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Lao PDR adopted the Renewable Energy Development Strategy in 2011 and set a target of 30% small-scale renewables in the energy mix by 2025. The country relies heavily on large hydropower in electricity production and is an attractive investment destination for hydropower. At the same time, Lao PDR has also significant small-scale hydro and solar power potential. We propose five actions that can improve the investment climate in Lao PDR for small-scale hydropower, solar and wind energy: establish an autonomous government agency for renewables; join IRENA and build capacity for renewable energy governance; adopt a feed-in tariff and build a robust regulatory framework; develop a roadmap for small-scale renewable energy; facilitate market entry for investors. This policy brief is a product of the ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project (ACCEPT) ACCEPT is funded by the Norwegian Government under the Norwegian-ASEAN Regional Integration Programme (NARIP) and is jointly implemented by the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI).

Thailand is among ASEAN’s renewable energy leaders. It attracted more than USD 10.7 billion of investment in renewable energy from 2006 to 2018. The country’s total installed capacity of renewable energy represented over 60% of the total capacity of ASEAN in 2019. Renewables accounted for 15% of its energy mix in 2018, and a target of 30% in 2036 was set. Despite this, during 2018–2019, Thailand experienced relative stagnation in terms of attracted investment. We propose five actions that can improve the attractiveness of Thailand’s investment climate for renewable energy in both the short and long term: set up a dedicated ministry for governing renewables; expand and improve the regulatory framework; capitalise on its peer-to-peer energy trading experience; simplify market entry for foreign investors; build capacity for renewable energy governance. This policy brief is a product of the ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project (ACCEPT) ACCEPT is funded by the Norwegian Government under the Norwegian-ASEAN Regional Integration Programme (NARIP) and is jointly implemented by the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI).

Indonesia, the largest country in Southeast Asia, has considerable renewable energy potential. However, this potential remains largely underexploited. Fossil fuel subsidies are a major obstacle to the deployment of renewable energy on a large scale. Investment in renewable energy is limited compared to some regional peers. For instance, Vietnam attracted USD 5.2 billion of investment in renewables in 2018, while Indonesia drew only USD 0.8 billion. We propose six actions that could help Indonesia accelerate the expansion of renewables: remove subsidies for fossil fuels; establish a ministry of renewable energy; prioritise renewables in the regulatory framework; improve and streamline grid management; mobilise domestic banks to support renewable energy; prioritise market entry for investors. This policy brief is a product of the ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project (ACCEPT) ACCEPT is funded by the Norwegian Government under the Norwegian-ASEAN Regional Integration Programme (NARIP) and is jointly implemented by the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI).

Brunei Darussalam has yet to make major progress in renewable energy and become an attractive destination for investors. Only 0.05% of Brunei’s electricity came from renewable energy sources, while 99.95% was based on fossil fuels. In 2014, the country set a renewable energy target of 10% in the power generation mix by 2035. To reach the target, it needs to increase the share of renewables by 0.66% every year from 2020 to 2035. The country still needs to adopt a regulatory regime to scale up the development of renewable energy, particularly solar energy, which is more abundant than wind energy. We propose five actions to build the investment climate for renewable energy in Brunei Darussalam: prioritise renewable energy in the governance system; adopt and implement key legislation; mobilise domestic investors; improve market entry for foreign investors; join IRENA and expand capacity building. This policy brief is a product of the ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project (ACCEPT) ACCEPT is funded by the Norwegian Government under the Norwegian-ASEAN Regional Integration Programme (NARIP) and is jointly implemented by the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI).

Vietnam is one of the most attractive destinations for renewable energy investment in ASEAN. In 2018, the country attracted USD 5.2 billion. In 2019, the share of renewable energy in the energy mix was 9%, thus already exceeding the 7% target set for 2020. If Vietnam is to continue its success and compete globally for investment in renewable energy, it will need to further develop its investment climate. The competition is heating up in this area, and an increasing number of countries have similar conditions and frameworks for renewable energy investment. Therefore, every improvement may help boost a market’s relative attractiveness. We propose six actions that can further enhance the attractiveness of Vietnam’s renewable energy sector for investment from both domestic and international investors: prioritise renewable energy in the governance system; streamline the regulatory framework; facilitate market entry for investors; improve transparency and communication about the investment regime; improve grid expansion planning; join IRENA to further build the capacity for renewable energy governance. This policy brief is a product of the ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project (ACCEPT) ACCEPT is funded by the Norwegian Government under the Norwegian-ASEAN Regional Integration Programme (NARIP) and is jointly implemented by the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI).

This report was produced jointly by the Myanmar Institute for Strategic and International Studies (MISIS) and the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI).