged as one of the most affordable and promising sources of energy, especially after significant developments. Read the report to find out more.

This publication examines the potential for renewable energy in Indonesia, which is at a pivotal point in the global energy transition. It highlights Indonesia’s unique opportunity to harness its abundant solar, wind, and hydro resources to drive economic growth, improve energy security, provide affordable electricity and achieve its climate commitments.

The study presents a comprehensive assessment of the country’s renewable energy potential and its economic viability, showing that at least 333 GW of economically viable renewable energy capacity is achievable. 

Authors: Dwi Cahya Agung, Martha Jesica Solomasi Mendrofa, Pintoko Aji, and Sodi Zakiy Muwafiq

This white paper is a collaboration between IESR, Telkomsel, and Periklindo that explores the evolution and future of the electric vehicle market in Indonesia. It highlights the growing urgency to switch to electric vehicles to achieve cleaner, cheaper, and more efficient mobility. It covers key topics such as the current state of EV adoption in Indonesia, challenges faced by consumers, government policies, and the role of advanced technologies such as IoT and telematics. It also provides insights into global EV trends, charging infrastructure development, and the economic impact of Indonesia as a global EV hub. The report emphasizes the importance of supportive policies, technological advancements, and ecosystem development to accelerate electric vehicle adoption and achieve sustainability goals.

“ASEAN Energy in 2025” is the latest edition of one of the flagship reports by the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE). The annual ASEAN Energy series analyses the key insights into Southeast Asia’s energy landscape each year. 

This year's insights are:
– Energy-Climate Nexus: Key Takeaways from COP29 and Mobilising Climate Finance in ASEAN, Mobilising Climate Finance in ASEAN, Sustaining ASEAN’s Climate Goals Under a Shifting Geopolitical Landscape.

– Market-Based Instruments for Leveraging Additional Financial Sources for ASEAN’s Energy Sector: Exploring the Carbon Market in ASEAN’s Energy Sector, Linking ETS with Transboundary CO2 Transport and Storage, Energy Efficiency Carbon Credit Initiatives in ASEAN, and Renewable Energy Certificate: Complementing Carbon Credit for ASEAN.

– Tracking National Energy Policies

– Charting Progress of Aspirational Energy Targets: Exploring ASEAN’s Energy Supply, Demand Supply, Oil & Gas and Electricity Sectors, and Energy Targets Assessment.

– ASEAN Energy Priorities 2024-2025: Unpacking Lao PDR’s Chair Accomplishment in 2024, Updates on the APAEC 2021-2025 and Post-2025, and Welcoming Malaysia’s Chairmanship 2025.

The ASEAN CCS Updates report provides an in-depth overview of the latest developments in CCS across ASEAN countries, highlighting key policy and regulatory advancements across the region. 

This first edition of 2025 has now been launched, providing more information on ASEAN’s national policies and news sources collected between December 2024 – February 2025. From partnerships and legal frameworks to cross-border cooperation and forums, this report offers insights into how ASEAN Member States are advancing their CCS initiatives.

Malaysia is leading the way in renewable energy certificate (REC) development, driven by strong policy support, abundant renewable energy (RE) resources, and growing demand from multinational corporations.

The country’s National Energy Transition Roadmap aims for renewables to comprise 70% of the total primary energy supply by 2050, with solar energy playing a dominant role. Decentralized electricity governance further enables Sabah and Sarawak to regulate their own REC markets, allowing for tailored RE development strategies. Malaysia’s REC market is shaped by diverse stakeholders, including utilities, independent power producers (IPPs), government agencies, brokers, corporations, and international organizations. Additionally, regional integration across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak presents opportunities to harmonize REC markets, creating a larger, more efficient system and facilitating cross-border trade.

Authors: Monika Merdekawati, Veronica Ayu Pangestika, Esther Lew, and Yong Boon Heng

Integrating complex systems of variable renewable energy (RE) sources can introduce new electrical accidents, especially in the ambition of RE shares in ASEAN countries. These include risks of fires and system failures due to improper installations, overloading, and climate impacts.

Electrical accidents are still prevalent in many ASEAN countries, both in general, like in commercial and residential, and specifically related to RE systems.

Safety agencies in ASEAN countries lack independent agencies focused solely on electrical safety, which limits the effectiveness of enforcement and oversight. Most ASEAN countries still operate within ministerial agency structures, with complex safety and non-safety roles and responsibilities that dilute focus.

Restructuring agencies into independent agencies in ASEAN could follow models from developed countries like Australia, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea (ROK) through the Korea Electrical Safety Corporation (KESCO). These models create truly independent agencies that are separate from political and non-safety roles, thus strengthening safety implementation through better regulatory intensity and technological advancements.

Authors: Zahrah Zafira, Fadhal Pandya Faiz, Monika Merdekawati, Oh Dongmin