







































DNA. Damu et al. /Future Sustainability                                                                             November 2023| Volume 01 | Issue 01 | Pages 
13-22 

13 

 

 

 

Review 

A review of renewable energy development in 

ASEAN, policies, environmental and economic 

impact 
Daniel Nyuin Alfred Damu, Brian Sie Chuan Wong, Jen Yew Chai, Cornelius Yii Ke Wong, Hadi 

Nabipour Afrouzi*, Ateeb Hassan 

Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Kuching, 
Jalan Simpang Tiga, 93350, Malaysia 

               A R T I C L E   I N F O 
 

Article history: 
Received 05 August 2023  
Received in revised form 
07 September 2023 
Accepted 18 September 2023 
 
Keywords:  
Renewable energy, ASEAN,  
Policies, Environmental impact, Economic impact  
 
*Corresponding author 
Email address: 
hafrouzi@swinburne.edu.my  
 
DOI: 10.55670/fpll.fusus.1.1.2 
 

A B S T R A C T 
 

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of renewable energy 
development in ASEAN, focusing on policies, environmental impact, and 
economic implications. It examines the effectiveness of renewable energy 
policies across member countries, highlighting challenges in implementation 
and the need for effective policy frameworks to drive investment. The review 
explores environmental concerns, including land use change, soil erosion, water 
use, and waste generation, while emphasizing the potential economic benefits 
such as GDP growth, job creation, and reduced dependence on energy imports. 
Addressing challenges and promoting sustainable development are crucial for 
achieving renewable energy targets in ASEAN. 

1. Introduction 

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a 
region that is home to over 650 million people and has a 
rapidly growing economy [1]. With this growth comes an 
increasing demand for energy to support industrialization 
and modernization, leading to a greater dependence on fossil 
fuels [2]. However, in recent years, ASEAN has made 
significant strides in developing renewable energy (RE) 
sources, which has become an important focus of the region's 
energy policy [3]. ASEAN countries have been taking steps to 
develop their RE infrastructure, with many setting ambitious 
targets to increase their use of renewable energy sources. For 
example, the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation 
2016-2025 targets a share of 23% renewable energy in the 
region's energy mix by 2025, up from 15.3% in 2015 [4]. 
However, despite these efforts, the transition towards 
renewable energy faces several challenges, such as regulatory 
barriers, lack of investment, and inadequate infrastructure 
[5]. This review paper aims to provide a comprehensive 
overview of renewable energy development in ASEAN, 
focusing on the policies, environmental, and economic 
impacts. By analyzing the current state of RE in the region, 
this paper aims to identify the key challenges and 

opportunities for future development and provide 
recommendations for policymakers, investors, and other 
stakeholders. In recent years, several studies have explored 
the development of renewable energy in ASEAN. For example, 
a study by Pratiwi and Juerges [6] examined the 
environmental impact of RE development in the ASEAN 
region. In contrast, another study by Vakulchuk et al. [7] 
analyzed the barriers to investment in RE in the region. 
Furthermore, a study examined the impact of policy on the 
adoption of RE in Vietnam, a key ASEAN country [8]. By 
synthesizing the findings of these studies and other relevant 
literature, this paper aims to provide a holistic overview of 
the renewable energy landscape in ASEAN, highlighting the 
progress made, challenges faced, and future opportunities for 
development. 

2. Policies for renewable energy development in 

ASEAN  

RE policies are critical for the development of the RE 
sector in ASEAN. This section will provide an overview of the 
policies implemented in ASEAN member countries, followed 
by a comparative analysis of their effectiveness. Finally, it will 
highlight the challenges and opportunities for policy 
implementation in the region. 

Future Sustainability 

Open Access Journal 

https://doi.org/10.55670/fpll.fusus.1.1.2 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 2023| Volume 01 | Issue 01 | Pages 13-22 

Journal homepage: https://fupubco.com/fusus 

 

ISSN 2995-0473 

mailto:hafrouzi@swinburne.edu.my
https://doi.org/10.55670/fpll.fusus.1.1.2
https://fupubco.com/fusus


DNA. Damu et al. /Future Sustainability                                                                             November 2023| Volume 01 | Issue 01 | Pages 13-22 

14 

 

In recent years, most ASEAN member countries have 
established renewable energy policies to promote deploying 
renewable energy technologies. These policies include feed-
in-tariffs, renewable portfolio standards, tax incentives, and 
public-private partnerships. For example, Indonesia 
introduced feed-in tariffs for renewable energy in 2017, while 
the Philippines implemented a Renewable Portfolio Standard 
in 2010 [9]. Additionally, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam 
governments have implemented tax incentives and public-
private partnerships to promote renewable energy 
development. Despite these efforts, the effectiveness of these 
policies varies across ASEAN countries. For instance, in 
Malaysia, the feed-in-tariff policy has been effective in 
increasing the deployment of renewable energy technologies, 
while in Indonesia, the implementation of feed-in tariffs has 
been delayed due to regulatory challenges [10, 11]. 
Furthermore, while the Renewable Portfolio Standard in the 
Philippines has been successful in attracting investments in 
renewable energy, the country still faces challenges in grid 
integration and the expansion of transmission infrastructure 
[12]. A comparative analysis of renewable energy policies in 
ASEAN reveals that most countries have set renewable energy 
targets, but the achievement of these targets has been slow. 
According to the ASEAN Centre for Energy (2021), ASEAN 
member countries achieved a 15.3% renewable energy share 
in their energy mix in 2015, which increased to 17.3% in 
2019. However, this is still below the 2025 target of 23%. The 
implementation of renewable energy policies in ASEAN faces 
several challenges, including regulatory barriers, lack of 
investment, and inadequate infrastructure. Regulatory 
challenges include delays in project approval processes and 
uncertainties in regulatory frameworks. A lack of investment 
in renewable energy is another major challenge, with limited 
access to financing and the perception that renewable energy 
technologies are risky investments. Finally, inadequate 
infrastructure, such as grid capacity and transmission 
infrastructure, presents a significant barrier to the 
deployment of renewable energy technologies (EY, 2019). 
Despite these challenges, ASEAN presents significant 
opportunities for renewable energy development, including 
abundant renewable energy resources, increasing energy 
demand, and government support for renewable energy. To 
achieve their renewable energy targets, ASEAN countries 
need to address the challenges faced in the implementation of 
renewable energy policies and adopt effective policy 
frameworks that encourage investment in renewable energy. 
Therefore, renewable energy policies in ASEAN member 
countries have made significant progress in promoting the 
deployment of renewable energy technologies. However, the 
effectiveness of these policies varies across the region, and 
challenges remain in the implementation of these policies. To 
achieve their renewable energy targets, ASEAN countries 
need to address the challenges faced in the implementation of 
renewable energy policies and adopt effective policy 
frameworks that encourage investment in renewable energy. 

