Boosting renewable power with large-scale energy storage in Southeast Asia

This case study explores the potential of pumped hydroelectric energy storage (PHES) as a key solution to support Southeast Asia’s renewable energy transition. Australia, through Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I), has led multiple initiatives in the region, working in collaboration with the Lao Ministry of Energy and Mines and Electricité du Laos; the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN); Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and Sarawak Energy in Malaysia; and the ASEAN Centre for Energy. These collaborations draw on Australia’s experience in PHES. Support includes access to the Australian National University’s global atlas of potential PHES sites, expert input on strategic planning and feasibility studies, guidance on potential business models and sustainable finance pathways, and direct engagement with Australian policymakers, regulators, and engineering firms through study tours.