Renewable Energy Progress and Utilization Gaps in ASEAN: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

This study investigates renewable energy development trends and utilization gaps across ASEAN countries between 2016 and 2020 through a comparative, data-driven analysis. The research highlights temporal differences in installed capacity and project realization, focusing on solar, biomass, hydropower, and geothermal energy sources. Vietnam experienced the most dramatic increase in installed capacity, from 0 MW in 2017–2018 to approximately 850 MW in 2019–2020. Cambodia followed with a jump from 0 MW to 370 MW during the same period, while Thailand more than doubled its capacity from 320 MW to 680 MW. In the solar sector, Thailand led with 950 MW added in 2016, though growth slowed afterwards. The Philippines maintained steady development, increasing from 600 MW in 2016 to 640 MW by 2018. A three-layer comparison reveals that solar energy had a technical potential of 4,800 MW, with only a 2,000 MW target by 2021, and biomass had a potential of 4,400 MW, with a 2021 target of 3,600 MW. This study's novelty lies in its multi-year comparative approach, project commitment data incorporation, and potential vs. realisation analysis. The dominance of fossil fuels, 91% of Indonesia's renewable mix in 2015, highlights the urgent need for diversification. The findings provide valuable insight for policymakers to align targets with investment and capacity-building strategies across the ASEAN region.