3. Environmental impact of renewable energy 

development in ASEAN  

RE development in ASEAN has the potential to 
significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate 
the impacts of climate change. According to [13], preventing 
negative effects such as air pollution and greenhouse gases 
(GHGs) could be possible by using renewable energy sources 
instead of fossil fuels or coal. Compared to coal-fired power 
plants, renewable energy sources' electricity emits 90-99% 
fewer GHGs and creates 70% to 90% less pollution. However, 

the development of RE sources can also have environmental 
impacts that must be carefully managed to ensure sustainable 
development. One of the key environmental impacts of RE 
development in ASEAN is land use change. The development 
of large-scale renewable energy projects, such as solar and 
wind farms, can require large amounts of land, which can 
impact natural habitats and wildlife. Ref [14] states that 
construction of RE projects can lead to habitat fragmentation 
and loss of biodiversity, particularly in areas that are 
ecologically sensitive or contain endangered species. For 
example, solar power plants are constructed on agricultural 
land with an area of over 160 hectares in Thailand. In recent 
years, Thailand has significantly increased its solar energy 
capacity, with a large portion of this expansion occurring on 
agricultural land [15]. Due to this, agricultural land and other 
agricultural regions have been converted into solar power 
plants, which may have a negative influence on the 
ecosystems and residents. Satellite imagery and aerial photos, 
which depict the conversion of agricultural land into huge 
solar power plants, provide tangible proof of this change in 
land use. This has sometimes resulted in the eviction of 
farmers and the destruction of their means of subsistence, as 
well as negative effects on the local biodiversity and water 
supplies. The trade-offs and difficulties involved in the 
development of RE, particularly in densely populated and 
land-constrained countries, are highlighted by the 
construction of solar power facilities on agricultural land in 
Thailand. Ultimately, the development of the solar farm 
serves as a stark reminder of how difficult it is to strike a 
balance between the need for RE and possible harm to nearby 
residents and ecosystems. To guarantee that RE projects are 
built in a sustainable and socially responsible manner, it is 
crucial for governments and developers to collaborate with 
regional communities and stakeholders. 

Moreover, another environmental impact of RE 
development is the potential for soil erosion and degradation. 
This can occur when RE projects are developed on steep 
slopes or in areas with poor soil quality [16]. Soil erosion and 
degradation can lead to a loss of soil fertility and reduced 
productivity of agricultural land, which can have negative 
impacts on local communities that rely on agriculture for their 
livelihoods. For example, hydropower dam construction in 
Laos has caused soil erosion in the Mekong River Basin. It is 
stated that since the hydropower dam building in the area 
started, sedimentation levels in the Mekong River Basin have 
risen by 20% [17]. Significant soil erosion may result from the 
excavation of rock and soil, the construction of access roads, 
and the installation of transmission lines during the project's 
construction phase. This erosion may cause sedimentation in 
surrounding rivers and streams, which may have a negative 
effect on local communities that depend on fishing and 
agriculture, as well as aquatic habitats. Because of changes in 
the water flow and sediment movement downstream of the 
dam, the dam can potentially have a long-term negative 
influence on soil erosion in addition to the immediate effects 
during construction. This may significantly reduce 
agricultural output and raise the possibility of landslides in 
the region. To lessen these effects, hydropower projects in 
Laos normally need to submit environmental evaluations and 
management plans that include actions like sedimentation 
basins, soil stabilization projects, and reforestation schemes.  
However, based on the project and how it is carried out, these 
measures may not all be equally beneficial. Not to mention, 
water use is another potential environmental impact of RE 
development in ASEAN. Ref [18] rationalizes that some RE 
technologies, such as hydropower and bioenergy, can require 



DNA. Damu et al. /Future Sustainability                                                                             November 2023| Volume 01 | Issue 01 | Pages 13-22 

15 

 

large amounts of water for their operation. This can have 
negative impacts on water resources and aquatic ecosystems, 
particularly in areas that are already experiencing water 
scarcity or where freshwater ecosystems are already under 
stress. For example, the construction of the hydropower 
Baram Dam in Malaysia has caused water use issues [19]. Due 
to worries about their effects on local ecosystems and 
indigenous groups, the construction of hydropower dams in 
Malaysia has been controversial. Thousands of indigenous 
people would be uprooted, and a sizable portion of the 
rainforest would be flooded. Hydropower dam development 
and operation can also have detrimental effects on the 
quantity and quality of water available downstream. This may 
have an impact on local people’s health and well-being, as well 
as industries depending on water, like agriculture, fishery, 
and others. So, Malaysia has implemented several efforts to 
enhance water management in the area in response to these 
worries, including the creation of new water treatment 
facilities and the encouragement of water conservation 
techniques. The severe environmental and socioeconomic 
effects of the Bakun Dam, however, may preclude these 
actions from being sufficient. 

Finally, the production and disposal of RE technologies 
can also have environmental impacts. For example, the 
production of solar panels and wind turbines can involve the 
use of toxic chemicals and generate waste, which can have 
negative impacts on the environment and human health [20]. 
Similarly, the disposal of old or damaged RE technologies can 
also create environmental problems if not properly managed. 
[21] mentions that geothermal power plants constructed in 
Indonesia can be taken as one of the examples that cause the 
issues. To reach the hot water and steam needed to produce 
energy at geothermal power plants, deep wells must be 
drilled. Large amounts of drilling waste, such as drilling fluids 
and rock shavings, may be produced because of the drilling 
operation, and these waste materials may be challenging to 
securely dispose of. Deforestation, land degradation, and the 
disruption of regional ecosystems are other potential 
negative effects of the development of geothermal power 
facilities. Therefore, the Indonesian government has put 
policies in place to control geothermal waste and encourage 
sustainable development to address these problems. 
Enforcing these laws, meanwhile, can be difficult, especially in 
isolated locations where geothermal projects are sometimes 
located. 

4. Economic impact of renewable energy development 

in ASEAN  

Recently, attaining energy sustainability has been a 
major goal for the ASEAN countries, as it brings many 
benefits, including enhanced energy efficiency and a clean 
environment. This has resulted in the rise of sustainable 
energy sources such as wind, hydropower, and solar power, 
which are the prominent sources of electricity growth 
globally. Based on research done back in 2020, the GDP 
growth and RE sources in ASEAN countries have been 
recorded in Table 1 [22].  

Economic growth can be defined as an increase in 
production in an economy, which results in increased 
incomes and raises the standard of living. Economic growth is 
usually measured in terms of GDP and is an indicator of the 
economic health of the country. RE has been an attractive 
method to recover the falling GDP of ASEAN countries, which 
has been caused by the pandemic. It has been reported that 
the GDP for the ASEAN-5 (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, 
Singapore, and Thailand) has been 2.9% for 2021 and 5.8% 

for 2022, following a 3.4% fall in 2020 due to the pandemic. 
One of the main reasons RE has been deemed the future is that 
it would cause the ASEAN countries to achieve a steady supply 
of energy and be self-sufficient. Currently, the countries still 
rely on energy imports that are predominantly fossil fuels to 
operate. With RE, the funding will not be required for imports, 
and thus the GDP will rise. This, coupled with the increasing 
demands to prevent global warming from investors, can make 
investing in RE a worthwhile venture. 

Table 1. GDP growth and renewable energy sources in ASEAN 
countries 

 

In the last five years, ASEAN countries have increased 
their RE production. EY-Parthenon, a global strategy 
consulting arm, had conducted a study of eight economies 
across Asia and has recorded more than 800 clean energy 
projects. If they are all realized, it could result in an 
investment potential of over 316 billion USD and an emission-
saving potential of over 229 metric tons of carbon dioxide. 
These projects and investments also have the potential to 
generate up to 870,000 jobs. Furthermore, as stated earlier, 
RE is attractive, resulting in private sectors and investors 
being more likely to deploy capital and back its’ projects. This 
would, in turn, bring economic growth. According to the 58th 
edition of the EY RE Country Attractiveness Index (RECAI) in 
October 2021, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia have 
risen up the rankings of the world’s top 40 markets in terms 
of the attractiveness of their RE investment and deployment 
opportunities. Indonesia has set more ambitious goals and 
policies to retire diesel and coal power plants. 

While the merits of pursuing RE are clear, the path is not 
without challenges. Inability to access financing, absence of or 
uneven government support in incentives and the 
implementation of renewable projects, as well as 
geographical limitations – such as the lack of suitable or large 
land for solar or wind farms or hydropower generators – are 
some of the main challenges. RE projects are often located in 
remote locations due to traditional town planning, which 
places industrial assets far from suburban areas and 
increases the costs of renewable energy. This lowers the 
attractiveness for consumers to convert to RE usage when 
conventional energy products may be cheaper and more 
accessible. Further, Southeast Asia’s renewables market is 
still in development. Market knowledge is still shallow, and 
some countries are still sceptical about investing in this new 
technology, which may result in waning market interest over 
time.  

 

Countries Economy 
size 

(USD in 
billions) 

Populations 
(Millions) 

GDP 
per 

capita 
(USD) 

Capacity of 
renewable 

energy 
(MW) 

Brunei 16.18 0.42 38760 1 
Cambodia 16.20 15.14 1070 1438 
Indonesia 868.35 250.80 3460 9471 

Laos 11.00 6.78 1620 5118 
Malaysia 313.16 29.72 10538 8157 
Myanmar 44.85 61.95 724 3315 

Philippines 272.07 98.39 2770 6482 
Singapore 297.94 5.40 55183 279 
Thailand 387.25 67.01 5780 10411 
Vietnam 170.55 89.71 1901 18523 



DNA. Damu et al. /Future Sustainability                                                                             November 2023| Volume 01 | Issue 01 | Pages 13-22 

16 

 

5. The ASEAN countries' renewable plan and progress 

by now  

The development process for RE has always been the 
main target accomplished by the ASEAN governments. The 
investments towards this goal, accompanied by cheaper 
technologies implementation and given economies of scale 
that contribute to less cost involved, the authorities took 
significant actions to tackle the problem regarding the 
reduction of carbon emissions. Unforeseen challenges are 
presented during 2020 that somehow negatively affect the 
development of this sector; however, the determination 
towards achieving the main outcome for the RE plan in the 
ASEAN governments has not been affected, and it is expected 
to pick up at a quick pace despite the obstacle encountered. 
The consensus is to enhance the development of the RE plan 
and recover the loss caused during the pandemic in the 
ASEAN countries. The authorities of ASEAN proceed with the 
second phase of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy 
Cooperation (APAEC), in which a five-year sustainability plan 
will commence starting from 2021 till 2025. A 23% share of 
RE in total primary energy supply, along with 35% in the 
region and ASEAN installed power capacity by 2025, 
respectively, has been agreed and set as a target by the ASEAN 
energy ministers under the APAEC.  In terms of energy power 
to be generated as RE, 35GW to 40GW is set as a target to be 
achieved by 2025 [23]. Significant progress towards the 
development of RE is shown within the ASEAN member 
countries; the evaluation is done by looking at the 
investments towards the infrastructure in the sustainability 
plan. Table 2  (Appendix) represents the evaluation of the top 
investments for each ASEAN member country. 

The RE project implemented for each member country of 
ASEAN has a significant trend to be observed. The size of the 
project implementation is very dependent on the size of the 
country itself; the larger the scale of the country region, the 
more the human population, hence, the energy consumption 
demand rises. The government implements large-scale 
projects to satisfy the daily needs of consumers. However, the 
condition regarding direct proportionality of the country 
scale region and consumer demands does not really apply to 
all countries in ASEAN. There are still some other factors that 
greatly affect the decision of local authorities to scale up their 
project regardless of the country’s regional scale. Among the 
countries, it is shown that the Vietnamese government 
emphasized the RE sector more than that of the Malaysian 
government by direct comparison; although both countries 
had almost a similar regional scale, the investments and the 
outputs varied differently. The demand for RE is greatly 
economically beneficial for some countries, depending on the 
local authorities' decision. Hence, for some reason, a smaller-
scale country may produce more energy output or invest a lot 
in the renewable energy sector, but on the other hand, a large 
country might not do so. According to research information, 
there is a trend that shows ASEAN member countries focus 
more on the renewable sector regarding hydropower. Even 
the largest ongoing project, Mamberamo Hydro Power Plant 
23,000 MW in Indonesia, is also the largest hydropower 
generation project. Being the largest regional-scale country in 
ASEAN, the Indonesian government is currently planning the 
largest RE project in the country. Compared to other member 
countries, their project scale is way larger than the others, 
regardless of the cost of the project or the amount of output 
RE produced. As shown above, several member countries of 
ASEAN have significantly low amounts of data acquired due 
to the RE project scale of the location being contrastingly 

