Electricity demand in Southeast Asia is projected to more than double – and possibly triple – by 2050 compared to today. In parallel, most countries have set net-zero targets. Meeting this growth will require accelerating clean energy deployment to decarbonise energy systems, while safeguarding energy security and ensuring affordable, fair access for all.
In Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, the Australian Government identifies the region’s clean energy transition as Southeast Asia’s greatest challenge—and a major opportunity for Australia to contribute to global decarbonisation.
Maritime decarbonisation sits at the heart of this shared agenda, creating opportunities for government-to-government cooperation, trade, and investment in low-emission fuel supply chains, infrastructure, and standards.
Across Southeast Asia, millions of people lack access to transport infrastructure that is both accessible and inclusive. Australia, through P4I, is working with the Philippine Department of Transportation (DOTr) to embed equity and inclusion principles into infrastructure planning, policy reform, and investment decision-making.
Australia’s regulatory framework has played a key role in the development of interconnectors—transmission assets that link the electricity networks of different states, enabling electricity to flow across regions.
As momentum builds for regional cooperation to strengthen energy connectivity and advance the ASEAN Power Grid, Australia’s experience offers practical insights for planning and regulating these cross-border transmission links. This brief contributes to a shared regional dialogue on power system development.
The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) is an independent authority overseeing wholesale and retail electricity markets and networks under national legislation and rules. Its role is shaped by the development of the National Electricity Market (NEM), making it essential to understand the broader governance and market context in which the AER operates.
Since 2021, P4I together with Australian Embassy Vietnam, has worked with Government of Vietnam counterparts, including Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Construction, relevant agencies including Electricity Authority of Vietnam (EAV), Vietnam Electricity, Commission for Policies and Strategies, National Electricity System and Market Operation (NSMO), Vietnam Institute of Strategy and Policy for Industry and Trade and provincial departments.
The Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA), established in 2011 following a spate of unprecedented disaster events, is the lead agency responsible for disaster recovery, resilience, and flood risk management policy in Queensland. Since then, the state has experienced a significant increase in the frequency and severity of disaster events, with 2025 being one of the worst years on record— marked by three major rainfall and flooding events that impacted all corners of Queensland.
Since 2021, P4I has worked with Cambodia’s Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT), the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPTC) and the Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia (TRC) to improve infrastructure investment decision-making, transport standards and capability building, and telecommunications regulation.
Transportation networks, energy grids, and digital communications connect economies and drive economic growth, trade, and development across borders. By collaborating on inclusive, low-carbon, and climate- and disaster-resilient infrastructure, Australia and Southeast Asia are working towards more prosperous and stable societies.
