The upcoming ASEAN leaders' summit in Manila has a clear focus: the energy crisis. Rising prices and supply shortages demand a coordinated regional response. The Philippines, as host, faces the challenge of maintaining this focus without leaving conflicts such as those in Myanmar, Thailand, or Cambodia off the agenda. The pressure is twofold: addressing the energy urgency without neglecting the political tensions that mark the region.
Energy transition: between smart grids and fossil fuels ⚡
Southeast Asian countries are exploring technical solutions such as solar microgrids and battery storage to reduce dependence on imported liquefied gas. Thailand is promoting electric vehicle hubs, while Vietnam tests demand response systems to prevent blackouts. However, transmission infrastructure remains a bottleneck. Without an interconnected regional grid, efficiency plans clash with the reality that coal still generates more than 40% of electricity in the area.
Blackouts and diplomacy: the art of negotiating while sweating 😅
It will be curious to see leaders debating renewable energy in an air-conditioned room powered by a local coal plant. While Manila promises to coordinate responses, Myanmar's ambassadors will likely spend more time in the hallways looking for power outlets than at the negotiating tables. In the end, perhaps the summit's greatest achievement will be that no one is left in the dark during the gala dinner.