lesser than that of bigger regional coverage member 
countries. As shown above, regarding Brunei and its overall 
development in the RE sector, the most recent project is 
completed, the project scale is also small compared to other 
bigger countries, and the value of investments is similarly 
lesser. The BSP (photovoltaic) solar farm project did not 
announce the exact total amount of investments towards the 
project; hence, the exact value remains unknown. The overall 
RE targets and plan to achieve regarding each member 
country in ASEAN are at a good pace in terms of development. 
Predictions and expectations are set by different countries in 
the hope of achieving their expected outputs within the time 
span they set. Brunei has not set any specific RE target, but 
the country has made efforts to promote the use of RE, 
particularly in the form of solar power. Cambodia aims to 
increase the share of RE in the electricity mix to 20% by 2023, 
with plans to increase the use of hydropower and solar energy 
[31]. Indonesia aims to increase the share of RE in the 
electricity mix to 23% by 2025, primarily through the 
increased use of geothermal, solar, and hydropower [32]. 
Laos aims to generate 90% of its electricity from renewable 
sources and have their total energy consumption by 30% 
through RE by 2025, mainly through hydropower, but also 
through other sources such as solar and wind power [33]. 
Malaysia aims to increase the RE in the capacity level to 20% 
by 2030, and currently, up till 2023 is at 25% [34], with plans 
to increase the use of solar, biomass, and biogas. Myanmar 
aims to increase the share of RE in the electricity mix from 8% 
in 2021 to 12% by 2025, mainly through hydropower but also 
through other sources such as solar and wind power [35]. 
Progress is in good condition. The Philippines aims to 
increase the share of RE in the electricity mix to 35% by 2030, 
with plans to increase the use of wind, solar, hydro, and 
geothermal power [36]. Singapore aims to increase the share 
of RE in the electricity mix to 3% by 2030, with plans to 
increase the use of solar power [37]. Thailand aims to 
increase the share of RE in the energy mix to 30% by 2036, 
with plans to increase the use of solar, wind, and biomass 
power. Vietnam aims to increase the share of RE in the 
electricity mix to 10% by 2030, with plans to increase the use 
of wind, solar, and hydropower power [38]. Overall, the 
ASEAN region aims to achieve a collective target of increasing 
the share of RE in the region's energy mix to 23% by 2025. To 
achieve this, ASEAN countries are implementing a range of 
measures, including policy reforms, capacity building, and 
investment in RE infrastructure. The region has significant 
potential for RE, including solar, wind, hydropower, and 
biomass, and governments are working to harness this 
potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase 
energy security. 

6. Case studies of renewable energy development in 

ASEAN  

Energy resources in the ASEAN region are diversified 
and plentiful, ranging from oil and gas to a variety of RE 
sources. Several case studies on the growth of RE in ASEAN 
have been published. The region has set ambitious goals to 
increase the amount of RE in its energy mix. The primary 
conclusions of successful RE projects are summarised and 
examined in this literature review. The first example is the 
Tolo Wind Farm, which is constructed in Indonesia. The Tolo 
wind farm in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, is one of the largest 
wind farms in Southeast Asia. It has a total capacity of 72 MW 
and consists of 20 turbines [39]. The project was developed 
by PT UPC Sidrap Bayu Energi and started operating in early 
2018. The Tolo wind farm is expected to reduce carbon 



DNA. Damu et al. /Future Sustainability                                                                             November 2023| Volume 01 | Issue 01 | Pages 13-22 

17 

 

emissions by more than 200,000 tons per year. Likewise, 
another example is The Coara Marang Solar Plant project, 
which can be found in Malaysia. According to [40], the solar 
facility site covers 245 hectares to the northeast of Peninsular 
Malaysia. It is made up of 216,832 premium bifacial solar 
panels that are fixed to single-axis trackers. This is to ensure 
maximum energy production efficiency with a total capacity 
of 116 MW. The solar panels are expected to generate roughly 
230 GWh of electricity per year, which is enough to power 
55,000 households on average. More than 170,000 tons of CO2 
emissions are also prevented annually by the project. 
Furthermore, the Srepok 1 and Quang Minh Solar projects are 
other examples that are built in Vietnam. Ref [41] states that 
Srepok 1 and Quang Minh solar projects are developed by 
Sunseap Group and InfraCo Asia, respectively, which have a 
combined capacity of 168 MW. They are expected to generate 
more than 350,000 MWh of electricity per year, enough to 
power around 200,000 homes. The projects are helping to 
reduce carbon emissions and support the growth of the RE 
sector in Vietnam. 

In addition, the next example is The Bangui Bay Wind 
Farm, which is in the Philippines. The Bangui wind farm in 
Ilocos Norte, Philippines, was the first commercial wind farm 
in Southeast Asia. It has a total capacity of 41 MW and consists 
of a total of 26 turbines [42]. The project was developed by 
NorthWind Power Development Corporation and started 
operating in 2005. The Bangui wind farm has helped to 
reduce carbon emissions and provide clean RE for the region. 
Lastly, the Nam Ngiep 1 Hydropower Project is the last 
example that can be found in Laos. It has a capacity of 290 MW 
and is expected to generate over 1,200 GWh of electricity 
annually [43]. The project is being developed in Bolikhamxay 
along the Ngiep River, with a 167-meter main dam height, to 
create a 67 km2 water storage reservoir. The objective is to 
develop a power project that is socially and environmentally 
responsible, will offer clean, renewable electricity, and will 
aid in the reduction of poverty in Laos. Besides, there are 
some factors that may have contributed to the success of the 
RE projects. This can also include lessons that can be learned 
and implications for future RE development in ASEAN. 
According to [44], one of the factors is supportive government 
policies that can provide a favorable environment for RE 
projects to succeed. In some cases, governments may offer 
incentives such as tax breaks or subsidies to encourage 
investment in RE. The importance of these supportive policies 
and regulations can be a lesson to be learned. Additionally, 
policies such as feed-in tariffs, RE targets, and carbon pricing 
mechanisms have been effective in promoting RE 
development in the region. It also prioritizes RE sources over 
fossil fuels, which can help to create demand for RE projects. 

