Wind-powered turbines - Illustrative image
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has estimated that Southeast Asia would need 1.7 trillion USD to meet its soaring energy needs in the next two decades.In its report on Southeast Asia prospects, IEA forecast that coal will become important, accounting for 50 percent of the fuels used for power generation in the region by 2035.
The agency predicted that the region’s energy needs will rise by 80 percent between now and 2035.
With a combined population of around 600 million and a GDP of 2.1 trillion USD, the region’s imports of crude oil would reach over 5 million barrels a day by 2035, doubling the current figure. It would likely cost the region 240 billion USD, a sum equivalent to nearly 4 percent of its GDP.
The agency urged Southeast Asian countries to drastically deploy energy-saving measures given they can help reduce energy needs by around 15 percent by 2035.
VNA
