Commodities
Electrification Could Boost Southeast Asia's Energy Security, IEA Says
Southeast Asia can reduce its growing dependence on imported fossil fuels and strengthen energy security by accelerating electrification across transport, industry and buildings, International Energy Agency strategists said in a Tuesday note.IEA analysts said energy consumption in Southeast Asia has climbed about 40% since 2015, with electricity demand expanding at about twice the pace of overall energy use.However, the Paris-based agency said that despite a rapid increase in renewable energy deployment, fossil fuels have accounted for over 70% of demand growth over the past decade. Crude oil still accounts for almost half of total energy consumption.The latest Middle East conflict has highlighted Southeast Asia's vulnerability to disruptions.IEA said before the conflict, about 60% of Southeast Asia's crude oil imports and one-third of its natural gas imports originated from the Middle East.Under current policies, oil imports are projected to meet about 80% of demand by 2035, while the region is forecast to become dependent on imports for about one-third of its gas requirements.The wider adoption of electric vehicles, heat pumps and electric motors across the region could curb fuel consumption and shift energy demand toward domestically produced electricity, improving resilience and reducing emissions."Electrification can be a critical pillar of strategies to meet the region's rising energy demand while mitigating these energy security risks," the IEA said.Electricity accounts for 23% of final energy consumption in Southeast Asia, above the global average. The agency said the share has reached about 30% in countries such as Vietnam and Brunei, compared with less than 20% in the mid-2000s.Electric mobility is emerging as one of the fastest-growing segments. Electric vehicle sales more than doubled in 2025, accounting for about 20% of total car sales across Southeast Asia and surpassing levels seen in several advanced economies.EV penetration reached 41% in Vietnam, 40% in Singapore, and 23% in Thailand, supported by tax incentives and growing domestic manufacturing, IEA said.The agency identified industry as the largest energy consumer, accounting for around 45% of final demand.About 35% of industrial energy use is devoted to low-temperature heat, which could be electrified using commercially available technologies.However, high capital costs, inadequate grid infrastructure and limited financing continue to slow progress.IEA said electricity's share of final energy consumption is expected to rise only gradually to 27% by 2035 and 33% by 2050 under existing policies.Electricity would account for nearly half of energy consumption by mid-century in a more ambitious scenario, while fuel imports in 2035 would be about one-third lower than under current trajectories.The reduction in oil demand due to the adoption of electric vehicles and biofuels would be equivalent to the region's entire current oil import volume by 2050.IEA said stronger policies, improved financing mechanisms and closer regional coordination through initiatives such as the ASEAN Power Grid and the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation could help accelerate the transition and support long-term economic growth.