Similarly, another factor will be access to financing, 
which is crucial for RE projects to succeed [45]. This may 
include access to loans, grants, or other types of funding. 
Financial institutions and development banks may play a 
critical role in providing funding for RE projects. Therefore, 
future RE projects in ASEAN will need to secure adequate 
funding and financing to ensure successful implementation, 
especially for large-scale projects. Haile et al. [46] also 
rationalize that strong collaboration between public and 
private sector entities can be another essential factor for the 
success of RE projects. Public-private partnerships can bring 
together the strength, expertise, and resources needed to 
develop and implement large-scale RE projects. By working 
together, countries in the region can share best practices, pool 
resources, and develop joint projects. This could include the 
development of regional transmission infrastructure, joint 

investment in RE projects, and the sharing of expertise and 
knowledge. Future RE projects in ASEAN should seek to 
establish strong public-private partnerships to achieve 
project goals and bring in private sector expertise. Then, 
favorable natural conditions, such as high wind speeds or 
ample sunlight, can be an important factor in the success of 
RE projects. Projects that are in areas with abundant natural 
resources may have a higher likelihood of success [46]. This 
can also be important for future RE projects in ASEAN that 
should take advantage of these resources to develop a diverse 
portfolio of RE sources and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. 
After that, Mokan et al. [44] mentioned that engaging and 
securing the support of local communities is another critical 
factor for the success of RE projects. Communities that are 
supportive of RE projects may be more likely to participate in 
them, which can help to increase project viability. Then, 
several successful RE projects had environmental and social 
considerations at the forefront of project design, such as 
creating jobs for residents and mitigating environmental 
impacts. Future RE projects in ASEAN must consider 
environmental and social implications and engage with local 
communities to ensure their buy-in.  

Finally, the last factor is technological innovation, which 
plays a significant role in the success of RE projects. This is 
because many countries in the region still lack the technical 
expertise and infrastructure necessary to fully realize the 
potential of RE. Advances in RE technologies can make them 
more efficient and cost-effective, which can help to increase 
their viability [44]. So, future RE projects in ASEAN should 
continue to embrace technological advancements and 
innovation to drive progress and improve efficiency. In short, 
future RE development in ASEAN can learn from the success 
of past projects by emphasizing government support and 
policies, establishing strong public-private partnerships, 
securing adequate funding and financing, addressing 
environmental and social considerations, taking advantage of 
diverse RE resources, and embracing technological 
advancements and innovation. By doing so, ASEAN countries 
can continue to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable 
energy future. 

7. Discussion  

Considering the economic and environmental impact, as 
well as the policies of respective member countries for RE 
development in ASEAN, the future progress of the region's RE 
development plan seems promising despite the challenges 
faced. ASEAN countries have recognized the importance of 
transitioning to RE sources to reduce carbon emissions and 
promote sustainability. Although a major downfall in this 
renewable plan has happened, which is the COVID-19 
pandemic, this did not ravage away the recognition of ASEAN 
countries to progress towards sustainability. ASEAN 
countries have implemented various policies, as mentioned 
previously, such as feed-in-tariffs, tax incentives, and 
renewable portfolio standards, to drive RE deployment. While 
challenges exist, including regulatory barriers, a lack of 
investment, and inadequate infrastructure, there are 
significant opportunities, such as abundant RE resources and 
increasing energy demand. With concerted efforts to address 
these challenges and further refine policy frameworks, 
ASEAN has the potential to make substantial progress in RE 
development over the next few decades. Continued 
commitment and collaboration among member countries will 
be crucial in achieving their RE goals and fostering a 
sustainable future. 



DNA. Damu et al. /Future Sustainability                                                                             November 2023| Volume 01 | Issue 01 | Pages 13-22 

18 

 

Based on Table 1, Vietnam has the capacity of renewable 
energy with approximately 18523 MW. This can be attributed 
to its vast natural endowments. Vietnam has four to five 
kilowatt-hours per square meter for solar and 3,000 
kilometers of coastlines with consistent winds in the range of 
5.5 to 7.3 meters per second. Whilst its focus is primarily on 
wind projects, this renewable-led pathway has led Vietnam to 
a cheaper and cleaner energy plan whilst also providing an 
additional 465,000 jobs through 2030. Brunei has the least 
renewable energy capacity, with it only being 1 MW. This can 
be caused by its’ small and limited land, with it being the 
smallest country in Southeast Asia by population, making it 
hard to construct renewable energy plantations. 
Furthermore, its land is oil-rich, making renewable energy 
unnecessary. Despite this, Brunei acknowledges the 
importance of renewable energy. Brunei’s government is 
planning to utilize a waste-to-energy facility. This facility is 
expected to have an installed capacity of up to 10 MW. 
Whether other alternative energy sources such as wind 
power, hydropower, and ocean are economically and 
technically feasible in the medium term and the long term is 
still being researched. These initiatives are supporting the 
government’s aspiration of generating at least 10 percent of 
the total power generation mix from renewable resources by 
2035. Every country has its own renewable energy that is best 
suited for it. For example, Malaysia’s hydropower generates 
much more energy than its’ solar department. It all comes 
down to allocating funds to the correct and most suitable 
renewable energy source for each criterion. Furthermore, 
investing in RE will not produce results immediately but 
instead is a long-term project that will yield results in the 
future and, overall, reduce global warming.  

8. Conclusion  

RE policies in ASEAN countries promote the use of RE 
technologies. While countries have implemented policies like 
feed-in-tariffs and tax incentives, their effectiveness varies. 
Challenges include regulatory barriers, lack of investment, 
and inadequate infrastructure. Despite obstacles, ASEAN has 
opportunities for RE development due to resources and 
government support. To achieve targets, countries must 
address challenges and adopt effective policies that 
encourage investment in RE. The case studies of ASEAN 
member countries' renewable energy (RE) development 
plans reveal diverse experiences and challenges. Thailand 
stands out as a success story with effective policies and 
incentives leading to significant growth in solar and wind 
power. Malaysia's feed-in-tariff policy has been successful in 
promoting RE deployment, particularly in solar energy. 
Indonesia has faced obstacles in implementing RE policies, 
including delays in feed-in tariff implementation and 
regulatory hurdles. The Philippines has attracted investments 
through a Renewable Portfolio Standard but struggles with 
grid integration and transmission infrastructure. Vietnam has 
made significant progress in the solar and wind sectors 
through policy reforms and foreign investments. These case 
studies highlight the need for careful planning, supportive 
measures, and collaboration among member countries for 
successful RE development. The economic impact of RE plans 
in ASEAN member countries is both positive and negative. 
They create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and reduce 
dependence on costly fossil fuel imports. However, the initial 
costs of implementing RE projects and the need for additional 
investments in energy storage and grid infrastructure pose 
financial challenges. To maximize the positive economic 
impacts, supportive policies, incentives, and collaboration are 

