Has coal power generation peaked in the ASEAN region?

The pace at which the coal power plants are growing in the ASEAN region is in contrast with many other regions worldwide. We often hear about the skepticism on the growth story for coal in the context of the declining cost of renewables and reluctance to finance coal projects. However, unlike many other regions, capacity growth in the ASEAN region is imperative to keep pace with power demand growth. Coal power plants are necessary for the mid-term to tackle shortages in the most economical way. But will the growth continue forever? How will the role of coal evolve over time? When will coal peak in the power sector? To answer these questions, we look at the following aspects of the electricity market in the ASEAN region: • When will the ASEAN region get away from coal, if at all? • Who is investing in coal projects? • How will renewables and battery LCOE compare with conventional technologies over time?