Southeast Asian countries are seeking to accelerate their steps towardrenewable energy and combating climate change.

Although they are considered the most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change, they have emerged as pioneering countries in spreading renewable energy and climate action.

Southeast Asian countries aim to achieve full access to clean, affordable electricity for all their citizens.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Energy Outlook indicates that economic growth in the region will increase demand for household electricity to 497.1 TWh by 2040, nearly double the level of demand seen in 2017.

Vietnam is at the forefront of solar energy, and consultants at Wood Mackenzie expect the region to increase its installed solar capacity to 35.8 gigawatts by 2024. Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia account for about 98% of the solar capacity in the region.

Vietnam ranked first in 2020 by installing 9 gigawatts of rooftop solar, most of it in December, before its guaranteed purchase tariff expires at the end of the year.

1 gigawatt of solar capacity was installed on the ground during the same year; this made Vietnam the sixth largest solar market in the world with a total capacity of 16.5 GW at the end of 2020.

Southeast Asian countries, such as Indonesia, are among the countries looking into floating solar panels as a way to deal with floods caused by the rainy season.