crucial, along with strategic investments and research in RE 
technologies. RE development in ASEAN has the potential to 
significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate 
climate change impacts. RE sources emit far fewer 
greenhouse gases and pollutants compared to coal-fired 
power plants. However, careful management is required to 
address environmental concerns such as land use change, 
habitat fragmentation, soil erosion, water use, and waste 
generation associated with RE projects. Collaboration with 
communities and stakeholders is crucial for sustainable and 
socially responsible RE development. The sustainability plan 
conducted by ASEAN member countries aims to reduce 
overall carbon emissions and brings a beneficial impact on the 
environment and economy. RE is a natural resource-saving 
approach that minimizes consumption and depletion. It offers 
cost-saving benefits through the use of renewable and 
reusable resources, resulting in higher energy production. If 
successfully carried out, the plan would lead to reduced 
resource consumption, pollution, and carbon emissions, 
benefiting both the ecosystem and the economy. Overall 
efficiency would improve, and member countries would enjoy 
cost savings in resource treatment, maintenance, and 
procurement. 

Ethical issue 
The authors are aware of and comply with best practices in 
publication ethics, specifically with regard to authorship 
(avoidance of guest authorship), dual submission, 
manipulation of figures, competing interests, and compliance 
with policies on research ethics. The authors adhere to 
publication requirements that the submitted work is original 
and has not been published elsewhere. 

Data availability statement 
Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no datasets 

were generated or analyzed during the current study. 

Conflict of interest 

The authors declare no potential conflict of interest. 

References 

[1] Gungwu, W. 2017. Southeast Asia and continental and 

maritime powers in a globalised world. Building 

ASEAN Community. p. 9. 

[2] Wimalaratna, Y. P., Hassan, A., Afrouzi, H. N., 

Mehranzamir, K., Ahmed, J., Siddique, B. M., & Liew, S. 

C. 2022. Comprehensive review on the feasibility of 

developing wave energy as a renewable energy 

resource in Australia. Cleaner Energy Systems, p. 

100021, DOI: 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cles.2022.100021. 

[3] Khuong P. M., McKenna R., Fichtner W. 2019. Analyzing 

drivers of renewable energy development in Southeast 

Asia countries with correlation and decomposition 

methods. Journal of Cleaner Production, 213, pp. 710-

22. 

[4] ASEAN. 2016ASEAN plan of action for energy 

cooperation (APAEC) 2016-2025. ASEAN Centre For 

Energy; Accessed on 05-09-2023. [Available at: (2021-

2025) ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation 

(APAEC) 2016-2025 Phase II - ASEAN Centre for 

Energy (aseanenergy.org)]. 

[5] Hui, L.C., Meng, G.T.K., Jue, H.L., Qian, E.V.W., Hassan, A., 

Afrouzi, H.N. and Mehranzamir, K., 2022. Impact Of 

Covid-19 on renewable energy sector and lessons 



DNA. Damu et al. /Future Sustainability                                                                             November 2023| Volume 01 | Issue 01 | Pages 13-22 

19 

 

learned: A case study on Malaysia. Future Energy, 1(3), 

pp.44-50. 

[6] Pratiwi S., Juerges N. 2020. Review of the impact of 

renewable energy development on the environment 

and nature conservation in Southeast Asia. Energy, 

Ecology and Environment, 5(4), pp. 221-239. 

[7] Vakulchuk R., Overland I., Suryadi B. 2023. ASEAN’s 

energy transition: how to attract more investment in 

renewable energy. Energy, Ecology and Environment, 

8(1), pp. 1-16. 

[8] Dan N. L. 2022. Vietnam’s Renewable Energy Policies 

and Opportunities for the Private Sector. The National 

Bureau of Asian Research, pp. 1 - 8. 

[9] Guild J. 2019. Feed-in-tariffs and the politics of 

renewable energy in Indonesia and the Philippines. 

Asia & the Pacific Policy Studies, 6(3), pp. 417-431. 

[10] Muhammad-Sukki, F., Abu-Bakar, S.H., Munir, A.B., 

Yasin, S.H.M., Ramirez-Iniguez, R., McMeekin, S.G., 

Stewart, B.G. and Rahim, R.A., 2014. Progress of feed-in 

tariff in Malaysia: A year after. Energy policy, 67, 

pp.618-625. 

[11] Yuliani D. 144Is Feed-In-Tariff Policy Effective for 

Increasing Deployment of Renewable Energy in 

Indonesia?. The Political Economy of Clean Energy 

Transitions, 1. 

[12] Coalition for Action. 2019. Scaling up renewable 

energy investment in the Philippines, Accessed on 04-

09-2023. [Available from: https://coalition.irena.org/-

/media/Files/IRENA/Coalition-for-Action/Coalition-

for-Action-_Scaling-up-RE-Investment-

Philippines.pdf]. 

[13] Scandrett G. 2017. Environmental Impacts of 

Renewable Energy Sources. Accessed on 02-09-2023. 

[Available from: 

https://www.adecesg.com/resources/blog/environm

ental-impacts-of-renewable-energy-

sources/#:~:text=for%20electricity%20generation.-

,Electricity%20from%20renewable%20energy%20so

urces%20produces%20between%2090%2D99%25%

20less,from%20air%20pollution%20and%20GHGs. 

[14] Van de Ven, D. J., Capellan-Peréz, I., Arto, I., Cazcarro, I., 

de Castro, C., Patel, P. and Gonzalez-Eguino, M., 2021. 

The potential land requirements and related land use 

change emissions of solar energy. Scientific reports, 

11(1), p. 2907.  

[15] Nong, D. H., Ngo, A. T., Nguyen, H. P., Nguyen, T. T., 

Nguyen, L. T. and Saksena, S., 2021. Changes in coastal 

agricultural land use in response to climate change: an 

assessment using satellite remote sensing and 

household survey data in Tien Hai district, Thai Binh 

Province, Vietnam. Land, 10(6), p.627. 

[16] Pimentel, D. and Krummel, J., 1987. Biomass energy 

and soil erosion: Assessment of resource costs. 

Biomass, 14(1), pp.15-38. 

[17] Hecht JS, Lacombe G, Arias ME, Dang TD, Piman T. 

