“Asean’s big coal problem”, 19 Nov 2015

…[W]hile Asean is vulnerable to climate change impacts, it is also a growing economy facing energy challenges. 

…According to the International Energy Agency’s Southeast Asia Energy Outlook Report, the region’s energy demand is expected to increase by 80 per cent between 2013 and 2035. In the same report, coal is identified as the fuel of choice, with three-quarters of the thermal capacity under construction being coal-fired.

In the Philippines, more than 50 new coal power plants have been approved by the government. Indonesia plans to build more than 100 new coal power plants in the next 5 years. At the same time, Malaysia approved a renewable energy act in 2011 even if some still wonder if the plan is being implemented effectively…