"The challenge now is to build efficient and seamless connections across Asia and to the rest of the world to create a more competitive, prosperous, and integrated region."

A Pan-Asian Energy Infrastructure

By 2050, Asia could be connected by a vast energy and information architecture.

The benefits would be huge. A 'Pan-Asian Energy Infrastructure' would increase energy market competition, lower consumer prices and increase energy security. 

In coming years, Asia (ie China, Japan, South Korea, the ASEAN states, East Timor, Papua-New Guinea and Australia) needs tens of trillions of dollars of infrastructure investment.

This includes energy, transport and telecommunications. One-third of humanity lives in Asia. The region accounts for one-third of global GDP. It emits one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions. 

Between now and 2050, Asia's share of global population, GDP and energy use will rise dramatically. The decisions Asia makes in coming decades will largely determine the fate of humanity in the second half of the 21st Century. 

A  low-emission energy infrastructure in Asia is critical to avoiding destructive global climate change. 

The good news story in all this is that the cornerstones of a Pan-Asian Energy Infrastructure are being laid.  

They have names like the Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline, the Trans-ASEAN Electricity Grid, China Fiber Optic City, Palapa Ring, and the National Broadband Network.

The challenge now lies in interconnecting them to make a whole larger than the sum of the parts.  

To learn more, read Grenatec's  “Pan Asian Energy Infrastructure: Outlook.” 

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Nobua Tanaka,
ExecutiveDirector,
International Energy Agency



"Asia should create a large Asian infrastructure fund (AIF) that would mobilize Asian and international funds, and help prepare and finance bankable regional infrastructure projects."
Infrastructure For a Seamless Asia
Asian Development Bank,
2009


"The linking of gas pipelines across borders would enable economies to make more efficient use of existing capital investment in energy infrastructure to utilise the gas in various sectors.
Natural Gas Pipeline Development in Southeast Asia
Asia Pacific Energy Research Centre,
2004

"The benefits of upgrading and extending Asia’s infrastructure networks are substantial, and that all countries in the region would benefit."
Infrastructure For a Seamless Asia
Asian Development Bank,
2009

Infrastructure For a Seamless Asia
Asian Development Bank,
2009