2019. Hydropower dams of the Mekong River basin: A 

review of their hydrological impacts. Journal of 

Hydrology. 568:285-300. 

[18] Energy IC. Is Renewable Energy Bad for the 

Environment? Accessed on 28-08-2023 [Available 

from: 

https://www.inspirecleanenergy.com/blog/clean-

energy-101/does-renewable-energy-cause-pollution. 

[19] Los Huertos M. 2017. Narratives about Energy, 

Megaprojects, and the Ecology of Tropical Rivers: The 

Baram River Dam Project. EnviroLab Asia. 1(3), p. 4. 

[20] Erinle T. J., Hephzibah O. D., Moses A. O., Bamidele O. P. 

2019. Environmental Impact of Renewable Energy 

Sources: Wind and Solar. 2nd International 

Conference, Center for Research, Innovation and 

Development (CRID) FPA, August 2019. 

[21] Adityatama D. W., Al Asyari M.R., Ahmad A. H., Riyanto 

N., Purba D., Erichatama N. 2023. Potential Closed-loop 

Geothermal Power Generation Application for Non-

commercial Well in Indonesia: A Preliminary Study. In 

PROCEEDINGS, 48th Workshop on Geothermal 

Reservoir Engineering. Stanford University. pp. 1-9. 

[22] Fadilah S, Lestari R, Sahdan M, Khalid A. 2020. The 

Impact of Renewable Energy Consumption on the 

Economic Growth of the ASEAN Countries. 

International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy. 

2020;10:602-8. 

[23] Mclaren M. Governments across Southeast Asia 

accelerate renewable energy investment to revive the 

pandemic-hit economies. 2021. 

[24] Cambodian government approves renewable energy 

projects: The Star; 2023. Acccessed on 23-08-2023. 

[Available from: 

https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-

news/2023/04/08/cambodian-government-

approves-renewable-energy-projects. 

[25] Sokmean O. Over 500 Megawatts of Clean Power 

Projects Approved. 2023. 

[26] CS ENERGY CO. L. NAM NGUM 3: CHALEUN SEKONG 

ENERGY COMPANY LIMITED (CSE) 2023. Accessed on 

09-09-2023. [Available from: https://csenergy.la/our-

business/hydropower-plants/power-plants-under-

construction/nam-ngum-3/?lang=en. 

[27] TheStar. 2022. Laos to focus on development of 

renewable energy. Accessed on 03-09-2023. [Available 

at: Laos to focus on development of renewable energy | 

The Star]. 

[28] TheStar. 2023. Luang Prabang Mekong hydropower 

plant in Laos to be completed in 2030. Accessed on 03-

09-2023. [ Available at: 

https://www.bing.com/search?q=Luang+Prabang+Me

kong+hydropower+plant+in+Laos+to+be+completed+

in+2030&cvid=fc41a8ada2ed48b9a76828e758c5f416

&aqs=ed[ge..69i57.440j0j4&FORM=ANAB01&PC=W09

9]. 

[29] BSP. ENERGY TRANSITION: Shell Brunei; 2023. 

Accessed on 10-09-2023 [Available from: 

https://www.bsp.com.bn/main/energy-and-

innovation/energy-transition. 

[30] UNDP. 2023. ACCELERATING CLEAN ENERGY ACCESS 

TO REDUCE INEQUALITY (ACCESS). Accessed on 12-

09-2023. [Available at: Accelerating Clean Energy 

Access to Reduce Inequality (ACCESS) | United Nations 

Development Programme (undp.org)]. 

[31] Theangseng, H. (2021), ‘Cambodia Country Report’, in 

Han, P. and S. Kimura (eds.), Energy Outlook and 



DNA. Damu et al. /Future Sustainability                                                                             November 2023| Volume 01 | Issue 01 | Pages 13-22 

20 

 

Energy Saving Potential in East Asia 2020, Jakarta: 

ERIA, pp.55-72. 

[32] Raihan, A., Pavel, M.I., Muhtasim, D.A., Farhana, S., 

Faruk, O. and Paul, A., 2023. The role of renewable 

energy use, technological innovation, and forest cover 

toward green development: Evidence from Indonesia. 

Innovation and Green Development, 2(1), p.100035. 

[33] Chandak P. Supply Security Through Hydropower 

Should Enable Laos To Expedite Renewables 

Development, Says Report. 2023. 

[34] Afrouzi, H.N., Wimalaratna, Y.P., Ahmed, J., 

Mehranzamir, K., Liew, S.C., Wooi, C.L. and Siddiquea, 

B.M., 2021. A Comprehensive Review on 

Available/Existing Renewable Energy Systems in 

Malaysia and Comparison of Their Capability of 

Electricity Generation in Malaysia. Entropy and Exergy 

in Renewable Energy. 

[35] Handayani, K., Overland, I., Suryadi, B. and Vakulchuk, 

R., Integrating 100% Renewable Energy in Developing 

Country Electricity Systems Using the Leap-Nemo 

Framework. Available at SSRN 4526878. 

[36] Gonocruz, R.A.T., Yoshida, Y., Ozawa, A., Aguirre Jr, R.A. 

and Maguindayao, E.J.H., 2023. Impacts of agrivoltaics 

in rural electrification and decarbonization in the 

Philippines. Applied Energy, 350, p.121832. 

[37] ADMINISTRATION IT. SINGAPORE SOLAR ENERGY. 

2021. https://www.trade.gov/market-

intelligence/singapore-solar-energy 

[38] Govindarajan, L., Batcha, M.F.B.M. and Abdullah, M.K.B., 

2023. Solar energy policies in southeast Asia towards 

low carbon emission: A review. Heliyon. 

[39] Lee D. VENA ENERGY ANNOUNCES THE 72MW TOLO 

WIND PROJECT ACHIEVING COMMERCIAL 

OPERATION STATUS IN INDONESIA 2019. Accessed on 

27-08-2023. [Available from: 

https://www.venaenergy.com/news/vena-energy-

announces-the-72mw-tolo-wind-project-achieving-

commercial-operation-status-in-indonesia/. 

[40] Vogt I. ib vogt completes 116 MWp Coara Marang Solar 

Project in Malaysia 2023. Accessed on 27-08-2023. 

[Available from: https://www.ibvogt.com/ib-vogt-

completes-116-mwp-coara-marang-solar-project-in-

malaysia/#:~:text=The%20power%20plant%20is%2

0located,achieve%20maximum%20energy%20produc

tion%20efficiency. 

