An Evaluation of ASEAN Renewable Energy Path to Carbon Neutrality

Khairul Eahsun Fahim (), Liyanage C. De Silva, Fayaz Hussain, Sk. A. Shezan and Hayati Yassin ()
Additional contact information
Khairul Eahsun Fahim: Faculty of Integrated Technologies, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Brunei Darussalam, Gadong BE1410, Brunei
Liyanage C. De Silva: School of Digital Science, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Brunei Darussalam, Gadong BE1410, Brunei
Fayaz Hussain: Modeling Evolutionary Algorithms Simulation and Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City 721400, Vietnam
Sk. A. Shezan: Department of Electrical Engineering and Industrial Automation, Engineering Institute of Technology, Melbourne, VIC 3283, Australia
Hayati Yassin: Faculty of Integrated Technologies, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Brunei Darussalam, Gadong BE1410, Brunei

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 8, 1-27

Abstract: Maintaining our standard of living and keeping the economy running smoothly is heavily reliant on a consistent supply of energy. Renewable energy systems create abundant energy by utilizing resources such as the sun, wind, earth, and plants. The demand for renewable energy is increasing, despite power scarcity, pollution, and climate change posing challenges to long-term development in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which has seen significant social and economic growth in recent years. To achieve its 23% renewable energy (RE) target, ASEAN can develop solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity. Members of the ASEAN have established regulations and incentives to encourage individuals and businesses to use renewable energy in the future. This paper explores Southeast Asian countries’ comprehensive fossil-free energy options, the region’s renewable energy potential, current capacity, goals, and energy needs. Through the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2016–2025 and the ASEAN Declaration on Renewable Energy, ASEAN is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable development aligning with the Paris Agreement’s aim to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Results show that decarbonizing the region’s energy system is possible, but current policies and actions must be altered to reach that target level. Further research is necessary to optimize the ASEAN region’s renewable resource technical potential and commercial viability with available technology.

Keywords: renewable energy; solar energy; carbon neutrality; carbon footprint; net zero emissions; ASEAN renewable energy; decarbonization; energy policy; COVID-19; energy security (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/8/6961/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/8/6961/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:8:p:6961-:d:1128664

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().