Distributed renewable energy systems combining solar, wind, battery energy storage, and stronger grid interconnections can significantly improve power system resilience across Southeast Asia compared with centralized fossil fuel-based electricity networks, according to a new report released by global energy think tank Ember.
The report found that approximately 64% of ASEAN’s installed power generation capacity is still derived from fossil fuels, leaving the region’s electricity systems vulnerable to climate-related disruptions and natural disasters. Ember said distributed renewable energy networks are better equipped to withstand both long-term climate stress and sudden disaster events by isolating damaged assets and restoring electricity supplies more quickly.
According to the analysis, even under the most extreme climate scenarios projected for 2030, wind and solar power generation would experience output variations of less than 1%, substantially lower than the generation losses expected from thermal and nuclear power plants under comparatively milder warming conditions.
Ember identified two major risks facing ASEAN’s electricity sector: chronic climate stress, which gradually reduces the performance of generation assets, and acute natural disasters, which can damage generation facilities and transmission infrastructure. The report argues that decentralized renewable energy systems are inherently more resilient because localized damage can be repaired without disrupting the wider electricity network.
The report presents several country-specific examples to illustrate the benefits of distributed renewable energy systems.
In Indonesia, Ember noted that the 2018 magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Central Sulawesi disabled the Panau coal-fired power plant and damaged more than 1,100 electricity distribution units. The report suggests that deploying 600 MW of solar power combined with 720 MWh of battery energy storage could replace approximately 250 MW of planned coal capacity, while providing faster deployment and recovery following disasters.
In the Philippines, the report highlights Catanduanes Province, where repeated typhoons have caused prolonged electricity outages due to the island’s dependence on diesel generation. A planned 58 MVA interconnection with Luzon is expected to supply up to 22% of the island’s electricity demand by 2030, improving grid resilience and accelerating post-disaster recovery.
For Vietnam, Ember found that limited transmission capacity and insufficient energy storage resulted in approximately 405 GWh of solar curtailment during 2020, representing an estimated economic loss of US$26 million. The report recommends expanding transmission infrastructure, deploying smart grids, and increasing battery storage capacity to improve renewable energy utilization while strengthening grid resilience.
Ember also called on ASEAN governments to adopt a whole-system resilience planning approach, integrating energy planning into regional disaster management frameworks such as the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER). The report recommends increased investment in transmission interconnections, grid flexibility, and battery energy storage to support the expansion of distributed renewable energy systems.
Dr. Dinita Setyawati, Senior Energy Analyst for Asia at Ember, said renewable energy deployment and stronger electricity grids should become central elements of policymaking across ASEAN to improve energy security and support the region’s green economy.
Felix William B. Fuentebella, Philippine Undersecretary and Philippine Senior Official on Energy, said strengthening power system resilience should remain at the core of ASEAN’s energy transition, emphasizing that investments in renewable energy, energy storage, and grid interconnections are essential for both decarbonization and protection against future climate-related disruptions.
Brian Eyler, Southeast Asia Program Director at the Stimson Center, added that the report provides practical guidance for ASEAN countries to build more resilient electricity systems capable of withstanding increasing climate risks while accelerating the transition to clean energy.
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