[41] Renewable E. Sunseap International and InfraCo Asia 

Partner to Form Joint Venture for Solar Power Project 

in Vietnam 2018. Accessed on 28-08-2023. [Available 

from: https://apac.edpr.com/sg/news/2018/sunseap-

international-and-infraco-asia-partner-to-form-joint-

venture-for-solar-power-project-in-vietnam.html. 

[42] Artelia. Bangui Bay Wind Farm seen as setting the 

trend in the development of renewable wind energy on 

this side of the world n.d. Accessed on 05-09-2023. 

[Available from: 

https://www.ph.arteliagroup.com/Services/bangui-

bay-wind-farm/. 

[43] 1 NN. Welcome to the Nam Ngiep1 Hydropower 

Project 2023. Accessed on 09-09-2023. [Available 

from: https://namngiep1.com/. 

[44] Mokan K, Lee T, Ramlan R. 2019. The critical success 

factors for renewable energy projects implementation. 

Int J Recent Technol Eng IJRTE, 8, pp. 223-226. 

[45] Othman K, Khallaf R. 2022. Identification of the 

Barriers and Key Success Factors for Renewable 

Energy Public-Private Partnership Projects: A 

Continental Analysis. Buildings, 12(10), p. 1511. 

[46] Haile Y, Min H. Success factors for renewable energy 

businesses in emerging economies. Management 

Research Review, 46(8), pp. 1091-1111.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 This article is an open-access article 

distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative 

Commons Attribution (CC BY) license 

(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). 

 

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/


DNA. Damu et al. /Future Sustainability                                                                             November 2023| Volume 01 | Issue 01 | Pages 13-22 

21 

 

Appendix I 
Table 2. ASEAN RE project development information 

 

Project Name Stage Value (US$ million) Start Completion 

Malaysia [23] 
• Baleh Dam and Hydroelectric Power 

Plant 1285MW 
Execution 2,374 2013 2025 

• Large Scale Solar Photovoltaic Plants 
Program 

Execution 2,000 2020 2023 

• Lebir Hydroelectric Power Plant 274 MW Planning 845 2022 2028 

• Pelagus Hydroelectric Power Plant 465 
MW 

Planning 800 2021 2024 

• Nenggiri Hydroelectric Power Plant 300 
MW 

Planning 660 2022 2024 

Vietnam [23] 

• ThangLong Ke Ga Offshore Wind Farm 
3400 MW 

Pre-Execution 11,900 2021 2027 

• La Gan Offshore Wind Farm 3500 MW Pre-Planning 10,000 2022 2030 

• Binh Dinh Offshore Wind Power Plant Planning 4,800 2022 2026 

• Wind Power Plants Program 1000 MW Execution 2,500 2020 2025 
• Ninh Thuan Solar Power Complex 

1000MW 
Planning 2,000 2021 2024 

Singapore[23] 

• TuasOne Waste-to-Energy Plant 120 MW Execution 534 2016 2021 

• SolarNova Program 350 MW Execution 315 2016 2022 

• Tengeh Reservoir Floating Solar Power 
Plant 60MW 

Execution 70 2020 2021 

• Sunshine Phase II: Solar Power Plant 
20MW 

Pre-Execution 25 2021 2022 

Thailand [23] 

• Thailand Solar PV Plants Program 6000 
MW 

Execution 12,000 2017 2026 

• Changwat Khon Kaen Photothermal and 
Photovoltaic Hybrid Power Station 90 
MW 

Pre-Execution 600 2021 2022 

• Ratchapsatu Cogeneration Power Plant 
95 MW 

Planning 150 2022 2023 

• Ubol Ratana Dam Floating Solar Farm 24 
MW 

Planning 65 2021 2023 

• Sirindhorn Dam Floating Solar Farm 45 
MW 

Pre-Execution 63 2021 2022 

Philippines [23] 

• Hydropower Plants Program 2300 MW Pre-Planning 5,000 2021 2026 

• Solar Power Plants Program 5000 MW Planning 5,000 2021 2024 
• Solar Farms Development Program Planning 1,650 2021 2024 

• Northern Luzon Hydropower Program 
1000 MW 

Pre-Planning 1,500 2021 2024 

• Solar Power Plants Program 500 MW Planning 1,000 2021 2023 

Indonesia [23] 

• Mamberamo Hydro Power Plant 23,000 
MW 

Planning 35,000 2022 2030 

• Renewable Power Plants Program 11000 
MW 

Planning 22,000 2022 2028 

• Kayan River Hydroelectric Power Plant 
9000 MW 

Execution 17,800 2020 2035 

• Kayan Hydropower Plant 1700 MW Pre-Planning 7,000 2022 2026 
• Indonesia Power Program: Hydro Power 

Plants 2400 MW 
Execution 3,500 2015 2025 

Burma [23] 

• Mong Ton Hydroelectric Plant 7000 MW Execution 10,000 2016 2031 

• Ywathit Hydroelectric Power Plant 4500 
MW 

Planning 4,500 2022 2030 

• Hatgyi Hydroelectric Power Plant 1360 
MW 

Planning 2,600 2021 2026 

• Hydropower Plants Rehabilitation 
Program 

Planning 1,700 2021 2025 

• Upper Thanlwin Hydroelectric Power 
Plant 1400 MW 

Planning 1,400 2021 2023 

Cambodia [24, 25] 



DNA. Damu et al. /Future Sustainability                                                                             November 2023| Volume 01 | Issue 01 | Pages 13-22 

22 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Stung Russey Chrum Kandal Hydropower 
Plant 70 MW & Stung Veal Thmor 
Kambot Hydropower Plant 100 MW 

Execution 

322 2023 2025 

• Pursat Province Solar Power Project 150 
MW 

Execution 

• Kampong Chhnang Province Solar Power 
Project 60 MW 

Execution 

• Prey Veng Province Solar Power Project 
80 MW 

Execution 

Laos [26, 27, 28]  
Nam Gun 3 Hydropower Plant 480 MW Planning 1400 2022 2027 

Luang Prabang Dam 1460 MW Execution 3000 2020 2030 
Sekong Coal fire Power Plant 1000MW Planning 1700 2025 2027 
Monsoon Wind Power Project 600 MW Planning 692.55 2022 2027 

Phou Ngoy Hydropower Project 728 MW Execution 2400 2022 2029 
Brunei [29, 30] 

Tenaga Suria Brunei 1.3 MW  Completed 20 2009 2010 
Brunei Shell Petroleum 3.3 MW  Completed Multi-million 2020 2021 


